A Transformative Journey into Product Design: My Stutern Experience

In the world of creative careers, the journey is often marked by twists and turns, each leading us down a path we never expected. For me, this journey took a remarkable turn when I discovered Stutern, an organisation that significantly influenced my career path. Before my Stutern adventure, I had been working as a freelance videographer and video editor, which was undeniably exciting. It allowed me to interact with a diverse range of individuals, each with their own impressive achievements.

The world of video editing gave me the power to transform raw footage into captivating stories, an experience that fueled my creative passion. Nevertheless, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed something more — a new challenge that would tap into my creativity and enhance my skill set, all while reducing the need for constant mobility.

My entry into the field of Product Design was serendipitous, to say the least. I stumbled upon this path when I successfully replicated the homepage of a popular food delivery website, “Doordash,” using Adobe XD. While my attempt was not perfect, it was close enough to pique my interest. This moment of curiosity coincided with a fateful email from Stutern, an organisation that became a pivotal part of my journey. The email contained information about their courses, including one in Product Design, and the upcoming 1.3 cohort. It felt like destiny was calling.

My tech journey with Stutern began as soon as I completed the necessary requirements to join the course alongside my fellow aspiring designers. The classes were approximately two hours long and exceptionally well-structured. This seamless learning experience was a credit to the committed tutors and mentors who tirelessly worked to ensure that our interests were at the forefront. We were frequently quizzed to test our retention of knowledge and often placed in teams to enhance our leadership, teamwork, and communication skills — a vital preparation for transitioning into corporate workspaces.

Speaking of teamwork, I was often entrusted with the role of team lead. While this came with its fair share of challenges, such as handling team dynamics and navigating unexpected setbacks, it ultimately taught me patience, tolerance, and expanded my capacity in ways I had never imagined. I vividly remember a particularly challenging period when most of my team members could not progress to the presentation phase due to personal reasons. This left only three of us to complete a project in a competition to redesign a Learning Management System (LMS). It was a gruelling experience, but we persevered and completed the project just in time for presentation. These challenges, though daunting, were invaluable in shaping my character and determination.

As my time with Stutern drew to a close, I was approached to become a mentor for some of their crash course programs. This role was relatively effortless for me, given my previous experience tutoring peers during my learning journey. However, I approached it with dedication, preparing slides and conducting extensive research to ensure I could answer any questions posed by the new intake of students. I was determined not to be the teacher who fumbled through explanations 😂.

In reflecting on my time with Stutern, it’s clear that the organisation has played a significant role in shaping my tech career. Their commitment to providing valuable opportunities to their alumni and their dedication to demystifying the world of tech jobs are highly commendable.

I was able to secure a personal mentorship with an alumnus of theirs, Olurotimi Adubi, from the 2018 batch, who has since become a seasoned professional in the design field. This mentorship instilled in me newfound confidence, liberating me from the grip of “Imposter Syndrome.”

One of the highlights from the mentorship was being able to collaborate with Rotimi on some projects. Fast forward six months, and I find myself employed with Pay4Me, a fintech company, marking the beginning of my ambitious tech career.

“In a time and era where value is in high demand but not evenly distributed, the Stutern community prioritises value and tirelessly strives to deliver it,” I proudly proclaim. If you’re seeking a launchpad into the ever-evolving world of tech, Stutern is the platform that can propel you forward. 🚀🚀🚀