Collins* had the impression that mastering a tech skill and working at a startup was a sure and quick way to start making good money, but, his experience at the first startup he worked at shocked him. Now he knows better.
How would you describe your professional life?
My professional journey began in video editing, a field I initially embraced without much knowledge of tech. At the start, I had little interest in graphic design, but circumstances led me to take on a design job, which unexpectedly ignited my passion for designing. The design I created was widely used, which inspired me to delve deeper into graphic design.
When my father passed away, I realised the need to acquire a tangible skill. Then one of my siblings introduced me to product design, explaining how Figma is used to sketch user interfaces before development.
Eager to learn and not wanting to remain idle, I began studying product design through YouTube while managing my small laptop. My brother supported me by paying for my first UI/UX certificate course on Udemy, where I learned the basics of product design and quickly developed proficiency in Figma, finding it more intuitive than other graphic design tools I had used.
Before working officially, I worked on side projects with my brother, honing my skills in UI design. After three months of intense self-study and practice, I secured a position at a startup. Initially, I handled internal designs, creating slides and graphics while assisting senior designers with screen responsiveness for various devices.
Over the past two to three years, my role at the startup has evolved significantly. I transitioned from product design to mastering tools like Rive for animation and interaction design. Also, my exposure to industry experts at the startup has profoundly shaped my skills and perspective, transforming me from a novice to a proficient designer.
Are there other tech roles that interest you apart from product design?
Yes. Cybersecurity roles.
Interesting! Why?
I hate fraud. I’ve had an interest in cybersecurity since I was still in secondary school because I don’t like to be cheated or bullied in any way. Pursuing cybersecurity is just a wish for later though. I have come to understand that I can be quite productive as a designer, and that’s why I keep learning and improving every day for mastery in design.
It appears you’ve recorded such impressive growth in the last two years working at that startup, but would you say the outcomes match what you were expecting?
My expectations were heavily influenced by the salaries showcased on platforms like LinkedIn, where people often highlight high earnings ranging from ₦700k to even ₦3m for tech roles. These figures shaped my aspirations and set a benchmark for what I believe I should earn. However, the reality is starkly different.
When I first joined the startup, I believed that starting with no pay was a common step for many Nigerian professionals. So, imagine my surprise when I was offered a stipend of ₦60k. But that amount quickly proved insufficient for the level of work I was putting in.
Besides, as I transitioned from an intern to a junior designer role, my responsibilities increased significantly. I was handling tasks that required much more expertise and effort than my pay reflected.
Upon completing my internship, I applied for full employment and approached the management with my request. Even though I was given the employment, the lack of certification was a problem. This affected my salary and career growth.
By certification, what do you mean?
I mean first degree certificate.
When my dad passed, I had to drop out of school. It was after that I started working as an intern. After the internship, they requested for a certificate, which I said I didn’t have due to what happened. Then they said they’ll want me to go back to school and I agreed. But, I wasn’t able to do that immediately. However, at the moment, I’ve gotten an admission and am currently studying computer science.
I’m sorry about that.
After I was given the employment, I continued to work diligently, contributing significantly to the company’s projects. My dedication did not go unnoticed, my salary was eventually increased to ₦150k.
However, this was still below my expectations. I had hoped to earn around ₦250k, considering the amount of work and expertise I brought to the table. It was only later that I discovered even the senior designers at the company were earning around ₦300k, which was way less than the figures I had seen on LinkedIn.
When I had a candid conversation with my manager, they revealed that the department was experiencing some financial constraints. The annual budget allocation for the team was limited, which directly impacted salaries.
This revelation was disheartening, as it meant that despite my hard work and dedication, financial rewards would not meet my expectations.
After nearly three years at the startup, I find myself at a crossroads. While I have grown professionally and gained invaluable experience, the financial aspect was a significant concern. Because the cost of living in Nigeria has skyrocketed, my salary struggles to cover basic expenses.
Losing both parents further compounded this issue, as I no longer have familial support to fall back on.
So, by your own calculation, how much did you expect to be earning in tech by now given your years of experience and portfolio?
Minimum of ₦300k to ₦400k by my current design strengths plus collaborative skills.
And how would you describe your overall experience at the startup?
I am grateful for the opportunities the startup has provided as it has been a catalyst for my professional growth, offering a supportive ecosystem and the chance to work remotely on some days. However, it is not all rosy.
The work environment adds another layer of stress. My manager often threatens to let me go if my work does not meet expectations or if deadlines are missed. This constant pressure made me more focused on retaining my job than seeking better compensation.
Initially, I focused more on improving my skills rather than my salary, which helped me grow significantly. But, with the rising cost of living and increased responsibilities, the financial strain is now a major concern.
Given the situation of things, have you tried leaving the startup?
I have tried leaving, but my friend told me I cannot leave my job without getting another one. If I did that, I might not be able to fend for myself and that will be a lot of burden on other people.
So, I’m working on applying for other jobs, and revamping my portfolio and CV. I know it’s not easy to get a job, but I’m working with a target for when I must leave this company. I know I cannot remain here; although the environment is good for me to grow professionally, it’s not giving me enough room to grow financially.
About your manager threatening to let you go, how have you been able to manage that situation? Do you think you aren’t meeting up with expectations?
My manager only does that when there’s something critical going on, and I think it’s to motivate me to get the job done at that particular time. But that has always made me feel like I dare not ask for a salary increase when I’m at the risk of being laid off.
And when it comes to performance, it looks like manipulation to make me feel like I am not doing enough yet to deserve a raise. I haven’t been promoted either and I know it’s because I don’t have an NYSC certificate yet, which is a compulsory requirement for hiring full-time staff in the company.
What has your experience at this company done to your perception of tech or working at startups?
I think this particular startup played on my intelligence instead of taking it the standard way of the industry. But I was smart enough to keep learning and improving without having any animosity towards them.
Funny enough, I feel at this stage, I am very much better than a junior designer on my level. Thanks to the team I was a part of. I was the only junior designer amongst many senior designers and also working with other teams.
Well, my perception of working at startups has changed totally. But I still believe in the opportunity of a really good life with tech.
If given the chance to mentor people interested in tech, what advice would you give them?
First, you need to have an inner drive before you get into tech, do not rush in because you want to make money, the reason is that tech is “building for others”. Tech is a productivity multiplier.
Tech is not sitting at home all day with your laptop, it’s serious work.
And finally, don’t let anyone write your dream for you. Dream big and work really hard.
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