2023 Wrapped
It's quite funny that over the past two years, the idea of composing a reflective article on the year's events has lingered in my thoughts, yet I never really got at it. While I don't see myself as a particularly experienced writer, this year presented a mix of highs and lows that, when combined, resulted in a great blend. Well, without too many stories, I present to you my year in review.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
I got to speak on the theme "Dare to be Innovative: Exploring Emerging Technologies in Tech." at the Women Techmakers Ibadan International Women’s Day event.
Always wanted to speak to young ladies most especially in Public secondary schools, and partnered with a few organizations through my then position as co-lead at Google Developer Student Club, UI to organize and speak to over 100 young Secondary School girls in Ibadan about STEM.
Got a full-time role at Codemagic to do Open Source in the Flutter repository🎉 and it's been a wholesome experience working with the team✨
Organized Google I/O Extended Ibadan 2023 and Devfest Ibadan 2023 with the Google Developers Group Ibadan Team.
After a one-year journey of learning and unlearning, got inducted into the Bridge Program as a Fellow, you can read about my TBP experience here.
Got selected as one of the 35 students from the University of Ibadan for the Nigerian Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) Scholars Program.
Organized Flutterbytes Conference 2023 and also spoke about Open Source Contributions.
Finally got my own Macbook (this probably has been in New Year's resolution for three consecutive years).
I was invited to speak twice by Women-in-Engineering Univerity of Ibadan, first to speak about Mobile Development and the second time on Career Planning.
During the Hacktober Fest season, got invites from two Google Developer Student Clubs, the University of Ibadan and the First Technical University to speak on Open Source.
I joined the African Students Network as one of the founding members and the Global Programs Lead.
I was invited to speak to selected Secondary School Students from different Schools in Ibadan by the "For a Girl Child Initiative" on using Technology as a tool for Educational and Career advancements.
Hosted my first Red Carpet event at the LEEDs Initiative Competition (Click here to watch the video).
Spoke at some other webinars as well, including at the Nigeria Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UI, etc.
CAREER LOWLIGHTS
Regardless of the wins, I also had some low points, and several rejections(but two hit me hard, lol)
I got to the final Interview stage at Goldman Sachs and got a rejection mail
Interviewed at Turing and got a rejection as well (due to years of experience).
Started several courses and books and didn’t get to finish them.
PERSONAL LIFE
It’s been a continuous process, improved my relationship with Allah, and with Allah’s help worked more on my Imaan.
This year, I became more open to my friends, and invested more in my friendships, not as much as I wanted to but looking forward to doing more in 2024.
I became more self-aware, fought imposter syndrome a lot and became more audacious.
Didn’t work out/go to the gym as I would have loved to.
My income grew and I did more savings than investments, working on improving my financial intelligence in 2024.
Had almost zero work-life balance, mostly due to school, hence, few talking stages, and no relationship and that's on my relationship wrap for 2023.
Travelled a lot this year, although within Nigeria (only to Lagos actually, lol).
My younger sister missed her chosen course of study’s cut-off mark by about 0.25, wasn’t an easy one for my family when she said she would stay back and write again, lol. Fortunately, UI wrote Post-UTME twice this year and my younger sister gained admission to study her course… call me “Egbon” Physiotherapist.
I had surgery to remove my wisdom tooth due to continuous pain and mid-way through the surgery, they discovered I was reacting to the anaesthesia they had, and felt the pain all through the process (the deadliest pain ever). Got dozed on a lot of painkillers and had to wait till the following day to get it removed by a senior consultant with the help of another type of anaesthesia.
Lost the closest Aunty to me to death, another very painful moment.
2024, What next?
2023 was a work-filled year for me, it was almost as though if I wasn’t working, I was working. Thanks to God, I have never really experienced any burnout. In 2024, I look forward to learning from the experiences of this year, finishing school, inspiring a lot of people by speaking at many events, living life to the fullest and seeing my friends win.
My motto for 2024 is simple: "The world is my canvas, and I can paint it with any colour I choose." I want to try new things, discover fresh places, dream bigger dreams, pick up any skill that piques my interest and occupy spaces. Whether it's a small victory or a major milestone, I'm ready to celebrate them all. Here's to a bright and cheerful 2024🥂
