Source: Youtube/Working at Microsoft
Alvaro Videla‘s journey from street vendor to tech leader is a story of triumph over adversity that inspires us all. Born and raised in Uruguay, Alvaro faced financial struggles while studying to be a teacher in Durazno. His wife’s meager income and their humble living conditions only fueled his determination to find a better path.
In 2006, a friend introduced Alvaro to the world of programming, revealing lucrative job opportunities in Montevideo. Despite lacking formal IT education and internet access, Alvaro set ambitious goals for himself. With basic knowledge of PHP and ActionScript, he embarked on a project to create a city map application, AlephMaps, as a learning tool and portfolio piece.
But the road to success was riddled with obstacles. Limited internet access and resources forced Alvaro to frequent internet cafes to continue his studies. Undeterred, he set out to master PHP, MySQL, and Flash, determined to land a programming job in Montevideo.
After weeks of hard work and preparation, Alvaro applied for a job at Live Interactive, a big company in the city. Despite facing rejection after his initial interview, Alvaro refused to give up. He continued to improve his skills and resilience until he finally landed a job offer.
Starting with Live Interactive, Alvaro’s journey in the tech industry was just beginning. Despite setbacks and challenges, he persisted, eventually becoming a lead architect in Switzerland and later a senior developer at Microsoft. Along the way, he even found time to write a book, “Notes on the Synthesis of Labyrinths.”
Alvaro’s story teaches us that with perseverance and determination, we can overcome any obstacle. His journey from selling ravioli on the streets to leading teams at tech giants is a testament to the power of resilience and resourcefulness. So, whether you’re facing financial struggles or educational barriers, remember Alvaro’s story and dare to find your own path to success.