A run-through of my experience leading one of the best initiatives ever.
Hi gentle reader. If you’re here, then you’re either an honored member of the GDSC ton, or just interested in hearing how the journey was for me.
Either way, Welcome.
As my time as GDSC Lead of Babcock comes to an end, I’m going down memory lane to reminisce on the journey so far. As most of you know, GDSC Babcock started almost a year ago when I got selected as a Lead for the Program. Since then, we’ve been able to establish a strong tech-based community in Babcock University. In this article, I’d be covering the journey, the things we’ve been able to achieve and the things that we tried to.
The journey
GDSC Babcock officially started on August 16, 2022 when I received an appointment letter to be a GDSC Lead from the selection team. This appointment also meant that a GDSC chapter would be launched in our school. That mail brought one of the best gifts to me. As soon as I got the mail, I began creating a vision of what GDSC Babcock could be. I took my sweet time to plan the structure, the launch, down to how it would be announced.
Over the next month, I kept to the vision of making this real. Using other GDSC Chapters as inspiration, I went into researching the best structure, impact filled activities and the resources needed to launch the Chapter. On Sept 12 2022, we officially announced that GDSC Babcock was starting. At this time, the team was only 4 people strong. King (video content creating), Oluwakemi (Graphics and social media) and a, Samuel Akujor and myself. We created social media accounts, graphics, an announcement video, a registration form, and a detailed document introducing the program to the students.
After that was done, we immediately went in to the process of selecting the several amazing team leads we had. We shortlisted the applicants and then selected a human resources person to continue with the interviews and selections. In hindsight, this might not have been the best process for selecting applicants, but we were just a bunch of motivated individuals ‘winging it’.
Structuring
Our goal from the onset was to have an inclusive community. We didn’t want to have a situation where it was just the cliche “Developers” and Computer science folks in the club. We wanted to attract students without technical backgrounds, and inspire them to combine their course of study with tech in a creative manner. This inspired the structuring and the positions made available. We set out to create 8 different tracks in Tech from Web development to Data Science, Cybersecurity, product Design, Block chain, Product management, Mobile app development. We then created teams that would help the community run effectively, like Marketing, Programs and Logistics, Human Resources and Community Management. This structure was well placed and set us up for success. People started joining the teams they wanted to.
2 weeks later, we held an info session that introduced the concept of GDSC to the school as well as the team leads and several tracks available. The info session was held September 25 2022 and we had a hall filled with people interested in what we were doing. We had speakers talk to us about the importance of community and how it had influenced their respective journeys.
30 days of learning challenge
Immediately after that, we kicked off an October challenge called The 30 days of Learning. It had been slated for October 1st, but had to be moved to October 8th, as it deserved proper planning. The idea of the program was spear-headed by the GDSC in Covenant University by the amazing @jamesnottidge and his team. It was a program that highlighted the importance of collaboration among individuals and communities. The challenge saw us creating a 30 day learning plan for each track and offering certificates to everyone that completed the learning challenge. It gave people an introductory feel in each of the tracks they participated in.
Devfest
Another highlight of our year was members of our club attending Devfest both in Lagos and in Ibadan. A major part of community is the sense of togetherness that stands out both within the school and outside it. We are able to attend events and fraternise with ourselves as we share a common community. GDSC members have also been present at other events outside of Babcock like OSCAFest and Founder’s Connect.
During all these, we continued to have team leads of each track engage their community members. All groups were open 24/7 to reach out to each other, ask questions, talk about and resolve challenges, team up on projects and much more.
In the New Year, we started the weekly study jam sessions. This was to create a physical feel to the community. Online platforms limited interactions within the community, and so physical meet was meant to improve the GDSC experience. Every track met every week in a location that was decided by the track members. Although this was not fully executed as there were occasional challenges of venue availability. However, our administration hopes that the incoming administration finds solutions to our challenges we had, and create a better experience for the students. In each study jam, people talked about projects they were working on, learn what’s new within the industry of each track, ask questions and much more.
During the election break in February, we launched a program ‘The GDSC Bootcamp’ that saw over 3000 students from all over the country participate. The program was spearheaded by Babcock University in collaboration with several other Nigerian schools. This was a 3 week intensive and introductory bootcamp that saw tracks meet up from 3–6 times a week with instructors from different universities and guest speakers for each track. Some tracks saw industry leaders talk to the students about their careers in the track, mistakes made and advice for success within that sector. The Bootcamp ended and saw all participants get certificates of participation. The Bootcamp was finalized with a summit — The SSA Summit. We also began weekly twitter spaces just for people to come meet as a community and have conversations. It was highly interactive with appraising controversial topics in tech and was duly recognized on the Sub-Saharan African platform.
After the eventful election break, we participated in the Solutions Challenge, where we had info-sessions with previous winners to inspire the students. Through this, we were able to submit 3 projects to the challenge, spanning healthcare and many more.
Launching GDSC was one of the most fulfilling things for me. In one year, we were able to drive our numbers from 0 to 700 community members. We held 67 events across the year, and collaborated with over 18 different GDSC Chapters across the country. We have been able to drive engagement across the community and even on social media which won’t have been possible without you. We have set up a great structure which would see Babcock University students get into the limelight of Tech. There has been an increase in interest in tech as a result of this community, and it is a thing of pride for me.
Personally, I learnt a whole lot from this experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s the single best thing that happened to me in the last year. I made tons and tons and tons of mistakes but the lessons from them have refined me to be a better leader and a better person in general.
In the next couple of years, I’m certain there will be significant improvement in the output of the community. The next set of leaders are exceptional, and much better prepared as a foundation has been laid already. I implore people to volunteer in the community as leads, community members, event host or program organizer. It is my wish that every community member remains active and assists the leaders in making GDSC Babcock a success.
Appreciation.
This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the small team of people who help contribute in one way or the other and this wouldn’t be complete without me giving due appreciation.
To Samuel Akujor who made the structuring easy at the beginning, I love you forever brother.
To Adaeze Ogoegbunam, who was and has been my right hand. I can conquer Rome as long as you support it. I’m grateful, thank you.
To Lillian Onofiok, the highly motivated member who became a team lead halfway through.. I’m happy you came along.
To Oladosu Emmanuel, for being ever resilient and passionate about the goal value of the community.
To Afolabi “do-all” Sokeye, my brother and friend who also became a teammate on several grounds. I am always at peace when you’re in charge of things.
To Ayebakuro Oruwori for always approaching every and any situation with a smile and a level head. I can only dream of being half the man you are.
To Onwe Fortune for being a great technical lead and doing things to the best of your ability every time.
To Etim-Fredrick Freda, for handling a new role so well. You’re a strong woman, I admire you a lot.
To Alabi Ayomide, for allowing me to drag you to meetings looking for sponsors, and being a good friend to talk to. Although we didn’t get any sponsors, we sure learnt a lot.
To Buraimoh Iyanu, the spark you have to volunteer is second to none.. I hope it never dies.
To Holumidey Mercy, for all the time you spent and all the content you made, I could give you a million dollars.
To Aina Oluwatosin, for all the advice you gave while on the team.
To Dabira Awoniyi, for writing so well and being amazing.
To Ube-Williams Lorraine, for being super energetic for all this.
To Sharon Falomo the young IDAN, for stepping up at any opportunity and having a drive like none other. You embody the purpose of the community.
To Tanny, Adrian, Boye, Debby, Einstein, Emmanuel, Jola, Joshua, Abolo, Uchenna and the many many more that have helped out in a way or the other. I owe you a debt I don’t think I can ever repay. You’re part of our story. Here’s to doing hard things while clueless.🥂
Sincere and special appreciation to each member of the Premier council in Babcock because I know a lot of this won’t have been done without the publicity you gave our community. I hope the support remains continued.
They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. For GDSC Babcock and the tech community in Babcock as a whole, this is step one. My name is Mileke Kolawole and today, I sign out as GDSC Lead of Babcock University.
Cheers.
