Abijah Mashava’s journey started in Highfield, a small city in Harare, Zimbabwe, and has carried him throughout continents, into boardrooms, and thru varied roles in software program and programs engineering. At present, he’s not solely a tech founder and cloud guide primarily based in Central New York, however he’s additionally a proud graduate of the net Grasp of Data Know-how program from the nationally ranked college Illinois Tech, accomplished on-line by means of Coursera.
Abijah’s story is considered one of ambition, group, and perception within the energy of expertise to uplift others.
“The area I come from has a really younger inhabitants going through important challenges, specifically a scarcity of sources,” Abijah says. “They’re those that raised me. I’ve been lucky to be right here in america, with entry to an establishment like Illinois Tech, and now I wish to give again.”
Constructing the Abilities to Construct Options
Along with his engineering and important IT background, Abijah had already developed a robust foundational skillset. However with the information that IT is quickly evolving, he searched for added technique of training. He finally discovered this at Illinois Tech by means of a versatile, hands-on training that will let him develop professionally whereas empowering his long-term imaginative and prescient, which might finally assist him launch initiatives that profit the youth of his hometown.
“I’ve a ardour for expertise and data programs,” he says. “That’s one cause I selected this program. The opposite is the research comfort. I used to be working full-time at a monetary establishment in New York, and later launched my very own startup. Having the ability to research on my phrases made this potential.”
The Grasp of IT program at Illinois Tech, Chicago’s main tech-focused college, supplied Abijah an opportunity to deepen his expertise whereas making use of what he discovered in actual time. From full-stack software program growth to deploying cloud-based purposes, the curriculum lined all of it.
“This program begins from the fundamentals and builds up. You study to develop an software from scratch: {hardware} to deployment. It completely crammed in my information gaps, particularly round cloud computing. At present, cloud is central to my consulting work.”
Confidence, Certifications, and Profession Development
The talents Abijah developed by means of this system didn’t simply keep within the classroom, they translated on to his work.
“By the point I completed, I had the arrogance to develop my enterprise and tackle high-level consulting,” he explains. “This system is structured so effectively that after you full it, you’re effectively ready to earn certifications like AWS Cloud Architect. I used to be capable of full the certs rapidly as a result of expertise fundamentals had been greater than lined within the superior Grasp’s coursework.”
He credit the professors and assist workers for his success, particularly his Coursera enrollment consultant he deemed a “success coach”, India Viera.
“At first, I didn’t perceive how successful coach labored,” Abijah admits. “However India proved to me how precious it was. She made key ideas for navigating course procedures and electives. She inspired me and gave essential suggestions for achievement, which made the distinction. She was rock strong.”
Pushing By means of and Giving Again
Abijah accomplished the diploma in simply 14 months, graduating on Could 17, 2025, and he proudly shared that his diploma was not the one credential he did on this time-frame. Along with his diploma, Abijah collected certificates, additionally on-line by means of Coursera:
“It meant burning the midnight oil,” he laughs. “I took a month off simply to concentrate on my ultimate initiatives and my AWS Certification. However I felt assured sufficient to complete my diploma whereas doing the certificates. This diploma program is designed in such a manner that in the event you full it, it’s very simple so that you can get these further certifications. So it was a pure development for me.”
Wanting forward, Abijah plans to maintain increasing his consulting observe and develop his startup, which is targeted on creating employment alternatives for younger folks again house in Southern Africa. Long run, he hopes to maneuver into philanthropy and produce training and alternative to underserved communities.
Recommendation for Future Learners
Abijah doesn’t sugarcoat the expertise—it’s rigorous. However for him, the payoff was value it.
“The underside line is: when you have the eagerness and the starvation to do it, nothing can cease you. Nevertheless it takes effort and dedication. This program isn’t any stroll within the park. You must plan, handle your time, and be reasonable about your course load.”
He additionally stresses the significance of the labs and hands-on work. “The lectures construct on the labs. Observe your professors intently. Do each lab. The final two programs deliver every little thing collectively and so they’re virtually oriented.”
Above all, Abijah hopes extra learners from underrepresented and deprived communities can entry packages like this one.
“This program made me notice what’s potential. I want extra folks with my background may expertise that. The best way Illinois Tech made this obtainable to me…if they may make it obtainable to extra folks, the affect could be unbelievable.”
🎓 In regards to the Program:
The Illinois Tech Grasp’s in Data Know-how is obtainable 100% on-line by means of Coursera. This system equips learners with sensible, superior expertise in software program growth, programs structure, and cloud computing, making it splendid for working professionals aiming to develop or pivot of their careers. This system additionally presents performance-based admissions, pay-as-you-go tuition, and credit score for prior studying choices by means of certificates just like the one Abijah talked about in his story. To study extra concerning the Grasp of IT, attain out under!
