Africans In Tech
Welcome to Africans In Tech, a podcast where inspiring journeys in the world of technology are explored. Hosted by Sahr Lebbie, join us for candid interviews with tech professionals sharing their stories, challenges, and triumphs. Whether you're new to tech or a seasoned veteran, valuable insights and mentorship opportunities await. Let's demystify tech together and drive positive change in the industry.
Africans In Tech
Africans in Tech Podcast Episode 27 | Breaking Into Tech with Splunk w/ Tike Awe
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What does resilience really look like? In this powerful Afric. episode, host S. Levy sits down with TK—a Nigerian-American tech professional—who shares his inspiring journey from college dropout to IT security specialist.
TK opens up about:
Moving from Nigeria to the U.S. at age 16
Facing discrimination and false accusations from police
Dropping out of college with just 8 classes left
Grinding through unpaid internships and commuting 90 minutes
Learning Linux, web design, and Splunk from scratch
Surviving whiteboard interview disasters
Getting mentored into cybersecurity and finally breaking through
🎯 Whether you're stuck in school, unsure how to enter tech, or feel behind—this conversation will light a fire in you.
🔥 Topics Covered:
Free tech training through real-world internships
Self-taught tech growth (SolarWinds, Splunk, HTML/CSS, Python, Linux)
How to prepare for technical interviews (even if you're new)
Advice on building confidence and finding mentors
Leveraging help desk roles to break into cybersecurity
Why mindset and perseverance matter more than a degree
TK’s story is a roadmap for anyone fighting self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or financial hardship while chasing a dream.
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