MY TIIDELAB EXPERIENCE 3.0 (MONTH 3)
Half way into the internship and here's me sharing and another experience. You can't tell me less joor, this month was like one week, but, most especially, I am overjoyed because connecting the dots from when I started till now, I can proudly say there's been a wide space of positive change both in my technical skills, social and professional skills.
Before I start releasing bits of my experience like cash from an ATM, incase you missed the last episodes, you can get it here:
Technical Experience
Last month, we focused on JavaScript but this month we had a mixture of JavaScript and the second part of our Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). Initially, I had a smooth start with Browser local storage in JavaScript (from saving an item, through retrieving an item to erasing an item in the browser local storage), then the crescendo heightened when we entered into the second half of DSA. On DSA, we treated Trees (Binary Trees, Binary Search Trees, etc), Graphs (directed, undirected, weighted, unweighted, cyclic and acyclic graphs), Sorting algorithms, Searching and Tree Traversal and finally Dynamic
Programming(Memoization)and all their applications.
It was a whole lot to take in at first, but as time went on, with listening to different explanations from presentations and with a bit more research, I was able to get a good grasp of the concepts and how they apply to our project, INSure.
Another interesting part for me was the continuation of Javascript, where we went ahead to do Error Handling (a very important concept as a developer), Callbacks, Promises and Asynchronous JavaScript. How I loved this concepts because, before now, I've had friends talk about it and I'm glad my anticipation met learning, and they were to able to tango.
Project (INSure) Progress.
I believe by now, you should know INSure—an insurance sales management tool—my team’s project. So, since my last experience, my team (Euvola) and I made a considerable amount of progress, progress monitored by series of Project sprints. We concluded designing our UIs and have now delved fully into its conversion to code with HTML, CSS and Vanilla JavaScript.
Over the month, we received feedback from mentors and the TiideLab Council of elders (from several project sprints we had) and we have made sure we effected those corrections and criticisms. My team and I spent sleepless nights trying to see that our project take up a good shape. We worked with firm team spirit twirling our ideas until we were able to pin it to a conclusion. My team members has been amazing; a very big shout out to them!
Professional Softskills Development.
As always, give TiideLab this accolades for producing developers with good communication skills and the right attitude among others. Our Friday professional class continued, always handled by our ever intelligent and diligent Big Brother; Aderoju Shamsudeen Adelapo. We started with Decision Making Traps and then talked about Goal Setting (SMART, SWOT, and PEST Analysis). We also treated Critical Thinking Skills for Emerging Software Engineers.
Basically, drawing conclusions from each of the topics above, we looked at Bloom's Taxonomy, which categorises educational objectives into six levels of complexity and specificity which are: knowledge, understanding, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
We also looked at the Six thinking Hats (White hat (factual thinking), Red hat (emotional thinking), Black hat (critical thinking), Yellow hat (optimistic thinking), Green Hat (creative thinking) and Blue Hat (Summarising outcomes)). Again, we looked at using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound), SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses Opportunity, Strength) and PEST (Political, Economic, Social-cultural and Technological) tools for setting goals.
Each of the Friday sessions was always a stunner as our instructor shared deep insights into each topics followed by case studies and applications we the fellows carried out in form of activities.
The classes have really helped me see a different perspective in making decisions and thinking critically for creative ideas as well as easily grasping new information.
My Time as the Head of House (HOH).
During the last month, I emerged as the 13th Head of House of TiideLab fellowship cohort5, alongside my co-HOH, Sanusi Rasheed. We got to the office, through an inter-team competition held on one of the Fridays where I represented my team (Euvola).
The competition was based on the lectures from previous Professional Development Classes as well as general knowledge. It was a bid to help us recollect all we’ve been taught and test how vast we were in the general knowledge of things. So, at the end of the competition, my team emerged second and I was automatically, alongside my partner, appointed the 13th HOH. You needed to see the wrinkles on my face, it was a mixture of shock, fright and joy. Shock and fright, because I didn’t expect the office and I was going to lead a group of 73 fellows. Joy, because I was among the winners and I was to work alongside a brilliant partner.
That day of our appointment, we immediately got to work. We had to set out our plans for the week—what finesse we needed to bring into week, how we intend managing the activities and what tasks we needed to do to make the efforts of other fellows seemed effortless.
Though, it was challenging, but with our synergy, connection, strength and support from other fellows, my co-HOH and I were able to pull through from the designs and graphics we came up it, to connecting with other fellows and meeting their needs, to feeding them with educative contents on health and vocabulary to hosting a model who wants to be a millionaire/karaoke show (to improve knowledge). It was a really fun time for me because I was able to connect more with other fellows and flesh out some creative ideas I never thought I had.
Also, during our tenure, we had the opportunity to organise the Model United Nations Assembly alongside our Programs Coordinator, Mr. Aderoju Shamshudeen Adelapo, and the elected leaders of the Assembly, the President—Aisha Shomope and Secretary General—Damilola Oyedunmade. The event was really educative. Please, allow me to elaborate in the next section.
The Model United Nations General Assembly (MUNGA).
Yes, the MUNGA! This is usually a tradition in TiideLab made to model the United Nations General Assembly where all delegates of a country gather to discuss a particular topic as it relates to their various countries and the world at large and also by extension in TiideLab, test and help us improve our public speaking skills.
To keep things brief, we were made to act as Heads of State of different countries where we presented a speech on
Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating the SDGs 2030 Actualization through Digital Technology for Global Prosperity.
I had the opportunity to represent the President of the council of Cuba, where I presented a speech on how my country has been able to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through tech and the challenges we face as regards this. The exercise made me delve into the rich history of Cuba, their culture, their laws, their strength and the challenges they faced.
Another fun event that happened prior to the speech day was the political atmosphere that swept the fellowship. From lifting the campaign ban (by the HOHs—yours truly and my partner) to the campaign proper where creativity swept the air. I was amazed by how fellows were able to come up with creative campaign posters, campaign ideas, campaign videos within a such a short time declaring the participants for the election of the President of the Assembly.
Key Highlights of Some other Events
Amidst the whole technical, soft skills and project activities, some other fascinating events graced the months. Here, let me give you some key highlights.
We had the Alumni Fireside Chat 3.0, where two of our Alumni Mr. Hayatu Sanusi (Frontend Engineer Tamara) and Joy Offiong (Integration Specialist at Interswitch) share their tech experiences—their journey and how far they’ve come. It was warm and comforting having to chat with them, seeing them share their journey from when they entered the fellowship, to how they were able to manage their time and overcome difficulties, to life after the fellowship, to how they excelled and got their current roles. It was a leveller for me seeing those who are already where I want to be.
Another interesting event that took place was our Guest Leaders’ Series 4.0, where we invited the Founder of TheWorkerHQ, Ayodele Aransiola, who spoke on
Sustainable Progress in Software Engineering: What to Do and Avoid for Career Advancement.
I was glad to receive insights from the founder who shared tips on how to excel as a budding Software Engineer and a future CEO of a tech company. You can look the insights from the session I share here.
I made a Presentation on JavaScript callbacks and Promises as is our daily routine at TiideLab to help us assimilate what we learn for that day and help us build our slide-making, communication and presentation skills. And, as communicating it to others meant we must really understand it, we were always on our toes to comprehending topics quickly.
Career Mentorship Session
Remember, on my last article, I talked about our mentorship unveiling? I would like to say that it is one of the best things that have happened to me in the fellowship. Having someone share his personal experience as well as discuss the professional and corporate life of great men in relation to your growth as a professional is really rare.
Being with my mentor, Mr. Arome Ibrahim since the past few weeks has been nothing short of amazing. It's not just the knowledge he shares, it's his principles, how timely he is and how he's willing to give listening ears.
Since the past week, we have talked about The Power of Purpose, Volunteering and Community Development—where I was taught to find a cause I am passionate about and join a community that resonates with it—and Career Growth Hacking, where, apart from the class, we discussed about the lives of great Billionaires like Aliko Dangote, Elon Musk and Olugbenga Agboola and how we can apply their principles to our lives and career.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, the series of events and activities in the last month plus last three months at Tiidelab has compounded my growth both personally and professionally and I am glad at the progress I have made. I entered into the oven at the beginning and now I am forming into a fine bread to be fully baked at the end of the internship.
I want to express my gratitude to Big Brother, Aderoju Shamsudeen Adelapo for his constant discipline borne by his passion and his intentionality for all fellows at Tiidelab to not be mediocre.
I want to also show my appreciation to our Founder; Mr. Kadir Salami; to the Council of Elders, for their constructive criticism, and to our sponsors; ITF, NECA and Techspecialist.
Thank you for reading till the end.
Stay tuned for more episodes!👌🏽
Till the, Ciao!👋🏽