Meet the Writer: Matthew Giannelis on Pivoting From 20 Years in IT to Tech Journalism

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Let’s start! Tell us a bit about yourself—for example, name, profession, and personal interests.

I come from a background in IT desktop and server support. After spending 20 years working as a contractor, my career took a gradual turn toward writing and journalism following a car accident.

Interesting! What was your latest Hackernoon Top story about?

My latest Hackernoon story, The Great Data Redundancy Mirage: When "Resilient" Networks Collapse Like Dominoes, explores how supposedly robust network infrastructures can fail in unexpected and catastrophic ways.

Do you usually write on similar topics? If not, what do you usually write about?

I mainly write in the tech sector, focusing specifically on IT security and marketing.

Great! What is your usual writing routine like (if you have one?)

“I try to write a little every day, usually when I feel most focused—sometimes morning, sometimes late at night. I like to get my ideas down first and worry about editing later. It’s more about keeping the habit and letting the creativity flow than forcing perfect sentences.

Being a writer in tech can be a challenge. It’s not often our main role, but an addition to another one. What is the biggest challenge you have when it comes to writing?

One of my biggest challenges with writing is staying timely. Sometimes I have ideas or inspiration, but I struggle to sit down and turn them into words right away, which can make me feel like I’m falling behind. Balancing writing with other responsibilities and deadlines can be tricky, so I try to set small goals or specific times to write to keep myself on track

What is the next thing you hope to achieve in your career?

The next big thing I hope to achieve is launching my own news publication and bringing it into the public eye on the internet.

I want to create a platform where important stories and perspectives can reach a wide audience, and where I can combine my writing skills with a larger vision. It’s exciting to think about building something from the ground up that informs, engages, and connects people online

Wow, that’s admirable. Now, something more casual: What is your guilty pleasure of choice?

Honestly, my guilty pleasure has to be Microsoft Flight Simulator. It’s a bit geeky, but I love the challenge of flying planes and navigating realistic airports.

There’s something oddly satisfying about managing everything from takeoff to landing, and exploring real-world landscapes from above feels like a mix of gaming and real-life adventure. I can get completely lost in it for hours—it’s my little nerdy escape.

Do you have a non-tech-related hobby? If yes, what is it?

“I really enjoy camping and fishing. I love setting up a campsite, cooking over a fire, and just enjoying the quiet.

What can the HackerNoon community expect to read from you next?

I’ve been planning to create a viral article for HackerNoon that digs into the behind‑the‑scenes realities of the tech world—the kinds of things people don’t usually talk about openly. It’s not about attacking anyone, but about shining a light on the culture, the pressures, and the practices that often get glossed over

What’s your opinion on HackerNoon as a platform for writers?

I really like HackerNoon as a writing platform because it gives me a space to share my thoughts without holding back. It’s great for exploring ideas, sharing opinions, and even testing out the more unconventional things I’m curious about.

Honestly, sometimes I feel like HackerNoon is the perfect mix of serious tech talk and a place where my inner nerd can run wild… preferably without accidentally breaking the internet!”

Thanks for taking time to join our “Meet the writer” series. It was a pleasure. Do you have any closing words?

“I just want to give a big shout-out to HackerNoon for creating such an amazing platform. It’s awesome how it brings together like-minded writers and tech nerds to share ideas and stories. I’m really grateful to be part of this community