Honestly, my story’s not that interesting…
Okay, okay, who am I kidding? I mean, anyone who knows me will tell you that’s a blatant lie – my story might be a little more interesting than I let on. But hey, who am I to brag? I’ll just tell you the story, and you can decide for yourself.
Hi, I’m Nonso, the UI/UX Designer here at CloudClinic, and my path to this point has been one heavy with surprises, and a whole lot of figuring things out along the way.
The Reluctant Lawyer-in-the-Making
It all started back in secondary school. I was good at pretty much everything – science, art, you name it – I aced it all. But when the time came to pick a career path, I was clueless. Art seemed like the easier option [less calculations, you know!]. Plus, my dad had always wanted me to be a lawyer, so I figured, oh well, why not try to make the man happy?
Fast forward to JAMB registration, and guess what? I’d completely forgotten to sign up for CRK (Christian Religious Knowledge). I ended up writing Economics instead of CRK, the one mandatory subject for every prospective law student. So, my dad’s bragging rights to having a “lawyer son” went up in smoke.
With my law school dreams dashed, I had to scramble for a new course. I didn’t have any specific career in mind. I just wanted something flexible, something that would allow me to work anywhere. My ever-wise elder sister suggested two options: Human Resource Management (HRM) or Public Administration. I was leaning towards the former, but I was keen on attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK – my first-choice university). Unfortunately, they didn’t offer HRM. So, Public Administration it was!
Unexpectedly Falling for Public Admin
Initially, I saw Public Administration as just a placeholder, a “flexible” degree that would hopefully open doors to a variety of career paths. But as I went deeper into the coursework, something unexpected happened – I started to genuinely enjoy it. The problem-solving aspect, the focus on improving systems and processes… it appealed to my inner fixer. I ended up not only with a first-class honors degree, but also as the best graduating student in my class [yeah…yeah…feel free to applaud lol].
You see, even as a kid, I was the one everyone called on to solve problems at home. “Nonso, the switch isn’t working!” “Nonso, the TV is acting up!” It was my unofficial title.
Turns out, that innate drive to solve problems would lead me down a very different path than I’d initially imagined.
The Awakening of a Tech Giant
It was 2021, during the ASUU strike, when my ever-supportive big sister planted a seed that would change the course of my life. “Nonso,” she said, “have you considered learning some of these tech skills? People are making serious money in this field o!”
Honestly, until that point, tech had never really crossed my mind. But with her encouragement, I decided to give it a try. She recommended a UX design course, and even though I had zero clue what it entailed, I figured, “Why not?” She also gifted me my first ever laptop, which was quite the boost. My big sis is definitely all that – shout out to her!
Discovering My Passion – Love at First Sight
I won’t lie, at first, I was a bit lost. All those design principles and user flows felt like a foreign language. But as I kept learning and experimenting, I fell head over heels for UX design.
It turned out to be the perfect fit for my creative and problem-solving brain. As a UX designer, you must put yourself in the user’s shoes, understand their needs, empathize with their frustrations, and design solutions that make their lives easier and better. This felt like a natural extension of my “Nonso, fix this!” superpower.
From that point on, I was hooked. I knew I’d found my missing rib [lol]. I spent every spare moment learning, practicing, and building my portfolio. My sister, initially skeptical of my sudden tech obsession, was thrilled to see my dedication, and of course, became my biggest cheerleader and my first “client,” as I tackled a project to improve the user experience for her tailoring business.
The Internship Hustle
The ASUU strike disrupting my Public Admin studies didn’t bother me much because I was putting my time to good use. I managed to finish the UX design course. But I knew I needed real-world experience to truly excel.
I started volunteering my design skills, and eventually, I landed internships at Stay Media and Zuri. These experiences were invaluable. They allowed me to work on real-world projects, collaborate with talented individuals, and see my designs come to life and be used by actual people.
At Zuri, one of my designs was even selected for implementation! It was a huge confidence boost to know that my work was making a real impact.
The CloudClinic Calling
After graduation, I was eager to find a full-time role in UX design. That’s when a fellow designer I’d met during my internship, reached out with an opportunity at CloudClinic.
I was ecstatic! I sent my CV and portfolio that very day, and after a few [very long, lol] weeks of anxiously waiting, I got the job!
Life at CloudClinic
I’ve been at CloudClinic for a while now, and I can honestly say it’s been an amazing experience. The team is supportive, the work is challenging and fulfilling, and I’m constantly learning and growing.
In my journey to UX design, I’ve had my own fair share of challenges and emotional breakdowns, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s taught me to embrace the unexpected, follow my passions, and never stop learning.
At CloudClinic, I’m not just designing interfaces; I’m helping to shape the future of healthcare in Nigeria. And that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
Q&A With Your Favorite Designer
- Q: What excites you most about product design?
- A: Without a doubt, it’s solving problems. Being able to create solutions that make people’s lives easier and more enjoyable is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
- Q: What is your most memorable or funny experience since you joined the team?
- A: My very first design presentation. I was so nervous, I literally asked, “Can everybody hear my screen?!” The whole team burst into laughter, and it’s become a running joke ever since. Hey, wipe that smile off your face… It was just a classic case of nerves getting the best of me, but it’s a funny memory that I’ll always cherish. Look at you still laughing, no problem…I’ll let that slide lol.
- Q: What other profession do you think you would thrive at if you weren’t a designer?
- A: I’ve always been drawn to the word “engineer.” I’m even learning to code in my spare time! But I also have a secret love for cosmetics. Who knows, as an Igbo man that I am, maybe one day I’ll open my own beauty store.
- Q: What are you likely to be caught doing in your spare time outside designing?
- A: You’ll probably find me listening to music (anything from old-school blues to Naija hip-hop – I love Wizkid by the way), watching movies, or even singing along to my favorite tunes (I like to think I have a decent voice!).
- Q: If you were to meet one person in history, who would it be and why?
- A: I’d love to meet Michael Jackson. I’ve been a huge fan since I was a kid, and I’d love to ask him what it felt like to achieve such greatness and influence.
- Q: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
- A: Believe it or not, I’m actually quite shy, especially in large groups. I might come across as outgoing at work, but I prefer to sneak in through the back door to avoid too many greetings!
A Message from CloudClinic
Nonso’s story shows the power of embracing your passions and never giving up on your dreams. His dedication to creating meaningful products that improve people’s lives is an inspiration to us all. We’re proud to have Nonso as part of the CloudClinic team, and we’re excited to see what he’ll accomplish next!
If you’re looking for a company that values innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference in the world, check out the career opportunities at CloudClinic.