I arrived in the US in 2018 to begin my undergraduate studies in Computer Science and everything was going smoothly – until the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Suddenly, things changed. Life felt different, and I found myself feeling lost. By late 2020, while interning as a Creative Director for social media influencer Alexis Ren’s Los Angeles startup, I realized that I needed to make a change to rediscover my purpose.

So, I made a decision to return to the Philippines, leaving the land of opportunity behind. Since then, my goal has been to transform the Philippines into a new land of opportunity.

The pandemic and lockdown forced more Filipinos to rely on online information. With the Philippines ranking 83rd in mobile speed according to Ookla as of February 2021, more Filipinos now have access to the internet.

Increasing Adoption of iPhone Worldwide

Apple’s iOS holds a significant market share of 16.45% in global mobile operating systems as of March 2021, according to StatCounter.

The AppStore economy is valued at US$1.3 trillion, creating over 1.5 million jobs in iOS alone. iOS developers earn an average of US$85,000.

Apple’s commitment to privacy and security has attracted more users to the Apple ecosystem. As a result, iPhone sales have increased, leading to higher demand for iOS development and engineering jobs.

Recognizing the need to help Filipinos find opportunities in mobile software and product development, I conceived the idea of introducing a piece of Silicon Valley to the Philippines.

Also Read: How my entrepreneurial failures led me to rethink learning and upskilling

Establishing an Online School in the Philippines for Aspiring Developers

The future lies in mobile technology, and we will witness the emergence of new platforms like Clubhouse or Snapchat.

By launching an online coding school, more Filipinos can learn about iOS application development using state-of-the-art learning methods developed by Apple. This will equip them to tackle real-world challenges through coding.

This vision led to the creation of Hikre School, in collaboration with my two co-founders based in the US.

Hikre School offers a 16-week course in iOS software development, product design stack, and essential soft skills sought after by tech companies worldwide. We provide personalized mentorship and career placement assistance to ensure our students secure high-quality jobs locally and globally after graduation.

Most students prefer not to pay hefty tuition fees only to be unemployed after completing their studies. Therefore, we offer students the option to pay tuition fees only upon securing employment.

The Journey Begins

I am the first Filipino graduate of Apple’s exclusive institution, the Apple Developer Academy in Italy, where I worked on several software projects with diverse teams for a year.

During my time there, I gained expertise in iOS Development, human interface design, business marketing, and storytelling. I even had the opportunity to present our project to Apple executives.

Upon moving to the US, I joined a startup affiliated with Stanford University, which inspired me to conceptualize the idea of delivering the American dream as a service by sharing my expertise with my fellow Filipinos.

Derick David and Lisa Jackson, Apple’s VP of Environmental and Social Initiatives

We envision our future students accessing incredible opportunities not only in Asia but also in Europe and the US. I aspire for the Philippines to become the next Silicon Valley in terms of talent and innovation.

It is more than just a community; it is a culture and a mission for individuals who aspire to change the world. We do not see ourselves as merely an e-learning company, but as an educational infrastructure provider.

In the Philippines, iOS development is still at a nascent stage, while renowned universities like Stanford University, the University of Toronto, and Harvard University have already introduced it as a course due to the growing demand.

The Philippines is home to hardworking individuals with limitless potential, but they lack the necessary skills, resources, and mindset to unleash their full capabilities. Skills in software development, app design, storytelling, and copywriting are essential in today’s dynamic world, and Hikre School aims to impart these skills.

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Image Credit: Hikre School

This article was originally published on April 23, 2021

The post Why I left a budding career in the US to help aspiring developers in the Philippines appeared first on e27.