Cohort Stories: Meet Sierra
vol. 6, no. 117—guest post by Sierra Obi
By nature, I am a tinkerer. I have never been satisfied with what is, always inquiring about what more to discover. It’s not that I want to create; I must create. Creating is to me what flying is to a bird or hunting is to a lion. I am captivated by the nuances of life and the space that lives between my reality and the reality of the person next to me.
When I chose Computer Science as my major, I had no experience coding. Quite frankly, my journey has been arduous. I failed more times than I am willing to admit. I was constantly fighting against relentless self-doubt and failures at every turn. I have long asked myself, “Why do I keep going? How many more times will I fail before I give up?”. However, this did not deter me. With great pride, I can now say that my insatiable curiosity and the need to create have been an integral part of my success. What excites me the most about the tech industry is that technology permeates every facet of life. As
a result, the possibilities are limitless. I can have a career as a software engineer that allows me to embrace my passions for sustainable living, social welfare, and wellness.
When I was a child, my mother emphasized that “You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with.” This piece of insight has shaped how I view the world.
Technology should work for the people it’s supposed to, not against them. I want to create technology that levels the playing field, so everyone can thrive and live sustainably; on their terms.
To be supported by a community of people I can relate to while taking my career to the next level is truly a blessing. Suddenly, I feel empowered more than ever because I am on a path that doesn’t ask me to compromise any part of myself. I want to use my success as a catalyst for systemic change in this world. So, it’s time to venture into the unknown, carrying only my mother’s wisdom on my back. I am unsure what will become of my life, but I welcome possibility with open arms. The only thing that I am sure of is that I am becoming less afraid of what I can’t do and more fearful of what I won’t have
time to do.
