By Mehak Malik
Some stories begin with a leap. Others begin with a quiet decision, the kind you make after years of working, living, building, and wondering what comes next. For Erik Acquistapace, that moment arrived at the age of 50, after spending over three decades working across sales, sales management, entrepreneurship, insurance, and logistics.
What followed was not just a career shift; it was a personal reinvention through the Professional Certificate in Full Stack Software Development: Building Scalable Cloud Applications from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.
At the Crossroads of Change: How Erik Rebuilt His Career with Coding
Erik was born and raised in Georgetown, Texas, a short drive from Austin, now one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the United States. His career journey has been anything but linear; he has worked in sales and sales management, run his own business for more than a decade, held an insurance sales license, earned a mortgage license, and most recently worked in the logistics of construction materials.
With more than 30 years in the workforce, Erik had built a rich and varied professional life, but he felt a pull toward something new, something aligned with the fast-evolving tech landscape around him.
“I didn’t want to continue doing what I was doing. I wanted to challenge myself, look for an opportunity, and build a real career,” he shares. Living close to Austin, he saw firsthand how the city was transforming into a magnet for companies of all sizes. The demand for tech talent was rising, and Erik knew it was time to step into an industry that represented both the present and the future, especially as he watched Austin rapidly transform into a booming tech hub.
Choosing a Program That Fits Into a Busy Life
For Erik, the decision to join the program was shaped by two powerful motivators: the rapid growth of tech in Austin and the rising demand for programming skills.
He wanted to position himself for a career where he could offer more, contribute more, and learn skills that were relevant to the future. But choosing the right program mattered, especially for someone juggling a full-time job, a family, and daily responsibilities. What ultimately drew him to Great Learning’s program was its self-paced structure, step-by-step modules, clear and thorough video content, and the support of mentors and staff who stayed with him until every doubt was resolved.
“The flexibility of the self-paced study made it doable. Everything was broken down into manageable pieces. The videos, the material, the support, it all felt achievable,” he shares. From detailed video lectures to consistent guidance from mentors and support staff, the program gave him the structure he needed to navigate something completely new without feeling overwhelmed.
Balancing Full-Time Work, Family, and Learning
Erik didn’t pause his life to learn. He studied while working 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. He also continued being a father to two teenagers, attending practices, recitals, and games, all while progressing steadily through the program.
“It is manageable and very doable,” he says.
The program’s flexibility allowed him to fit learning into late evenings, weekends, or any free moment he could find. It became a rhythm. A commitment. A promise to himself.
Discovering the World of Code, One Language at a Time
Erik remembers exactly how it felt to start. HTML felt like learning the ABCs. CSS felt like learning a new language. And JavaScript? “JavaScript felt like learning Russian,” he laughs.
What seemed intimidating at first slowly unraveled. “The videos were very thorough. You can watch them as many times as you need,” he shares. He also credits the mentors, who went out of their way to help the cohort understand complex concepts. “Some sessions ran longer than normal, but the mentors always stayed until everything was clear. The office hours were also extremely helpful for assessments and doubts.”
From guided projects to quizzes, assessments, and hands-on exercises, everything came together to support his transition into full stack development. Along the way, he discovered a passion he didn’t know he had. Among all the tools, languages, and frameworks he explored, from JavaScript to React to the MERN stack, one area stood out. “I found a real interest in database administration and management systems,” he shares. SQL and NoSQL resonated with him instantly. The logic, structure, and problem-solving involved sparked a curiosity he now hopes to pursue professionally. “It’s something I could see myself building a career in,” he says.
The Most Rewarding Moment
When asked about his favorite part of the program, Erik’s answer is simple:
“Receiving the certificate of completion.”
For him, it represents more than learning full-stack development.
It symbolizes commitment, discipline, and the courage to start again, not at 20, not at 30, but at 50, a stage of life when many hesitate to start over. Erik’s story is a reminder that growth has no age limit, and learning has no deadline. Whether you’ve spent five years in an industry or thirty, the desire to build something new can take you further than you imagine.
