As this year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect and put things into perspective. From a career standpoint, this has been a year of specialization—a year where I honed my skills and achieved significant milestones.
Android all the way:
As many of you know, becoming an Android app developer has been a long-term goal of mine, and this year, I made that dream a reality. By great fortune, I found a position that perfectly aligned with my expertise in Java—the programming language I’ve been professionally using for the past four years, primarily with frameworks like Spring Boot. Yet, alongside my professional work, I’ve always harbored a deep passion for Android development.
Since 2022, I’ve been building a portfolio of Android apps in Java. This year, as you might recall from my previous blog posts, I landed a role as an Android developer at a Japanese finance company.
Since starting this position, I’ve dedicated most of my time—both professionally and personally—to developing Android apps, predominantly using Java. While I hope to gain experience with Kotlin, the modern standard for Android development, my Java skills remain invaluable. Kotlin is, after all, built on Java, making a strong foundation in the language essential for mastering Kotlin.
In many ways, this year has been defined by my focus on Android development and Java. More importantly, it has taught me the profound impact of aligning your passion with your profession. It feels like magic—constantly learning about what you’re passionate about while being paid to do so. This “year of specialization” will undoubtedly be remembered as a year of achievement and growth.
Entrepreneurship:
Alongside the major shift in my primary role from backend development to Android development, this year also marks the beginning of my journey into the world of entrepreneurship. Starting a business—regardless of its size—has always been an aspiration of mine, though I wasn’t entirely sure how to make it a reality.
Drawing on my extensive skills and knowledge in Linux, particularly from my time specializing in Linux shell scripting, I’ve begun working on a book about Linux home servers. This book focuses on guiding readers through the process of building a home server from scratch using Ubuntu Server and Samba. With my specialization in Linux, this project feels like a fitting first step into entrepreneurship. I plan to publish the book in English on Amazon in the US, UK, and Australia, hoping to reach a broad audience.
In addition, I’ve launched my own tech-focused Meetup group, offering paid events where I teach attendees how to access a remote Ubuntu server using the SSH command and navigate the Linux system effectively. While the current focus is solely on Linux, I envision expanding the offerings in the future to include Python. For instance, I could introduce courses on automating Linux tasks with Python scripts, which would add another layer of value and open new revenue opportunities.
This year has truly been transformative—not just in my professional career but also in taking the first steps toward building something of my own.
Building a business-oriented website:
Given that I’ve started laying the groundwork for building my small businesses, I’m considering establishing a company with a dedicated website to serve as the hub for my ventures. This site could promote my future Linux books and even function as a platform to distribute my Android app APK files directly, bypassing the need to rely solely on the Google Play Store.
The idea of creating a brand identity for my business is particularly exciting—even brainstorming potential names feels like an inspiring step forward. It’s thrilling to imagine this website as the cornerstone of my entrepreneurial journey, bringing together all my projects under one cohesive banner.
Conclusion:
Overall, this year has provided me with countless opportunities for growth, both as a developer and as an individual. Earning a living by building Android apps has been a fantastic example of the power of specialization. At the same time, it’s always wise to explore additional opportunities in areas where I have expertise, such as Linux.
As for Python, while I haven’t had the chance to use it professionally, I have a solid understanding of the language. This foundation could serve as an excellent starting point for finding ways to monetize my Python skills. Expanding into this area might open up new avenues for growth and income, complementing my existing specializations.