From Arts to Tech: Chinenye Anikwenze’s Journey and Experiences at Homnics.
By Esperant GADA.
Chinenye Anikwenze is a dynamic professional who transitioned from a background in arts to a flourishing career in technology. With a bachelor’s degree in history and international studies, she initially began her career as a copywriter. However, her exposure to HTML and CSS sparked a deep interest in programming, leading her to pursue a path in front-end development. Today, Chinenye is an integral part of the Ahegel team, where she has contributed significantly to the development of Homnics, a telemedicine platform aimed at revolutionizing healthcare in Nigeria.
In the tech industry, many professionals come from diverse backgrounds, bringing unique perspectives and skills. Chinenye Anikwenze is one such individual. I had the privilege to interview Chinenye. Below, she shares insights on her journey, her experiences, and her role in the upcoming launch of Homnics, a telemedicine platform aimed at providing quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare in Nigeria:
Q: Can you share your educational background, and why you decided to venture into tech?
A: I have a background in arts, with a bachelor's degree in history and international studies from the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). My entry into technology began while I was working as a copywriter, where I managed emails using HTML and CSS. This sparked my interest in programming. Initially, I was hesitant due to my non-science background, but I pursued front-end development through resources like YouTube, Udemy, and Coursera.
Q: You joined Ahegel a while ago, initially as an intern, before being retained as a full-time staff. Could you share some of the most exciting experiences you had while working at Ahegel?
A: I started as an intern at Ahegel, and my contract was extended due to my contributions. Working on the Homnics product, a telemedicine platform, has been particularly exciting because it allowed me to grow my skills in both web and mobile development.
Q: You have been working on project Homnics, which is a telehealth platform that provides access to quality and affordable healthcare for Nigerians. As we approach the launch of Homnics, what aspects are you most excited about and why?
A: I am particularly excited about the platform's potential to connect patients with professionals and our strategic approach to targeting specific markets, which I believe will help us grow. I’m also thrilled about the collaborative efforts with medical professionals who will be volunteering during the initial stages of our launch, and the fact that we’ve included internationalization features to make the platform accessible in both English and French.
Q: What lessons have you learned from your time at Ahegel that you think will benefit the Homnics launch?
A: One key lesson I learned is the importance of making the platform accessible in multiple languages. We managed this manually due to budget constraints, but it’s crucial to ensure our product can be used without language restrictions. This experience has taught me the value of doing the hard work necessary to build a product that truly serves its users.
Q: In one sentence, what are your long-term goals for Homnics?
A: My long-term goal for Homnics is for it to grow, serve more users, and make a positive impact in the lives of many Nigerians.
Conclusion
Chinenye Anikwenze’s journey from arts to tech is a testament to the power of adaptability and the importance of seizing new opportunities. Her role at Ahegel, especially her contributions to the Homnics platform, highlights the impact that a multidisciplinary background can have in the tech industry. As Homnics prepares for its launch, Chinenye's insights and experiences will undoubtedly play a crucial role in its success.
About Esperant GADA. Esperant is a bilingual Mastercard Foundation Scholar holding a
bachelor’s degree
in computer
science from the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. He also is an Africa Careers Network (ACN) Peer
Coach at the
University of Abomey-Calavi.
His great passion for Leadership and social impact allows him to be involved in Leadership positions
such as Millennium
Fellowship Campus Director and Hult Prize Campus Director for the 2022-2023 edition. Through the One
Million Leaders
Africa fellowship program, Esperant recruited 100 young people called OMLA Stars and trained them in
Leadership and
sustainability, including raising funds for from AL for Agribusiness Network in Benin.
Esperant is passionate about digital technology, artificial intelligence, and making a difference in
people's lives. For
the past 7 months, Esperant has been supporting digital operations for Homnics at Ahegel.