Global Courant
My Pivot Journal is a Ventures Africa weekly series documenting people’s career transitions from one sector to another, especially into technology.
Jennifer Daniel possesses an expansive creative mindset and a deep passion for bringing new ideas to life. After initially pursuing a career in mass communications and gaining diverse experience in different sectors, she successfully transitioned into the tech industry as a product designer. Here is her shooting diary:
How it started
I enrolled in Mass Communications at the University of Lagos in 2014 and successfully graduated in 2018 with a major in Film and Broadcasting and a minor in Public Relations. After graduating, I started my professional journey as a talent manager and later switched to the real estate sector, where I took on the role of sales manager for a few months. Despite the varied experiences, I found myself longing for more career fulfillment.
Realizing the need for change, I decided to take a career break before completing my mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). I served inside Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State (Northwest Nigeria) and completed my NYSC in 2020. It was during this time that I entered the world of technology, and the year 2020 marked a major turning point in my career. It was the auspicious year where I caught the ‘tech bug’, sparking a renewed passion for the tech industry.
Revelation
I quickly realized that technology was the area in which I would build my career. I struggled to find fulfillment elsewhere, and it took a toll on my well-being. Fortunately, technology became my remedy to overcome challenges, including depression. Before this discovery, I had ventured into fashion design as a brand owner and was involved in small social media projects. With an inherent creative mindset and a passion for creation, technology emerged as a transformative discovery.
Driven to tackle my depression and anxiety, I immersed myself in extensive research in the technical field. The more I explored, the clearer it became that technology was my calling. A turning point occurred when an old friend who was a small business owner offered me the opportunity to contribute by creating UI/UX designs using WordPress. That marked the start of my career in technology.
Jennifer Daniel, product designer at Interswitch.
Transition
I have never been as intentional with anything as I am with technology. During my transition, I didn’t have a laptop, so I prayed for a miracle. My mother soon bought a laptop at a discount. I saw it as an answer to my prayers and quickly claimed it to put into practice what I had learned from a friend.
I enrolled in several Coursera courses and worked with my friend for hands-on experience. Although my first Udacity product design course was challenging, the hands-on experience in the field significantly accelerated my learning. While I was engaged in self-directed learning, I collected useful links and videos in a digital notebook, creating a timetable to structure my learning.
Learning UI/UX brought unprecedented excitement; I immersed myself in reading and constant practice. My parents, initially concerned but hopeful, witnessed a positive transformation in their once depressed daughter. Since making the transition to technology, my technical skills have given me access to various economic sectors. In my last role as Product Design Lead in 2021 at Access Bank plc, I held a leadership position in guiding design decisions for B2B and B2C products. That was a core sector of the financial services industry.
Although I enjoyed leading and managing a product, I recognized the challenge of time management due to the workload. Looking back, I recognize the importance of better time management and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
How are you
I currently work at Interswitch Group as a product designer, contributing to the growth and improvement of Quickteller to ensure seamless payments and services for millions of global users. In my role I focus on practical solutions and understanding the underlying reasons (‘The Why’). My responsibilities include design thinking, brainstorming, research, wireframing and testing. This includes multiple meetings with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
An ongoing challenge in my role is the constant need for iteration, an inherent aspect of the design process. However, I appreciate the collaborative aspect, engaging different perspectives and ideas during brainstorming sessions and promoting personal and professional growth.
Last year, while going through my transition notes, I rediscovered a collection of links I had created in a digital notebook during the technology transition. This discovery led to the creation of my UX resource hub website, uxresourcehub.com. It offers free UI/UX learning paths, videos, resources, and a study guide. This initiative is my way of giving back to the tech community.
Career hack
Focus on Personal Progress – Start your tech journey by focusing on your steps and avoiding comparisons with others.
Understand your motivation – Think about why you want to make the switch to technology and let that motivation guide your efforts.
Explore technical fields wisely – Recognize the diversity of technical careers and research to find the field that suits your preferences.
Prioritize intentional learning and support – Approach learning with intention, seek mentorship for guidance, and connect with a community for mutual support.
