My Journey: From Logistics to Code

After spending several years in the freight forwarding and logistics industry, I made the decision to completely change my career path and dive into the world of programming. This is the story of how I made that transition, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.

The Logistics Years

My career began in the fast-paced world of global logistics. I started as a Sales Executive at Proteus Mitra Logistic, handling sales and operations for local and international freight forwarding. I managed documentation and permits for customs clearance, created cost-effective proposals, and monitored container bookings and shipment schedules.

Later, I moved to M+R Forwarding Indonesia, where I oversaw end-to-end logistics for domestic, export, and import cargo. I developed competitive quotations and pricing strategies that helped win new clients and managed order tracking and container allocation for numerous monthly shipments.

My most recent role was in Sales Operations at Abadimitra Andhika, where I managed domestic, export, and import shipments across sea and land logistics, ensuring timely delivery with a 98% on-time rate. I calculated quotations with accurate cost analysis and coordinated order fulfillment and container scheduling.

While I enjoyed the problem-solving aspects of logistics, I found myself increasingly drawn to the technological side of the business. I was fascinated by the software systems we used and often found myself thinking about how they could be improved.

The Spark of Change

The turning point came when I realized that my passion for technology and problem-solving could be channeled into a career in software development. I started learning basic programming concepts in my free time, and soon found myself spending evenings and weekends coding.

What started as curiosity quickly grew into passion. I realized that software development combined many of the aspects I enjoyed about logistics—problem-solving, creating efficient systems, and delivering value—but with the added benefit of building something tangible.

Taking the Leap

After months of self-study and deliberation, I made the decision to fully commit to my new path. I enrolled in Hacktiv8's immersive coding bootcamp, a program focused on fullstack JavaScript development.

The decision wasn't easy. It meant leaving behind a stable career, taking a financial hit, and starting over in a new field. But I knew that the long-term benefits—both in terms of career satisfaction and growth potential—would be worth it.

The Bootcamp Experience

The bootcamp was intense, to say the least. From December 2024 to April 2025, I was immersed in code from morning until night. We covered everything from the fundamentals of JavaScript to building complex fullstack applications with React, Node.js, and various databases.

The learning curve was steep, and there were moments of doubt. But with each project completed and each concept mastered, my confidence grew. I discovered that my background in logistics had equipped me with valuable skills that translated well to development:

• Problem-solving under pressure: In logistics, problems need to be solved quickly to keep shipments moving. This ability to think on my feet proved invaluable when debugging code.
• Attention to detail: Logistics requires meticulous attention to documentation and regulations. This precision helped me write clean, error-free code.
• Communication skills: Years of explaining complex logistics concepts to clients prepared me to communicate technical ideas clearly.

Building My First Projects

During the bootcamp, I worked on several projects that helped solidify my skills:

1. Jolt Jordan: A job portal platform with AI-powered CV feedback and a Telegram chatbot for job alerts.
2. Qarl: An e-commerce platform for reusable drink bottles with integrated product pages and cart system.
3. Sparkles: A mobile photo-sharing application inspired by Instagram with real-time updates.
4. Queezy: A web-based word game with dynamically generated questions powered by Gemini AI.
5. Flex: A fitness-focused application that fetched and displayed exercises from an API.

Each project presented its own challenges, but also provided immense satisfaction when completed. I found myself enjoying the process of building something from scratch and seeing it come to life.

The Road Ahead

As I complete my bootcamp journey, I'm excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. The tech industry offers endless opportunities for growth and learning, and I'm eager to continue expanding my skills.

I plan to focus on fullstack development with JavaScript, React, and Node.js, while continuing to build my skills with databases and APIs. I'm particularly interested in creating intuitive user interfaces and solving complex problems with clean, efficient code.

Lessons Learned

For anyone considering a similar career change, here are a few lessons I've learned along the way:

1. Your previous experience is valuable: Don't discount the skills you've developed in other fields. They often translate in unexpected ways.
2. Embrace the discomfort: Learning to code is challenging, and feeling lost is part of the process. Embrace it rather than fight it.
3. Build projects you care about: Working on projects related to your interests or previous industry keeps you motivated and showcases your unique perspective.
4. Connect with the community: The tech community is incredibly supportive. Attend meetups, join online forums, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Conclusion

Transitioning from logistics to code has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. While the journey is just beginning, I'm confident that the decision to change careers was the right one.

I'm excited to bring my unique background and perspective to the tech industry, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.