The Dream that Never Came True
It wasn’t always tech for me. In fact, I had a completely different dream — 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 — 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 wasn’t 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. That’s 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 wasn’t glamorous, but it was necessary. However, as many Nigerians know, the economy didn’t 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 can’t code. That’s too complicated. I’ll 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. It’s creative, and you don’t need to code to get started.“
I was sceptical at first, but then he sent me a book — 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 that’s where my journey into product design truly began.
The Struggle: Obstacles Along the Way
It wasn’t all smooth sailing though. The laptop I was using to learn design broke, and I had no money to fix it. I remember thinking, “Why does everything seem to be against me?” But I didn’t 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 Coursera’s 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 didn’t 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 wasn’t easy. There were days when I felt completely out of my depth, overwhelmed by everything I didn’t 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, I’ve gone from being an intern to leading the design team. Today, I’m 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 I’ve come.
What My Journey Taught Me
Looking back, here’s what I’ve learned from my journey:
1. Adaptability is Everything: Life doesn’t always go according to plan. When one door closed, I learned to find another one to open. Flexibility is key.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New: Sometimes, opportunities don’t look the way you expect them to. If I had dismissed tech because I couldn’t code, I would have missed out on a fulfilling career. Don’t be afraid to explore fields you don’t know well
3. Support is Crucial: I couldn’t 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 —when 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 I’ve made. I’ve gone from being a baker with no tech background to leading a design team at a tech company. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step.
And while I’ve made great progress, I know there’s still so much more to learn. Each day brings new challenges, and I embrace them all because they are part of my story.
If you’re reading this and you’re thinking about making a career change, especially if you’re from a non-traditional background, I want you to know: You can do it. It’s not going to be easy, but with the right mindset, persistence, and support, you can break into any field even if you’re starting from scratch.
My Final Word: “Your Story is Yours to Write”
I want my story to be a reminder that it’s 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, you’ll get to where you’re meant to be.