Uloka Ngozi Gift
5 min readSep 3, 2023

My Journey with TIIDELab Fellowship: Step Two of Six

Welcome back to my TIIDELab fellowship journey! If you haven’t read my first blog post detailing my initial steps, experiences, and learnings, I highly recommend checking it out here, to catch up on the exciting ride so far. In this installment, I’ll be sharing my adventures through step two of the program, encompassing coding challenges, web development breakthroughs, and invaluable lessons in teamwork and design.

The Coding Challenge :

Step two of my TIIDELab journey kicked off with a thrilling coding challenge that put my skills to the test. Armed with login credentials, I delved into a two-hour coding marathon focused on mastering git commands and the basics of HTML, all facilitated through the codebyte platform. The challenge was an intense rollercoaster of tension and pressure, but as the dust settled, I was exhilarated to discover that my name had made the cut. Achieving an impressive score of 80%, I secured my passage to the next phase.

First Coding Challenge

Tailwind CSS:

During this phase, I encountered Tailwind CSS, a technology that initially seemed unfamiliar and challenging. However, with consistent practice and dedicated learning, I began to unravel its intricacies and harness its power. My journey through this period culminated in the development of my very own portfolio website, a project completed solely using HTML and Tailwind CSS. You can explore my creation here.

Motivated by my own struggles, I also penned a comprehensive guide for beginners on installing Tailwind CSS with ease, aiming to spare others the roadblocks I faced along the way. You can check it out here.

Diving into UI/UX Design:

The TIIDELab fellowship isn’t just about coding; it’s a holistic experience that delves into the world of UI/UX design as well. In step two, I had the privilege of learning from esteemed mentors @Mr.Abdulmuiz and @Dr.Temitope, who gracefully led us through the fundamentals of Figma. Armed with this newfound knowledge, I embarked on a journey of wireframes and high-fidelity screen designs, a process that expanded my horizons and refined my creative instincts.

First Figma Designs

Navigating Challenges: A Lesson in Teamwork and Resilience:

Even in the most promising journeys, challenges are inevitable. Step two of my TIIDELab experience was not without its trials. A clash with a fellow team member led to a situation that escalated beyond anticipation. Fortunately, the intervention of our coordinator @Mr. Shams marked a turning point. With his guidance, patience, and maturity, the issue was resolved. This ordeal taught me the value of open communication, understanding, and teamwork.

Celebrating Small Victories and Overcoming Setbacks:

As my TIIDELab journey progressed, small victories provided much-needed motivation. Recently, I achieved a milestone by conquering another CCAT (Cognitive Criteria Assessment Test) with a perfect score of 100%, underscoring the progress I’ve made in my assessment journey.

However, the path to success isn’t without its bumps. The second phase of coding challenges, while demanding, ended in a setback as I fell short of the cut-off mark. This experience reinforced the notion that learning often arises from facing obstacles and setbacks.

Introduction to JavaScript: Adding Magic to the Web:

As I keep moving forward in my TIIDELab journey, I’ve been learning a lot about JavaScript. Think of it as the magic behind web pages. It’s the language that makes websites interactive and dynamic. We’ve started from the very basics and moved on to more advanced stuff like the Document Object Model (DOM) and how to change and play with data on web pages.

Mr. Kenny, our awesome coach, has been our guide through this JavaScript adventure. He’s super knowledgeable and has been teaching us a ton about how to use JavaScript effectively. With his help, I’m discovering the power of JavaScript and how it can make websites come to life.

Empowering Personal and Professional Growth:

Our recent Friday meetup was nothing short of spectacular. Mr. Shams, with his remarkable professionalism and wealth of knowledge on personal and professional growth, led us on an eye-opening journey into the intriguing world of decision-making traps. This captivating session delved deep into the complexities of decision-making, highlighting the various traps that can hinder our choices. Mr. Shams left no stone unturned, addressing the implications of these traps and sharing valuable insights into prevention mechanisms.

But it wasn’t all talk. We put our newfound knowledge into action with engaging dramas that explored different decision-making scenarios and principles. These activities brought out our creativity in ways we hadn’t imagined. In fact, our efforts were rewarded with a well-deserved wager for the week. If you’re curious to see how it all unfolded, take a sneak peek at the activities here.

Drama time

Conclusion: Evolving Through the Journey:

As I reflect on the combined experiences of step one and step two of my TIIDELab journey, I’m humbled by the growth I’ve witnessed. From mastering coding challenges and new technologies to honing UI/UX design skills and navigating the intricacies of teamwork, each phase has shaped me in unique ways.

As I look forward to the next steps in this adventure, I’m reminded that every experience, whether triumphant or challenging, contributes to my growth. With every setback, I’m motivated to rise stronger and more determined than before. Stay tuned as I continue to share my journey, complete with the lessons, triumphs, and growth that come with each new chapter.