Craig O. is an iD Tech student-turned-instructor. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, he was the kind of kid who wanted to build everything. His dad, a civil engineer, was his first inspiration. Watching him bring blueprints to life made Craig curious about how things work—and more importantly, how he could make them work.
When Craig realized engineering was something that could bring his curiosity to life, he started exploring, which eventually led him to iD Tech. During his first Java coding and game development camp, everything clicked. Craig realized that learning the fundamentals of engineering was the unlock he needed to power his bright future.
After choosing to study Software Engineering at Iowa State University, which is ranked among the top 50 engineering schools in the country, Craig’s journey came full circle when he decided to return to iD Tech as an instructor. Why? Because he never forgot how one week at camp changed his life. How one week of learning the basics was the catalyst for a lifelong love of creating. And how much it would mean to empower the next generation of innovators with those same fundamentals for the future.
We caught up with Craig to talk about how learning the fundamentals helped him transform big dreams into real-world skills and why he believes every breakthrough starts with the basics.
Q&A with Craig O., iD Tech Alum and Instructor
Can you tell us a bit about your background and where you're from?
“I'm from Lagos, Nigeria. I’ve always been someone who wanted to know how things work, which led me to engineering and tech. Watching my dad work in construction and architecture and seeing how he solved problems and designed things really inspired me as a kid. That’s why I started going to iD Tech camps, which eventually led me to majoring in Software Engineering at Iowa State University. Throughout my time there, I’ve worked on projects ranging from data structures to building my own MMA workout app with Java.”
Do you think your career path might have been different if you hadn't attended iD Tech?
“Probably! Before camp, I knew I wanted to be in tech, but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. iD Tech gave me direction. That week of camp helped me figure out that software engineering was really what I wanted. It helped me tap into a passion that I didn’t even know I was missing. It also helped me build my confidence because I now had the tools I needed to pursue engineering in my future.”
Once you got to college, did anything change about your idea of what learning software in general would look like?
“Definitely. I thought I’d be making games or apps right away, but there are so many basics you have to learn to support that. And in learning those basics, I think some people might lose their creative spark during that stage because it can feel a little slow or repetitive. But I realized those basics are the building blocks—they’re the foundation. Once I understood that, I stopped seeing them as barriers and started seeing them as tools. That shift changed everything for me.”
Now that you’re an iD Tech instructor, your journey has come full circle. What made you want to come back?
“Before I came to iD Tech, I wasn’t sure which kind of engineering I wanted to study. That first Java course showed me what I loved about software and problem-solving. Coming back as an instructor was my way of giving that back. I wanted to help other kids have that same lightbulb moment I did. When I see a camper’s face light up after they finally get something to work, I’m reminded of how it felt when it first clicked for me. Becoming an instructor felt like my way of paying it forward.”
What has your experience as an instructor been like?
“It’s been incredible. I see so many kids who I feel like a younger version of me because they crave that creative freedom. They have big ideas of what they want to build, and they want to do it right away. Speaking from experience, I tell them they’ve got to learn the basics to build the things they dream about. You can’t skip it! The best part about mentoring is the moment they realize that taking the time to learn the skills will actually allow them to create even more than they ever dreamed.”
Has being an instructor at iD Tech changed the way you learn?
“Yes. Technology is moving so fast. Teaching sometimes helps me grow even faster than studying, practicing, or programming on my own. Every day there’s something new, whether it’s AI or another technology. That’s what I love about this field—you’re never done learning.”
Do you have any advice for iD Tech students and their own journey?
“Stick with it. Be consistent. And remember, you have to crawl, walk, run, and then fly. Once you learn the fundamentals, you can be even more creative. For me coding isn’t just a career path, it’s how I express myself. Putting the work in means you have the power to create things that will change the world!”
The Takeaway
Craig’s story is proof that mastering the basics doesn’t limit creativity—it unlocks it. At iD Tech, it is our goal to empower students with the knowledge that fundamentals are the key, not the barrier. They’re the foundation for every future. From engineering to game dev to entrepreneurship, the building blocks make breakthroughs possible.