1. When did your interest in software engineering begin, and how did you start exploring the field?

My interest in Tech and software engineering started before university. I had always been curious about computers and technology, but when it came time to choose a degree, I ended up studying microbiology. Even though my academic path took that direction, my curiosity about computers never really went away. Later, post University, during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) I got back into it. At the time, I didn’t quite consider the field as a potential career path. Moreover, I struggled with a broken laptop which made it really challenging to stay with it. In retrospect, it was my genuine interest in the field that kept me going. Given the challenges I faced with my laptop, it would have been quite easy to give up on the field entirely. I wanted to understand how software works and how technology could be used to solve real problems. I found myself continuously learning Tech related concepts, which showed me that my interest in technology wasn’t temporary. It was something that I truly enjoyed and wanted to pursue more seriously.

2. What strategies do you consider were very critical in your consistency while learning to code?

One of the biggest things that helped me was creating structure and holding myself accountable. When you are learning something new, especially something as complex as programming, it is very easy to lose momentum. I committed myself to structured learning habits, such as participating in the 100 Days of Code challenge, which encouraged me to practise coding every single day. That consistency helped build discipline and kept my progress steady.

The second strategy was building in public. It is very easy to give up when faced with specific challenges that require grit. By building publicly, there were people to be disappointed if I gave up. So, I chose to keep my online circle informed. X, formerly Twitter, became a critical tool in my learning and staying consistent as the Tech community was very active on the platform. I also wanted to be seen trying, failing, and learning which further would give me credibility.  

I also made use of online learning platforms like Coursera, often applying for financial aid so I could access high-quality courses without financial barriers. When you are relying on the support of others, you cannot afford to compromise on your commitment. You want to make full use of such resources as these are golden opportunities.  

Lastly, I always remembered to set my SMART goals; specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Instead of vaguely saying “I want to learn programming,” I would set clear milestones like completing a module or building a small project within a certain timeframe. Over time, this structure made the journey much more manageable and kept me motivated, as I saw the outcomes.  

3. Considering you were in Microbiology, a more marketable course in the African context, why did you ultimately choose Tech over microbiology?

Originally, my path toward microbiology was influenced by the expectation that I would eventually study medicine, which is a common and respected path in many Nigerian families. At the time, it felt like the natural direction to follow based on advice from my parents and the educational system around me. So, I pursued this with my might and looked forward to excelling in it. However, my curiosity about Tech never disappeared. Over time, I began to realise that I was more energised by technology and problem-solving in that space than by my original field. When I had the opportunity to explore programming more deeply, it became clear that this was where my real interest lay. Interestingly, I had also been trying to secure a scholarship for my master's in bioinformatics, which fundamentally combines biology with Tech. Even if I had taken that path, I would still have been working in technology, just from a different angle. While going through the application process and the waiting, I took to learning coding even further, and this ultimately led to the establishment of my interest going beyond just curiosity. Ultimately, choosing Tech felt like returning to something that had always interested me.

4. Did any skills from pursuing Microbiology transfer into your work in Tech?

I would not necessarily say that I transferred some skills from Microbiology. However, there are skills that I learned over my educational life that I was able to fully apply in Tech. The most important one was discipline. Studying to pass any exam has always required a lot of dedication, consistency, and long hours of focused work. That same mindset turned out to be extremely valuable when learning programming. I believe, it is discipline that ultimately helped me excel in the field. Another transferable skill was the ability to build structure in my learning process. Across my educational years, success largely came from staying organised. I continuously followed a structured approach to studying, while consistently putting in the effort required to understand technical concepts. When I transitioned into Tech, I simply continued doing what had worked for me before: staying disciplined, committing to continuous learning, and building a structured routine for myself. Those habits made the transition into technology much smoother than I initially expected. I believe the same approach can be taken in other aspects of our everyday lives.

5. What advice would you give someone who feels stuck in the wrong field or is considering switching careers later in life?

1. Explore your curiosity sooner – Exploring your curiosity sooner gives you a chance to decide if it's worth pursuing or not. The sooner you allow yourself to explore new interests, the sooner you gain clarity about whether they are truly right for you. Waiting too long can make you feel stuck, even when change is still possible.  

2. Maximise the time you have – I believe we are in different situations all the time, and with the changes we experience through stages of life, it is important to maximise your time. Especially if you are still at a stage in life where you have fewer responsibilities, you get room to experiment, fail, and learn without the pressure of needing everything to work out immediately.

3. Don’t compare your progress with that of others – It is often quite tempting to look at what other people are doing, how they are doing, which in the long run impacts how you see yourself, even when you are doing well. Everyone learns at a different pace and follows a different path. Instead of focusing on others, track your growth and improvements over time. Finally, remember to be patient with yourself. Changing fields is challenging and requires a lot of persistence and patience. Be extremely patient with yourself.