From a Security Guard to a Linux Engineer at MTN: Emmanuel Kulefianu’s Journey

TL;DR:

After high school, Emmanuel Kulefianu Dzotsiashie struggled to pursue his interest in technology without a laptop. He took a job as a security guard, saved to buy one, and then returned to learning. Through continued skills development, including ALX programmes and a Diploma in Cybersecurity, he progressed into a Linux Engineer/Administrator role at MTN.

Emmanuel’s interest in technology began in high school in Ghana’s Volta Region. His ICT teacher recognised his curiosity and regularly brought him to the computer lab, where he gained practical experience through tasks his teacher would give him.

Those early opportunities helped Emmanuel see technology as a possible career. But after graduating from high school, he found himself at home without a clear next step. He knew what he wanted to do, but he did not have access to the resources he needed to continue developing his skills.

Overcoming barriers to a technology career in Ghana

When Emmanuel’s former ICT teacher shared information about the ALX Software Engineering programme, Emmanuel enrolled, eager to continue learning. However, he did not own a laptop and attempted to complete the curriculum using his mobile phone. The limitations made coding difficult, and he eventually had to stop.

Rather than give up on technology, Emmanuel took a job as a security guard and saved from his earnings until he could afford a laptop. It was a practical decision that gave him the tools to return to learning and pursue his ambitions with greater independence.

With his new laptop, Emmanuel continued developing his skills through the ALX Virtual Assistant (VA) and AI Career Essentials (AiCE) programmes. He approached the coursework with dedication, consistently scoring above 70% across his modules.

His exposure to Python and JavaScript remained valuable. It strengthened his confidence and gave him a foundation he could draw on as he explored more specialised areas of technology.

How Emmanuel moved from digital skills training to cybersecurity

Emmanuel continued beyond his initial training, enrolling in and completing a Diploma in Cybersecurity. This allowed him to focus more closely on security, system administration, and infrastructure as specialisations.

His path was not a straight line from training to employment. He combined early exposure to computers, independent effort, structured learning, and further education to develop his technical knowledge. Each step helped him move towards the kind of work he wanted to do.

His experience also demonstrates why access to suitable equipment matters. Emmanuel had the interest and willingness to learn, but using a mobile phone to complete a demanding coding curriculum created a barrier he could not overcome through effort alone. Buying a laptop gave him a more practical way to continue.

From Ghana’s Volta Region to a Linux Engineer role at MTN

Today, Emmanuel works as a Linux Engineer/Administrator at MTN. His role marks a significant change from the uncertainty he faced after high school, when he was unable to continue learning in the way he wanted.

His progression reflects a combination of persistence and continued skills development. The programming knowledge he gained early on helped establish his technical foundation, while his cybersecurity diploma supported his move towards infrastructure and system security.

Emmanuel’s journey also offers a useful perspective for aspiring technology professionals: a career path does not always unfold in a straight line, and the first opportunity to learn may not be the one that leads directly to employment.
Other learners have navigated their own turning points, taking different routes to develop their skills and pursue new career opportunities.

Having experienced the difference that encouragement can make, Emmanuel hopes to mentor aspiring technology professionals and help them navigate their own journeys. His former ICT teacher helped him take his first steps; now, he wants to support others as they work towards their goals.

---

From a computer lab in the Volta Region to an engineering role at MTN, Emmanuel’s story is one of adapting when circumstances make the next step difficult. His progress did not depend on a single programme or decision, but on continuing to learn and finding ways to move forward when his original plan did not work.

Your story could be next. If you are exploring ways to develop your digital skills, discover the learning opportunities available through ALX programmes.