From Setback to Comeback: "My Experience Reapplying to Prefellowship after a Hiatus"

"Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward." - Erika Taylor

I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be accepted into TIIDELab Prefellowship Cohort 4.0. The experience of being part of Cohort 3.0 was instrumental in my journey toward becoming a skilled problem solver.

Hello everyone, my name is Abioye Olajide Abdullateef, an aspiring Software Developer currently undergoing a 6-week internship at TIIDELab, an acronym for (Think, Innovate, Ideate, Develop and Execute Lab). During my six-week tenure, I gained exposure to practical technological challenges, which greatly enriched my time at TIIDELab.

How did I get accepted into the TIIDELab Prefellowship program?

A friend shared the TIIDELab update and encouraged me to apply. That was back around March 2023 which I did and was accepted after passing the test — one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Due to the nature of how TIIDELab is time demanding, I couldn't proceed to the main Fellowship because of my academic activities.

This year, I decided to reapply since I am currently on my industrial training where no academic activities will hinder my active participation.

I applied, took the test, and passed — I was thrilled because I had high hopes and didn't want to miss the incredible opportunity to learn software development with AI-focused.

On June 20, 2024, the journey to becoming a self-reliant software developer started as we got onboarded and welcomed to the family of TIIDELab. Among the guests of honor were Mr. Kadir Salami, our founder, Mr. John Orakwe, the keynote speaker, Mr. Shamsudeen Aderoju, our program coordinator, Ayodele Samuel Adebayo, our tutor, and many other guests.

Mr. Kadir Salami emphasized AI's future importance, its potential to break language barriers, and his commitment to supporting young Nigerians in AI learning. He noted that AI's quality depends on its data and that AI skills can lead to new job opportunities.

Mr. John Orakwe then discussed the internet revolution of 1995-2005, explained various AI concepts, explored General AI and its implications, and mentioned "The 3 Person Unicorn Startup," providing a broader context for AI's evolving role in technology and business.

Immersing in Real Technical Work: Mastering HTML, CSS, and Python

Work started in earnest as our tutor, Ayodele Samuel Adebayo took us through the basics of HTML, and CSS in weeks thereby testing our ability by giving assignments on the lessons being taught. Ayodele Samuel Adebayo also introduced us to the implementation of Git Version Controls and GitHub explaining concepts such as Mobile responsiveness, Repository, Git push, Git commit, Git pull, and so on.

After two weeks of learning HTML and CSS, we delved into Python starting with the history and the basics of the programming language covering concepts like variables and data types, operators, control flow, conditional statements, loops, functions, arrays, and objects. Mr. Tijani Ibrahim uniquely teaches Python; he takes time to explain the concepts with code examples. He then makes a recording of the class to fall back upon if one encounters a problem after the learning session.

We were given a series of exercises, from replicating the Barbershop website to creating a Portfolio website and implementing the functionality of CSS using media queries for the responsiveness of the Portfolio. Working on those exercises further solidified my understanding of the concepts taught in class. Below are some of the exercises;

Beyond Coding: TIIDELab's Comprehensive Mentorship in Professional and Soft Skills Development

TIIDELab is more than a place where you learn how to code alone but a place where you're being mentored on how to relate with people in the professional world where team building and leadership are not left behind. TIIDELab teaches her students the soft skills needed in the tech world like Attitude, Presentation & Communication, Storytelling, and Article Writing.

Mr. Shams, our Big brother and coordinator, is highly understanding and relatable. He has shown leniency towards our errors, providing opportunities for redemption and even additional rewards. However, He has a firm stance against idleness and negative attitudes, actively discouraging such behaviors.

Two classes that left an indelible impression on me were "Attitude" and "Public Speaking and Presentation Skills," both expertly facilitated by Mr. Shams. These sessions stand out as particularly memorable and impactful in my learning journey.

During the session on Public Speaking and Presentation Skills, covering various speech types and their components. I learned the differences between public speaking and presentations, with the former being broader and more informal, while the latter is a structured subset aimed at informing or persuading.

Key frameworks for presentations were also explored, including Problem-Agitate-Solution, Before-After-Bridge, and Topic-Information-Importance-Recap. The essential components of a great speech were identified as content, confidence, delivery, and engagement.

Practical tips for mastering presentations were shared, emphasizing the importance of identifying goals, volunteering to present frequently, incorporating storytelling, and consistent practice.

The session on Attitude cannot be overemphasized as well. I'd like to share with you some invaluable insights I've gained about the power of attitude in our personal and professional lives. We often underestimate how profoundly our attitude affects not only ourselves but also those around us. A positive outlook can significantly enhance team dynamics and collaboration, while negative attitudes can be detrimental to both personal growth and group efforts.

It's fascinating to note that technical knowledge accounts for only 12.5% of our professional success. The remaining 87.5% - an overwhelming majority - is driven by our attitude and interpersonal skills. This statistic underscores the critical importance of developing and maintaining a positive mindset in our careers.

To cultivate this positive attitude, we should focus on key principles: positive thinking, proactiveness, appreciation, self-awareness, and flexibility. By embracing these concepts, we can create a foundation for success that extends far beyond our technical capabilities.

Remember, our attitude shapes our experiences and outcomes, making it one of our most powerful tools for personal and professional growth.

Our other two classes covered two essential topics: storytelling in product marketing and effective article writing.

Regarding storytelling, Mrs Cynthia shared insights using examples from major brands like Apple and Coca-Cola. She emphasized that storytelling is crucial in product marketing, bringing stories to life and making them relatable. The key points included the various forms of storytelling (verbal, non-verbal, and visual), the importance of clear communication, empathy towards the audience, and avoiding complex terminology.

On article writing, the session held by Mr. Shams, focused on crafting compelling LinkedIn profiles, maintaining a consistent digital footprint, and writing engaging articles. The importance of creating attention-grabbing titles, structuring articles effectively with clear introductions, bodies, and conclusions, and tailoring content to the target audience was stressed. The session also covered the reasons for writing, such as offering advice or addressing issues of interest, and the significance of using simple, clear language to ensure reader comprehension.

Both topics highlighted the importance of effective communication in professional settings. Whether through storytelling in marketing or article writing, the emphasis was on clarity, audience engagement, and presenting information in a relatable and accessible manner. These skills are crucial for personal branding, professional development, and successful communication in various contexts.

How TIIDELab Celebrated the World Youth Skill Day.

On the 16th of July 2024, TIIDELab hosted a competition where teams presented various skills and their importance to commemorate World Youth Skills Day. The presentations covered a wide range of topics including hairdressing, shoemaking, fashion design, soap making, baking, data analysis, farming, and tailoring. Teams were evaluated based on time management, creativity, quality, teamwork, and presentation skills. The event emphasized the significance of developing practical skills for career opportunities and personal growth.

Following the presentations, judges provided feedback and encouragement to the teams. The results were announced, with Team 2 (Metaminds) securing first place and Teams 7 (KodeCrafters) and 5 (DevDynasty) tying for second. Throughout the meeting, there were discussions on the importance of skills development, combining different skills, and being intentional about skill acquisition.

My Leadership Evolution at TIIDELab: From Assistant Governor to Team Lead.

My leadership journey at TIIDELab has been a transformative experience, beginning with my selection as the Assistant Class Governor and culminating in my role as Team Lead for the Tech Pioneers. This progression has not only challenged me but also provided invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Each step of the way has brought new responsibilities and learning experiences, shaping my leadership skills and understanding of team dynamics.

Serving the TIIDELab community has been a privilege that fills me with immense satisfaction. As I've navigated through these roles, I've discovered the power of collaboration, the importance of clear communication, and the impact of leading by example. This journey has reinforced my commitment to fostering innovation and supporting my peers in their technological pursuits. The skills and insights gained during this time have been instrumental in my development as a leader and a tech enthusiast, preparing me for future challenges in the ever-evolving world of technology.

I was also privileged to represent my team during the sprint to showcase our project.

Project Phase — BriefIT (AI summarizer)

My team — Tech Pioneers got assigned an article summarizer project to build.

We began with problem framing, a structured approach to problem-solving that allows us to arrive at a concise problem statement.

The User Research we conducted assisted us in identifying our target audience, deducing their pain points, crafting a problem statement after validating that the problem truly exists, conducting a comparative analysis with platforms similar to ours that already exist, and proposing a value proposition.

BriefIT is an app designed to address the challenge of processing large amounts of information quickly. It aims to solve the inefficiency of reading lengthy texts by providing concise, accurate summaries of various documents, including reports and articles. This helps busy professionals, students, and others save time and focus on essential information.

The app uses advanced algorithms to analyze texts and generate real-time summaries, handling different types of content. However, the project faces challenges in ensuring accuracy, managing complex language, balancing speed with quality, and creating a user-friendly interface. Despite these obstacles, BriefIT strives to offer a solution for efficient information processing in today's fast-paced world.

It’s incredible because all of these were accomplished with the help of our mentor, Miss Damilola Oyedunmade.

I'm incredibly grateful to my team members for their hard work and dedication, which played a pivotal role in making our project a success. Your commitment, collaboration, and tireless efforts made it possible to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. I am truly thankful for each of your contributions, as they were instrumental in bringing our vision to life.

I also want to express my deep appreciation to TIIDELab, Mr. Kadir Salami, the founder of this remarkable initiative, Mr. Shams, our coordinator, and Ayodele Samuel Adebayo. Your guidance, support, and mentorship have been invaluable throughout this journey. I am excited about the prospect of joining the main fellowship and continuing to learn and grow under your esteemed leadership. Thank you all for this enriching experience and the opportunity to be part of such a transformative program.