Chit chat with a lady techie, KBwomenintech face of the month
We present Boluogun Adeola Bernice, a final year student of Mathematics, a frontend developer, an AIESECer, a Microsoft student partner and an Ingressive ambassador unilorin, as our face of the month of March. In this article, we share the exclusive interview by Zainab Bolanle Abdullahi as she carries out the conversation with Adeola about her journey in Tech.
Z: I’m excited to talk to you today. So Adeola, what motivated you to start your tech career?
A: Curiosity. I have always been a very curious individual growing up. When I began making use of Google and some social media platforms, I was interested in knowing how they came to be and in the process of reading up on it on Google, I stumbled upon programming languages and code academy. So I decided to delve a little deeper into it, did a few lessons on code academy and I became hooked.
Z: That’s amazing. I know a lot of people that don’t even care about how applications and websites we use were created but you were curious and it introduced you to a whole new wealth of information. I really love that you used the word hooked too because I think tech can very easily do that to a person.
A: [smiles] Exactly.
Z: Alright next question. Has your career in tech affected your personality?
A: Yes, to a certain extent. I am naturally a very reserved person but when I began attending meetups and subsequently volunteering, I have been able to a certain extent learn how to relate and network with people.
Z: That’s great to hear. Tell us about your tech skills.
A: I am a frontend developer so I do basically HTML, CSS, and still honing my skills on JavaScript.
Z: I’m sure in no time you’ll be a JS expert.
A: I hope so.
Z: Did anything specifically make you choose front end, as opposed to other fields in tech?
A: Actually my goal is to be a full stack developer but since I started out learning HTML and CSS and found it interesting, I decided to hone my skills in frontend before delving into backend technology. More so, the very fact that I get to see in real time what I am doing makes frontend quite interesting. I have also been reading up on accessible web and being able to build websites that anybody regardless of having any form of disability or not will be able to navigate seamlessly means a whole lot to me and makes frontend the ideal field for me.
Z: That’s really amazing and refreshing to hear. Alright, moving on, we recently learned that you’re now a Microsoft student partner. First of all, congratulations.
Second, can you talk about how you got started in that and what some of your duties are?
A: [smiles] Thank you. During one of my random web searches I stumbled on it, found out application to be a Microsoft student partner was ongoing. I went through the process of applying and luckily for me I was selected. My duty is to build a community of students both online and offline, host tech events, learn about Microsoft technologies and teach same to members of the committee. I have to help members of the community to grow in whatever field they choose in technology.
Z: That all sounds so great. How has it been going so far?
A: Quite well so far. I’ll be hosting the first event before the month comes to an end and I have already completed a learning path on a Microsoft technology
Z: That’s awesome. Congrats again. I’m sure you have worked on several projects. Can you tell us which one you’re most proud of?
A: I participated in the start.ng remote internship last year and at a particular stage we were grouped into teams and my team built a website. Being able to collaborate with people that I have never met for the first time, building two of the web pages and in the process learning how to work with github, even though I call it baby steps, was a pretty big deal for me then.
Z: That’s great. I understand that feeling of collaboration with strangers. It’s one of the great things about tech.
How would you say the the KwaraBuild Women in Tech Community helped you achieve your goals?
A: Before joining the KBWomenintech community, learning to code was an on and off thing, but being a member of the community has given me the motivation to be consistent and deliberate with learning.
Z: That’s great to hear because one of the main goals of the KwaraBuild community is to motivate one another to grow.
Alright let’s wrap up with this final question: what’s one tip you can give to other women in tech?
A: You are valid and enough and you can achieve anything you set your heart to do and excel in whatever field you choose with the right amount of dedication and hard work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions neither should you be scared of owning your voice. It is fine to stumble a couple of times but if you fall seven rise up eight.
Z: Wow. That’s a word right there! [claps] An excellent note to end this interview. Thank you so much Adeola for taking the time to talk to us today. You offered a lot of insight and helpful advice about being a woman in tech. Wishing you the best in the all your endeavors. Have a lovely day.
A: [smiles] Thank you too.
Z: You’re welcome.
