How I got into tech: the journey wasn't exactly planned

I didn't plan to become a software engineer. Let me give you a quick story.

Grab your popcorn.

Back in secondary school, I had always wanted to study Food Science and Technology or, even better, Food and Nutrition. Computer Science was actually my third or fourth choice.

But after JAMB, things didn't go as planned, and I eventually found myself studying Computer Science.

During my IT year, I was even considering applying for the GTBank internship programme, where you could earn around ₦40,000 a month. I wanted to have some sort of income coming in while figuring things out. But it didn't work out, even after applying.

And that was how I came across a tech school in Sango Ota, Ogun State (APTECH).

I walked into their office to ask a few questions about their programmes. The fees were quite expensive at the time, but I eventually spoke to my dad, and I got registered for their three-month Responsive Website Development course.

Honestly, that was where things started to change for me.

During those three months, I discovered how much I enjoyed building things I had never imagined I could build before. I was genuinely interested in what we were learning, and I just wanted to understand more.

Funny enough, I didn't start with a good laptop. My laptop was literally lagging at the time too, and it was a borrowed laptop my sister gave me.

I remember that some people who attended the same academy had better laptops and more resources than I did, but they didn't seem as invested in the learning process as I was.

I was serious about learning because I had found something I genuinely wanted to pursue.

In fact, I would have loved to continue with their two-year Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering programme. Unfortunately, I couldn't because of the financial situation.

So, I returned to school, but my interest in tech didn't end with that course.

Before returning to school, I wanted to practise what I had already learned and gain some real-world experience. So, I went on Google Maps and started searching for website development agencies in my area.

And when I say I was actively searching, I mean it.

I reached out to so many agencies. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I contacted close to 50 in a day, because I was determined to find an opportunity to practise my skills.

Eventually, I got opportunities to work with two startups.

However, the opportunities weren't particularly rewarding financially. One company offered me a ₦10,000 stipend, while the other didn't offer any payment at all. The idea was simply to gain experience, work on real-life projects, and put the things I had learned into practice.

But that's a story for another day.

Eventually, after finishing school, I enrolled in a software engineering programme to start learning again.

Why? Because the lack of resources had made things so difficult that I was almost giving up.

I knew I wanted to keep going, but wanting something and having the resources to pursue it are two different things.

My tech journey hasn't been a straight line at all.

But I'm glad I took that first step.