TIIDELAB Cohort 6 Pre-Fellowship 4.0: A Journey Begins

My Unforgettable Journey at TIIDELAB

A month ago, I embarked on an exciting journey with TIIDELAB's Pre-Fellowship 4.0 program, and it's been a game-changer. I still remember the day I started into the program, filled with excitement and anticipation. The program's reputation had preceded it, and I was eager to learn and absorb as much as possible.

The first day was a whirlwind of introductions, icebreakers, and getting familiar with the program's curriculum. The guest speaker, Mr. Orakwe, delved into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning, and Neural Networks. His concrete examples made it easier for us to grasp the complex relationships between these technologies. The discussion also touched on the idea of Generative AI (Gen AI) and an intriguing event that occurred on May 20th at the University of Chicago, which raised important questions about the future of software.

As we dived deeper into the program, our first lesson with Ayodele Samuel Adebayo (Unclebigbay) was an introduction to setting up the development environment for coding. Also Unclebigbay broke down the fundamentals of HTML structure and CSS styling in a way that was clear, concise, and (dare I say) fun. We learned how to create basic layouts, manipulate text and colors, and even build simple navigation menus. We were also introduced to the world of Git, a version control system that tracks changes in source code, and GitHub, a platform that enables developers to collaborate on a codebase. The lesson concluded with a challenging assignment that pushed us to explore the wonderful platforms we would be using on this tech journey. But the real test came when Unclebigbay challenged us to put our newfound skills to the use. I channeled my inner web developer and constructed a basic hair-salon website! While these were just baby steps in the vast world of web development, the feeling of accomplishment was immense. Seeing my code come to life as a functioning website was incredibly rewarding.

But TIIDELAB's Pre-Fellowship Program was more than just coding. Our Coordinator also facilitator for Soft Skills, Mr. Shams, provided a refreshing and timely break from the intense coding sessions. His classes were a breath of fresh air, providing invaluable lessons on soft skills that were engaging, relatable, and practical. Mr. Shams emphasized the importance of effective communication in both personal and professional settings. He taught us how to articulate our thoughts, ideas, and opinions clearly and concisely, avoiding misunderstandings and miscommunications. Mr. Shams also shared practical strategies for prioritizing tasks, avoiding procrastination, and staying focused. We learned how to create schedules, set realistic targets, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. These skills have been instrumental in helping me stay organized and productive, even in the face of challenging projects and tight deadlines I was able to absorb and apply the concepts in my daily life, making me a more well-rounded individual.

There was also the program's Python class, which was expertly guided by Mr. Ibrahim Tijani, this was a game-changer for me. The class was meticulously designed to take us from the basics of Python to advanced topics, including data structures, file handling, and object-oriented programming. Through a combination of interactive lectures, hands-on exercises, and real-world projects, I gained a comprehensive understanding of Python's capabilities.

What really sparked my enthusiasm was our team project, TeamEvo - Quicksumm, a text summarization tool. Our mission was to design a user-friendly platform that could distill complex documents into concise summaries, saving users time and effort. Collaborating with my teammates on this project was an exhilarating experience, teaching me valuable lessons in teamwork, creative problem-solving, and innovative thinking.

As I reflect on my journey in TIIDELAB's Pre-Fellowship Program, I'm reminded of the emphasis on practical application. By working on projects that tackle real-world problems, I developed a sense of purpose and direction, which motivates me to continue learning and improving. The program has been a transformative experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. I'm confident that the skills and knowledge I acquired will open doors to new opportunities and help me achieve my goals.