World Courant
My Pivot Journal is a Ventures Africa weekly sequence documenting individuals’s profession transitions from one sector to a different, particularly into know-how.
Kenechukwu Nwankwo had a promising profession as an architect. However he realized he wasn’t having fun with it as a lot as he thought. He wished to attempt one thing totally different and extra satisfying. Right here is Kenechukwu’s pivotal diary.
The way it began
Initially, I wished to review methods engineering and bought into it. Nonetheless, additional arithmetic was a prerequisite for any engineering course and I didn’t take it in WAEC. So I needed to accept my second selection, which was Structure. Earlier than I graduated, I acquired a job supply from Landmark Africa, a well-liked growth firm in Lagos. I had performed my IT there, so it made sense to return there. After I joined them as an intern, they solely had an occasion heart. I used to be a part of the journey to convey up initiatives just like the Onerous Rock Cafe, the movie show and the Landmark Seaside. I labored there for over three years, beginning as an architect but in addition delving deeper into growth, which concerned discovering areas, developing with concepts for areas, remodeling the areas and getting cash.
Revelation
It was throughout COVID in 2020, it hit me. They requested me to return to the workplace in the course of the lockdown. I believed it was absurd as a result of I did not have to return to the workplace to design. I had additionally grown bored with the infinite revisions and tedious design work. One of many issues that annoyed me as an architect was the fixed demand for extra designs. Generally a buyer would give me a short or obscure thought of what he wished. I might do the primary draft after which they might ask me to present three extra examples. That is one other method of claiming three full drafts. I began to query my profession path as an architect. I needed to ask myself tough questions, What did I get from this? Was structure one thing I wished to do long-term?
I attempted to maneuver into the event administration aspect of structure, however that did not work out both as a result of we did not have one other architect on the time. I did not see myself doing structure in the long run. I made a decision to discover different choices. One way or the other know-how had at all times been near me, as a result of my father works in know-how. I keep in mind getting my first pc when youngsters have been enjoying with toys. I did some analysis and noticed the alternatives know-how provided. After I did the evaluation and weighed my choices, it made sense for me to maneuver to know-how.
Kenechukwu Nwankwo
Transition
I wasn’t positive which position in know-how would go well with me greatest. I thought of product design, in any case I had a design background, however I additionally had PTSD. I attempted to study software program engineering, however I struggled with JavaScript. I used to be searching for one thing that might enable me to mix my pursuits and expertise into one thing lovely. That is how I found product administration.
Product administration was a brand new and thrilling subject. I am a visible learner, so I began studying as a lot as I may from YouTube and video-based programs. I took a product administration course Dare and some programs additional Product faculty. It was in the course of the Black Lives Matter motion, so I took benefit of the reductions provided to black individuals. Then I joined all of the product communities I may discover. I joined Product administration Africa, a group that began on WhatsApp earlier than transferring to Slack. I joined Product tank Lagos. I went there, sat down, listened to what they needed to say and networked. I additionally began making use of for jobs virtually instantly, however I could not get one.
I had the chance to take part in a Product Administration Africa program. They positioned aspiring product managers in corporations or initiatives for 3 months. It regarded like an internship. As a part of that program, we have been assigned mentors who guided us and supplied suggestions. Whereas I used to be nonetheless in this system, a former colleague from Landmark contacted me. He advised me a couple of challenge I had beforehand labored on that had grown into a faculty. They’d a program for product managers and he thought I might be a great match. I utilized and was chosen. I joined this system on the finish of 2020 and simply continued to enhance my PM expertise.
One of many challenges I confronted in the course of the transition was skepticism from potential employers. They checked out my CV and requested me why I utilized for a product position once I was an architect. It had a method of undermining one’s self-confidence. But it surely did not cease me from looking out. I needed to discover a job rapidly. I made positive to avoid wasting cash proper earlier than I stop my job as an architect. It might final me a yr, however it was gone ahead of I anticipated. Fortunately I discovered one thing earlier than I ran out of choices.
Google was a great supply for locating roles. I picked up some hacks for locating product roles that weren’t closely marketed. I might use Google to filter the search outcomes by particular websites and key phrases. For instance, I sort ‘website:lever. co” after which worker product supervisor inside citation marks. This could present me all of the affiliate product supervisor roles on Lever, a recruiting platform. I utilized for as many as I may. After virtually a yr of studying and making use of, I lastly landed my first position as an affiliate product supervisor. Then I felt like I may loosen up and deal with creating myself in approach.
My first tradition shock working in tech was the idea of distant work. I used to be like “Are you severe? That is wonderful!” Nonetheless, this affected my preferences for future roles. I turned extra interested by totally distant roles than hybrid roles. Distant work additionally introduced with it extra expectations. I needed to study to speak higher with my colleagues and purchasers as a result of I could not see them in particular person. Stakeholder administration was additionally totally different. In building I used to be acquainted with the area and the expectations of the stakeholders. With software program, I needed to rapidly study what the builders have been doing and how you can inform in the event that they have been being trustworthy with me. I additionally confronted conflicting calls for from two senior managers who pulled me in several instructions. One other tradition shock was working with youthful individuals. In the true property and building business, most of my colleagues have been older and had households. Within the know-how business, even the co-founders have been of their twenties.
I additionally needed to study many technical phrases to contribute to conferences and drive the corporate’s initiatives. If I did not perceive half the issues mentioned in a gathering, I could not contribute successfully. Even once I repeated what I heard, my supervisor would ask me follow-up questions that I could not reply. I additionally had hassle with buyer help. In building, I did not deal instantly with prospects as a result of it was a B2B firm. However within the know-how sector, it was a B2C firm Through the weekends I needed to cope with a whole lot of help points. The best way I handled it was to group the issues by class. I targeted on fixing the issues that have been recurring or pressing. I requested for assist and delegated some issues to my staff members. I additionally turned extra affected person and empathetic in the direction of the customers.
How are you
I’m a senior product supervisor at Mono, a fintech firm that provides open banking providers. A typical day for me begins with stand-ups: brief, each day conferences to debate progress and establish blockages. To do that, I test product efficiency and see if there are any points that I have to report within the standups. I then meet with my staff to search out out what everyone seems to be engaged on that day, and if there are any blockages or dependencies. I then spend half-hour to an hour studying up on the most recent developments and developments in our business, equivalent to laws, rivals and buyer suggestions. Then within the afternoon I work on any documentation I have to replace or create based mostly on the discussions and choices we make. I additionally deal with any help points that come up in the course of the day and talk with stakeholders and prospects if needed.
Probably the most thrilling factor about product administration is realizing that I can do issues that change the world. For instance, my firm does open banking, which permits individuals to entry and use their monetary knowledge in several methods. This could enhance issues like credit score and monetary inclusion. It is also thrilling to work with among the smartest and most passionate individuals ever. My transferable expertise assist. My designers wish to work with me as a result of I’ve a great sense of design and person expertise. I can spot potential issues and recommend enhancements that may profit them. I may also create low-fidelity and high-fidelity designs, however I am primarily specializing in the low-fidelity designs proper now. Then again, working in fintech comes with a excessive threat of fraud and cyber assaults. We should at all times pay attention to our safety and compliance. As well as, the Central Financial institution of Nigeria could change laws at any time and have an effect on our operations.
I’ve seen myself working in know-how for a very long time. What I may change is possibly exploring the intersection between actual property and fintech, which might nonetheless be largely fintech. There are a variety of tech corporations doing fascinating issues on this area as we speak, and I feel I’ve a great background in actual property and fintech to contribute to that.
Profession hack
To get the abilities I would like for the roles I would like, I have a look at the job descriptions for these roles and discover the key phrases or expertise they want. I then create a private growth plan to study these expertise. For instance, if a job wants somebody who is aware of APIs, I might analysis what APIs are and how you can use them. I might additionally take on-line programs or tutorials on APIs. If the position is senior and in a sector like fintech, I might additionally study in regards to the laws and greatest practices in that sector.
My Pivot Journal: Kenechukwu Nwankwo’s journey from structure to product administration
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