Think of the team behind your beloved shooting games, and the image that likely comes to mind is someone young and tech-savvy. As a Gen X-er in her 40s with a background outside the world of technology, Nelly Lee shatters these stereotypes wholeheartedly.

A DevOps engineer, she plays a crucial role in ensuring popular shooter and battle royale games stay lag-free. However, this was a far cry from her previous role in the travel industry, where she led tours, sold tour packages and planned itineraries. 

Choosing The Next Move

The year was 2021, and the world had shut its borders and grounded flights. Nelly found herself facing an unexpected crossroads in her career, as she was suddenly confronted with a shrinking job market, a salary cut and an uncertain future.

The fear of job insecurity and diminishing income gnawed at her, especially with a young daughter relying on her. Unlike her colleagues with no dependents, Nelly couldn't afford the luxury of a "wait and see" approach. She knew that she had to do something about the situation, and fast.

"I knew a pay cut was inevitable, but sleepless nights worrying about my family kept me up," Nelly recalls. It was during this challenging time that she stumbled upon SkillsFuture courses while browsing online. The tech courses offered by Generation Singapore, a non-profit organisation, stirred her interest and sparked a flicker of hope.

While technology wasn't exactly her forte, Nelly was inspired to take the leap by her brother, a software engineer in the tech industry. Armed with a "why not?" attitude, she applied for two courses, and got accepted to the Microsoft Cloud Support and DevOps course.

The decision to embark on an entirely new career path wasn't easy. Diving headfirst into the world of tech was a daunting experience. "There were so many terms and tools to learn," Nelly remembers. Juggling studies with childcare also meant late nights burning the midnight oil, pushing her to her limits.

Another hurdle was her age, and Nelly wasn't immune to self-doubt. "I felt like I struggled more with learning because I was less tech-savvy, and it had been a long while since I last studied properly," she admits. 

However, motivated by her daughter, and cheered on by her supportive parents – who even bought her a brand-new laptop as a present for her studies – she persevered through.

From Setbacks To Success

Even after completing the course, Nelly's journey was far from smooth sailing. The initial job interviews proved to be challenging, as they were highly technical. However, Nelly wasn't one to give up easily. After each interview, she researched the questions she stumbled upon and sought feedback from her brother. Each interview made her better prepared for the next one.

Her relentless determination to get a job and her willingness to learn finally paid off. With her newly acquired skills and newfound confidence, Nelly finally landed a role as a DevOps Engineer at a leading international gaming company.

Today, Nelly's days are filled with a different kind of thrill. Instead of navigating travel itineraries, she optimises the performance of popular shooter and battle royale video games by troubleshooting server issues.

While not a gamer herself, Nelly finds immense satisfaction in her new role. "I didn't expect to find a job in tech so quickly, especially in such a big company," she beams. She appreciates the stability and the routine her new job offers, allowing her to plan her days ahead while spending her weekends with her daughter.

"For those who are uncertain to take the leap, I would advise them to just try – you won’t lose anything, plus it’s an investment in yourself."

Championing Lifelong Learning

Reflecting on her journey, Nelly offers advice to others considering upskilling: "I recommend this course to a lot of my friends. I was very grateful for it, as it enabled me to pick up useful skills while securing a job quickly.”

She also added: “For those who are uncertain to take the leap, I would advise them to just try – you won’t lose anything, plus it’s an investment in yourself."

Despite the stability in her new job, she continues to upskill, currently pursuing certification in Kubernetes, a software system. Moreover, she has outlined a clear career trajectory, which includes securing a senior position and becoming a team lead before hitting 50. She also plans to equip herself with diverse skill sets to enhance her employability.

It’s not all work and no play for her though. Outside of her professional pursuits, Nelly enjoys baking together with her daughter, a hobby she is able to explore more now with a stable work schedule.