“…I started my tech journey while nursing three boys, a demanding business.” – Ukachukwu
Having worked in the development sector as a communications lead for over ten years, it seems I have grown mystically a sixth sense for differentiating stories within Africa that merely tickle the fancy of a better future from those that portend genuine growth and development. I was a special delegate at a tech conference in Lagos where young men and women were being onboarded to attend an accelerator programme designed to graduate youths with employable and entrepreneurial skills.
While enjoying the burst and zest from this conference, I was jolted off a brief reverie by the story of one of the young panelists – Chisom Ukachukwu. She is a current learner with ALX Nigeria, a tech accelerator. I asked for an interview and her journey is an inspiration for every African youth that lives in a continent where opportunities are few and far between.
Can you stretch your imagination and visualize a studio supervisor of ten years, a mother of three young boys, an African palm oil business owner, and a non-tech enthusiast who decides to embark on a new journey in Salesforce Administration? The story of Chisom reeks of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.
“Youths should not sit down and only wait for government interventions. Technology provides opportunities for them to create their future even professionals can jump into new career paths by leveraging tech training. No excuse is tenable. I have a demanding career, a young marriage, three young boys, and a business. Still, I embraced a rigorous voyage in tech to better my life.
“I was never a tech enthusiast but my journey with ALX has changed that as I now see that tech isn’t restricted to coding and website development. I got to know about ALX from an ex-colleague, Elizabeth who took the virtual assistant course,” she said.
Chisom is a goal-getter, always ready to learn and acquire life skills that will help her fledgling career. So, she took the invitation in its strides and boldly started tech training with ALX to improve her work.
“I came to ALX to take the Virtual Assistant Course then stumbled on the Salesforce Administration Tech Track, I didn’t know what Salesforce was at the time but of course, there is internet, so I read up on it and came to absolutely love it. Throughout my career journey, I’ve always been in customer-centric roles so a certification in a Customer Relationship management platform like Salesforce was a step in the right direction in my quest for personal and career development.”
She found out that tech wasn’t all about complex numbers after all, but a critical tool to improve every career and life in general. She is currently a Public Relations Supervisor at Digits1024 Solutions, a multimedia firm where she is using tech to drive organizational change. “I’ve contributed significantly, progressing from a volunteer to Admin Head, managing operations and fostering team capabilities.”
Like Chisom, there are many with tech fears who may be struggling to leverage technology in non-tech spaces because of complex training platforms. “ My learning experience at ALX was comprehensive, encompassing practical and theoretical aspects. It provided hands-on opportunities and ensured I stayed updated with evolving trends. The supportive environment encouraged collaboration and expanded my knowledge, fostering lifelong learning and practical application.”
More so, new entrants in technology would learn faster if they were exposed to community learning instead of an isolated system. Chisom flourished in the deep waters of tech because “in addition to the community, which was a haven of learners, my major advantage was that the accelerator programme allowed you to attend events across Africa.”
Presently, she is on the verge of completing the Salesforce Administration Tech Track and is actively engaged in volunteer initiatives that empower women and children. Inspired by the works of Sheila Vast-Binder and Jessica Mills, she continues to motivate young learners to be proactive and seize opportunities to secure a brighter future.
In her words: “My resilience was put to the test in the past nine months as I balanced a demanding job, motherhood, studies, business, and volunteering. Despite the challenges, my resilient spirit prevailed, and I stand as a shining example of the power of resilience.”
• Patience Salami is a tech-driven global marketing and communications leader with extensive experience in international development, telecommunications, FMCG and financial institutions. She holds a postgraduate degree from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, and a professional degree and membership of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom.
