Hi everyone,

I’m an 18-year-old self-taught software developer with a deep passion for building and learning. While I don’t have formal job experience yet, I’ve poured my heart into personal projects, open-source contributions, and learning from the ground up.

I’m currently looking for opportunities to join an early-stage or growth-stage startup, especially in a technical role. Here’s what I bring to the table:

    Product-First Thinking: I focus on building things that solve real user problems. I’ve worked on personal SaaS projects where I iterated based on feedback to improve usability and value.
    High Ownership and Initiative: I thrive on taking full ownership of tasks, and I’m eager to contribute in any way possible—whether it’s frontend, backend, AI/ML, or infrastructure.
    Fast Learner: While I may not have years of experience, I’ve quickly picked up technologies like Next.js, Prisma, TypeScript, Python, and PostgreSQL. I’m adaptable and love diving into new tools and challenges.
    Relentless Work Ethic: I’m willing to start at a lower rate if needed because my priority is gaining experience and contributing to something impactful.
    Hunger for Growth: I want to be part of a team where I can learn, grow, and make a difference.

Here are some questions for founders: a) What qualities stand out the most when hiring junior engineers at your startup? b) Is there anything I should focus on improving or demonstrating to make myself a more attractive hire? c) How often do you consider cold outreach from candidates? Is it effective to reach out directly to startups I admire?

Lastly, if any YC founders are open to giving me a shot, I’d love to chat! I’m passionate about startups, eager to learn, and ready to work hard to prove my worth.

Thank you for your time and advice!