How I Started a Career in Fintech

My name is Joy Kareko, and I am from Nairobi, Kenya. I am a firstborn from a family of 3. In my family, it’s just my mother, me, and my brother.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from JKUAT, Kenya, and a master’s degree in Statistical Science from

Strathmore University in Kenya. Although I am no longer a student, I consider myself a lifelong learner. This means I am constantly open to learning new things and evolving.

Before Tech, I worked in the finance industry as a benefits consultant. I was in this field for six years, but in 2021, I got an opportunity to transition to Data Science.

It was not an easy decision to make. I toiled with the idea of going into Tech for some time before I decided to give in. When the COVID-19 Pandemic happened, I decided to stop stalling.

Aside from the pandemic, another thing that motivated me to switch career paths was the unfulfillment I felt in my old job. I had plateaued in my growth, and it made me so unhappy. There were few learning opportunities, which felt limiting because I loved learning. I constantly thought I was utilizing little of my potential and capable of much more.

I found out about the Women Techsters Fellowship through an international job advertisement site, and I decided to apply for the training because, after deciding to switch careers, I assessed my skillset to figure out my options and realized that I had a skills gap.

I noticed most jobs in Data Science needed Python and SQL skills while I only had knowledge in R. I knew machine learning but its implementation in R only, but not in Python. Therefore, I needed to learn Python, SQL, and other skills to transition.

When I applied for the fellowship, there were no other programs with free tuition that were as promising. I got in under the Data Science and AI track learning track, and my life improved. I am so grateful for the opportunity. My learning experience was so pleasant. An excellent instructor, Mr. Winner Emeto, taught me.

My favorite thing about the training was how beginner-friendly it was. It started from the foundation like Basic Excel and others. I understood the importance of starting at the bottom while navigating a new career. Although the program was beginner-friendly, the curriculum was robust and rich.

Another perk of the Women Techsters fellowship was the community. Being around a community of diverse yet focused women enriched me. It helped me groom my interpersonal skills, mainly because I had the opportunity of interacting a lot with these women during group projects and assignments.

My networking skills hit the roof, and I was able to make meaningful relationships with amazing women. We pushed each other to achieve more by constantly sharing opportunities and life hacks, especially in the job search process. Looking back, the support I got made me move forward and encouraged me to do more.

After the fellowship, I continued to learn and build my skills, and eventually, I landed a role in the fintech industry. My job involves using data to develop solutions around credit pricing, optimization of processes, and so much more. It’s exciting!

The SQL and Python skills I learned during the fellowship and the projects I did helped me build my skill stack and have a portfolio of projects. This helped me pass the interviews needed for the job.

To every young lady wondering whether to apply for the Women Techsters Fellowship or not, I encourage you to apply. It is a beautiful opportunity to acquire the skills needed to thrive in the Tech ecosystem. You will not regret a tech career because there are numerous opportunities to learn, grow, contribute to community-impacting projects, empower other women, and so much more. It’s pretty fulfilling.