“Transforming youth skills for the future” was the chosen theme of this year’s World Youth Skills Day, an UN-designated observance day celebrated yearly on July 15th. It is designed to “celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship”. Nigeria has a thriving youth demographic with over 60% of the population being under 35 years old, of which 16.8% fall between the ages of 15-35, a figure which grows yearly. As such, it is evident that the future growth and development of the nation lies in the hands of this demographic.
Bolt, an inclusive mobility company, recognizes this fact and has made efforts to empower youths with much-needed knowledge, tools, and hands-on experience to expand their career paths. One of such efforts is its #Drive4WITech immersive internship programme launched in 2021 to support young women in Africa who have chosen to pursue a career in the technology sector.
Of all the applicants, three outstanding interns were selected – Isabelle Marinze, Elizabeth Chukwu, and Kenechi Jacob. In this chat with the young women, they speak about their experience interning at Bolt.
Q1: Bolt’s Drive4WITech programme is in its second year having been launched in 2021. How did you find out about the internship and what inspired you to apply?
Isabelle: I found out about the internship through Bolt’s LinkedIn post and was inspired to apply because technology is a huge part of the world today. I was very eager to learn more about the industry, and by interning at an innovative company like Bolt, I knew I would be able to develop a portfolio of skills and experience that would best prepare me for a career in the field and expose me to a new culture.
Elizabeth: I found out about the internship through a friend who sent me a link to an Instagram post about the programme. I was inspired to apply because I had been searching for opportunities to kickstart my career in tech without the requirement of professional experience.
Kenechi: After a long search and hundreds of applications sent out, I came across Bolt’s Drive4WITech ad on Instagram. I immediately grabbed the opportunity and applied.
Q2: Bolt announced the receipt of hundreds of applications of which three of you were selected. How does it feel to be among the chosen few?
Isabelle: I was very excited to find out I was one of the few chosen for this internship. It was a feeling of accomplishment, because I knew I had worked hard and put my best foot forward.
Elizabeth: I feel happy to be among the chosen few.
Kenechi: On receiving the confirmation email a week after my interview, I was initially in disbelief and denial. However, after reading the email about three times, it dawned on me that I was now a woman in tech at a reputable company like Bolt. I feel super excited about the opportunity.
Q3: What area did you specialise in during the programme and what skills were you able to gain?
Isabelle: I specialised in marketing, and I was able to gain a diverse set of skills, including but not limited to copywriting, social media management, graphic design, creative thinking, research, and analytics.
Elizabeth: I worked with the City Operations team where my speciality was in fraud. Through the experience, I was able to gain thorough investigation skills and in-depth knowledge of the use and functioning of analytical platforms.
Kenechi: I worked with the Bolt Food team, specifically with providers, where I learnt many skills including goal setting, organization, perseverance, and patience. In addition, I was able to sharpen my multitasking skills as I would be put in charge of several tasks with similar delivery times and had to learn the importance of effective prioritization.
Q4: How has the internship programme affected or enhanced your decision to work in tech?
Isabelle: This internship programme has enhanced my decision to work in tech as I have developed newfound confidence and learned skills that will prepare me for this fast-growing industry.
Elizabeth: This programme has made me more inclined towards working in tech because it gave me better insight into the truth of the day-to-day tech experience which greatly differs from the stories we see online.
Kenechi: I used to be quite confused about the tech industry and thought I had to learn how to code to enter the industry. However, on getting this opportunity to work and learn from professionals, I have seen first-hand the diversity of roles available, and the skills needed.
Q5: What was your biggest learning curve? Were there any challenges during the programme?
Isabelle: My biggest learning curve during this programme was learning the essence of a brand’s voice. When creating content for a company, it is important to maintain the standard of the brand’s tone of speech to best represent the organization’s persona.
Elizabeth: My biggest learning curve was understanding the investigative process within a ride-hailing platform. Although daunting, I was able to overcome my challenges in learning; thanks to my team who were very welcoming and helpful.
Kenechi: One of the biggest learning curves for me was how fast paced everything was, which caused me to experience a little bit of culture shock. Thanks to my team, who helped me every step of the way and were available to help without judgement when I faced a challenge, I was able to settle in with little to no trouble. I found the work environment peaceful, supportive, and at ease, which was the opposite of my preconceived perception of the corporate industry.
Q6: As the Drive4WITech programme comes to an end, how was your overall experience?
Isabelle: My experience has been both exciting and rewarding. Albeit a short internship period, I learned so much and grew as a person through this experience.
Elizabeth: The experience was good and allowed me to gain hands-on experience and learn directly from experts in the industry.
Kenechi: My overall experience with the Drive4WITech was nothing short of remarkable and brilliant. I enjoyed every single day and the learning opportunities it brought, such as finding new ways to overcome challenges and finding more efficient ways to solve problems. My colleagues made my short time memorable and insightful. I wish it would last a little longer.
Q7: What are the biggest lessons you learnt from participating in the programme?
Isabelle: I learnt three big lessons; practice makes perfect, it’s important to be open to learning from mistakes, and always stay hungry for new ideas and ways to improve your craft.
Elizabeth: The idea of working in tech does not measure up to the reality of working in tech. The reality is so much better.
Kenechi: One of the lessons I learnt was the essence of hard work and teamwork. Watching my team and I work collectively to achieve various goals, has been nothing short of inspiring to see the results of our effort. There is no lack of motivation; everyone comes in with their individuality and is appreciated for it. I see how we challenge each other with the best intentions. It is inspiring, to say the least. Another lesson learnt was the importance of goal setting. I see how setting goals contributes to overall growth as a company and how it adds to our self-actualization as individuals. It shows there is always room for improvement, and the possibility of achieving so much more is attainable.
Q8: Will you recommend the Drive4WITech internship programme to other young female Nigerians?
Isabelle: Yes, I would recommend this programme.
Elizabeth: Yes, I will. It is a great opportunity to jumpstart a career in tech and gain industry experience within a short period.
Kenechi: I would! Unfortunately, the tech industry is frequently viewed as a male-dominated industry, but through my first-hand experience, I have seen that it is not the case. I want fellow young women to see the possibility of succeeding in a tech career. There is space in this industry for us to thrive and represent.
Q9: What is that one thing you will miss about interning at Bolt?
Isabelle: I will miss the positive work environment. It was a relaxed and productive workspace that encouraged growth and productivity.
Kenechi: If I could pick just one thing that I will miss from the Bolt Drive4WITech internship program, it would be the people. Bolt has been able to curate a work environment that positively impacts its team, and this has transferred to the input and output of its work.
