Tell us about your background. How did you get into programming, what was your inspiration?

I come from an African home where substantial growth and success are expected of me, especially as the first born.

My journey into programming started after I finished secondary school.  I had the drive to be much more than a regular teenager and a sense of responsibility to be a good example for my younger siblings.

I started learning to code on my phone because I didn’t have a laptop then. Trust me, it was challenging. I used apps like Pydroid and Termux (Linux for Android) to aid my learning. I then started saving to get a laptop.

An opportunity came for me to join ALX Software Engineering Program (a 12-month training)  in partnership with Holberton School. I was happy I got accepted after applying (still without a laptop). It was during the third month of the software engineering program that I finally got a laptop to use.

During that time I also gained admission to study electrical engineering in the university (in my third year now), so I’m currently juggling school and programming.

The software engineering bootcamp gave me all the boost and motivation I needed to grow as a software engineer and utilized my skills to build web apps for clients. I was exposed to opportunities that helped me in my journey.

I never regretted my decision to learn software engineering.

How did you choose your initial tech stack?

I started out learning Python but ALX provided me with a structured curriculum. I didn’t have to worry about what to learn next or what was more important at the various phases of my learning. It was all provided in a comprehensive curriculum.

What resources did you use to learn programming? Did you go to a bootcamp?

I personally read the documentation for whatever technology I want to learn. I do tons of research and use whatever resource I find helpful at that point.

Yes, a bootcamp, as mentioned earlier.

What was your bootcamp experience like and what were your most important take-aways?

First, the mentors were incredible, they’re always ready to help and don’t mind scheduling sessions just to help me get a firm grasp of difficult concepts.

There was also a great emphasis on teamwork and networking. I built projects with peers and attended stand-ups with my paired friends. My ‘paired buddies’ — as we were called, helped me stay accountable.

The training was beyond just coding and pushing to GitHub. It was a journey where I was shaped to think like a software engineer, to work with my peers, communicate better and contribute meaningfully to the growth of others.

How is the software engineering job market in Nigeria?

I would say the software engineering job market is growing steadily, there’s always demand for skilled software engineers. However, as in many places, competition can be fierce.

What are some of the major companies hiring software engineers there?

That would definitely be Paystack, Andela, Flutterwave and Interswitch. They’re some of  the big companies here.

What was your first programming job like?

I had my first programming gig earlier this year. It was an appointment booking application. A friend called and asked if I could work on the backend of a web app for a client. I accepted the offer and built the backend of the web app while he built the frontend.

It wasn’t exactly challenging because I had learned a lot from ALX and I was trained to work with other developers.

Did you deal with imposter syndrome and how did you deal with it?

I had the imposter syndrome at the start of my journey but it never lasted.

There was a time my ALX mentors talked about imposter syndrome. I realized it would be a hindrance to my growth as a software engineer, I decided to never let such psychological pattern control what I do as a software engineer.

It’s all about the identity you give yourself. I saw myself as someone that is capable of doing more than I’ve ever done.

What were some of the most important lessons you learned on your first job?

First, you don’t have to know everything to start working. Some of the features I implemented for the backend were things I never did. But I was able to do it because I had the skill already. As far as you can think of a step-by-step solution to a problem, you’re good to go.

I learned more about proper documentation of code. When you’re working with a large codebase, it’s important you write readable code and document what you’re doing for other developers.

I also learned to be more open to new methods of designs and implementation strategies. I was open to suggestions and feedbacks from my teammate.

Have you received any opportunities as a result of someone seeing your content?

Yes, I remember a time someone reached out to me on LinkedIn for a full-time position at her NGO but it was at the expense of my academics. So I wasn’t able to take on the role.

Being here on Coder’s Conversation is a big win for me!

How important has it been to network on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn has connected me with amazing individuals I would never have met on a normal day. Someone even offered to help me build the frontend of the web app I’m currently working on, just so I could focus on the backend. LinkedIn makes networking breezy. I see LinkedIn as a must-have for any developer out there.

There’s always someone to give you that push, someone that has been in your shoes and is offering advice. You can talk to them and they’re normally ready to help you.

What are some ways someone can effectively network on LinkedIn?

First, stay true to yourself. Don’t lose your personal identity on LinkedIn. Be original, don’t be a copy of someone else. I feel it’s the first step to networking effectively because when you stay true to yourself, your uniqueness is further amplified.

Then you need to be genuinely interested in other people on LinkedIn. Someone got a job? you can write a letter of congratulations to the person, directly to the DM . It’s someone’s birthday? Shoot them a DM with a happy birthday message or a well-crafted poem. Let your thoughts standout in their comment section as well. In this way, you’ll start making your actions unforgettable. And when people can’t forget you in a hurry, you’ve succeeded in building a relationship.

What should new developers focus on when it comes to looking good in an interview?

Alright. New developers should be able to master the languages, frameworks and tools specified in the job description by showcasing works in which those technologies were incorporated.

In addition to that, demonstrated soft-skills like ability to explain technical concepts, teamwork and communication are vital.

Any closing thoughts to leave the audience with?

One of my software engineering mentors once told me , “Ignore the noise of society and focus on your journey”. So I did just that.

Plan out your life to have a sense of direction.

Commit to continuous learning because you don’t know who might be watching you.

And most importantly, don’t forget God and stay true to yourself.

Any social media that you’d like to share if someone wants to reach out to you?

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hosea-tonzai-favour-ab905b250