Building from zero after addiction, prison, and a felony
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Software engineer rebuilt his life from addiction, incarceration, and felony through open source work and mentorship.
The author spent ages 14-16 in a maximum-security juvenile prison for drug dealing, became a felon at 19, and spiraled through homelessness and addiction. After hitting bottom with no money or housing, he worked as a dishwasher while his wife delivered appliances. A tiny Miami startup hired him despite eight prior rescissions from companies with no-felon policies. He discovered Hasura, contributed heavily to the GraphQL engine project, and was hired there at double his salary in 2020. He credits his recovery to his wife's support, hitting rock bottom, and people willing to judge him by his future capabilities rather than his record.
The author emphasizes he made terrible choices and wasted opportunities, but argues that talent is not evenly distributed by background check. He hopes to eventually mentor others similarly positioned.
What commenters are saying
Commenters express appreciation for the redemption narrative. Discussion centers on modern hiring friction: one commenter notes that showing interest used to suffice but now AI resume filters create obstacles; a counter-argument suggests using AI to optimize your own resume application. A separate discussion emerges around job market persistence, with one commenter reporting their spouse struggled to break into audio design despite credentials and networking, while others recommend building portfolios through unpaid local projects and union intake programs. Several recovered addicts share their own sobriety stories, noting that medications like suboxone and community support were crucial; one dismisses the "just say no" approach as ineffective for addiction. A final thread raises concern that AI advancement may eliminate software engineering roles entirely, which the author himself acknowledges as a real possibility.