From Curiosity to Code: My Journey as a Self-Taught Developer

This is a submission for the WeCoded Challenge: Echoes of Experience The Beginning: A Dream Without a Roadmap Growing up in Nigeria, my fascination with technology started early. But from the first time I saw a website, something clicked. It wasn’t just fascinating—it was alive. and that make me curious. How did this work? How is it built? Who built it? Could I do the same? The problem? I had no formal education in computer science, no roadmap, and no one to guide me. Just an old laptop, an unreliable internet connection, and an unshakable curiosity. The Struggle: Learning Without a Guide I turned to the internet, diving headfirst into FreeCodeCamp, Coursera, and online documentation that often felt like reading an alien language. Every day was a battle—debugging errors that made no sense, feeling like an imposter, and pushing forward even when progress seemed invisible. But I refused to quit. I built projects, from simple HTML pages to full-stack applications. I mastered React.js, TypeScript, and Next.js, and even when imposter syndrome whispered, "You're not good enough," my code proved otherwise. Breaking Barriers: From Learning to Landing Jobs Without a degree, getting noticed in tech is tough. But I knew that real skills matter more. I built StoryHub, PixSearch, a Nike e-commerce store, and a Next.js Shopping app—not just for practice, but to prove my capabilities. Then came a major breakthrough: I earned an AWS certificate, solidifying my knowledge in cloud computing. This wasn’t just about learning—it was about showing the world that I was serious. Eventually, my work led me to roles at ONYC Hair and HCLTech, where I contributed as a front-end developer. Lessons & Reflections Your path doesn’t have to be traditional to be valid. A degree is great, but skills and experience are what truly matter. Every struggle is part of the process. Debugging errors, sleepless nights, and self-doubt are all signs of growth. Certifications can open doors. My AWS certificate gave me credibility in cloud computing, helping me stand out. A Message to Underrepresented Coders If you feel like an outsider in tech, know that you belong here. The industry is evolving, and self-taught developers, career changers, and those from unconventional backgrounds are proving that skill and passion matter more than just having a traditional credentials only. Keep learning, keep building, and keep pushing forward. This is my story, but it could be yours too.

Mar 31, 2025 - 00:21

From Curiosity to Code: My Journey as a Self-Taught Developer

This is a submission for the WeCoded Challenge: Echoes of Experience

The Beginning: A Dream Without a Roadmap

Growing up in Nigeria, my fascination with technology started early. But from the first time I saw a website, something clicked. It wasn’t just fascinating—it was alive. and that make me curious. How did this work? How is it built? Who built it? Could I do the same?

The problem? I had no formal education in computer science, no roadmap, and no one to guide me. Just an old laptop, an unreliable internet connection, and an unshakable curiosity.

The Struggle: Learning Without a Guide

I turned to the internet, diving headfirst into FreeCodeCamp, Coursera, and online documentation that often felt like reading an alien language. Every day was a battle—debugging errors that made no sense, feeling like an imposter, and pushing forward even when progress seemed invisible.

But I refused to quit. I built projects, from simple HTML pages to full-stack applications. I mastered React.js, TypeScript, and Next.js, and even when imposter syndrome whispered, "You're not good enough," my code proved otherwise.

Breaking Barriers: From Learning to Landing Jobs

Without a degree, getting noticed in tech is tough. But I knew that real skills matter more. I built StoryHub, PixSearch, a Nike e-commerce store, and a Next.js Shopping app—not just for practice, but to prove my capabilities.

Then came a major breakthrough: I earned an AWS certificate, solidifying my knowledge in cloud computing. This wasn’t just about learning—it was about showing the world that I was serious. Eventually, my work led me to roles at ONYC Hair and HCLTech, where I contributed as a front-end developer.

Lessons & Reflections

Your path doesn’t have to be traditional to be valid. A degree is great, but skills and experience are what truly matter.
Every struggle is part of the process. Debugging errors, sleepless nights, and self-doubt are all signs of growth.
Certifications can open doors. My AWS certificate gave me credibility in cloud computing, helping me stand out.

A Message to Underrepresented Coders

If you feel like an outsider in tech, know that you belong here. The industry is evolving, and self-taught developers, career changers, and those from unconventional backgrounds are proving that skill and passion matter more than just having a traditional credentials only. Keep learning, keep building, and keep pushing forward.

This is my story, but it could be yours too.