This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Retro’ing and Debugging 2024.
Scaling Up: Overcoming Doubt, Finding My Fit, and Pushing the Limits in 2024
The Weight of Being First
Being the first in my generation to break into tech has been both exhilarating and daunting. There’s no blueprint, no guidebook—just an uncharted path full of unknowns. Throughout 2024, I often found myself questioning where I fit in, feeling the pressure of not just succeeding for myself, but for those who will come after me.
The year tested my resilience, pushing me through moments of imposter syndrome, career uncertainty, and self-doubt. Yet, through each challenge, I found lessons that shaped me, moments that defined me, and opportunities that expanded my vision for what’s possible.
"Nobody can teach me who I am." — Chinua Achebe
Nevada & The U.S. Experience: A Shift in Perspective
One of the most transformative moments of 2024 was being selected as an AWS re:Invent grant winner, which gave me a fully paid opportunity to attend the AWS re:Invent conference in Nevada in December. It was more than just a trip—it was a perspective shift.
Stepping into an entirely new environment, surrounded by professionals who had been in tech spaces for years, I was both inspired and intimidated. The experience challenged my understanding of global tech ecosystems, networking, and personal ambition. It made me realize how much I belonged in these spaces—not as an outsider looking in, but as someone who could thrive and lead.
Being in Nevada also opened my eyes to the power of proximity—seeing first-hand what was achievable when resources, community, and ambition aligned. It wasn’t just about gaining technical skills; it was about realizing that the barriers I had once seen were more mental than real.
"The world is like a mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place." — Chinua Achebe
The CBS Upgrade & High Availability Hustle
In 2024, I played a pivotal role in platform engineering, focusing heavily on High Availability (HA) across network, hardware, application, and database levels. One of my most critical projects was upgrading the Core Billing System (CBS) from R20 to R23, ensuring seamless service for 70 million subscribers.
Ensuring high availability while managing failovers, switchovers, and backup strategies was a balancing act—a true test of precision, teamwork, and problem-solving. The stress was real, the stakes were high, but so was the growth.
Through this project, I learned the art of strategic planning, performance testing, and maintaining system integrity under pressure. More importantly, I proved to myself that I could handle mission-critical projects at scale and that I had a strong inclination for architecting resilient systems.
"Confidence is a choice. Arrogance is a mistake." — Alison Fragale
Imposter Syndrome, Teamwork & Finding My Place
Despite these achievements, there were days I felt behind—as if I was racing against an invisible clock. I’d scroll through LinkedIn, seeing others seemingly leapfrogging ahead, and I’d wonder: Am I really where I should be?
But 2024 taught me that success isn’t linear. It’s not about reaching a destination first; it’s about staying on course. I reminded myself that being first in my family meant paving a path, not rushing to the finish line.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of a strong support system—whether it's colleagues, mentors, or loved ones. Numbers don't matter as much as having the right people in your corner, cheering you on, pushing you forward, and reminding you that you belong.
This year also introduced me to working with a multi-racial, multi-cultural team, which pushed me to expand my interpersonal and professional skills. The experience reshaped how I want to approach teamwork, leadership, and collaboration in my career and personal life.
"When you lack confidence, borrow some from the people who believe in you." — Alison Fragale
Lessons in Growth & Pushing Limits
2024 was a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and self-belief. Key lessons I’m taking forward:
- You belong in the rooms you walk into. Never shrink yourself.
- Imposter syndrome is a sign of growth, not inadequacy.
- Being first means there’s no roadmap—but it also means you get to build your own.
- Scaling up isn’t just technical; it’s personal. Growth is about expanding your mindset as much as your skillset.
- Diversity in teams brings strength, adaptability, and innovation. Learning to navigate different cultures and perspectives makes you a stronger professional and a better human.
"Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter." — Chinua Achebe
What’s Next: Compiling 2025
If 2024 was about proving I could hold my own, 2025 is about expanding my reach. My roadmap for the year is ambitious, but so am I:
- Mastering ML & DevOps, positioning myself as a thought leader in High Availability and AI infrastructure.
- Launching my pajama business, curating luxury comfort for African women.
- Securing an 800K+ KSH role that aligns with my expertise and passion for scalable, reliable systems.
- Becoming a mentor, helping other first-generation tech professionals navigate their journeys.
- Applying my multi-cultural teamwork experience to build stronger, more inclusive tech environments.
2024 challenged me, shaped me, and reminded me that I am more than enough. In 2025, I’m not just keeping up—I’m taking the lead.
To every first-generation woman in tech feeling behind: Your journey is valid. Your progress is real. And your story is still being written. Keep pushing. Keep scaling. You’re not just part of the industry—you’re shaping it.
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