Finding the Light: Joy Peter’s Awakening in Software Engineering
“I studied computer science at university, yet I started having problems with DSA as soon as I began the Techpreneurship program at Semicolon.” — Joy Peter.
Did you ever have dreams of becoming a software engineer?
I wanted to study mathematics. It was my dad who convinced me to study computer science. I guess he saw the future. He had always enrolled me in computer classes, way before university. I was very good at cramming and answering theory questions, and for some reason, initially, I did not take the course or the practical classes seriously.
When did you realize your passion for software engineering?
It was during our Industrial Training in my third year in school. I became curious. I fell in love with web development at NIIT, and though I had little idea of what I was doing, I felt connected to it. In 2021, after university and during my NYSC, I believed I was fortunate because I was serving in a Ministry. It was when I discovered that my coursemates who took the course seriously and focused on software engineering were working in tech companies that I developed a keen interest.
I was ten months into my NYSC, and my allowee — my special gift from the Federal Government — was to expire in two months. I had to find a new way. I got a laptop, did research, and began my web development journey, this time self-motivated.
You seemed to have all you needed. Why did you have to come to Semicolon?
Learning on my own was difficult. While I was struggling to learn at home, I was actively researching places that could help me achieve my dream.
Amidst all the numerous tech training institutes, I found Semicolon. I inquired and called a representative. I stressed the fact that I had never been to Lagos and that I needed accommodation. He advised me and directed me to where I would stay. Convinced, I made the trip and joined Semicolon in 2023.
Was the Semicolon you met what you thought it would be?
I was confused during the early periods. I was waiting for them to share templates for web development so we could do it the way I’ve always done it. I was surprised when we started building from scratch. At first, I wondered why Semicolon started with Design Thinking. It was when I started questioning my own thinking that I realized its importance.
During software engineering classes, I thought I was going to be the best, yet I started having problems with Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). From my onboarding day, I remember how impressed the people in my class were when I told them what I studied and how far I had gone in web development. I was afraid to be seen as a fraud.
I knew I had to keep up. It took a lot of time and studying, but I did it. Sometimes, I studied at night in the building, falling asleep during class hours. It was a price I was willing to pay.
The program became more interesting when we started learning the Spring Boot Framework — it was new to everyone else. I met some people in my hostel who introduced me to the framework. I was ahead of the class and had lots of questions for my facilitators. It felt nice being able to explain things to my colleagues after classes.
How worried were you about finding a job?
Six months into the program, I was already getting job offers. Honestly, I panicked. Integrity is one of the core values of Semicolon. I was afraid that I might not be able to perform on the job if I was asked to do something I had not fully learned. I rejected the offers.
Now, after completing the program, I work as a software engineer at Data Fidelity.
What are you thankful for about the program?
Thanks to Semicolon, I can boldly say that I am a software engineer and I am actualizing my dreams. If someone asks what programming language I can write, I will tell them any, because Semicolon has given me the foundation to write in other languages. I always liked Spring Boot, but in my current job, I’m writing PHP.
Another thing I’m thankful for is the community. It creates room for opportunities, both in learning and in job opportunities that you never knew existed. It is truly awesome.