How I Got Into Automation

Leonard Rebito — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 08:54:09 +0000

From College Intern to Passionate Automation Specialist

I never imagined that saying yes to an online internship during college would be the starting point of my career path.

It all started when I was a 4th-year college student, trying to figure out where to complete my required internship. Like most students, I expected I’d need to find a physical company to work at, maybe something close to home, or even in the city. But one of my classmates stumbled across an opportunity at a digital marketing company, and they invited me to apply too.

I’m so glad I did.

The marketing company welcomed us warmly and gave us full access to their tools and systems. This wasn’t just a “watch and learn” internship; we got hands-on experience with real client tasks. I was working from home, learning things I didn’t even know existed, and building skills that I’d eventually use for years to come.

My First Steps in Automation

The first tools I ever used were GoHighLevel, Zapier, and ClickUp. Looking back, each one taught me something different:

GoHighLevel was the most overwhelming at first. It’s an all-in-one platform, and I remember spending hours trying to understand all its features. Funnels, automations, pipelines, email templates… it was a lot. But once it clicked, it became one of my favorite tools.
Zapier was the tool that made me fall in love with automation. I was amazed at how easily it could connect different apps and make things happen automatically. It’s still my top recommendation for beginners, simple, flexible, and incredibly powerful.
ClickUp, on the other hand, was a lifesaver when it came to organizing my tasks. Even with just the free version, it helped me stay on track and manage everything I was working on. Plus, it was user-friendly and intuitive, something I really appreciated as a beginner.

Challenges That Pushed Me to Grow

While those three tools were my foundation, I quickly learned that every client is different. Not everyone uses GoHighLevel or ClickUp. Some prefer other CRMs or project management tools, and that meant I had to adapt quickly.

At first, it was frustrating. I’d just gotten comfortable with one platform, and suddenly I had to learn a new one. But over time, that challenge became an opportunity. I learned to embrace the learning curve. And one of my proudest breakthroughs? Building my very first website, completely on my own, using a platform I had never touched before.

That moment made me realize: I can figure things out. I can build things. And I actually enjoy it.

Why I Fell in Love With Automation

I didn’t just fall into automation — I grew into it.

There’s a special kind of joy in solving problems. Whether it’s fixing a broken workflow or figuring out why a form isn’t triggering an automation, I feel energized rather than exhausted. It’s the kind of work that makes the hours fly by.

Some people find troubleshooting stressful. But for me, it’s like a puzzle. And every time I solve one, I feel more confident and more excited for the next challenge.

That’s when I knew: This isn’t just a job. It’s something I truly love doing.

If you’re someone who’s just starting out, unsure of where you’re headed, just like I was back in college, I want you to know that it’s okay to start small. Explore. Say yes to opportunities. You never know which one might lead you to something you’re truly passionate about.

Because that’s exactly how I found mine.

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This Is Just the Beginning

Leonard Rebito — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 20:19:00 +0000

They say graduation is the finish line, but the truth is, it’s only the starting point.

When I look at this picture of myself in a toga, I see more than just a degree. I see the years of hard work, sleepless nights, doubts, and moments I wanted to give up. Taking a bachelor’s degree isn’t easy; many times, I questioned if I could even finish. But nothing prepared me for the reality that comes after graduation.

Though I graduated back in August 2022, the reflections hit me now more than ever. I only got around to sharing this today, almost three years later, because lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the journey that came after that moment.

Stepping out into the world, I realized something that no classroom ever taught me: everyone starts at the bottom. No matter your grades, no matter your course, most of us come out unsure of where to go next. Should I follow someone else’s path? Should I try to create my own? Am I already falling behind?

But here’s the truth I’ve learned: life isn’t a race.

It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to feel lost. And it’s okay if your journey looks different from everyone else’s. Some of us find success early. Some of us take a few wrong turns before we figure things out. Some of us change direction completely, and that’s perfectly fine.

What matters is that you don’t give up.

Your timeline is yours for a reason. You’re not late. You’re not too early. You’re exactly where you need to be to grow, learn, and become the person you’re meant to be. It’s not about rushing to the finish line; it’s about staying focused on your goal and trusting that your time will come.

So if you’re reading this and feeling unsure about where you’re headed, I want you to remember: you’re not alone. We all go through hard times. We all doubt ourselves. But we also all have our perfect moment. Just keep going.

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