My Tech Transition: How Rukayat Yaro switched from Estate Management to Product Design

Rukayat Yaro made the decision to learn product design in 2020. She has since worked with companies like Bujeti and Crenet. Now a freelance product designer, Rukayat shares her journey with us.

My Tech Transition is a monthly ConTech series that shines a spotlight on Africans who have successfully transitioned into tech.

Written by David Onugha.

While the world was on lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, Rukayat Yaro decided it was time to take charge of her life and carve out her career path. She began learning product design and has since worked with companies like Bujeti and Crenet. Currently, she’s a freelance product designer, and in this interview, she shares how she successfully transitioned from estate management to a design career.

What’s your current role and how long have you been in it? 

I’m currently a freelance product designer. I’m also the founder of Design with Rooks, a community for designers. 

What were you doing before you transitioned to tech?

I was a student at the University of Lagos, studying Estate Management. 

What inspired you to switch to a career in tech?

I had a reality check in 2020 during the pandemic and decided that I needed to get serious with my life. I had already heard about product design from a guy who posted his designs on Twitter.

I reached out to a friend who was already into product design and he guided me. I also learnt the basics of design and took courses like the Google UX Design Specialization. The journey so far has been great.  

What were the factors that helped you transition into your design role?

I have always been creative, and I come from a creative family, so learning how to design came easily to me. The tools were new, but they weren’t something I couldn’t learn. 

What challenges did you face as you moved from estate management to product design?

Access to resources was a major challenge. I had to comb the internet to find useful materials. Many people talk about design, but not everyone knows what it truly entails. Not everyone can curate meaningful resources that people can use in learning about design. 

I also dealt with imposter syndrome at some point in my career. I got past this by recording my wins. Whenever I felt doubt, I would look at the document recording my wins and feel better.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to make a similar career transition?

You have to remember your ‘why’. A career in tech opens the door to opportunities and flexibilities, but sometimes you’ll crave the stability of a traditional job. Remembering why you started your tech journey will keep you focused and motivated.

What is one job search hack you swear by? 

Do good work. If you do, clients will sing your praises and refer you to others. Be active on social media and post your work regularly. This showcases your skills and helps you gain visibility. Finally, have friends in the same niche as you. They can refer you to jobs as they come up, especially when they know you produce excellent work.