In the realm of professional and personal growth, certain experiences have the power to reshape perspectives, ignite passions, and open doors to new possibilities. Such is the story of my remarkable month-long journey at TIIDELab an immersive fellowship that stands as a testament to my dedication, empowerment, and pursuit of excellence.
A Triumph of Acceptance
When I received an email telling me I had been accepted into the TIIDELab fellowship, I was thrilled. Out of 8,000 applicants, only 75 of us were chosen, and I was one of them. It was humbling and exciting to know that I would be part of this amazing opportunity to transform myself and my career as a woman in the technology industry.
A Journey Beyond Expectations
On June 27, 2023, I started my journey at TIIDELab , and I was filled with excitement and motivation. I heard stories from successful alumni, which made me even more hopeful about what was to come. With the guidance of Coach Ayodele Samuel Adebayo we spent the first week exploring the world of developers and learning about collaborative tools like Git and GitHub. We learned how to be disciplined in our coding practices and how to be precise and innovative in our work. It was a great start to my journey toward self-reliance, innovation, and skill enhancement.
Mastering the Essence of Technological Prowess
During the second week of the program, we learned about getting job interviews, data structures, and algorithms. It was a crash course, but it was very helpful because we weren't just learning for the sake of it, we were learning to make ourselves more employable. We also learned HTML and CSS and got to build a hotel website and create a portfolio. These projects helped me learn a lot and improve my skills.
TIIDELab has a great way of teaching us. We learn through self-learning, coding partner sessions, peer learning sessions, online knowledge sessions, presentations, coding challenges, and more. Every session is engaging and educational. We also have professional classes every Friday with our coordinator, Mr. Shams. He's like a father figure to us and always reminds us of the importance of professional development. Hearing his voice every day reminds me of why I'm here and how lucky I am to be in this program.
Friday's Meet-ups
Every Friday, TIIDELab Fellows come together virtually, and it's a day filled with excitement and anticipation. This gathering is more than just a digital meetup; it's a place where we build relationships, share knowledge, and make connections. These meetups are important because they bridge the gap between our virtual interactions and real-life relationships. We get to meet the people we've only talked to online, and we can share stories and learn from each other in real-time. The best part is that we get to feel like we're part of a community, where we can connect with others who share our interests and work towards excellence together.
A Home of Learning and Growth
More than an institution, TIIDELab emerged as a nurturing family, a haven for ambition, curiosity, and innovation. Within its nurturing embrace, I discovered not only the power of coding but also the strength of community and the essence of soft skills. This month has witnessed my evolution a metamorphosis from a hopeful novice to a confident and empowered technophile, ready to seize the opportunities that lie ahead. Stay tuned, for the chapters of this remarkable journey are poised to unfold, and I am poised to embrace them with open arms.