My first computer was a Commodore VIC 20 in the early 1980s. I learned to program by making my sisters read BASIC code printed in books while I typed it into the computer.
I created my first piece of software in year 9 — it was a CRM for a conference (though back then nobody had heard of “CRM”. It was just a dBase III interface for recording registration information for later followup)
I’ve been working full time in software since the late 90s, and my many ‘merit badges’ include losing my job in the dot-com bust of 2001. Since around 2005 I’ve been in leadership roles.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is how much I don’t know.