Professional Accountant Hacks Her Way to the Tech Industry — Grace Olufunmilayo Adeleke

Ever wondered how an Economics graduate transitions into a thriving career in the tech industry? Meet Grace Olufunmilayo Adeleke, a Professional Accountant turned Data analyst, whose relentless pursuit of innovation led her to conquer the tech world. Discover how she overcame financial and time constraints, leveraged top-notch training from Women Techsters, and landed an exciting role in fintech — all while balancing life’s many demands.

My name is Grace Olufunmilayo Adeleke, and I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria, which I obtained in 2016. I am a professional accountant with over five years of experience, specializing in inventory management, financial reconciliation, vendor management, customer relationship management, and data analysis. I am also a certified Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) member. Besides being a professional accountant, I am a certified Data Analyst through the Women Techsters Initiative.

In 2022, I decided to venture into the tech world, the rapidly evolving world, and my quest for innovation inspired this decision. My tech journey has been very insightful, though not without its challenges. The cost implications and balancing my time with other responsibilities have been significant hurdles. However, I have been able to overcome these challenges by exploring flexible learning platforms that allow me to conveniently manage both.

I discovered the Women Techsters program through a LinkedIn post shared by one of my community members. This training has given me great leverage in my quest for more in the technology world. The expert guidance, flexibility, collaboration, community engagement, and networking opportunities were highlights of the training. I learned valuable skills, including data cleaning, data visualization, and proficiency in Excel for basic data analysis.

The trainers were incredibly committed and detailed in delivering their teachings. As I move forward, I plan to practicalize what I have learned by applying it to real-world situations.

After becoming a certified Data Analyst all thanks to the Women Techsters initiative, I recently got a job in the fintech industry and I’m set to start this week.

For others aspiring to enter the tech world, my advice is to identify your interests, learn the basics, and be resilient. The journey may have its challenges, but with determination and the right support, you can achieve your goals.

Thank you, Tech4Dev, for empowering women in Africa with such an incredible opportunity.