Zero coding experience: should I build a portfolio first or go for an attachment?

I'm in second year at campus here in Nairobi, studying business. I have a small delivery hustle on the side, and I want to move into tech because of an app idea I have for my delivery work. But I have zero coding experience, and I'm not sure about the best next step. Should I spend time building a simple portfolio first, or should I try to get an attachment or internship somewhere? I see classmates going for attachments, but I feel like I don't know enough yet to be useful anywhere. I'd love to hear what worked for you. One thing I've noticed is that most of my tech-savvy friends built their first portfolio by using free tools like Google Sites or Canva to show small projects, like a simple page that tracks M-Pesa payments for their side hustle. That seems doable for me since I already handle payments via M-Pesa for my deliveries. But I'm also worried that without real work experience, no one will take me seriously for an attachment. If you were in my shoes, what would you focus on first?

Replies

AmaniOct 18

Hey there, it's great you're thinking about this. What if you start by creating a simple M-Pesa payment tracker page using Google Sites to showcase your side hustle experience?

Joseph MutuaOct 18

That’s a solid plan, build that simple M-Pesa tracker on Google Sites and you’ll have a real project you can point to. While you’re working on it, try applying for a short attachment at a local tech startup or even the delivery company you work for, just to get some hands-on experience. Which part of the tracker do you think will be most useful for your deliveries?

Mark OchiengOct 18

You don't have to be useful before you get an attachment, that's the whole point of the attachment. Keep building that M-Pesa tracker with Google Sites, but also start sending out a few applications this week. Your business background is a plus, not a setback, most tech teams need someone who understands customers and money.

Samuel KiptooOct 18

That fear of not being ready is real, but startups often care more about your hustle than your perfect skills. Since you already run a delivery business, you have a huge advantage. Use that M-Pesa tracker idea as your portfolio, and while you build it, apply for those attachments. Frame it to them as wanting to learn, not to be an expert. Your real-world experience with deliveries and payments is more valuable than you think. Which local startup in Nairobi would you most want to shadow for a day?

Cynthia WairimuOct 18

Hey, I’d start with a quick Google Sites page that shows your M-Pesa tracker, it’s concrete proof you can build something useful. While you’re polishing it, send a short note to a local startup or your delivery company asking for a short shadow day; many places value the initiative more than perfect skills. What’s one feature you’d love to add to that tracker once it’s live?

Kevin MwangiOct 19

Honestly, that simple M-Pesa tracker on Google Sites is already a smart start. Once it's live, maybe add a way to show which routes give you the fastest deliveries so you can plan better with your customers. That kind of real-world data is something even big companies chase.