How Linux Gave Me a Career I Didn’t Know Existed

Speaker: Chris Beckman

Room: HC 203

Time: Sat 9:30 am – 10:00 am

Format: Lecture (30 Min + Q&A)

Difficulty: Introductory

Track: Education

Additional Tags: Random, Self-Hosting

Presenter Location: In-person

Experience: several-th time speaking

At: anywhere, at lfnw

Description:

This talk is a personal story about growing up alongside the personal computer and discovering Linux long before understanding that “working with computers” could be a career. From MS-DOS and IBM compatibles, to gopher-era internet, to NeXTSTEP and early Linux servers hidden under desks, Linux quietly shaped the speaker’s skills, interests, and opportunities.

Without Linux and open source software, the speaker would not have their career. They didn’t take a traditional path into tech, didn’t major in computer science, and didn’t plan to work in infrastructure or security. Open systems, accessible tooling, and a global community made it possible anyway.

Today, Linux is no longer just something from the past — it’s something shared with family across generations. Attending LinuxFest Northwest together brings the story full circle, from early curiosity to lifelong community.

This talk explores how Linux creates opportunity in unexpected places and why its impact extends far beyond code.

Target Audience:

Anyone