“Do something worth mentioning and talk about it always — Kadir salami”

Introduction

The TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0 is a rigorous six-week experience in which participants develop their personal portfolio, group project, professional development classes, data analytics, try out new and cutting-edge coding and website development software, and work in small teams on a quick, effective website design project using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The program is made to help the youths in Nigeria who want to pursue the full TIIDELab Fellowship in the future swiftly develop their technical expertise and experience. It’s essentially a condensed version of the Fellowship track that is intended to sharpen participants’ technical abilities and prepare them for an internship or a later round of the TIIDELab Fellowship Program.

I found out about TIIDELab from a post by Junior Chamber International Nigeria (JCIN), NEVP, Iliyia Kyauta made regarding the Prefellowship cohort 5 program on the JCIN Bauchi City Whatsapp platform. I took the admission exam because this application piqued my attention and I was eager to give it a try. After passing, I received a message of congratulations, and then my journey at TIIDElab officially started.

Picture Description: Invitation/Congratulatory Messages During TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0

On April 4th, 2023, the TIIDELab Program Coordinator, Mr. Shamsudeen Aderoju, led an onboarding session to kick off the Prefellowship. During this session, everyone learned about the duties that lay ahead and the importance of remaining committed and focused. The opportunity to participate in the Seven-Weeks Prefellowship program at TIIDELab was incredible and life-changing.

My time at TIIDELab Prefellowship has been a stepping stone towards personal and professional growth. The Seven-Weeks program there primarily focused on diverse activities, from virtual classes and learning web development languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to personal branding, social media presence, teamwork, communication skills, and fostering lasting friendships. My horizons have been further broadened and my abilities have been improved by participating in assignments, presentations, meetings with our mentor and other facilitators, and being a member of Team Techathon during a group project.

Virtual Education as a Route to Digital Competence: The CSS, HTML, JavaScript and Data Analytics Experience.

My introduction to the field of web development was paved with the help of the online courses I took at TIIDELab Prefellowship. I studied the foundations of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript with the help of knowledgeable facilitators and engaging course materials. These fundamental languages gave me the means to produce appealing web-pages and engaging user interfaces. I was able to learn at my own pace while receiving instruction from seasoned professionals. Thanks to the classes’ flexible virtual format.

Picture Description: CSS, HTML, JavaScript Using Visual Studio Code and The Final Result (My Portfolio Page).

The Prefellowship continued as scheduled, and we went through courses in HTML where we learned about different HTML tags and uses; CSS came with designing our work and creating styles; lessons in Git and Github were also taken; we made use of those skills by developing a portfolio that was published to Github and hosted on Netlify. In addition to teaching us about coding, the Prefellowship program introduced us to a variety of soft skills, such as effective communication, critical thinking, article writing, among others. The curriculum included a CCAT assessment test administered twice weekly to participants to gauge our capacity for critical thinking and reasoning.

Effective Communication, Personal Branding and Teamwork

In today’s competitive environment, TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0 recognizes the significance of personal branding. I mastered the skill of effectively presenting myself both online and offline through focused sessions. In order to build a genuine personal brand, I learned useful skills, such as how to write a captivating personal narrative and how to use social media platforms for professional visibility. These teachings gave me the ability to stand out from the crowd and highlight my abilities and accomplishments, setting me up for success in the future.

The results of my work cannot be explained by themselves. Without communication, I cannot share my thoughts or my knowledge. One of the first things I learnt was to speak up without holding back and to talk with confidence about what I had to say. You may visualize what I had to overcome by imagining what it would be like to be an introvert with an accent. Other possible explanations for why some of us keep quiet include everything from simple shyness to a fear of conflict. Gaining control over our concerns and speaking up shows that we have abilities that can help us overcome other difficulties. All of these, is the power of communication through presentations.

Picture Description: Virtual/Physical Training Anchored by the Project Coordinator, Mr. Shamsudeen Aderoju During the Program

At TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0, collaboration and excellent communication were crucial components of my experience. I was able to build crucial abilities for working with people from different backgrounds by participating in collaborative exercises and projects. I improved my capacity for cooperative teamwork by actively participating in group discussions, brainstorming sessions, and problem-solving exercises. My ability to communicate clearly and actively listen as a result of this experience helped us work together to the fullest extent of our individual and collective potential.

Assignments, the CCAT Exam, Town Hall Meeting and Presentations: Pass them or Get Ready for Eviction!

‘Home is Calling’, is a soft language used by Mr. Shams to connote eviction. Ha! my greatest fair lies in the eviction show which was evaluated by CCAT test, presentations, watching tutorial videos, and submitting assignments. TIIDELab’s Prefellowship 3.0 program gave participants the chance to show their proficiency and advancement. With the use of the CCAT test, we were able to compare our knowledge and abilities, assess our competency, and pinpoint areas that needed improvement. Assignments forced me to put the knowledge I had acquired into practice, which improved my ability to think critically and solve problems. I was able to hone my presentation and communication abilities through presentations, successfully presenting concepts and solutions to a range of audiences.

Picture Description: My Portfolio Website As A Mini/Personal Project During the TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0 Program

The Weekly Score Board/Participants Performance Sheet is the weekly breaking news that everyone always looks forward to seeing when ‘Our Big Brother’ is in action. Yes! Pre-fellows who are unable to keep up with the system are evicted from TIIDELab, and our situation was no exception. Due to the eviction show based on weekly performance, loved ones and team members are sorely missed in this situation. At the end of each week, participants were shortlisted, a new group would be created on WhatsApp and Slack, and learning would continue. Materials were shared on Slack, there was always a Question-and-Answer Session on Twitter Space in the evening, and learning continued. What a journey of mixed feelings it has been to be technologically advanced and independent!

TIIDELab’s Team Techathon: Blessed with the Indefatigable Mentor

Myself and the other TIIDELab Prefellows were divided into various teams. Because each team had Pre-fellows spread around the nation, particularly in Abuja, Kwara, Bauchi, and Lagos, we had to work hard to communicate across great distances utilizing various platforms. Another period of restless nights and endless meetings was this one!

Working in a team with these brilliant set of people such as the like of our Team Lead, Victoria, Samuel, Joy, Adeyemi, Joshua, Zainab, Ayobami, and others, was an amazing moment for me. During this period, I had the chance to develop a landing page for my team using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript because I had a good comprehension of all the topics that had been taught, and I also worked on designing all the pages for our project work using Canva Editing Software, thanks to our Mentor. This aspect of the curriculum truly helped me discover a side of myself that I never knew existed since it drove me to go above and beyond to see the project through to completion.

Picture Description: Team Techathon Mentor, Dr. Mrs. Temitope Adejoke Hamzat and The Team Members (Producer of Job@Ease Website)

The fact that I had the opportunity to work with an astute leader, a brilliant scholar, Dr. Mrs. Temitope Adejoke Hamzat, who happened to be our mentor, was another intriguing aspect of the Prefellowship. Meetings with our mentor for teamwork were a frequent part of TIIDELab’s commitment to our development. These focused meetings offered direction, criticism, and mentorship catered to our particular needs. The professional knowledge and viewpoints of our mentor provided priceless perspectives and motivated us to go beyond our comfort zones. Mrs. Hamzat encouraged our professional and personal growth, instilling confidence and resiliency as we overcame obstacles and achieved our objectives. Dr. Mrs. Temitope Adejoke Hamzat, played a significant and motherly role which will not go unnoticed. God bless you ma!

Conclusion

My Seven-Weeks stay at TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0 was a rewarding and life-changing experience. My growth and development were influenced by my classes, assignments, CCAT test, teamwork, meetings with mentors, personal branding, and forming enduring friendships. My professional path will surely be shaped by the knowledge, abilities, and connections I gained from this program. The experiences I had and the lessons I acquired will continue to inspire and direct me in my future endeavors, making TIIDELab an important career stepping stone.

The TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0 program promoted a working environment that was favorable to developing enduring friendships. A sense of support and companionship developed by interacting with other individuals who were equally passionate about technology and creativity. The development of relationships that lasted beyond the program’s duration was promoted by working together on assignments and participating in informal activities. These relationships not only enhanced the overall experience but also gave rise to a professional network of like-minded individuals for potential future partnerships and personal development.

Picture Description: TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0. Program Graduation Ceremony

The saying “Do something worth mentioning and talk about it always — Kadir salami” always rings a bell in my head whenever I remember one special man. Mr. Shamsudden Aderoju, TIIDELab Project Coordinator, your push and energy for us to succeed in life are top-notch, as is your diligent work to thoroughly drill the youths to become better people. My drive to complete work on time, even ahead of schedule, has increased as a result of my speedometer for meeting deadlines for assignments, projects, and the CCAT. Overall, I’ve improved my ability to listen to my instructors and teammates and communicate effectively. Additionally, I’ve learned how to think quickly to solve problems, what particular responses mean, and much more. All thanks to “Our Big Brother”, Mr. Shams.

Finally, The TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0. program is a project run by TIIDELAB to ramp up anticipated Nigerian youths to enter the era’s fast-moving technology. It is a program sponsored by TIIDELab Initiative and is led by the Founder and CEO, Mr. Kadir Salami, supported by other partners including, NECA, KSolution, Techpecialist, Mswitch Media, among others. Also, I’d want to use this opportunity to thank the entire TIIDElab team, Mr. Ayodele Adebayo (Unclebigbay), Miss Cynthia Nwakwo and others. I want to sincerely thank you all and pray that God will continue to bless you.

Picture Description: Certificate of Completion of the TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0. Program Presented To Me.

“It takes a wise man to learn from others”. The knowledge you gain in school is not what you need to begin a career in technology. You will acquire the kind of practical experience that companies seek during the TIIDELab Fellowship”. (Anonymous).

I can’t wait to join and participate in the main TIIDELab Fellowship! I’m Akintunde Tajudeen Taiwo, this is what the TIIDELab Prefellowship 3.0 Program was like for me, and I’m still in the game!