“You don’t belong here.”

That voice in my head was my constant companion during my first few months as a software developer. Every time I opened my code editor, every time I sat in a meeting with “real” programmers, that voice would whisper its doubts. But here’s the thing about imposter syndrome – it lies.

An Unlikely Beginning

Picture this: a young mechanical engineering student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2015, who had barely touched a computer growing up. That was me. In my family, computing wasn’t a dinner table topic – we were more likely to discuss traditional engineering or business. The closest I got to programming was watching sci-fi movies where hackers typed furiously on keyboards.

Then came the plot twist in my final year: C++. It was just another mandatory course for mechanical engineering students, or so I thought. Little did I know this would be the first chapter of my tech journey.

The Spark That Changed Everything

My final year project seemed straightforward enough: build a digital indicator. On paper, it was mostly mechanical engineering – a transducer converting physical measurements into electrical signals. But there was this small, crucial piece that involved programming. We needed to translate electrical voltage into something an LCD screen could display.

That tiny programming component? It was like finding a hidden door in a familiar room. Suddenly, I was fascinated by how a few lines of code could bridge the physical and digital worlds.

Finding My Path Through Gaming

After graduation, while attending tech career fairs and seeking guidance, I stumbled upon something that spoke to my inner child: game development. Remember those countless hours spent playing video games as a kid? Turns out they weren’t wasted time – they were laying the groundwork for my future career.

C# and Unity became my new best friends. Why games? Because for the first time, programming wasn’t just about logic and syntax – it was about creating worlds, telling stories, making something fun. Within six months, I had built my first game: a 2D galaxy shooter. Was it perfect? Far from it. But it was mine, and it worked.

The Professional Leap

A year later, life threw me another curveball. A financial institution hired me as a software engineer focusing on process automation. Talk about a change of scenery – from shooting aliens in space to automating financial processes! But the core skills transferred surprisingly well.

Lessons from the Trenches

Looking back, here’s what I wish someone had told me when I started:

1. That feeling of being a fraud? Everyone has it. Even the “real” programmers I was so intimidated by.
2. Your non-traditional background isn’t a weakness – it’s your superpower. My mechanical engineering perspective has helped me solve problems in unique ways.
3. The tech community is more welcoming than you might think. Some of my biggest supporters were the very people I was initially afraid would expose me as a “fake.”

Your Turn: A Roadmap for Career Changers

Want to make a similar transition? Here’s what worked for me:

1. Find a mentor who’s walked this path (my LinkedIn is below – let’s connect!)
2. Pick one area that excites you and dive deep (for me, it was game development)
3. Build real projects – they’re your proof of concept to yourself and others
4. Leverage online resources (Udemy and Coursera were lifesavers)
5. Master one programming language deeply (I chose C#) – the principles you learn will transfer to others

The Journey Continues

Today, when that imposter syndrome voice pipes up (yes, it still does occasionally), I have an answer ready: “Look how far we’ve come.” Every line of code, every problem solved, every project completed is proof that I belong in this field.

Remember, the tech world needs diverse perspectives. Whether you’re a mechanical engineer like I was, a teacher, an artist, or coming from any other field – your unique background is valuable. The question isn’t whether you belong in tech; it’s what unique contribution you’ll make when you get here.

So, are you ready to start your journey? The first step is believing you can.

Let’s Connect!

I believe in the power of community and mentorship – they were crucial to my success. If you’re on a similar path or just curious about tech, let’s connect:

Whether you’re looking for mentorship, want to discuss career transitions, or just need someone who understands what you’re going through, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your journey might be different from mine, but you don’t have to walk it alone.

David Chukwuebuka Oku (#MasterOfLogic) is a leading Software Engineer building financial products in Nigeria.