Breaking Into Tech Stories 5: How I Became a Tech Recruiter

A career in tech was inevitable for me. I have always been fascinated by computers. As a child, I used to sneak into my mum’s room to “borrow” her phone all night. Sometimes, she would notice, and I would get punished for using it without permission. But I lived for the times she didn’t.

In 2010, she enrolled me in a computer institute to study Desktop Publishing II. At the institute, I learned a lot about Microsoft tools and Corel Draw. Then, in 2015, I got into Yabatech to study Computer Science.

Outside of school, I played around with different tech skills ( which helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses). Coding and becoming a software engineer was one of them. It didn’t work out. But sometime in 2017, I discovered product management and was sold! At the time, I was already working as the customer support team lead at OkadaBooks.

As a problem solver, I enjoy listening to customers and their pain points, empathizing, and finding ways to help. So, after OkadaBooks, I ended up in recruitment and product management.

The learning platforms I used the most were Udemy and YouTube. I found websites where you can get expensive Udemy courses at a 100% discount and receive certificates after each course.

I had access to so many materials and courses that, at some point, I was just taking different courses and learning different things for the certificates. Lol.

To stay focused while learning, I took notes in Google Keep and tracked some things on Google Sheets. I think the major resource or tool I had was really my phone and Google apps like Drive, Keep, and Sheets. Everything backed up for me automatically and I could access them from anywhere.

I joined a few tech communities, like Weworkremotely.com (they have a Slack group). At night, I would stay up, checking out different tech communities and learning from them. Being part of offline tech communities like CCHUB contributed immensely to my growth. I also had friends who were tech savvy, and I could go to them for help at any time.

The charm of tech communities is that you’ll find people who are where you’d like to be and others who aspire to get to your current level. Sadly, some of the groups and communities are not as active as they used to be anymore.

Social media was very helpful at times when I needed answers. I could just ask a question on my WhatsApp status or Facebook and someone will come to my aid.

For mentorship, I could have found a mentor on social media but I get tired and overwhelmed by social media. So, I didn’t religiously follow anyone or ask them to mentor me. Wait! I asked someone on Facebook in 2019, he refused. I just remembered. He said he didn’t have time, so I focused on my own resources. 

I owe most of everything I own today to the people I met online. The connections and friends I made on the internet have caused a massive ripple effect that changed my life for the better. I have built businesses with people I met online, managed projects, attended weddings, coached a company, traveled across cities and more – courtesy of people I met on social media with similar interests in tech.

One of the major difficulties I faced while trying to acquire tech skills was the erratic supply of electricity in Nigeria. I had to go to my neighbors’ houses – sometimes with my laptop, to work or build something. I would come back home by 10 pm. Inverters were not very popular at the time. 

In spite of challenges, in 2020, I got a fully remote job as a gaming support agent at Warner Bros. (through 5CA). The pandemic lockdown wasn’t horrible for me because of my work family. Fast-forward to 2021, and 5CA gave me a last-minute offer to become a recruiter, and I took it. Recruitment helped me develop further as a person, especially my confidence. I love people, generally. And I love the calls and interviewing people from all over the world.

If I had to do it again

I would hustle for money and co-rent with my fellow tech friends. Basically, I would leave school first and move out of my parents’ house. I would get my own space or rent with friends. Then, I would grow from there by focusing on my interests. 

I spent an unhealthy amount of time trying to code like my friends when I should have just followed my own interests – product management and software testing. The time I used in learning to code and stressing over it could have been better spent. I was not interested in it because I enjoyed it. I was interested in the money. Eventually, I calmed down and focused on my interests. See! Nothing is ever going to be interesting unless you’re genuinely interested. If you are not interested, no matter the amount of money, you will get tired soon enough. You need to find what makes you tick, and it might not be programming.

So, to recap, I would change my environment earlier, keep school aside and work while learning online, focus on my interests, and grow from there. You can always do school later. There are many online universities these days.

Closing remarks

If a course is three hours long, go through the first hour and decide if you really want to pursue that path or not. Don’t waste your time on courses and programs that won’t add to your life or career. This also goes for tech events. Not every event is for you.

Don’t settle after making your first 1 Million Naira or Dollar. It’s exciting, but keep going.

When you’re tired, rest. Don’t force your body or stress yourself. Rest when you need to. There are days when you won’t feel like learning anything; that’s fine. Rest, but don’t overdo it. Take a day or two off and bounce back.

Ask questions. If you’re tired of asking one friend, post it publicly. Ask Google or slide into DMs. 

Life is short. Don’t forget to have fun. 

PS: Breaking into tech stories are personal journey stories of people who have transitioned into tech, especially from non-technical backgrounds.