Adaptability

An Essential Life Skill

Eric Nelson Elem
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read

The world is always changing. Similarly, technology is also always evolving. In order to survive and remain relevant, we have to welcome change and adjust accordingly. This ability to adjust to change is what is referred to as adaptability. This is my story on some challenges at the Andela bootcamp that I overcame by adapting.

In most of my previous learning environments, the facilitator has been the owner of the learning. The facilitator was charged with finding the necessary resources and delivering them at a time they deemed appropriate. They also asked the questions to ensure the topic is understood. At Andela, you own your own. You are expected to take lead in your own learning. I had to adapt. I find the appropriate resources, read and view them, and ask questions on whatever is unclear.

Another challenge I faced was having to attend the bootcamp and work at the same time. I was required to submit daily assessments by 4:30pm and be at work from 8am to 5pm. I was told I wouldn’t be getting any special treatment from Andela and I had failed to secure leave from work. I had to adapt. I started to do my tasks a day before in the evenings after work and was able to submit before the deadlines.

The group project at bootcamp also called for adaptability. It was the first time I was collaborating on a software development project online. Similarly, majority of my team mates were also first timers. We also hadn’t worked together nor met before on a project. We had to adapt. We had to learn to trust and support each other to handle different sections of the project and also appreciated each others learning rates.

Eric Nelson Elem

Written by

Software and Telecom Engineer

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