Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What does it really take to go from serving pancakes to shipping code at one of the world’s biggest tech companies? In this episode of How I Broke Into Tech, we sit down with Francisco Gutierrez—a former Denny’s server turned Microsoft Software Engineer—who taught himself HTML through Myspace, landed a Udacity Nanodegree scholarship, and never looked back.
If you’ve ever doubted your path into tech because of a “non-traditional” background, Francisco’s story is your proof that passion, perseverance, and a growth mindset can change your life.
Hear how he:
- Discovered coding by customizing Myspace pages
- Balanced late-night study sessions after late-night shifts
- Leveraged Udacity’s Nanodegree program to uplevel his skills
- Broke into Microsoft through an apprenticeship—after getting rejected the first time
- Uses soft skills from the service industry to thrive in tech
Whether you’re just getting started or feeling stuck, this episode is packed with relatable advice, real talk, and tactical tips to help you break in.
👉 Subscribe to How I Broke Into Tech for more unfiltered stories from career-changers who made it.
📘 Learn more about Udacity: udacity.com
#SelfTaught #CareerChange #MicrosoftEngineer #HowIBrokeIntoTech #Udacity #LearnToCode #FrontendDeveloper #CodingBootcamp #TechCareer #ImmigrantStory #MyspaceToMicrosoft
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Video Chapters
00:00 – Intro: From Denny’s to Microsoft
00:54 – Meet Francisco: Who He Is & What He Does
02:29 – Moving to the U.S. Without Speaking English
04:25 – 13 Years at Denny’s: Lessons from the Service Industry
06:34 – How Myspace Sparked His Passion for Code
11:59 – The Turning Point: Choosing Udacity Over College
14:08 – How the Scholarship Experience Changed Everything
18:02 – Breaking into Microsoft Through an Apprenticeship
24:41 – His “Aha” Moments: From Hobbyist to Engineer
27:24 – Service Industry Skills That Helped Him in Tech
31:38 – What Microsoft Really Looks for in Candidates
35:16 – Rapid Fire: Coffee, Coding Vibes, and Favorite Tools ☕💻
37:05 – Final Advice: Feel Stuck? Do This First
Music License Code: E7GWEOY91WOZU3XM
What does it really take to go from serving pancakes to shipping code at one of the world’s biggest tech companies? In this episode of How I Broke Into Tech, we sit down with Francisco Gutierrez—a former Denny’s server turned Microsoft Software Engineer—who taught himself HTML through Myspace, landed a Udacity Nanodegree scholarship, and never looked back.
If you’ve ever doubted your path into tech because of a “non-traditional” background, Francisco’s story is your proof that passion, perseverance, and a growth mindset can change your life.
Hear how he:
- Discovered coding by customizing Myspace pages
- Balanced late-night study sessions after late-night shifts
- Leveraged Udacity’s Nanodegree program to uplevel his skills
- Broke into Microsoft through an apprenticeship—after getting rejected the first time
- Uses soft skills from the service industry to thrive in tech
Whether you’re just getting started or feeling stuck, this episode is packed with relatable advice, real talk, and tactical tips to help you break in.
👉 Subscribe to How I Broke Into Tech for more unfiltered stories from career-changers who made it.
📘 Learn more about Udacity: udacity.com
#SelfTaught #CareerChange #MicrosoftEngineer #HowIBrokeIntoTech #Udacity #LearnToCode #FrontendDeveloper #CodingBootcamp #TechCareer #ImmigrantStory #MyspaceToMicrosoft
---
Video Chapters
00:00 – Intro: From Denny’s to Microsoft
00:54 – Meet Francisco: Who He Is & What He Does
02:29 – Moving to the U.S. Without Speaking English
04:25 – 13 Years at Denny’s: Lessons from the Service Industry
06:34 – How Myspace Sparked His Passion for Code
11:59 – The Turning Point: Choosing Udacity Over College
14:08 – How the Scholarship Experience Changed Everything
18:02 – Breaking into Microsoft Through an Apprenticeship
24:41 – His “Aha” Moments: From Hobbyist to Engineer
27:24 – Service Industry Skills That Helped Him in Tech
31:38 – What Microsoft Really Looks for in Candidates
35:16 – Rapid Fire: Coffee, Coding Vibes, and Favorite Tools ☕💻
37:05 – Final Advice: Feel Stuck? Do This First
Music License Code: E7GWEOY91WOZU3XM
