Ten years ago, I packed all my belongings – the ones I had gathered through five-ish intense years of studying Computer Engineering at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University – and headed home.
After countless runs from Mozambique Hall to Ajose Lecture Theatre, writing Fortran code by hand (yes, pen to paper), doing engineering drawings 🥴, meeting some amazing humans, it was finally time to step into the unknown—the future.
As the first graduate in my family, it was a big deal. Though there was no one to directly mirror the path ahead, and I did not graduate with a first-class honors, I carried home something just as valuable: my faith, programming skills, volunteering experiences, and the relationships and memories that would come to shape my life.
But I didn’t have it all figured out. I didn’t know what the next 10 years would look like—who I’d become, where I’d live, how the world would shift, or how I’d grow. All I knew was that I was stepping into something new, with hope as my compass.
Now, a decade later, I’m taking a pause—to reflect, celebrate, and share life lessons from my post graduation reflections. Not just from my perspective, but with the collective wisdom of my classmates who, like me, graduated from the Department of Computer Science & Engineering and have walked very different but deeply meaningful paths.
I asked them to reflect on the past decade. What they’ve learned. What they wish they knew. Where they’re headed. And what they’d say to those coming after us.
Here are the gems we unearthed.
🎓 Life After Graduation: What Actually Happened?
The myth: life after school is a straight line from graduation to dream job, car, house, and destination wedding.
The reality? Not quite.
Many of us stayed in tech – becoming software engineers, product managers, data professionals, and tech leads in global companies. Others pivoted into advertising, quality assurance, customer service, and strategy. A few became parents. Some moved abroad. Some went back to school. Some burned out, and then found their way back.
If there’s anything we learned, it’s this:
There’s no one way to “become.” But becoming takes time, grace, and grit.
Lessons From the Last Decade
Here are some hard-earned truths we wish someone had told us:
1. Start Early, Stay Curious
“Start building depth while in school. Skills, relationships, a strong portfolio—it will open doors earlier than you think.”
Don’t wait for graduation to “begin.” Be intentional about growth. Your early efforts compound later.
2. Rest is Not Laziness
“I used to think burnout meant I was doing something right. It doesn’t. Rest is part of the process.”
Your health—mental, physical, spiritual—is the engine for everything else. Don’t neglect it.
3. God’s Timing > Your Timeline
“Delay isn’t denial. Closed doors are redirections, not rejections.”
Faith anchored many of us during uncertain seasons. Don’t underestimate the role of divine alignment.
4. You’re Not Too Late, And You’re Not Too Early
“Clarity comes while doing. You don’t need the full picture before starting.”
Don’t freeze because you don’t know everything. Move. Learn. Pivot. Repeat.
5. Relationships > Résumés
“Who you know, and how you treat people, will open more doors than just what you know.”
Your network is a garden—cultivate it.
6. Keep Showing Up
“Even when it feels like nothing is moving. Keep learning. Stay consistent. Prioritise personal development”
Be patient. Continuous learning and improvement are key if you want to go far. Learn, unlearn, and relearn.
There’s no one way to “become.” But becoming takes time, grace, and grit. Share on X
✨ Highlights We Are Grateful For
From building global software products to leading worship sessions, from being awarded international recognitions to mentoring young professionals—our class has done a lot.
Some personal wins mentioned:
-
Being selected as a one-day MD of an agency
-
Working in tech roles across multiple continents
- Learning a new language in a new country
-
Launching data analytics bootcamps
-
Receiving EMEA-wide recognition at Spotify
-
Completing Master’s degrees while parenting or working full-time
-
Surviving hyena encounters at the OAU zoo (yes, really 😅)
What We’d Tell Our Younger Selves
If we could speak to our 21 year-old, wide-eyed selves, here’s what we’d say:
Don’t be afraid to fail. You’ll survive it.
Be kind to yourself. Growth takes time.
Get mentors. Seriously, now.
Don’t just work hard—work smart.
Stop chasing perfection. Progress is enough.
Eat well. Sleep. Hydrate. Life is not an exam hall.
Invest in your future self today.
Honorable Mentions: Uni Memories We Can’t Forget
- Someone falling down the White House stairs during registration week (awkward but iconic).
- A guest speaker with a “questionable résumé” hopping across telecom companies faster than we could blink.
- Struggling to get a seat at Ajose Lecture Theatre.
- Running from Amphitheater to Ajose in Part 1 for classes.
- Running from a hyena at the OAU zoo because someone wanted to “flex spiritual authority” 🫣 (the hyena was, in fact, secure in its cage).
These memories remind us that even in the chaos, there was joy, friendship, and unforgettable laughter.
Delay is not always denial. Closed doors are redirections, not rejections. Share on XWhat’s Next? Still Unfolding
Most of us are still evolving.
Some are diving into AI, ML, Cloud Computing, Product Strategy, or Leadership. Others are exploring business, ministry, writing, parenting, or a mix of all the above. But across the board, there’s one common thread: we’re choosing growth and adaptability.
A tip for anyone considering fields in tech to explore – consider human-centered roles like Digital Marketing & Content Marketing, AI, ML, Data Science & Analytics. As you grow in your career, you may consider branching into leadership, strategic decision-making roles, or project management.
Wrapping Up
To the final-year student unsure about the future—you don’t need all the answers. Start where you are. Stay curious. Keep showing up. Ten years from now, you’ll look back and smile (and maybe write your own reflection piece).
To the seasoned professional still finding their way—you’re not behind. You’re just unfolding. There’s still time to learn something new, try something different, or choose a new path.
To my classmates: thank you. For your transparency. For the growth. For the stories. Here’s to the next 10 years.
Now, looking to the future, I’m in that phase where I’ve packed my bags once again—this time, from the country I called home for over two decades—to start life anew in a different part of the world. It’s a new season entirely.
And though I don’t fully know how the next 10 years will pan out, I’m stepping into it with more confidence. I’m taking notes from the past, leaning deeply into my faith, building with audacity and flexibility, prioritising what truly matters, and trusting God to lead me as I go.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we don’t have to know the whole picture—we just need to keep moving forward, one faithful, intentional step at a time.
Here’s to growth. Here’s to grace. Here’s to becoming—again and again.
Love and Light Always,
Esther (Class of The Unsullieds)
