By instinct, when you hear the word "programmer" the first thing that comes to your mind is a computer, and not just a mediocre computer but literally a workstation, with many wires running under the table or somewhere.
Now imagine if someone told you they are a programmer but don't own a computer!
You would be sceptical, wouldn't you?
Like where do they even programme? Are they even in their right mind?
Well, a while ago, l was attending an event called She-STEM at The American Centre and one of the topics that were discussed was The Digital Divide in the run to improve the uptake of STEM courses and careers by women.
Digital Divide refers to the gap between people who have ready access to computers and the internet and those who do not have that access.
If you did not grow up in Kampala, l know the term now makes a lot of sense to you.
Growing up, power was a myth, later on internet! But we saw it all through, here l am, the first computer engineer in the clan, well on paper.
My love for tech could have stemmed from the fact that it wasn't available while growing up (in my mind). For as long as l can remember, l wanted to do anything and everything around tech, from software to computer engineering.
Keep in mind that l had never seen a laptop but l was fortunate enough to go to a school that had a computer laboratory and that was like my first love.
While everyone rushed to the computer lab to talk to their friends and family on Facebook, l would be practising Microsoft tools because let's face it, in my family no one even had a smartphone to access Facebook.
Fast forward to university and l had been admitted on computer engineering, and it gets better, on government scholarship!
It was like Christmas at home. The fact that we wouldn't afford university to begin with, and here l was, being handed my dream course with full tuition!!
Four years and a world pandemic later, l was "crowned" a computer engineer on March 19th 2021.
I will not lie that it was the happiest day of my life because, for starters, l graduated on TV, and l had not even washed my face! Plus, the field wasn't something l was very much looking forward to.
So let's just say, l was glad that journey was over.
Oh, this is where l need to add that by this time, l didn't own a computer. I had had some along the way but you know how it goes.
Now l had to look for a career in the fields well known to a computer engineer, ie, programmer, hardware specialist, Networking, Cyber security, and so on.
I had lied to myself that l preferred the programming route but the pandemic had opened my eyes that l was indeed lying to myself.
Before l knew it, l was enrolled in a software development boot camp at Refactory, thanks to a friend who paid for me that 1 million tuition. At this rate, if l don't say that God is alive, l would be lying.
This is an intensive programming course for 3 months and l was going to do it without a computer and homeless (that's a story for another day).
Did l think about quitting? Everyday!
Did l think about the connections it could get me? Everyday!
I had given up on being a programmer but l was required to do all the programming work for me to graduate from this program, so l programmed or something like that.
So how can we enforce STEM with the prevailing Digital Divide?
When l say this is from personal experience, l think it will be a suitable use of the phrase.
- Know exactly what you want and don't lose focus.
I knew what subjects l needed to focus on to get a tech-related course at university. It may not go that far for you but make sure that your goals are crystal clear.
- Network, network, network.
When l was homeless, it was a friend who took me in! I can't begin to count the number of times l was asked how l knew her.
Your family may not understand what you're working towards and may not even be receptive to your ideas but if you have two or three people that understand what you're doing, that's enough.
Move out of that village, you will not make enough money to extend electricity, well not for now but you don't have to always be home for holidays!
Plan with a couple of your friends (who are working towards the same goal) and find a place to stay together in town, closer to a cafe where you have access to a computer.
I know it's a long shot but it's definitely better than buying a 1 million solar panel for your home in the village.
- Be a go-getter.
Browse through the internet every single day, sign up for newsletters, join communities whether physical or online.
One thing you should always have is data, l only load voice bundles when l want to talk to my mum in the village but internet is like a basic need for me.
I don't see the digital divide disappearing soon and yet we have to keep moving, so it's definitely upon you to fight for what you want.
I still don't have a computer up to now but has it stopped me from going after what l want?
Ohh am not a programmer, that ship sailed but well l think you get the idea.
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| Address by Eng. Elizabeth 😊 |
