Hey there! Excited to kick off my Outreachy Internship blog series. I'll be dropping a new post every two weeks for the next three months. This week, I’ll delve into introducing myself, sharing my core values, and spilling the beans on what motivated me to apply for Outreachy. Stay tuned!😉
What am I ?
I am Oluwaseun from Lagos, Nigeria. I studied Electronic and Computer Engineering but right now, I am pursuing a career in software engineering, I am also an Open-source contributor in Ocaml.org and Code-Collabo amongst others. These areas of interest play a significant role in shaping my career aspirations within the Technology Industry. When I am not on my computer you would find me listening to music, podcasts(I love listening to ISaidWhatISaid podcast), having conversation with friends or reading a book. Interestingly, I once went to fashion school but i had to quit maybe someday i will go back to it or own my own fashion brand.
What are my Core Values?
Continuous Learning: I am always on a quest to broaden my knowledge, skills, and abilities. I value self-improvement, regularly setting goals, pushing my limits, and actively exploring chances to evolve. The pursuit of my personal and professional development serves as a perpetual driving force in my journey.
Resilience: Reaching even the most challenging peaks becomes attainable when our determination is unwavering. It is this quality of determination that instills discipline within me and compels me to keeping pushing forward.
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
― Maya Angelou
Kindness: One of the beautiful things i have realised is you do not lose when you give is kindness. It travels far and wide and no one can unsee it. In a world with so much cruelty be kind to others always.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.” ― Ephesians 4:32
What motivated me to apply to Outreachy?
I first came to know about Outreachy Internship fresh out of my university, last year 2023. I read about it online and reached out to random people on Linkedin to guide me on it but unfortunately my application was not accepted and only got to the contribution phase in my second trial.
I got accepted on my third trial but what really kept me motivated was a friend,my mentor who is also a software engineer and a past outreachy intern. My knowledge of Open source communities also kept me motivated. Once I learnt about Outreachy commitment to encourage applications from individuals who experience under-representation and systemic bias or discrimination in their country's technology industry. This served as a strong motivation for me to submit my application. I viewed it as an exceptional chance to acquire new skills while actively participating in an open-source project.
My previous phase of contribution significantly influenced my personal development. It extended beyond the project and its positive effects on my portfolio. I forged new connections and became a member of a community where individuals with similar passions came together. Instead of perceiving fellow applicants as adversaries, we offered mutual support and encouragement. I held immense gratitude for mentors who provided valuable feedback and facilitated opportunities for my growth. This experience served as my motivation and inspiration to reapply and persist in contributing, irrespective of whether I am chosen or not..
I have been accepted into the Outreachy Internship program for the period from December 2023 to February 2024, I am thrilled about my internship with Ocaml under the guidance of my mentors.
Love, Seun.