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in 2006, despite graduating with a first class honors and university medal (highest GPA) in computer science and physics, at 17, I couldn't find work at all (discrimination vs trans, probably, this was in montreal) at some point the bit flipped and I was like "oh, the system doesn't work, I have to take responsibility for creating my own opportunities or I will literally starve" I made a like $$ from winnings from topcoder competitions, and became an entrepreneur. i didn't have my name out there, so I started blogging at https://t.co/Q3UXnU9b79 and posting on hacker news. I applied to YC -- got rejected, but intro'd to amazing startups/founders, and did a little work for them. I slept on couches. I earned my keep making dumplings. I tried to prove my worth to cofounders by working on their projects, telling them about mine. Finally I found someone as excited about my long term projects as I was, and I went from there. at no point did the system pick me up and was like, here's what to do next, here's a job for you -- even though this is really all I wanted at the time -- just some financial stability while I transitioned. no dice, it was hard mode for me -- trans while your company is making you ~famous, have fun with that! but in return the wool was pulled from my eyes -- the system does not provide for you. you simply have to go out and make your own opportunities. but once you do, the world really is open to you
