DO HARD THINGS: My Journey at ALX Kenya

Part 1: “Just Start”, Again!

A few years ago, I embarked on a quest to break into the tech industry. I was inspired by a mentor who navigated the field before the conveniences we take for granted today existed. His stories of handwritten code and grueling hours sounded almost mythical, like our parents’ tales of trudging miles to school in the dust. But unlike those exaggerated accounts, his stories were real — a vivid portrayal of the hardships of self-teaching, a reality I was about to encounter myself.

Imposter Syndrome

I soon found myself trapped in “tutorial hell,” jumping from one course to another without ever completing any. I was convinced that the next tutorial, video, or project would unlock the secret to mastery. I tried it all — Harvard’s CS50, FreeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, Udacity — you name it. The constant starting and restarting only amplified my feelings of inadequacy. Surrounded by stories of others making breakthroughs, I couldn’t shake the thought that I was a fraud — a classic case of imposter syndrome that haunts many newcomers in tech.

Despite these struggles, I kept trying to push through. I would set smaller goals, seek advice from online forums, and watch videos on overcoming imposter syndrome. But no matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to break free from that nagging voice in my head, constantly questioning whether I belonged in tech at all.

“Just Start”

Determined to change my approach, I enrolled in a full-stack web development boot camp in Kampala. For one of the assignments, I wrote an article titled "STARTING OUT: My First Day at a Bootcamp," where I emphasized that there’s no perfect time to begin — just start. I had come to understand that embracing the journey, with all its messiness and challenges, was essential. I concluded that piece with what I thought was a clever callback to my own advice, believing it would be the last time I’d need to “just start.”

However, the boot camp didn’t go as planned. The instructors, though passionate and well-meaning, lacked a well-structured curriculum. Much of the learning relied on YouTube videos and documentation — essentially the same self-teaching methods I had struggled with before. It was like I had walked back into the same frustrating situation I was trying to escape. The problem wasn’t just the teaching approach; it was my mindset. I hadn’t developed the resilience needed to truly commit to learning. Eventually, I dropped the program, sinking deeper into self-doubt and wondering if I’d ever find my way in tech.

A New Beginning

After struggling with self-teaching and a disappointing boot camp experience, it became clear that structure alone wasn’t enough to navigate this winding road. I lacked the grit, perseverance, and resilience essential for launching a career in tech. It felt like I was at a crossroads, facing a choice between giving up and finding a new path.

Seeing how discouraged I had become, my brother suggested a change of scenery. “How about Nairobi?” he proposed, drawing from his own experiences of pursuing a piloting career there. The idea sparked something in me, and soon I was looking into boot camp options across the border. That’s how I found ALX Africa, a learning institution that promised a different approach to tech education through its #DoHardThings ethos.

ALX partners with organizations like the Mastercard Foundation, Holberton School in Silicon Valley, and ExploreAI Academy in South Africa to offer scholarships and industry-aligned curricula. With hubs in eight major African cities, it’s leading the charge in redefining tech education on the continent. The combination of strong partnerships, cutting-edge curricula, and accessible opportunities drew me in, marking the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

Monday Motivation

One late night, as I dove into the world of ALX, I stumbled upon a speech by Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership Group, the network that includes ALX. His words resonated deeply with me, much like they did with attendees at the 2019 TIME 100 Gala. One quote stood out:

“The only way to justify privilege is by solving the world’s biggest problems and by doing hard things.”

Hearing this was another powerful full-circle moment, echoing the mindset my mentor had tried to instill in me from the very start. He continued to speak about his goal of developing three million leaders within Africa — a vision I was eager to be a part of. His message sparked a renewed sense of hope and motivation, reminding me why I had embarked on this journey in the first place.

Next Steps

When it came time to choose a program, I opted for Data Science over Software Engineering. Maybe I was, once again, drawn to the allure of something new rather than what was familiar. The application process was rigorous, with a series of aptitude tests that challenged me intellectually. Each test pushed me to think critically and solve problems in new ways, further confirming that I was on the right path.

ALX has been more than just an educational journey; it’s reshaped my mindset and approach to challenges. I’ve learned to embrace difficulties as growth opportunities, rather than obstacles standing in my way. The experience has been a masterclass in resilience, equipping me with not just technical skills, but the perseverance to tackle whatever comes next.

#DoHardThings

Reflecting on this journey, I realize that every setback has been a lesson in resilience. From the endless cycle of tutorial hell to the disappointing boot camp experience, each step has shaped me into someone who doesn’t just start — but keeps going. The ethos of “Do Hard Things” isn’t about blindly taking on difficult tasks; it’s about transforming your mindset, embracing growth, and solving problems that truly matter.

In the upcoming articles, I’ll share specific stories about my time at ALX and life in Nairobi, as well as technical write-ups on topics I’ve studied and projects I’m working on. If you’ve faced similar struggles breaking into tech, I’d love to hear your story. Remember, it’s okay to “just start”, again!