#169 From fast food worker to cybersecurity engineer with Tae'lur Alexis
Apr 21, 2025
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Tae'lur Alexis, a self-taught developer turned cybersecurity analyst, shares her inspiring journey from fast food jobs to tech success. She discusses how she learned programming through freeCodeCamp and the #100DaysOfCode challenge. Tae'lur describes the challenges of moving to Thailand to work remotely, navigating cultural immersion, and integrating security practices into development. She emphasizes the importance of community support and persistence, highlighting the rewarding opportunities in cybersecurity like bug bounty programs.
Tae'lur Alexis transformed her life from fast food to cybersecurity by self-learning programming through platforms like freeCodeCamp.
She emphasizes the necessity for cybersecurity awareness among startups to prevent technical debt caused by ignoring security during product development.
Tae'lur's journey reflects the importance of community support and hands-on experience in overcoming barriers faced by non-traditional candidates in tech.
Deep dives
Transitioning to Application Security
Web developers or software engineers have excellent opportunities in application security, leveraging their foundational knowledge of web development. By familiarizing themselves with the OWASP Top 10 and common web vulnerabilities, these professionals can learn how attackers exploit applications. Their primary role would involve securing applications against such attacks, making this transition both meaningful and impactful. This specialization is crucial, as many startups initially overlook security, leading to technical debt that needs addressing later.
Diverse Roles in Cybersecurity
The field of cybersecurity encompasses a wide range of roles, including incident response and compliance, each tailored to different needs within the tech industry. Working as a cybersecurity analyst involves providing services like vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to startups, often building security programs from the ground up. Many tech companies prioritize shipping products quickly, often neglecting security until later stages, which can lead to vulnerabilities. Educating startups on the importance of security measures from the beginning of the software development lifecycle is essential.
Self-Taught Pathway to Tech
Taylor Alexis, a cybersecurity analyst, transitioned into technology without a formal college education, relying instead on self-learning platforms such as FreeCodeCamp. Initially, she struggled with programming concepts like functions and loops but persisted, fueled by personal motivation, especially after reconnecting with her father. This journey is characterized by determination and resilience, demonstrating that knowledge can be garnered through diverse resources rather than traditional educational paths. Community support played a significant role, helping her to build connections and stay motivated throughout her learning process.
Career Progression Challenges
Despite her impressive skills, Taylor faced challenges when shifting to security roles due to the industry's high competition and the necessity for specific cybersecurity experience. Recruiters often favored candidates with formal degrees or extensive cybersecurity backgrounds, making it difficult for her to secure interviews. However, she notes that participating in bug bounty hunting can provide essential practical experience, allowing aspiring security professionals to showcase their skills and gain valuable exposure. This proactive approach can enhance a candidate's portfolio and make them more appealing to employers.
Practical Learning in Security
To succeed in cybersecurity, especially in application security, practitioners must understand how to both build and break systems. Taylor highlights the importance of practical, hands-on experience while learning about security principles, advocating for self-directed projects in virtualized environments. Knowledge of operating systems and networking forms the foundation upon which security skills are built, which can be achieved through dedicated resources and platforms like TryHackMe. By actively engaging in labs and applying theories creatively, individuals can deepen their understanding of vulnerabilities and security measures.
Living Abroad and Embracing New Cultures
Taylor’s desire to live abroad, especially in Thailand, stems from her fascination with different cultures and a lifelong ambition to immerse herself in diverse communities. After a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, she decided to extend her stay in Bangkok, ultimately securing a digital nomad visa that allowed her to work remotely. She emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, including financial planning and understanding visa requirements, when considering relocation. Immersing herself in local customs and daily life not only enriches her experience but also supports her professional journey as a digital nomad.
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Tae'lur Alexis. She's a developer and security analyst. Instead of going to college, Tae'lur spent years working various fast food and retail jobs.
Tae'lur taught herself Python and JavaScript using freeCodeCamp and worked as a software engineer for 5 years before specializing in security engineering. Now instead of building applications, she breaks them.
We talk about: - Making ends meet working McDonalds in Florida - How she taught herself programming using freeCodeCamp and the #100DaysOfCode challenge - Leveraging local meetups to make developer friends - Moving to Thailand and working remotely
Support for this podcast comes from a grant from Wix Studio. Wix Studio provides developers tools to rapidly build websites with everything out-of-the-box, then extend, replace, and break boundaries with code. Learn more at https://wixstudio.com.
Support also comes from the 11,384 kind folks who support freeCodeCamp through a monthly donation. You can join these chill human beings and help our charity's mission by going to donate.freecodecamp.org
Links we talk about during our conversation: - Tae'lur's website and blog articles: https://taeluralexis.com - Tae'lur's YouTube channel about working remotely in Bangkok: https://www.youtube.com/@TaelurAlexis - Tae'lur on Twitter: https://x.com/TaelurAlexis
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