Looking back 10+ years in Tech: Balancing Passion and Practicality

Early Career

I vividly remember my first practical session back in 2008 while still in college, quickly immersing myself in the world of computer servicing. A year later, I transitioned to university, where I not only pursued my education (CS Degree) but also took on the role of a web content manager for the university students portal in my final years.

In 2012/3, my trajectory led me to m:lab and iHub, where my roles evolved from a mobile testing intern to a technologist overseeing digital products, facilitating accelerator programs & pitching events and managing both physical and cloud services. My journey at m:lab and later iHub culminated in my position as a tech/dev community manager, emphasizing my aptitude for community building and technical leadership. All this was made possible with the awesome colleagues I worked with for the 8 years within this role.

The subsequent stint at Twiga Foods, though brief, provided me with valuable insights, particularly in working with cross-section teams in tech .

As I reflect on this early phase of my career, it becomes clear that my diverse roles have not only contributed to my skill set but have also shaped my ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the tech industry.

Career Pivot

Amid the challenges of 2020, I decided to pivot my career into product management, determined to explore new horizons. Venturing into the realms of product design, system architecture, and tech team leadership i.e collaboration, agile methodologies, effective communication, and UI/UX expertise.

Approximately 2 years ago, my journey led me to I4policy, where I assumed the position of UI/UX and took on the additional responsibility of acting as the tech lead. In this capacity, I became an integral part of a team dedicated to policy work, with a strong focus on entrepreneurship policy in the African context. I4policy’s longstanding dedication to policy work, particularly in the entrepreneurship sector, aligned seamlessly with my career pivot.

The Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy) is a not-for-profit organization that supports public policy co-creation at scale. i4Policy’s methodological work seeks to open new pathways and precedents for deliberative governance and public policy co-creation, and ultimately help communities to re-imagine collective decision-making.

The last 2 years

1.Building a MOOC platform for policy actors

One of the initial projects after I joined i4policy was the establishment of ecosystem.build. The platform’s primary objective is to serve as a comprehensive repository, housing tools, knowledge, and guidance essential for empowering change-makers in their efforts to transform economies. The aim is to leverage the foundation’s prior/ ongoing work, creating a centralized hub that facilitates easy access to resources & tools crucial for driving positive economic change.

One of the most captivating aspects of the project has been the development of LEARN, a MOOC platform dedicated to hosting online courses specifically tailored for policy actors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The primary goal is to provide these individuals with valuable skills, knowledge, and resources that empower them to shape policies fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.

The collaborative efforts of the awesome team at i4policy throughout the entire process, from conceptualization to the creation of learning content and continuous improvement of the platform, have been truly remarkable. Being part of this process has been both rewarding and enlightening.

Currently, we have successfully attracted over 200 participants to the platform, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

2. Building the Citizen Engagement Platform (CEP)

During my time at i4policy, I have also played an active role in a substantial project in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD and GIZ. Together, we are leading the development and implementation of a revolutionary digital Citizen Engagement Platform (CEP). The primary aim of this platform is to streamline the collection of valuable feedback from citizens. The goal is to encompassing citizens’ priorities, perspectives on existing policies, and innovative ideas for new policies.

Collaborating with an exceptional team has made this project a rich learning experience for me. Each day brings new insights and perspectives, contributing to our collective growth. I am enthusiastic about witnessing the project’s growth and envision its expansion to involve diverse collaborators within the citizen participatory and civic space. Ultimately, our goal is to open source the platform, fostering broader engagement and innovation in citizen-driven initiatives.

In Conclusion

In the ever-changing landscape of the IT industry, I believe that making a career pivot requires a delicate balance between my personal passion and practical considerations. By aligning my interests with the industry’s demands, I not only fuel my motivation but also ensure a sustainable and fulfilling journey.

I understand that my journey is unique, and by navigating this balance, I am hoping it will pave the way for a fulfilling career that reflects both my passion and the practical needs of the ever-evolving IT field.