The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#165 From hating coding to programming satellites at age 37 with Francesco Ciulla

37 snips
Mar 21, 2025
Francesco Ciulla, a software engineer who helped code for the Copernicus satellite program at the European Space Agency, shares his inspiring journey from volleyball coaching to tech. He dives into the significance of Rust programming, addressing its safety features and his experience creating tutorials. Francesco discusses overcoming introversion while sharing knowledge through talks and social media. He reflects on the challenges of starting small and building community in tech, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and continuous learning.
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ANECDOTE

CrowdStrike Incident

  • CrowdStrike's faulty software update disrupted Francesco's travel plans.
  • He endured a 36-hour bus ride from Berlin to Rome.
ANECDOTE

Career Shift

  • Francesco transitioned to software engineering from a 20-year career as a volleyball coach.
  • He also taught math and other subjects, reflecting his family's teaching background.
ANECDOTE

Professor's Criticism

  • A professor told Francesco he would 'never be a programmer' after an exam.
  • This criticism motivated him to dedicate himself to learning to code.
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