For most of my life, I thought I’d end up in IT. I’ve always been fascinated by all things tech: servers, networks, operating systems, the works. For two years, I went to college for Information Technology and spent many more years immersed in that world beforehand. But somewhere along the way, I discovered something that gave me even more satisfaction: building things with code.
After switching to software development, I realized that many of the skills I picked up during my IT years didn’t just disappear, they transformed. The same instincts that helped me troubleshoot a stubborn Windows issue or interpret a vague support ticket now help me design better, more resilient software.
Here are a few ways my IT experience has been a superpower as I’ve transitioned into software development.
1. The Ambiguity Decoder
When I worked in IT support, I often heard things like: “My computer just stopped working” or “The internet is broken.” End users didn’t always describe technical issues clearly, and that was okay. Part of my job was learning to translate their experience into something actionable.
That same ability transfers directly to software development. Clients and stakeholders are often experts in their own domains, not in software. They usually know exactly what problem they need solved, but translating that into technical terms or design requirements isn’t always easy. Having already spent time turning unclear reports into real fixes, I’ve learned to bridge that gap: to ask the right questions, understand the intent behind a request, and translate domain knowledge into actionable solutions.
2. The Bug Prophet
In IT, I saw it all: broken updates, forgotten passwords, weird software conflicts that made no sense. That experience built an intuition for how people actually interact with technology and how they might accidentally break it.
As a developer, that foresight helps me design software that anticipates real-world problems. I find myself thinking: “Someone’s definitely going to click that button twice” or “That error message needs to be way clearer.” My past life solving tech issues now helps me prevent them before they happen.
3. The Technical Swiss Army Knife
Working in IT exposed me to a wide range of systems: hardware, networking, databases, operating systems, and more. While I don’t use every one of those skills daily in software development, they’re still incredibly valuable, especially when working on projects that touch infrastructure or hardware.
Understanding how software runs under the hood means I can build with the bigger picture in mind. Need to debug performance issues that turn out to be network-related? I’m ready. Writing code that interacts with IoT devices or embedded systems? That hardware knowledge serves me well.
4. The Documentation Detective
In IT, I learned that the answer is almost always out there, buried in a forum post, tucked away in official documentation, or hidden three layers deep in a Stack Overflow thread. I got good at tracking down solutions fast, understanding which advice to trust, and piecing together just enough context to fix the issue.
That skill has become even more powerful in software development. Every new framework, library, or API comes with a mountain of documentation, and developers who can efficiently sift through it save hours (and headaches).
5. The Windows Whisperer
Many software developers live in the world of MacOS and Linux. Throughout my career, I’ve developed a deep familiarity with Windows, from its quirks and command-line tools to its intricate system settings.
That knowledge has been a huge asset. Some clients use Windows-based systems exclusively, or I might find myself working on Windows-specific applications, integrations, or infrastructure. Being comfortable in that ecosystem lets me move confidently, bridging the gap between platforms and ensuring my software plays nicely in every environment.
6. The Virtual Machine Virtuoso
I’ve spun up more virtual machines than I can count. I know how to allocate resources, configure networking, and troubleshoot when a VM refuses to boot.
That hands-on understanding translates to modern software development, where virtualization powers almost everything. Tools like Docker and Kubernetes all build on the same principles I already know. My VM experience gives me a head start in understanding how these systems isolate processes, share resources, and create consistent environments across machines. It’s a foundation that makes mastering containers far less intimidating.
Wrapping It Up
Every ticket I resolved and every late-night troubleshooting session taught me how to think critically, adapt, and solve complex problems. Those same traits make me a stronger, more thoughtful developer.
If you’re considering the jump, don’t underestimate what you already bring to the table. The path from IT to software isn’t a detour — it’s a foundation.