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In our world today, the latest gadgets and high-end laptops are majorly considered essential for pursuing a career in software engineering. But, what happens when you don't have those resources at your disposal? Do you give up on your dreams, and let the tides of time sweep away your passion? Do you find innovative ways to navigate through the tech landscape?
From a remote Nigerian village to the world of technology:
Meet Chisom Chinaza, a determined and brave lady who didn't let the absence of a laptop hinder her passion for coding. She embraced the challenge, proving that all you need is the determination to break barriers.
In this first article of #FriendsOfALXSE, I will be talking about a Software engineering colleague, whose story of discipline and grit deserves to be shared.
Chisom is currently a Cohort 18 student of the ALX SE program, she has been coding with her phone while gaining ground in software engineering.
Her journey into the tech ecosystem had been a rollercoaster, but she chose to be relentless and resilient and consistently push her limit with just her phone.
When asked why she is so determined, she said (and I quote):
“When opportunity doesn't knock, I try to create a door for it…. Starting with my smartphone seems to be the safest road to my dreams”.
She started her journey into programming by getting acquainted with some tech enthusiasts on social media and watching videos about technology, keenly participating in communities of like-minded prodigies.
These inspired her love for data and fueled her desire to be a data engineer, but she needed good background knowledge in software engineering, and as such, she picked the ALX software engineering program to sharpen her skills.
She came across the ALX SE program through a Google ad while searching for an affordable scholarship program to further her education.
In her quest to accomplish her goal, she chose ALX Africa because of its profound learning pattern that allows its students to think logically, and intellectually and to be world-best through their project-based learning.
She has been navigating her software engineering journey armed with nothing but a smartphone. Her determination to learn and grow in the field has been unyielding and very commendable.
Not minding the limitations, she has been resilient in her journey.
Having a burning desire to change her world and that of others around, she dreams of joining the Forbes Council, one day, to be among the most impactful women in software and data engineering.
As she says:
“Women in tech are a strong force to reckon with, the women in the tech ecosystem are full of extraordinary strength and great aura. They keep on daring possibilities and creating strong innovative solutions, and I would love to join hands with them to build a better world in tech.”
As a current SE student of the ALX SE Africa program, she has been facing many obstacles in her journey, but the most challenging one of them all is:- coding with her phone! Not having a laptop has posed a big threat to her progress toward becoming a data engineer. Sometimes, she is afraid of running big programs that might hurt her phone’s functionality. It's been very frustrating and demotivating as well.
As previously written, Chisom is a student of cohort 18, the SE cohort that recently concluded the Simple Shell (C) project. Being part of the conquerors, she faced the simple shell project, coding it with her phone, and alone! That is beyond phenomenal! This is proof that every challenge she is faced with turns into a stepping stone, leading to her personal and professional growth.
Apart from being a valuable member of Algorithmia SE, she is keen on developing her skills and knowledge in system design and architecture, and DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms). One of her goals is to develop an operating system soon.
Chisom’s story inspired me to start this blog series. And this is because of her unreal grit and passion, to put in her very best, and everything she can, to become a prodigy in the Women-in-Tech space. Her passion for tech prompts her to learn more and work quite harder. She also uses the Pomodoro time technique, which involves working intensively for a particular amount of time and taking a break for a few minutes, then doing it for a while and taking a longer break. This has helped her save more time.
Drawing motivation from so many people on the internet but most especially from her family, her passion for tech prompts me to learn more and work harder. She says, and I quote:
“I don't have friends in the ALX program anymore, what I have is a huge, big family. Ever since I got to know about ALX last year November 2022), I have always prayed to have friends who mean more than Gold, and ALX provided me the opportunity to have them all. A shout-out to the ALX SE team and to Mastercard for the great opportunity to be a part of the SE program. ALX gave me a platform to work on my skills and friends to learn from.”
In the vast realm of the tech ecosystem, it's stories like Chisom's that truly stand out – where passion, determination, and grit overrule obstacles and limitations. Chisom's journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream, even when resources are scarce. Her resilience, dedication, and tenacity serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration to many aspiring tech enthusiasts, especially women who are navigating similar challenges.
You can connect with Chisom on:
This blog is the beginning of the monthly #FriendsOfALXSE series**.** Be ready to be inspired, educated, and amazed by the tales of my friends, that await.
This is also a special thanks to ALX Africa for everything Africa, and the world at large. They deserve all the credit!