Matthew Msingathi, a South African software developer, spent nine years unemployed after earning his diploma in software development. Despite graduating in 2014, he struggled to secure a job due to one common barrier faced by many young professionals: a lack of experience.
Like many graduates, Matthew found himself stuck in a cycle where jobs required experience, but experience required a job.
Turning Rejection Into Opportunity
Rather than giving up, Matthew chose a different path. He decided to prove his skills publicly. He launched a YouTube channel, not for fame or income, but as a digital portfolio.
Over time, he uploaded nearly 400 videos demonstrating his coding skills. At first, his content focused on printing tutorials. Later, he rebranded the channel as Coded Design, where he began teaching programming concepts and showcasing real projects.
The channel became his resume, showing what he could do rather than what certificates he held.
The Breakthrough Moment
Matthew’s breakthrough came when a South African music streaming app called Fyve asked him to complete a technical challenge. Instead of submitting code alone, he recorded a full video explaining his solution and shared it on his YouTube channel.
The company reviewed the video and offered him a developer role. After nine years of rejection, Matthew finally landed his first job in tech.
That moment changed everything. His experience was no longer invisible.
Global Recognition and New Opportunities
Following the breakthrough, one of Matthew’s videos went viral. This exposure brought freelance work and international attention. A Canadian company later hired him to build a full mobile application.
His work was also featured on freeCodeCamp, a global learning platform with more than 11 million subscribers. These opportunities came not from formal credentials, but from visible proof of skill.
Building Finenks and Giving Back
Matthew is now building Finenks, a free invoicing platform designed to help small businesses around the world. Inspired by open-access tools like VLC Media Player, the platform aims to make professional software accessible to everyone.
His mission goes beyond personal success. He wants to lower barriers for others who face the same challenges he once did.
