Building Real-World Projects: Lessons from a Kenyan Startup Manager

Recently(14-09-2024) we hosted an info session at the Computer Society of Kirinyaga (CSK). The session was informative, but something unexpected happened near the end. An unannounced guest, who happens to be a project manager at a major tech startup in Kenya, stepped up to share his insights—and what he said has stuck with me ever since.

The Cost of Building a Startup

One of the first things we discussed was the high cost of registering a tech startup in Kenya. Many startups in the country (and across Africa) are spearheaded by young people, often without stable income or employment. The challenges are significant, but they aren’t insurmountable.

Why Your Job Applications Get Ignored

He offered some golden advice for tech job seekers. Many of us spend too much time perfecting our LinkedIn profiles. Many of us spend too much time perfecting our LinkedIn profiles, GitHub repositories, and resumes, but that’s not what gets us noticed. Instead, what truly matters is building real-world applications. He emphasized that the influx of developers in 2024 means it’s harder than ever to stand out. But that does not mean you are to ignore the LinkedIn profile, resume, or GitHub repositories

Instead of creating another Twitter or YouTube clone, he suggested building unique, real-world projects—solutions that actual users can interact with. That will catch hiring managers' attention and help you stand out in a crowded field.

Document Your Journey

Another powerful tip was the importance of documenting and sharing your coding journey. Whether you’re posting updates on Twitter, YouTube, or TikTok, showcasing your work can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Employers and recruiters often look for those who are actively engaged in real projects.

Africa: A Land of Opportunities

We also talked about the African tech ecosystem. Many African startups have been acquired simply because they solved real-world problems and had users at the right time. As Vusi Thembekwayo, a South African entrepreneur, once said: “Where there’s a problem, there’s an opportunity.”

Hackathons You Can Join

Here are some hackathons you should check out if you want to stretch your creative and coding skills:

• Web5: Building the Decentralized Web: Use Web5.js to build decentralized apps.

• Tableau DataDev Hackathon 2023-2024: Innovate with Tableau for data analytics.

• The Genesis Hackathon 2024: Compete and create solutions for the future.

• Major League Hacking 2024 Season: Join the largest and most diverse hacker events.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one takeaway from this session, it’s this: build, share, and innovate. Standing out in tech isn’t easy, but with unique, real-world applications, the world is more likely to notice you.

Let’s keep pushing forward, and remember, Africa is full of opportunities waiting to be tapped.

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