I learned to code and all I got was internalized capitalism

Breaking into tech only made me want to be a writer more

Credit: Nickelodeon

This story begins in mid-March 2023. It’s the third day of my multi-week medical leave for mental health, having been recently diagnosed with ADHD. It’s also my friend’s birthday.

In the middle of his birthday brunch, I received a text from my manager: “Are you free to hop on a Zoom call?” I storm out of the restaurant and walk aimlessly around downtown Montclair, New Jersey as my manager turns the conversation to the company’s CEO.