We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Ajao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

When I was navigating the corridors of a non-target university, I often felt like an outsider in the competitive world of software engineering. Unlike my peers from prestigious institutions, I faced an uphill battle in the job market, dealing with countless rejections and trying endless search strategies. Determined to break through, I dedicated countless hours to refining my job-seeking techniques, meticulously testing various methods to secure a position in the tech industry.

After persistent effort and unwavering resilience, my hard work paid off—I landed a coveted role at Microsoft straight out of college. This triumph wasn’t just a personal victory; it became a beacon of hope for my friends and family who shared similar aspirations but lacked the resources and guidance to succeed. Recognizing a gap in accessible, effective career preparation tools, I sought to create a solution that could democratize success in the software engineering field.

Thus, TekCanon was born. Inspired by my personal challenges and driven by the desire to empower others, I designed TekCanon to simplify the intricate process of seeking and preparing for a career in software engineering. By offering a comprehensive suite of resources—including engaging videos, interactive quizzes, insightful blogs, and collaborative study groups—TekCanon provides motivated individuals with the essential tools and community support needed to launch their tech careers.

At its core, TekCanon’s mission is to level the playing field for aspiring software engineers from all backgrounds. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to sharpen your skills, TekCanon is committed to guiding you every step of the way. By sharing proven strategies and fostering a supportive learning environment, TekCanon aims to transform passion and motivation into tangible career success, just as it did for me and countless others.

Join TekCanon today, and take the first step towards building the tech career you’ve always dreamed of.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello! I’m David Ajao, the founder of TekCanon, an online platform dedicated to helping aspiring software engineers launch and advance their tech careers. My journey into software engineering and entrepreneurship began in college, where I faced significant challenges breaking into the competitive tech industry. Unlike many peers with direct pipelines to top companies, I navigated numerous rejections and setbacks.

Determined to succeed, I spent countless hours honing my skills and refining job-seeking strategies. My persistence paid off when I secured a position at a leading tech company right after graduation. This personal success inspired me to help friends and family facing similar obstacles, highlighting the need for accessible and effective career preparation tools. Thus, TekCanon was created.

What TekCanon Offers
TekCanon is a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support every step of your software engineering journey, featuring:

Engaging Video Tutorials: Covering everything from fundamental programming to advanced practices.
Interactive Quizzes: Helping you reinforce learning and track your progress.
Insightful Blogs: Providing industry insights, trends, and career advice from experts.
Collaborative Study Groups: Connecting you with fellow learners for mutual support and knowledge sharing.
Solving Real Problems

At TekCanon, we address key challenges faced by aspiring software engineers:

– Accessible Quality Education: Offering high-quality, affordable resources for everyone, regardless of background.
– Effective Job Preparation: Providing tools and strategies for resume building, interview prep, and networking tailored to the tech industry.
– Community Support: Fostering a supportive environment where learners can collaborate and grow together.
– Continuous Learning: Keeping our content up-to-date with the latest industry standards and technologies.

What Sets TekCanon Apart
– Personal Experience: Our methods are based on proven strategies that have helped me and others succeed in a top tech company from a non-target school.
– Comprehensive Resources: Integrating videos, quizzes, blogs, and study groups for a well-rounded learning experience.
– Community-Driven: Emphasizing collaboration and mutual support among learners.
– Career Focused: Designed to achieve tangible career outcomes, not just education.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the numerous success stories from TekCanon users who have achieved their career goals despite facing similar challenges. Building a supportive and engaged community where learners thrive together is incredibly rewarding.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As an international student at a non-target university, I faced repeated setbacks each summer trying to secure internships in the US. Year after year, despite my best efforts and countless applications, I received rejection after rejection. These experiences were not only disheartening but also made me question my ability to break into the competitive software engineering field. However, instead of letting these challenges defeat me, I chose to view each rejection as an opportunity to grow. I sought feedback, improved my technical and soft skills, and expanded my professional network by connecting with industry professionals and participating in local tech meetups.

In my final year, my resilience began to pay off. By leveraging the lessons learned from previous rejections, I received three full-time offers before graduation.
This achievement was a testament to the power of perseverance and strategic improvement. Inspired by my journey, I founded TekCanon to help others facing similar challenges.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Unlearning the Correlation Between Grades and Interview Skills

One of the most pivotal lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that my performance in classes and my grades directly correlated with my success in technical interviews. Throughout my time at a non-target university, I excelled academically, consistently earning high grades and accolades in my coursework. I naturally assumed that this academic prowess would seamlessly translate into strong interview performances. However, during my internship applications as an international student, I encountered a series of rejections that made me realize this assumption was flawed. Despite my excellent grades, I struggled to convey my knowledge effectively during interviews and found it challenging to demonstrate the practical problem-solving skills that employers were seeking.

This realization forced me to shift my focus from purely academic excellence to developing a more holistic skill set tailored for interviews. I began to engage in mock interviews, participate in coding challenges, and seek feedback on my communication and presentation skills. Additionally, I learned the importance of understanding company cultures and aligning my responses to reflect both technical competence and interpersonal abilities. This transformation not only improved my interview performance but also enhanced my overall confidence and readiness for real-world engineering roles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tekcanon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tek.canon/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekcanon/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDil3fcq6ExFv8zpgBPPuw