Abijah Mashava’s journey began in Highfield, a small town in Harare, Zimbabwe, and has carried him across continents, into boardrooms, and through various roles in software and systems engineering. Today, he’s not only a tech founder and cloud consultant based in Central New York, but he’s also a proud graduate of the online Master of Information Technology program from the nationally ranked university Illinois Tech, completed online through Coursera.
Abijah’s story is one of ambition, community, and belief in the power of technology to uplift others.
“The region I come from has a very young population facing significant challenges, namely a lack of resources,” Abijah says. “They’re the ones that raised me. I’ve been fortunate to be here in the United States, with access to an institution like Illinois Tech, and now I want to give back.”
Building the Skills to Build Solutions
With his engineering and significant IT background, Abijah had already developed a strong foundational skillset. But with the knowledge that IT is rapidly evolving, he searched for additional means of education. He ultimately found this at Illinois Tech through a flexible, hands-on education that would let him grow professionally while empowering his long-term vision, which would eventually help him launch projects that benefit the youth of his hometown.
“I have a passion for technology and information systems,” he says. “That’s one reason I chose this program. The other is the study convenience. I was working full-time at a financial institution in New York, and later launched my own startup. Being able to study on my terms made this possible.”
The Master of IT program at Illinois Tech, Chicago’s leading tech-focused university, offered Abijah a chance to deepen his skills while applying what he learned in real time. From full-stack software development to deploying cloud-based applications, the curriculum covered it all.
“This program starts from the basics and builds up. You learn to develop an application from scratch: hardware to deployment. It absolutely filled in my knowledge gaps, especially around cloud computing. Today, cloud is central to my consulting work.”
Confidence, Certifications, and Career Growth
The skills Abijah developed through the program didn’t just stay in the classroom, they translated directly to his work.
“By the time I finished, I had the confidence to grow my business and take on high-level consulting,” he explains. “The program is structured so well that once you complete it, you’re well prepared to earn certifications like AWS Cloud Architect. I was able to complete the certs quickly because technology fundamentals were more than covered in the advanced Master’s coursework.”
He credits the professors and support staff for his success, especially his Coursera enrollment representative he deemed a “success coach”, India Viera.
“At first, I didn’t understand how a success coach worked,” Abijah admits. “But India proved to me how valuable it was. She made key suggestions for navigating course procedures and electives. She encouraged me and gave crucial tips for success, which made the difference. She was rock solid.”
Pushing Through and Giving Back
Abijah completed the degree in just 14 months, graduating on May 17, 2025, and he proudly shared that his degree was not the only credential he did in this time frame. In addition to his diploma, Abijah collected certificates, also online through Coursera:
“It meant burning the midnight oil,” he laughs. “I took a month off just to focus on my final projects and my AWS Certification. But I felt confident enough to finish my degree while doing the certificate. This degree program is designed in such a way that if you complete it, it’s very easy for you to get those additional certifications. So it was a natural progression for me.”
Looking ahead, Abijah plans to keep expanding his consulting practice and grow his startup, which is focused on creating employment opportunities for young people back home in Southern Africa. Long term, he hopes to move into philanthropy and bring education and opportunity to underserved communities.
Advice for Future Learners
Abijah doesn’t sugarcoat the experience—it’s rigorous. But for him, the payoff was worth it.
“The bottom line is: if you have the passion and the hunger to do it, nothing can stop you. But it takes effort and commitment. This program is no walk in the park. You have to plan, manage your time, and be realistic about your course load.”
He also stresses the importance of the labs and hands-on work. “The lectures build on the labs. Follow your professors closely. Do every lab. The last two courses bring everything together and they’re practically oriented.”
Above all, Abijah hopes more learners from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities can access programs like this one.
“This program made me realize what’s possible. I wish more people with my background could experience that. The way Illinois Tech made this available to me…if they could make it available to more people, the impact would be incredible.”
🎓 About the Program:
The Illinois Tech Master’s in Information Technology is offered 100% online through Coursera. The program equips learners with practical, advanced skills in software development, systems architecture, and cloud computing, making it ideal for working professionals aiming to grow or pivot in their careers. The program also offers performance-based admissions, pay-as-you-go tuition, and credit for prior learning options through certificates like the one Abijah mentioned in his story. To learn more about the Master of IT, reach out below!
