The Dream that Never Came True
It wasnât always tech for me. In fact, I had a completely different dream â a dream that involved stethoscopes and a medical degree. I was studying anatomy with the intention of becoming a doctor, but life had other plans.
While I was still in school, I lost my sponsor â my dad. After that, I struggled to complete my anatomy degree. With no financial support, going back to study medicine or pursuing further education just wasnât an option. My younger siblings were still in school, and I knew it would place an even heavier financial burden on my mother if I tried to continue. Thatâs when I realised I had to transition into something new, not just for myself, but for my family too.
Baking had been my side hustle when I was in university, and I decided to turn it into a full-time business to help support my family. It wasnât glamorous, but it was necessary. However, as many Nigerians know, the economy didnât make it easy, and I found myself struggling, practically drowning, trying to figure out what to do next and if this was really what life had in store for me.
The Turning Point: A Conversation That Changed Everything
One day, during a particularly tough time, I spoke to a friend about how difficult things were. I felt stuck. He shared that he was learning a tech skill, and I remember thinking, “Tech? Me? I canât code. Thatâs too complicated. Iâll never keep up.“
But then he told me something that caught my attention. He said, “Tech is bigger than just coding. You should try product design. Itâs creative, and you donât need to code to get started.“
I was sceptical at first, but then he sent me a book â Clueless to Designer by Michelle Chibundu popularly known as Designer Babe (Almost every designer knows her). I had no idea what I was getting into, but I decided to give it a shot. And thatâs where my journey into product design truly began.
The Struggle: Obstacles Along the Way
It wasnât all smooth sailing though. The laptop I was using to learn design broke, and I had no money to fix it. I remember thinking, âWhy does everything seem to be against me?â But I didnât give up. I took a break to reorganise, and by some stroke of luck, some months later, my mom was able to get a new PC for herself, which meant I could continue learning.
I was determined to make it work, and I knew I needed to take the next step. I applied for Courseraâs Google UX Design Scholarship, and, to my surprise, I got accepted. It felt like a sign that I was on the right path.
The Breakthrough: From Intern to Team Lead
Just four months after finally taking product design seriously, I landed an internship at Vesti Technologies. It felt like a big break, but in reality, I was terrified. I went from feeling like a complete beginner with no real experience to suddenly being thrust into a fast-paced, professional environment. I constantly felt like an impostor, like I didnât belong. Everyone else seemed so much more knowledgeable, and I felt like I was just faking it, hoping no one would notice.
But I stuck with it, even when impostor syndrome hit hard. It wasnât easy. There were days when I felt completely out of my depth, overwhelmed by everything I didnât know. But I refused to quit. I asked questions, took feedback, and pushed myself to learn quickly. Slowly, I began to grow, building my confidence and skills along the way.
In just three years, Iâve gone from being an intern to leading the design team. Today, Iâm the most senior designer on the team, helping to shape the future of our products. The journey has been anything but smooth, but every challenge and setback only made me stronger. The struggles taught me resilience and determination, and now, I look back and realize how far Iâve come.
What My Journey Taught Me
Looking back, hereâs what Iâve learned from my journey:
1. Adaptability is Everything: Life doesnât always go according to plan. When one door closed, I learned to find another one to open. Flexibility is key.
2. Donât Be Afraid to Try Something New: Sometimes, opportunities donât look the way you expect them to. If I had dismissed tech because I couldnât code, I would have missed out on a fulfilling career. Donât be afraid to explore fields you donât know well
3. Support is Crucial: I couldnât have done it alone. My friend who encouraged me to try design, my brother who always sent me urgent 2k for data to take my courses and my mom, who always supported me, were critical to my success. Never underestimate the power of having a support system.
4. Persistence Pays Off: There were many times when I felt like giving up âwhen the challenges seemed too big. But persistence is what helped me push through and eventually succeed.
Where I Am Now: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Today, I am proud of the journey Iâve made. Iâve gone from being a baker with no tech background to leading a design team at a tech company. It hasnât been easy, but itâs been worth every step.
And while Iâve made great progress, I know thereâs still so much more to learn. Each day brings new challenges, and I embrace them all because they are part of my story.
If youâre reading this and youâre thinking about making a career change, especially if youâre from a non-traditional background, I want you to know: You can do it. Itâs not going to be easy, but with the right mindset, persistence, and support, you can break into any field even if youâre starting from scratch.
My Final Word: âYour Story is Yours to Writeâ
I want my story to be a reminder that itâs never too late to pivot, to try something new, or to chase a dream. No matter where you start, your journey is what you make of it. And if you keep moving forward, youâll get to where youâre meant to be.
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