Reflecting on the journey of 2023: A Year of Personal and Professional Triumphs, Challenges, and Milestones
Published: 2024-01-05 14:24:36

Taking a trip down memory lane, 2023 has proven to be a whirlwind of triumphs, challenges, and noteworthy growth, and I'm beyond thankful for the entire experience. It's been a year marked by excellence, resilience, and a deep commitment to constant learning.

While summarizing the entire spectrum of the past year is a tall order, I'm eager to shine a light on some of the standout moments that made it special.

**Becoming a Women Techsters Alumnus**

2023 waved goodbye to my fellowship at Tech4Dev, the Women Techsters fellowship, a rigorous six-month training program for African women organized by Tech4Dev with support from key partners like Microsoft and the Islamic Bank of Africa. The joy of graduation was amplified as I not only emerged as the top backend engineering student with sum cum laude honours but also witnessed my group's capstone project clinch a spot among the top 10. In a nutshell, it was nothing short of amazing—I graduated armed with knowledge and ready to dive into exciting projects.

**Hackathon Excitement!**

A highlight of the past year was my daring leap into a hackathon. The Beerkathon, organized by International Breweries, was an exhilarating and challenging experience. From the initial application phase, my team and I put in a collective effort that transformed us into a dream team, securing the first runner-up position in the hackathon. Teamwork made the dream work.

**Bagging a Full-Time Role!**

Yes, you guessed it right! 2023 presented me with the fantastic opportunity to kickstart a full-time position as a product engineer at Famasi Africa. It's been a thrilling and challenging role, demanding personal growth and upskilling. Starting anew brought its challenges, particularly in a fast-paced startup environment where there's no time for handholding. It pushed me to perform faster and better, ultimately aiding in overcoming the dreaded imposter syndrome—a rite of passage for every young developer.

**Hello Cloud!**

The cloud was a fascination for me last year, prompting me to enroll in an introductory course on cloud computing. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and was inspired to pen my very first article. This year, the journey into the realm of cloud computing continues as I strive to deepen my understanding.

**Navigating Dark Times with Resilience**

Acknowledging challenges is part of the journey. 2023 had its fair share, especially in the form of rejection emails. Rejections hurt, and I got quite a number of them. The silence of no response stung even more. But giving up is not in our vocabulary here! We work hard until we make it. Imposter syndrome reared its ugly head, but a transformative article changed my perspective. Focusing on growth and the tangible results of consistent effort proved to be the remedy.

**Looking Ahead with Optimism**

The anticipation for the upcoming year is palpable. This year, the plan is to double down on upskilling and putting myself out there. I also plan to do more writing, so you should be expecting more articles from me. Here's to embracing the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, knowing that each experience contributes to a richer, more accomplished journey.