My name is Justice Igbegbunam, a 17-year-old ambitious boy from Enugu. As the firstborn in a family of three, I’ve always felt a strong sense of responsibility to pave the way for my siblings which fueled my innate quest for skill-based growth. Currently, I am a 100-level student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I am pursuing a degree in Computer Science and my journey into tech began two years ago when I first dabbled in web development. Today, I am proud to say that I am now proficient in Node.js and React, and I have also set my sights on becoming a full stack developer.
The path to a tech career has been more challenging than I initially anticipated or heard about – “landing a six-figure salary”. Despite that, I have started with dedicating hours to free courses and participating in open-source projects on GitHub, albeit I found the journey slower than expected. From January to March in 2024, I also applied for numerous positions, hoping to get a job that seemed just within reach. However, reality was harsher than the dream sold to me.
I initially heard about Ingressive for Good (I4G) on LinkedIn during a project with the Germans Institute of Technology’s teens tech program but upon seeing a random post about an I4G opportunity for software development caught my eye, and I decided to take a leap of faith. I will never forget the first scholarship I received from I4G —a masterclass that arrived at a crucial moment when I was struggling with career decisions and personal challenges.
In trying to gain an in-depth understanding of software development and increase my preparation for future opportunities, I enrolled in the six-month I4G x Seamfix software program. Although I was already learning from platforms like freeCodeCamp and YouTube, I craved a more structured and detailed learning experience which is why I4G’s program was very important to me. Without mentorship or a clear learning track, I felt lost. The I4G scholarship provided exactly what I needed—a community of learners, mentorship, and a support system that guided me through my educational journey.
This scholarship empowered me in ways I could never have imagined. I found myself surrounded by like-minded peers, mentors who guided my learning, and a network that supported my growth. With the support I got, I was able to launch my portfolio in no time and take significant steps towards positioning myself in the job market. The experience taught me valuable life lessons, such as the importance of asking the right questions and building high agency as a skill.
The impact of I4G on my life extends beyond education. Through my internship, I have seen a noticeable increase in my earning power, including equity. This growth is something I am thankful for since it started as one of self-discovery and continuous improvement while waiting for my university admission after writing JAMB. Growth is an ongoing process, and I am committed to getting better every day.