Why Not Programming?
Very often people wonder why I made such a drastic decision to switch from Architecture to Computer Science and my answer is always the same; “Why not?”. In my mind, I feel it is pretty obvious why someone would choose “to go tech”. I mean, is it not where the world is advancing? Practically most professions in one way or another, have technology integrated within. Either a computer needs to be used, or computer software, system or hardware so why not?
I love buildings and their complexities but I also want to make an impact on many people even beyond my reach and architecture was not providing me with that. So why not? Why not switch and run Google? Why not switch and manage Facebook Africa? Why not Programming? Probably I will get so good at programming that I will branch out and code software used by architects. Who knows? Programming provides an avenue to do even more than we hope to achieve. It creates an opportunity to solve problems beyond my scope of knowledge and that is an opportunity I just could not forfeit. So why not programming?
A couple of years ago, around 2015, I had an opportunity to participate in an all-girl international competition called Technovation which is a program that requires girls between the ages 12 and 18 to create mobile applications that solve problems in their communities and my oh my, was it an eye-opener. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine myself doing something technology related. It was like fate had it that at the prime of my secondary education, technology would surface in my life to confuse my decisions. So if anyone is wondering how technology came into the picture, now you know. But I will get back to the competition later.
Let me first dig into my past and reveal my dreams. (For those who read my previous blog, this is the story about why I changed from Architecture). At the age of 8, I became so fascinated about buildings mainly because I assumed that everyone’s house was exactly like mine on the inside but different on the outside. Like even if your house was a mansion or hut, all the insides were exactly the same. I do not know why but just know, looking back, I laugh at myself every time. It was until I escorted mum to a friend’s place that everything in my mind went BOOM. I know you are wondering if my first visit was when I was 8 years old, no, it was not but you know those times when you actually do not pay attention to things until you pick interest in them? Yes, that is it. That is what happened to me. So moving forward to when I was 12, I found out about architects and what they do and that is when my journey to become an architect began. This decision was reinforced by the fact that my godfather is a very successful Civil Engineer and so I wanted to be like him.
So now in 2015, I and some friends of mine(twin) formed a group, took part in the competition, won the national section, and were runner up in the Africa category. Determined to make it to the finals, the next year we participated again but did not go so far, however, I had the opportunity to go and participate in the final pitch activities in San Francisco as a guest. Friends, it was the week of 11th July 2016 that my life changed. Like you know that moment when you realize that your whole life has been a lie? Yeah, now in my case, it was moments for a whole week. I was mind-blown by how girls at just the age of 7 were coding. That alone challenged me, got me thinking about where I was heading. Young girls from around the world were pitching their hearts out and I just could not believe my eyes. My confidence and knowledge could not even much up to theirs and I was probably 8 years older than them. It was such an amazing week and I learned a lot. Besides that, I got to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Yahoo, Intel, Intuitive Surgical and got to meet many people from different walks of life.
What was heartwarming was the fact that the majority of the attendees, were female. Those who have attended technology events know that the number of women is always as low as 10 females so you can begin to picture my joy. Everything in my life can be stripped away, but not that week. That week made me most of who I am today. So again I ask, Why not Programming? For the benefit of a doubt, I let myself do Architecture just because it was what my younger self always dreamed. I did not want to let her down. But due to a foreseen future, I had to make that decision to switch. I had to find the courage to drop at the beginning of my third year of Architecture to pursue what I can now comfortably call my future. It was a trying time having to let go and let myself start afresh, well aware that people would not understand, rebuke me, laugh at me but when the heart wants what it wants, it goes deaf to all those ridicules.
I have never felt so at ease with myself and I can confidently tell you that this has been the best decision of my life yet. I encourage all those who may be in similar situations to take heart and take the challenge birthed right before your eyes, for you will never know until you just know. Programming, just like every other thing has its own challenges. It is your passion and resilience that will take you to that level you want to reach. I want to become an AI specialist, work for Google to make people’s lives a little more comfortable, make an indirect impact on thousands of people and increase the number of females in the tech space. So Why Not Programming?
