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@ Chinpilang
2025-02-20 19:46:45
“Tech is blood money. Everyone is going into tech. You should too."
These words echoed in my mind every time I considered learning a new skill. As a young woman in Nigeria, currently serving my country in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, the expectations were clear: **Makeup, fashion, or food.** These were the "lucrative" paths everyone said I should pursue. After all, they were familiar, accessible, and required little more than creativity and hustle—things I already had in abundance.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t want familiar. I didn’t want easy. I wanted a challenge. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something I never thought possible. I wanted to step into the unknown, fail, learn, and grow. And for me, that meant stepping into the world of tech.
**The Crossroads: Data or Design?**
With no background in tech—armed only with my secondary school knowledge of computer studies—I found myself staring at two options: **data analysis** or **product design (UI/UX).**
Data analysis? Numbers. Lots of them. And if there’s one thing I’m not a fan of, it’s drowning in spreadsheets and equations. So, I turned to product design. It felt like the perfect fit: a space where I could create, innovate, and play with colors and ideas. It was the creative outlet I craved, and I was ready to dive in headfirst.
** December 21st, 2024: The Day Everything Changed**
That was the day I connected with a mentor who would guide me through this journey. Am I scared? Absolutely. Do I sometimes feel like I’ll fail? Of course. Will I make mistakes? Without a doubt. But here’s the truth: I’m willing to risk it all to learn something new, challenge myself, and grow.
**Why I’m sharing this journey **
I’m not a designer—at least not yet. My knowledge of design is limited to biology diagrams of skeletons and a basic understanding of Canva. But I’m here, taking my first steps into the tech space, trying to find my way, make a living, and make an impact.
This is my story: the story of a novice navigating the intimidating world of tech, one mistake at a time. I’ll be sharing my wins, my failures, and everything in between. If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, or like you were stepping into a world where you didn’t belong, this is for you.
Because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is take the first step—even when you have no idea where it will lead.
**Let’s Grow Together**
I don’t have all the answers, and I’m not pretending to. But I’m here, showing up, learning, and growing. And if my journey inspires even one person to take that leap of faith, then it’s all worth it.
So, here’s to embracing![image] the unknown, making terrible mistakes, and finding our way—one step at a time.