This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Odejayi Esther Aduraponmile
Introduction:
Growing up, I wanted to be everything — a doctor, then a lawyer, then a Navy. But by the time I got to secondary school, I was sure I wanted to be an engineer. That was the plan from JSS1 to SS2. I was so determined: I’m going to LAUTECH and no one is changing my mind. Until things took a turn.
The Shift:
When it came time to apply for admission, I discovered LAUTECH didn’t offer Aeronautical Engineering — my dream course. I thought, no wahala, I’ll study something close to it and go abroad for it after my first degree. I looked into Mechatronics, but they weren’t offering that either.
My dad advised me to look through all the courses and pick what felt right. I went through the entire engineering list, and nothing clicked — until I saw Cybersecurity. That caught my attention. I remembered always being curious about “hacking” and tech stuff, even though I had no idea what it really involved. I chose it… blindly.
*The Wake-Up Call:I had about 5 months before I actually rounded up secondary school, but I wasn’t doing anything tech-related. No research. No skills. Just vibes. When I finally got in, I didn’t feel anything… until January,
That month, I noticed some of my classmates already coding, building stuff, and talking about tech. I was shocked. I googled what they were doing but still didn’t take it seriously — I thought maybe they were just being extra.
Then came Cysssa Week, a week for Cybersecurity students. That was when I met Paul Edward, and his talk completely inspired me. I joined the Infinite Community not long after.
Finding My Place:
That was the turning point. In the community, I heard other people’s stories — their struggles, their breakthroughs, their passion. It hit me hard. I realised I was floating without direction. That moment changed everything.
I decided It’s time to find my path. It’s time to take this seriously. And since then, I’ve been on a journey of learning, growing, and building my confidence step by step.
Conclusion:
I didn’t know where to begin. I stumbled into tech without a plan. But now, I’ve found my “why” — and I’m slowly building the “how.” This is just the beginning.>
If you’re just starting out or feel lost, that’s okay. Everyone’s journey looks different. What matters is showing up, staying curious, and being open to growth. You don’t need to have it all figured out — just take the first step.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Odejayi Esther Aduraponmile