MY JOURNEY INTO TECH: From Beginner to Successful DevOps Engineer.
By JeweL. U
P.S. For security reasons, we changed the character’s original name.
The success story of Grace Badmus, a Fellow at The Bulb Africa, is nothing short of inspiring. With a degree in Electronic Engineering but no prior knowledge of coding, her experience sheds light on the immense potential of people breaking into the tech industry, even without a traditional background in technology.
Her journey into tech started with a beginner’s knowledge of coding. After discovering The Fellowship program during a Tech Jewel event on Instagram, Grace decided to take the leap of faith and enroll in the DevOps curriculum.
From there, her success story continued to unfold.
“The Bulb Africa’s Fellowship program challenged me, but it also transformed me into a confident DevOps engineer. I had no prior knowledge of coding, but I became adept at using Jenkins, decoker, Git, and source code projects through hands-on learning, mentorship, and practical projects. These practical experiences gave me more insight into the industry and helped build my technical skills,” Grace said.
She describes the learning curve as challenging but rewarding, praising The Bulb Africa’s facilitators for breaking down the material and providing exceptional guidance. With instructors breaking down complex materials and providing exceptional guidance, Grace completed the program’s challenging curriculum.
She credits Mr. Frank, her instructor, with the exceptional clarity provided on the first day of class.
“Aside from the technical knowledge, the fellowship program helped build my confidence,” says Grace.
“I was pushed out of my comfort zone, but ultimately, it helped me grow as an engineer and set me up for a successful career in the industry.”
Grace’s success highlights the immense potential of any individual, male or female to break into the tech industry, particularly those from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sector. Along with the program, she attributes her success to the dynamic combination of technical and soft skills acquired through the fellowship program.
“I learned not just technical skills from the program, but also how to interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. With my lead and facilitator’s guidance, I received tips on how to ace interviews for jobs and was able to secure three job offers by the third month of my internship,” Grace gushed.
The Bulb Africa is passionate about creating a pipeline of tech talent to prepare individuals for the fast-paced world of technology. The program provides immersive, project-based learning to help aspiring tech professionals gain practical experience.
“The program’s emphasis on practical assignments and real-world projects helped me secure job interviews and ultimately make an impact in the industry,” Grace further said.
Grace’s story is an inspiration to individuals looking to break into the tech industry, particularly women in tech. With the right resources and support and the right mindset, individuals can thrive in tech, no matter their background.
“The Bulb Africa’s Fellowship program provides a clear pathway to career success in tech. If I can do it, others can too,” she said.
The Fellowship program is a model for providing pathways to tech success for aspiring tech professionals. Through project-based learning, mentorship, and practical experience, the program encourages individuals to break into the sector and thrive. For her, it was a chance of a lifetime that transformed her into a confident and successful DevOps engineer.
We wish Grace all the best and can’t wait for all that’s in store for her!