Data Engineer urges individuals to embrace persistence, lifelong learning, and hands-on skill-building as pathways into fast-growing technical roles.
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / December 23, 2025 / Data Engineer Amatullah Kapadia is raising awareness for the growing need to support self-taught and non-traditional career paths in the technology industry. Drawing from her own journey-moving from environmental engineering to big tech through independent study-Kapadia encourages people to adopt accessible learning habits, build resilience, and measure success by personal standards rather than outside pressure.
Kapadia's message comes at a critical time. According to CompTIA's 2024 Workforce Report, 41% of IT workers do not hold a traditional computer science degree, and tech job openings exceed available talent by nearly 4 to 1 across North America. The demand for data engineers alone is projected to grow by 21% in the next decade.
"My career was entirely self-taught," Kapadia says. "Undergrad gave me structure and logic, but everything else-programming, data systems, engineering workflows-I learned through persistence. I didn't get an internship. I had to build my own path."
Championing Grit in a Skills-Based Economy
Kapadia believes that grit, not a perfect résumé, is becoming the new workplace currency. Many people still feel locked out of the tech sector due to lack of credentials or traditional experience. She wants to shift that mindset.
"I never saw not getting an internship as failure," she explains. "I saw it as a sign that I needed different skills. So I taught myself. Anyone can do that with the right approach."
Her approach is grounded in simple, accessible habits: writing things down, journaling, experimenting with hands-on hobbies, and learning by doing. She says these practices help build clarity, structure, and confidence-skills she believes are essential to any career transition.
Industry data supports her belief. LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report (2023) shows that 89% of employees feel more motivated when they can learn at their own pace, and companies hiring for "skills, not degrees" have grown hiring rates by 25% year over year.
Encouraging Individuals to Redefine Success
Kapadia also advocates for a healthier relationship with personal progress. She notes that many people avoid trying new things because they fear not being perfect.
"I'm not a perfectionist," she says. "If I feel satisfied with the outcome, I call it a job well done. Sometimes success means quitting a book halfway because it no longer serves you. That's still a step forward."
Her perspective resonates with younger professionals. A Pew Research Center study found that 56% of workers aged 18-29 feel stressed about career expectations, while only 32% feel confident in their long-term career path. Kapadia believes mindset shifts like hers reduce that pressure.
Why Self-Directed Learning Matters Now
Technology roles-especially in data engineering, cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity-are expanding faster than universities can produce talent. Many entry-level jobs now require portfolio work, practical skills, or proven projects rather than formal credentials.
"There is so much information available today. You don't need permission to start learning," Kapadia says. "Most of the skills I use daily didn't exist when I started college. That's how fast things move. You have to stay curious."
Her story also reflects a broader workforce trend. More than 70% of IT professionals say they gained new skills from online learning, self-study, and community-based resources-not from school.
Call to Action: Steps People Can Take on Their Own
Kapadia emphasizes that anyone-regardless of background-can make progress by starting small. Her recommendations:
Journal your learning. "Writing things down helps organize your mind," she says.
Pick up a small hobby that requires hands-on work. It builds patience and problem-solving.
Learn at your own pace. Even 15 minutes a day adds up.
Don't be afraid to pivot or drop what no longer helps you.
Measure success by your own standards-not other people's timelines.
"These steps aren't about getting into tech," she notes. "They're about building the habits that let you grow into any field you want. The first step is believing you can teach yourself."
About Amatullah Kapadia
Amatullah Kapadia is a Data Engineer based in Houston, Texas. She grew up in India and moved to Canada at age 13. She studied Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo and transitioned into tech through self-directed learning. She has worked in oil and gas, Accenture, and Amazon.
Contact: info@amatullahkapadia.com
SOURCE: Amatullah Kapadia
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