Tunde* once worked a job that left him drained and broke. Today, his life looks completely different. What happened along the line is a story of frustration, risk, and a career pivot that almost didn’t work out.
In this interview with JD, he opens up about the struggle, the turning point, and what life feels like on the other side.
What was your first job after graduating from the university?
I was teaching in a private school in Lagos, Nigeria. Secondary school level. It wasn’t a bad job in terms of the work. I enjoyed teaching. But financially, it wasn’t as rewarding.
How much were you earning then?
I was earning ₦35,000 a month. That was all. Some months they would even delay the salary. By the time I paid transport and small bills, I had nothing left. I was 26 then, and it felt embarrassing still asking my family for help to survive.
That’s rough. Did you have moments where you wanted to just leave immediately?
Many times. But teaching was all I knew at the time, and I didn’t want to just be jobless. My parents kept saying, “At least you have a job.” But deep down, I knew I couldn’t live my life on ₦35,000. I felt trapped.
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So when did you start thinking of pivoting?
Around late 2021. I had friends in tech. Designers, product managers, even developers. They weren’t so rich, but they were living comfortably. One of them, my close friend Dayo*, used to tell me, “You have a sharp eye for detail, why don’t you try design?” That stuck.
I started researching online, checking free courses. I didn’t know where it would lead, but I knew I had to try.
How did you balance teaching and learning a new skill?
It was tough. I would teach during the day, get home around 5pm, eat, rest a bit, then start learning by 8pm. Most nights I worked till 1am. I watched YouTube tutorials, joined free Slack communities, and practised by redesigning apps I liked. It was exhausting, but every time I created something that looked better than the last, I felt hope.
Did you face discouragement along the way?
Plenty. The first six months, I sent out CVs and portfolios but didn’t get a single response. It was a loud silence. I thought maybe it was a mistake. I even stopped for two weeks at some point. But then I remembered how frustrated I felt at the school, so I picked it back up.
How did you eventually land your first role in design?
Funny enough, it wasn’t through any formal application. I joined a Telegram group for product designers. One guy posted that his start-up was looking for a junior designer. I reached out, shared my portfolio, and after two calls, they offered me the job. No test, nothing complicated. Just like that.
What was the pay like compared to teaching?
It was like night and day. My first design job paid ₦150,000 a month. From ₦35,000 to ₦150,000. I couldn’t believe it. I checked the contract like ten times to be sure it was real.
That must have felt huge.
Massive. The first month I got paid, I just sat on my bed staring at the alert. I was so used to calculating every kobo, so having that kind of money felt unreal. I could pay rent without fear; send something home to my mum. I even bought myself a decent laptop after a few months because before then, I was borrowing my cousin’s computer system.
How did life change when the money started flowing?
Small things changed first. I stopped entering danfo every day because I could afford Bolt sometimes. I didn’t have to buy the cheapest groceries anymore. Then bigger things came.
I moved out of my shared apartment into a small self-contained place. I also started saving, something I couldn’t even dream of before. For the first time in my adult life, I wasn’t just surviving. I was living, although within my means.
Beyond the money, how does the work itself feel compared to teaching?
It feels like I’m building something that matters. Teaching had meaning, no doubt, but it drained me because of the conditions. With design, I’m constantly learning, growing, and seeing my work being used by real people. It excites me.
How did people in your life react to the change in your circumstances?
At first, my dad was sceptical. He said, “This your computer thing, is it even a proper job?” But once he saw how I was able to support myself and contribute at home, he relaxed. Now he brags about me to his friends.
Looking back, do you feel the struggle was worth it?
Every bit of it. There were nights I cried from frustration, thinking I was wasting my time. But today, when I look at where I am, I’m grateful I didn’t give up.
How much are you earning now?
I moved to a new company a year ago. I’m now on ₦400,000 monthly. That’s ten times what I was earning as a teacher. For someone who once begged for transport money, it still feels surreal.
That’s a huge leap. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from this journey?
That patience and consistency matter. Everybody sees the results now, but they don’t know about the one year of sleepless nights and rejection emails. Pivoting is not easy, but if you keep showing up, eventually someone will give you a shot.
If you could speak to other young people stuck in low-paying jobs, what would you say?
Don’t settle if you know you’re unhappy. Explore other skills. The internet is free, start with that. It will be hard, you’ll doubt yourself, and some people won’t understand you. But if you push through, one opportunity can change everything. That one opportunity changed my life.
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*Pseudonym.
