One year after, Grace is equipping the next generation of Software Engineers
Typical of the Nigerian child, there is always a dream. However, what we do not know when conceiving dreams are the challenges that will come with them and how we will eventually navigate them. We may go round and round, but find ourselves routing back in the end.
Grace had the dream of becoming a lecturer and went on to study Computer Science at the university. Unlike many children, her parents didn’t impose on her the course or career to pursue. Hence, she was able to explore as much as she wanted.
During her time at the university, she quickly realized that she needed more than the theories taught in class. Even though she graduated top of her class, she said, “I finished with a Second Class Upper. But all I learned were just theories, and I was not satisfied within.”
During her National Youth Service (NYSC) program, Grace applied for the role of a Computer Science Lecturer in a private higher institution. The institution rejected her because she had no strong background in programming. According to her, “they were specific as they told me they needed a programmer, not just a lecturer.” Reality dawned on her that she would require practical skills if she truly wanted to excel and become proficient in her career, even if it was teaching computer science.
After her NYSC, while living with her uncle — who works in IT, Grace’s resolve to delve into software engineering solidified when he said, “Funmbi, God forbids that opportunity comes, and you are unprepared!” With this statement and her NYSC experience, she started to pursue opportunities to better her skills. That’s how she came to know about Semicolon Africa. According to her, “it was an answered prayer!”
The one-year journey was not without its challenges. One of them is what Semicolon Natives typically call the God Abeg moments, like when their codes refuse to run. Grace also experienced imposter syndrome at different points of the programme. Imposter syndrome is an internal experience of doubting your ability, skills, and competence. A recent report by Exploding Topics reported that women are 22% more likely than men to report experiencing imposter syndrome in tech and STEM professions.
Grace said she dealt with it by thinking about the reason and the motivation for starting in the first place. It is the joy and fulfilment that comes after that keeps her going. She said, “when I think about the future and what I long to get from it, those two things set my head in order. So, I get up and keep running. It is not easy, but it is achievable with the persistence to develop personally.”
Grace graduated as the Woman-in-Tech (best graduating female) in her cohort and got the opportunity to achieve her long-term dream of lecturing as Semicolon Africa retained her as a software engineering facilitator. For her, not only has she been able to acquire practical programming skills, but in her words, “the experience has been awesome, fulfilling, and purposeful. That is what I’ve always loved to do”.
She advises young women that want to get into tech to just start. “Don’t listen to what society is saying. You must take a bold step in as much as there is passion. Remember, courage must come from the soul within. It is about you, not them,” she said.
Grace is one of the over 200 individuals across 15 cohorts that have passed through Semicolon’s techpreneurship program. At Semicolon, we are deliberate about identifying talented minds, guiding them through innovative training, deploying them effectively, and collaborating with others to build sustainable solutions for society.
Through our one-year techpreneurship program, Natives go through three specific courses; critical thinking, software engineering, and business management from Henley Business School, UK, to enable them to become well-rounded software engineers. Our Alumni currently have a 98% economic engagement rate, have founded 12 startups and counting, and are making giant strides across various sectors.
If you are also interested in entering into tech, learning a high-in-demand skill, or simply realizing a dream like Grace, visit our website to get started.
