TABLE OF CONTENTS
If they say the USA will be great again, then why did they create USB?
Yes, I stole that hook just so I could steal your attention. 🙂
Wow, you’re still here? Thank you! 😇
Well, if you didn’t know, I’m Goody (formerly Nico on X), and this is my story.
Main Highlights for the busy folks✨
Personal Journey
- Pivot: I struggled with Civil Engineering studies and lost motivation until discovering purpose through ALX Africa's free software engineering program, which sparked my interest in creating meaningful tech solutions.
- Failing Education System: My junior sister's tragic death in a school accident further eroded my faith in traditional education and deepened my resolve to pursue a path where I could make a real impact.
Career Transition
- Bold Steps: Despite severe resistance from family and friends, I made the bold decision to defer my final year at university to fully commit to tech pursuits, a step that reshaped my future.
- School Impact: While in my final year, I developed PQLibrary and comprehensive study materials that simplified coursework for students, offering tools to succeed where traditional resources fell short.
Professional Development
- Creative Job Hunting: After initial rejections, I used creative job-hunting methods, including cold mailing and strategic pricing, to secure a tech position.
- Clubbing: I founded Tekky Club to create a community of innovators driven to solve real-world problems, support startups, and grow together.
Key Lessons
- No Excuses: Success is fueled by determination and creativity—finding ways to create value with limited resources is often more impactful than waiting for the best tools.
- The Least Walked Path: Changing career paths shows growth, not failure. Unconventional routes, like deferring studies or taking low-paying jobs to gain experience, can lead to extraordinary opportunities.
Read the full story to learn how life experiences and failures shaped a lazy boy into a man, then a boy again…
School Realisation Arc - Trials, Loss, First Job.
Genesis
The turning point in my story began one day when I saw the results of an exam where I scored an A.
I felt empty, thinking back to how all I did was cram and practice over and over, only to pour everything out in the exam hall.
By the time I saw the result, I had already forgotten everything I’d learned.
This got me questioning so many things:
- What exactly was I gaining from school?
- Where was I headed after graduation?
- What’s the point of learning just to pass an exam?
I also realized how much I disliked studying Civil Engineering—and this was my third year in school, roughly five years ago.
In my fourth year, I pushed through anyway, despite facing several challenges. I had gotten used to studying in my hostel with an earpiece plugged in for music.
This solved two problems for me:
- It blocked out the noise in my room, helping me focus.
- The library always felt full and made me sleepy, and studying in class was distracting.
Unfortunately, I started experiencing earaches when I tried using my earpiece for even 20 minutes.
On top of my declining motivation, I now had to find a new place to study. I kept trying my best—until Covid hit and we got a nine-month break from school.
During the break, I didn’t even bother trying to study (I was finally free or so I thought). Most of my days were spent playing Call of Duty Mobile or binge-watching series.
Of course, this didn’t sit well with my dad, who had always disciplined us to study while at home. But I just couldn’t. By this point, I had completely lost both motivation and interest.
After almost 6–7 months, I somehow found the courage to tell my dad—who loves Civil Engineering—that I hated the course.
If you’re Nigerian, I’m sure you’re wondering where I got the guts to do that. 🤧
I had been holding back for so long. My dad had pushed me to a wall, insisting that I must read.
Eventually, when the pressure became unbearable, I told him.
This caused a big quarrel. At the time, I didn’t have any alternative plans either. I was still willing to continue; I just couldn’t study at home.
Then, in December, we were hit with devastating news:
A group of people from my younger sister’s school came to our house to tell us she had died in school. She was barely 20 years old (would turn 20 in a few weeks).
How She Died (Sensitive Content)
They said she fell from a staircase—only six steps high—and hit her head hard on the floor. She was rushed to the hospital, but her skull was crushed from the fall, and she didn’t survive.
Further investigation raised more questions. It seemed she might have been pushed. The incident occurred during a morning prayer session held on a very small, elevated platform. Given how loud the impact was and the relatively short height of the fall, it didn’t make sense that she wouldn’t instinctively protect her head.
My dad tried to push for a court case, but eventually, the school offered a settlement to avoid tarnishing their reputation. While the outcome didn’t sit right with me, I didn’t feel the need to pursue it further. Nothing could bring her back.
I was hoping to share this article on her birthday, December 31, in memory of her. Unfortunately I’m sharing it a few days late - I was swamped with work! and was scared of sharing.
I pray that her precious soul finds eternal rest. 🙏🏾
I pray that her precious soul finds eternal rest. 🙏🏾
Her name was Precious. She died Age 19 - Dec 5, 2021.
The news of my sister’s death was devastating enough, but the fact that she lost her life in school only deepened my growing disdain for the system.
Why I Hated School Even More:
- My Dad’s Ambitions:
My dad insisted my sister study medicine, and when previous attempts to get into UNIBEN failed, he sent her to a faraway school. He wanted the best for her, I’m sure, but no one seemed to consider her personality. She was shy, had low self-esteem, and struggled with social skills. Instead of addressing these issues, she was sent far from home where she barely knew anyone, all in the name of “better education.”
- School Negligence:
How could a school be so careless as to hold a prayer session on a cramped, elevated space? This was just one example of the negligence and lack of foresight so prevalent in schools.
Return to School & First Job (After Covid - 400 Level)
When Covid ended, I returned to school. But this time, it was worse.
I tried to read, but I’d end up crying over my books. I felt depressed, completely uninterested, and lost. I couldn’t even understand why I was still in school.
To escape, I started frequenting a game shop to play FIFA. It was a distraction from my pain, but after some time, I realized I was wasting money and couldn’t sustain it.
That’s when I noticed the shop owner might need an assistant 💡. I pitched the idea to him, and after a few days, he agreed.
I stopped attending classes and started missing tests. I worked at the shop for over 14 hours a day, from 8 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. daily. Some days, even overnight. As you can imagine, I wasn’t being paid much—about ₦30,000 a month (less than $20 by today’s rates).
But at the time, I didn’t care. It was my escape. I got to play as much as I wanted and avoid the daily tears.
For a while, I even considered becoming a pro gamer. But reality eventually hit, and I started losing interest in gaming too. That familiar feeling of emptiness crept back in.
There were about 15 PS4s and five PS5s in the shop, yet I’d find myself watching a TV show instead of playing.
I also had to quit Call of Duty Mobile because my phone was terrible, and I couldn’t afford a better one. At that point, I realized I needed to figure out how to make money—not just for a phone, but for a better life. Or so I thought... 👀
Mini Introduction to the Tech World - Asuu Strike Assist.
Then… everything changed when the Tech Nation attacked. Ok they didn’t exactly attack, I was ambushed. 😊
On a random weekend, I met a student backend developer at the game shop. We had an extensive conversation, and he turned out to be such a humble and helpful guy named Humble Papa.
Before meeting him, I’d tried learning to code a few times, but I never made any real progress—I had no sense of direction. Humble Papa had about two years of work experience and walked me through how to get started.
At the time, exams were approaching, but another ASUU strike was looming, which meant an extended break from school was on the horizon.
Sure enough, the strike began, and I felt a wave of relief. This time, I decided not to go home (I’ll explain why later) and instead moved in with my uncle.
While staying at my uncle’s house, I started learning to code using resources Humble Papa shared with me. I took a course on HTML and CSS and had just begun JavaScript when one day, while scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled across an ad for ALX Africa—a free software engineering program.
By then, Humble Papa no longer had time to help me, and I was feeling lonely trying to study on my own.
ALX Africa seemed like the perfect solution. It offered:
- A community to learn with.
- A structured program.
- Free tuition (which was crucial because I had no money or support for my ambitions).
I had chosen not to return home because I knew I’d face the same pressures as before—my dad constantly pushing me to study Civil Engineering.
With ALX Africa, I thought I’d finally have something meaningful to do at home, so my dad wouldn’t see me as idle or wasting time. I knew that bothered him deeply.
That said, I was starting to feel uncomfortable at my uncle’s house after staying there for about six months. I figured I had overstayed my welcome, so I decided it was time to go home and fully commit to ALX Africa.
ALX Africa
As soon as I got home, I dove into the program. I knew the best way to avoid conflict with my dad was to stay busy and out of sight.
Every day, I went to a library at Shell Club, where I’d study from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. without fail. Ok I’ll admit—I wasn’t perfect but I had a level of consistency I had never had doing anything before.
For the first time in years, I started feeling like I was growing and filling the emptiness I’d been carrying.
The first month was rough, though—I struggled to understand how to think logically and solve coding problems. One day, I voiced my struggles on Twitter, and to my surprise, Julien, the creator of the ALX course, noticed my post.
He responded by hosting a live session to teach problem-solving strategies. I was shocked, honestly. He even created a new YouTube account just for us. I helped promote the session in my groups, and it completely changed the game for me.
For the first time, I understood how to approach problems logically—something I couldn’t grasp before. From that moment, I started breezing through projects, often completing assignments (meant to take two days) in less than 3-5 hours.
While many people complained that the program was too intense, I loved it. The pace pushed me, and I thrived.
Finding Fulfillment
I also realized something important during the program: I felt fulfilled whenever I helped others or when I was genuinely useful to someone or even myself.
In my free time, I’d help others in group chats or answer questions on Twitter. That sense of purpose filled a void I hadn’t known how to address before.
Things were going so well that my dad noticed. He was shocked by how serious I’d become and admitted he’d never seen me take anything so seriously before.
For the first time, he stopped pressuring me to read. Wow! Who would have thought? 👁️
School Resumption and Tough Decisions
As usual, life wasn’t that smooth. The strike finally ended, and we were told to resume school.
I didn’t know how to take the news. I had been hoping to finish the ALX program and land a tech job before school resumed—The delulu life of a newbie tech bro. 😜
Once I returned, the sadness hit me again. It felt like I was back in the same cycle I thought I’d escaped. Worse still, I couldn’t continue the program I’d grown to love.
I started considering dropping out of school entirely.
Ah, bro finally achieved a new high or is it low 👀
I spoke to many friends about it, and most were firmly against the idea. One friend, however, suggested that I defer instead of dropping out. It was a super difficult decision, and I kept asking for advice.
Everyone had different perspectives, but none truly agreed that deferring was a good idea.
Eventually, I made the tough choice to defer. Here’s why:
- Potential failure: I had missed many tests, barely studied, and exams were just around the corner. I knew I would likely fail and end up with an extra year anyway if I forced myself to write exams I wasn’t prepared for.
- Mental health: I had finally found joy in ALX, and I couldn’t trade that feeling for the misery I felt in school. My happiness had to come first.
- Future prospects: With the growing demand for tech skills, I felt I had a better shot at securing a solid income in tech than in civil engineering.
I even consulted Julien, the founder of the school behind the ALX program. He invited me to a Zoom meeting to discuss the implications of my decision. He shared two options:
- Defer if I was absolutely certain I couldn’t continue school. There was no risk here since I could always return if things didn’t work out.
- Push through the remaining months of school while continuing ALX on the side.
I knew Option 2 wasn’t realistic—I’d already tried balancing both and failed. Attempting it again would mean failing at both.
Breaking the News to My Dad
You can begin to imagine how I would feel like sharing this update with my dad. I wrote him a long letter explaining my feelings in detail. (I’ve linked it at the end of this article.)
Here are the key points I raised:
- Lack of passion: I didn’t feel the same connection to civil engineering that he did.
- Financial security: The dollar’s rise against the naira made me believe that earning in dollars could secure our family financially.
I predicted it would go up to 1000 against naira at the time. It’s currently floating above 1500.
- A timeline: I asked for just two years to prove myself. (Ironically, I wrote that letter in November 2022 and landed my current job exactly two years later, in November 2024.)
Ok little disclaimer, I had no writing skills then. I wonder if he ever even read it till this day.
When I called my dad to discuss the letter, he cried on the phone. I felt so terrible, like an ungrateful son. He even went ahead to involve relatives to talk me out of it.
One of my uncles warned me that taking time off school might mean I’d never want to return.
Convincing My HOD
Convincing my Head of Department (HOD) was another battle. I came prepared this time with strong arguments. We had previous battle history 👀. Here are the points I raised:
- Obvious decline in performance:
This wasn’t my first attempt to defer. Back in Year 4, my HOD had convinced me to push through and write exams despite my struggles. My classmates helped me out, but the result was disastrous—a 1.89/5 GPA for the semester, dragging my CGPA from 3.89 to 3.57.
Before that, I had achieved a 4.71 and 4.11 GPA in the previous year. The drop was a critical hit and I still had no idea how I survived.
- Missed tests and lack of preparation:
With exams only two weeks away, I hadn’t attended classes, studied, or written tests. This was proof enough that I wasn’t in the right place mentally, academically or spiritually.
- Engagement with ALX:
During my previous deferment attempt, the concern was that I’d have nothing productive to do. This time, I shared my progress with ALX Africa and explained how I’d use the break to build my skills. (Coincidentally, my HOD’s son was also into programming.)
These points finally convinced them. They accepted my deferment request, citing psychological reasons.
Returning Home for ALX
Once I got back home, I completed the ALX program in about eight months.
In my funny, optimistic mind, I thought landing a job right after the program would be easy.
But as Madara once said, "Reality is often disappointing."
I did everything I could—applying for jobs and even picking up front-end development courses, despite my specialization in backend.
Why frontend? Because it seemed like the easier route to get your first job in tech.
But before I could make significant progress, school resumption loomed on the horizon. It forced me to rethink my plans.
The world left me with no choice: I had to finish school, no matter how much I wanted to land a tech job and drop out.
Returning to School for 500 Level - Zuko’ed by life.
This time, my return to school felt different.
I had no other options, but I was filled with renewed energy. Laziness no longer had a grip on me—I had become someone who couldn’t sit still, doing nothing for long periods.
I was no longer the same kid who chased only passion or waited for motivation to do things.
I made a conscious decision to be more intentional:
- Make friends: My goal was to befriend my entire class.
- Solve problems: With my newfound skills, I saw opportunities to help others in ways I hadn’t before.
For the first time, I began to see things clearly. I could finally approach school with purpose, something I had failed to do during my earlier attempts.
My First Impact - Tekky Notes
One of the first things I noticed after returning was a classmate (who later became a good friend) making handwritten summaries of our lecture notes.
The notes were super helpful, but I saw some challenges:
- Errors were hard to fix.
- Editing or improving the notes wasn’t practical.
Having spent so much time typing during ALX, I’d become incredibly fast at it (even without any typing classes or games).
So, I decided to step in and create super detailed, typed summaries for my classmates. (Link at the bottom of this article!)
Combining Skills
My experience with writing—paired with Google’s Technical Writing Course—helped me craft clear, concise summaries.
Sharing these notes allowed me to:
- Practice what I was learning.
- Improve my writing skills.
- Get direct feedback from my classmates, who loved the notes I made.
My friend continued to make handwritten notes, and I became an extra pair of hands, typing out even more detailed versions. (He told me I was too detailed 😅)
How Did I Pull It Off?
People often ask how I managed to create such detailed notes.
The truth? I found nothing else as interesting at the time. And I’ve always loved serving others with the best quality possible—even if it was for free.
Making those summaries wasn’t just about helping my classmates; it was about rediscovering myself and building something meaningful.
It would also be a vital character development in preparation for my first tech job.
Other Milestones: PQ Library & Tekky Library
By the end of the first semester, I noticed a recurring problem: our past questions were poorly organized, scarce, and of low quality.
So, I built PQLibrary in less than two months. After testing it with my classmates, it quickly gained popularity and spread to lower levels.
But then I saw another issue—our notes and lecture materials were in the same disorganized state.
That’s when I initiated a Telegram library to manage and distribute these materials.
These projects helped me connect faster with my classmates, and I earned their trust. People were genuinely happy to have me in their group projects.
Apparently my new nickname was - work rate. 🤣
Now, let me clarify—my dislike for Civil Engineering didn’t magically disappear. I simply learned to suck it up and focus on the positives.
A New Perspective
Even though I didn’t care much about my grades, I probably put in more effort than most people. My goal? Maintain at least a 4.0 GPA each semester—which I did.
I knew my Civil Engineering certificate wasn’t part of my long-term plans. But my parents deeply cared about my academic performance and supported my tech ambitions, so I made sure not to let them down.
Helping others through PQ Library and Tekky Library made studying more meaningful. It gave me purpose, improved my writing skills, and allowed me to make some incredible friends.
Lesson: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 🍋
The Job Hunt Arc - Multiple Fails, 1 Win
The moment I completed my final exams, I jumped straight into job hunting.
In true “me” fashion, I set an unrealistic goal—land a job in two weeks. LMAO!
I activated LinkedIn Premium’s free trial and started hunting.
As a sniper (not a spray-and-pray kind of applicant), I mostly targeted small companies that aligned with my goals. I’d spend hours perfecting a single application:
- Crafting a personalized cover letter (if applicable).
- Sending thoughtful LinkedIn messages.
- If LinkedIn failed, I’d track them down on other platforms.
Still, I submitted some random applications here and there.
My First Interview
Amazingly, I landed an interview within a week with a UK-based startup called Hovercode. I’m pretty sure my extra effort got me noticed.
I went above and beyond to grab the founder’s attention—details for another day.
Leading up to the interview, I was relentless:
- I prepared a lengthy document about the company and the role. (Link at the bottom of this article.)
- I spent three full days researching and preparing for what wasn’t even a technical interview.
- I asked a long-time friend—Uniben’s best graduating student at the time—to help me with a two-hour mock interview.
By the time the actual interview came around, I was composed and confident. I even built a Chrome extension afterward and wrote an article about it to prove I could learn new things quickly. Hop around my blog and you might find it. 😉
The Outcome
Despite all that effort, I didn’t get the job. They went with “a more experienced candidate.”
It was crushing. I’d invested so much energy only to face rejection.
I spent the next few days binge-watching Game of Thrones, wallowing in disappointment.
But as the saying goes, you only lose if you stay down.
I got bored of TV shows quickly and started brainstorming new strategies.
I hated the idea of pouring so much effort into applications, only to be beaten by candidates with more experience—something I couldn’t gain without first getting a freaking job!!!
Cold Mailing
In my moody state, I decided to browse YouTube and wondered: Don’t YouTubers need developers? After exploring some channels, I realized they often have websites and technical problems. That’s when I stumbled upon a video about cold emailing.
Motivated, I researched cold mailing and spent a week investigating a specific content creator's pain points. I then wrote an article (Hint: Title includes “freelancer”) and crafted a tailored proposal. As usual, I was extra about it, even consistently bothering another friend to review my work.
Finally, I sent the email. The result? Crickets…Cold silence…You name it!
But I didn’t stop there. I messaged the creator on Instagram. Still no response. Then I found their video editor’s Instagram, sent a compliment (which she responded to), and introduced my proposal in a follow-up. That message was left on read.
Picture Evidence
Admission
Honestly, I’d admit I probably shouldn’t have done that. I just felt like I had no other choice. It was all or nothing at this point as I had run out of options.
Eventually, I realized the hard truth: If your audience doesn’t see your message, it doesn’t matter how good your pitch is.
This lesson would shape my approach moving forward…
How I Got My Job
Studying a course I disliked taught me creative ways to stay productive. For instance, I’d invent stories to help me memorize concepts. These skills helped me see every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
One of my stories (for Traffic Engineering - Dr. Akijie)
I brought this mindset into my job hunt. After facing multiple rejections and silence, I tried something unconventional. Inspired by my experiences, I developed a unique method to stand out, combining my ability to research deeply with targeted outreach.
Unfortunately, I can’t share complete details here (I share some hints in following sections) because:
- Bad actors might exploit it, ruining opportunities for others.
- I’ve already shared it with over 20 friends, but none have acted on it due to its intensity.
- I want to work only with those genuinely interested and willing to help others once they succeed.
Don’t believe me? Open This!
I tracked everything on a sheet. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose any names.
You can imagine my disappointment with these results. That’s 23 people so far.
I still feel it wasn’t that difficult but I’m yet to find anyone else who shares my POV. Hopefully one of you will be able to change this.
Yes, I have made 2 previous attempt to start Tekky Club (mentioned in following sections) to help people into Tech and try my job hunting strategies.
What’s the exact nature of my job?
I’m more of a virtual assistant. It’s not officially defined that way though! I write blog posts, make social media posts, help with influencer outreach…
My job revolves around writing and communications to help promote the product. So I might call myself a copywriter or marketer.
The only prior experience I had was writing. I’ve been learning everything else on the job.
I’m opening this method to 5-10 serious individuals whom I’ll personally guide step-by-step. If you're hardworking, eager to learn, and willing to help others in return, I want to work with you.
Of course, it’s free!
DM me on X and I’ll share a form with you in due time.
If I don’t pick you, no worries. Let’s connect anyway! I spent more time scrolling tiktok these days than I’d like. I’d much rather connect with a like-mind, talk about some new anime or how to destroy space.
Securing the Future
Tekky Club
In an era of frequent layoffs, there's no better way to secure yourself than having a network of like-minded friends hustling as much as you are or even going as far as building products of their own.
Yes I don’t mind working for/with some of you. Please bring your awesome ideas.
I don’t even feel safe in my current job. Tbh, I would never feel safe working under anyone.
That’s why I formed a club to connect like-minded individuals passionate about any of the following:
Tekky Club Mission:
- Empowering startups and creators.
- Building solutions that solve real-world problems.
- Creating content that spreads joy and knowledge.
- Growing Nigeria’s reputation from “scammers” to innovators globally.
Interested? Here’s what to do next:
- Join via this Discord link. (Link expires in <7 days.)
- Fill out this form to show you're serious.
- Learn more about the club here.
Let’s build something incredible together! 🌟
Honestly, I’m still figuring things out. I’d be super happy to hear ideas any of you might have regarding this club.
Advice for Landing Your First Tech Job
If you’re a beginner, here’s my advice: Offer free value upfront to startups abroad (You also need to know how to vet good ones though - ask chatgpt). Avoid big companies where competition is like a premier league title race and focus on smaller startups that genuinely need help.
Social media has provided a level ground where poor folks like me can talk to people living in mansions within seconds. I’ve met lots of rich people on various social platforms and made friends with them.
Use X, Instagram, Discord. Use any social media where your target client seems most active to get through to them.
Once I saw I couldn’t contact someone via linkedin or X dms. I started commenting on their posts, as I realised he’d definitely see notifications for that.That’s how I got the Hovercode interview.
Make sure they can see you. That’s the first step before anything else.
Why startups?
- They need you: They have tight budgets but value affordable help.
- You’re versatile: You can wear many hats and learn different skills.
When I pitched myself, I set a low rate of $10/week to make it impossible to refuse. I learnt to do this from past experiences especially after watching videos about cold mailing.
It’s actually gotten from the book by Alex Hormozi - Million Dollar offer (I never read it, just saw a summary). The idea is to make an offer so good, anyone will feel stupid to refuse it.
Yes, it sounds crazy, but it got me through the door and of course they aren’t paying me $10/week. Once you're part of the team and prove your value, opportunities will grow.
Reflections
Throughout this journey, I’ve used a low-end PC that freezes with 10 tabs open (even though I use ubuntu). But I learned memory management tricks and will share them soon. Follow me on X for updates. In 2025, I’ll be sharing lots of unique insights or hacks.
Thankfully, my current company sent funds for a new PC (I requested for it, because my current one made me slow), which I can now use to build both side projects and fulfill my role.
This experience has been proof that pivoting doesn’t mean failure. If I’d stuck solely to chasing dev roles, I might have missed out on this meaningful opportunity.
Now, with my knowledge of the company’s tech stack and a better PC, transitioning into a dev role in the future is still possible. Although, I don’t currently see myself transitioning.
My Dad
I respect my dad and understand he wants the best for us. His sacrifices for our education haven’t gone unnoticed. He consistently paid all our school fees from birth. He would even go as far as borrowing to pay for it. He neither drinks, smoke nor party. He has never cheated on my mum.
I probably would have never met Humble Papa if I weren’t in school. If he wasn’t constantly pressuring me, I may have stayed a lazy kid.
I’ve come to understand that no one is perfect and we must all learn to love people for who they are.
Unfortunately, I cannot do what he wants. I believe it’s time to trust my instincts and pursue what I know I’m meant to do.
When I got my job, the first people I told were my parents.
Strangely, my company paid me my salary just a week after I started—clearly, they trusted me. I was thrilled to share the news with my family. My dad, despite not being very supportive of my tech journey, gave me practical advice: save half, and split the rest between myself and the family.
I followed his suggestion without complaint, but it felt ironic. This was the same man who insisted I stick to civil engineering, blaming my phone and tech interests for “distracting” me from his plans.
On the other hand, my mum had been my quiet cheerleader all along—buying me my first PC, my phone, and even my current laptop. My dad, too, supported in his way, gifting me an old PC of his in my first year in unilag, though his focus was always on how it’d help with civil engineering.
Now, he’s still urging me to pursue a master’s in civil engineering, but I’ve made peace with my path. I’m not interested in being a professor or following any scholarly route. My dream is to become a founder, building things that truly matter. Most of what I know, I’ve learned on the internet (for free) or through experience, which feels more relevant than another degree.
If you were in my shoes, how would you navigate this situation?
My Personal Thoughts on School & Civil Engineering.
My Dad spent millions taking me through school and I honestly can’t see any reasonable return on investment (ROI). A civil engineer working for the Nigerian government earns N100K/mo (less than $70 with current rates).
I don’t like the course, then the salaries aren’t even nice? What exactly should I look forward to?
I personally believe civil engineers are important. They’re simply undervalued where I come from.
It’s reasonably not the fault of the Nigerian citizens either. Our economy is terrible. For most, it makes sense to hire their friend (who’s not a civil engineer) to build for them at affordable rates.
A guy with a degree will likely charge more just because he spent 5-8+ years trying to get a degree, even if he only started learning after school.
My Mum
During my struggles deciding whether to defer, interestingly, my mum was the only one who truly understood where I was coming from. She saw no point in forcing me to stay in school and risk an extra year for no clear benefit.
My mum has been my greatest supporter throughout my tech journey. She:
- Bought me my first-ever phone.
- Bought the PC I’ve been using for ALX (and still use today, 2–3 years later).
- Bought the phone I’m using to write this article.
She always showed a softer hand, where my dad was more rigid.
That said, I appreciate them both. My dad focused on what he thought was best, even if it meant not listening to us. It wasn’t until I stopped listening to him that he began to reconsider.
For context, both my sisters had tried to pursue medicine but ended up in related fields due to cut-off marks. My dad’s approach was always rigid—pushing us toward what he thought was best.
A Small Note
I typed the first draft of this article (most of the content) on my phone while traveling home on Dec 30th.
You don’t need a fancy setup to start chasing your goals. All it takes is an idea and relentless determination.
No laptop or phone? Write on paper. Ask friends to snap and share it for you. The tools don’t matter as much as your drive to make it happen.
The truth is, excuses won’t get you far because no one cares that much. But if you’ve got friends or family, you’re already richer than most.
If you have no friends, join my club. I’d love to be friends with intentional people like you!
Your success is all on you. Chase it with the same fire John Wick had avenging his dog. 🫠
I personally chase mine like as though it was stolen from me. It was always mine!
Links I Mentioned
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