DJ Shinski: Why I walked away from a stable electrical engineering job
By William Muthama, February 11, 2026
DJ Shinski has opened up about the bold career move that transformed him from a nine-to-five electrical engineer into one of Kenya’s most recognised DJs.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, he explained that while engineering was what he studied and initially loved, it eventually felt repetitive and limiting.
“Before COVID, I was doing a nine-to-five job as an electrical engineer,” Shinski said.
“On the weekends, I would DJ at clubs, but engineering started to feel unfulfilling. It was repetitive: you design, you finish, you move to the next one. There was no feedback, no excitement. DJing, on the other hand, gave me instant interaction with the audience. They’d come to me and say, ‘Man, you made the night!’ That energy kept me alive,” he highlighted.
Building a career abroad
Shinski recalled that the moment he realised he had to quit came when a UK promoter discovered his mixes online and invited him to perform in London.
“I asked my boss for a few days off. He said no. That’s when I knew it was time to quit,” Shinski said.
Shinski says he handed in his resignation and travelled to London, where he ended up staying for two weeks, performing and gaining valuable experience.
After London, Shinski relocated to Houston, Texas, to grow his DJ career. “I stayed with friends while figuring out how to get gigs,” he said. “I had no safety net, but I knew I had to chase something that truly excited me.” By booking shows and connecting with audiences, he gradually built a name for himself internationally.
He reflected on the impact of COVID-19, which temporarily shut down nightlife, testing the resilience of his new path. “It was a double-edged sword,” Shinski said.
“Everything paused, but it pushed me to be more creative and strategic about my career. Success isn’t about waiting for opportunities; it’s about creating them.”
Shinski believes the real reward of leaving a stable but limiting career lies in the freedom and growth DJing has given him.
“It’s not just about the technical skill,” he said. “It’s about reading a crowd, adapting on the fly, and feeling that connection. That’s why leaving engineering was worth it.”