What would you give to earn up to 70% more than what you make today, or even double, all from the comfort of your home while working a stable job in IT? Let me tell you my story. I’m Sarafina, a mother of three. And yes, I know what you’re thinking: ‘Full time, three kids, how does she have time for anything?’ Well, I have time for everything, including story time and nap time, and all the other times that IT people enjoy when things are under control. I have so much time that I want to share this with you, in the hopes that you’ll also discover the opportunities in IT. Enough about time! When I arrived in Australia, I didn’t have any fancy IT certifications, just a strong desire to build a life for my family.
My first job was in clothing retail. Early mornings, long commutes. I worked weekends because there was more pay. My first job was in clothing retail. Early mornings, long commutes, and mostly weekends. Let’s just say I became very good at folding clothes. But I realised I wanted to unfold my own path to success and not fold sweaters for life.
Spreadsheets Spread My Patience Very Thin.
I did this for two years (and by this I mean expert-level clothes folding) while pursuing a Diploma of Accounting. When I completed the accounting diploma, I picked up a part-time role as a bookkeeper. Some of the repetitive tasks, like manually recording expenses in spreadsheets, made me realize that my brain was slowly turning into a spreadsheet itself. Spreadsheets spread my patience very thin. ‘Automate it!’ I’d think, then immediately panic about job security. Little did I know, that burning desire to automate was the universe’s way of telling me I was destined for DevOps.
I thought I had broken the computer!
Fast forward, I got into an African Inclusion program by Jesuit Social Services, and that is how I got into IT. My title was Analyst. And here’s the best part: I had never seen the Linux screen before. I mean, it was just a blank screen! My first thought? ‘Yep, I broke it.’ But you know what? Everyone has a ‘Linux moment.’ It’s okay. It’s a common experience for those starting their IT career transition.
In Tech, the more you see others do it , the more you realise its not Rocket Science!
The team I was working with were wonderful and very friendly. They allowed me to watch what they were doing, and the more I observed them in action, the more I began to realize it was not that hard. I began by exploring Amazon Web Services (AWS) dashboards, and sometimes I would Google commands and play around. In fact, sometimes the best way to learn is by clicking buttons and seeing what happens. And yes, Google is your friend. A very, very good friend for learning technology.
I Got Certified, Then I Got Good (It’s a Process)
Things really changed when I started chasing that AWS Solutions Architect certification. Suddenly, it was like someone turned on the lights in my brain. And the best part? AWS didn’t care about my diplomas or degrees. They were all, ‘Here’s the knowledge, go forth and conquer!’ After the first session, I was kicking myself – why had I waited so long to discover this?! Another person in my cohort was doing the same certification, and so we joined forces. We became each other’s accountability partners, all the way to the finish line. I can’t overemphasize the power of accountability partners. Let’s face it, sometimes you just need someone to tell you to put down the snacks and get back to studying. This is one of the key reasons why I started Geniufy… I’ll tell you more about that later.
I am thankful for my Work-Life Balance
My journey to work-life balance has been transformative, and IT has been the key. It’s opened up a world of possibilities I never thought possible. Being able to work from home and be fully present for my three kids is a gift I cherish every day. And weekends are now truly weekends – for family, for fun, for recharging. I share this with you because I want you to know that you have the potential for this kind of transformation too. Believe in yourself, and go for it!
IT has a place for you , the question is not if you are good enough, its if you are willing to take you place!
IT has a place for you. The question isn’t about ability; it’s about action. It’s not about being sure; it’s about starting. Because once you start moving, the fear fades. Geniufy is here to get you moving. We’re your partners, your mentors, your unwavering support system. We’ll guide you to the right certifications, connect you with the right resources, and keep you accountable every step of the way. You won’t face this journey alone. Are you ready to take the first step? Start your Geniufy journey today.
Geithika
You are doing a wonderful job. Keep it up.