MY SIWES JOURNEY MONTH 4
Wow! Time is racing by, and it’s hard to believe I am already four months into my 6-month SIWES Program. The journey has been nothing short of amazing.
Hello Readers, I am Okonu Deborah, a 300-level Computer Science student at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. I have been documenting my experiences as a Product Manager Intern at Renaissance Innovation Labs.
For those of you who have been following my SIWES adventures, I hope you’ve enjoyed the ride so far. Well, if this is your first time reading about my experiences, I highly recommend checking out my previous articles for a better understanding of my journey. (Month 1, Month 2, Month 3)
This month was filled with excitement and challenges, making it one of the most memorable ones yet. well, let’s dive into the highlights🚀. Oh wait!⏸️ Remember to have a snack and a glass of wine ready, as this won’t be your regular article. 😉▶️
Remember the ET (Emerging Tech) projects from last month? Yeah, the lab fingerprint sensor, mini drone, AR furniture try-on application, and AR event filter for Snapchat. These were all tackled in a two-week sprint. Each team delivered impressive results, including documentation of research findings, budget estimates, and even a working Snapchat filter for RIL. Feel free to try it out here.👌
While this month didn’t bring many new tasks, we focused on closing existing projects in the lab. I conducted testing, reported bugs to be fixed, and, with guidance from my senior PM, Mr. Ayaosi Godfrey, wrote user personas and drafted a roadmap document for a project we were concluding.
I made good use of the little free time I had. Inspired by my senior PM, we started a mini side project (details might be revealed upon completion). I coordinated developers and designers to form a team for this project, hoping for its success to share with you soon.
And now for the fun part! 😁 Earlier this month, someone in the MLSA (Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors) Nigeria WhatsApp group needed a Product Manager. Yeah! I am a Beta Microsoft Student Learn Ambassador and a Microsoft ADC Student League member and PM Champ. I immediately reached out and that was how I joined a fantastic team for a hackathon by Klustherthon.
Our team comprised an AI/ML Engineer, Front-End Engineer, Back-End Engineer, UI Designer, and me as the Product Manager. The hackathon kicked off on November 20th, 2023, we were given different problem statements to choose from, we decided to work on the Precision Farming for Best Product Results with Data. We aimed to build a solution predicting the best time to plant and harvest crops, considering local weather conditions and soil quality.
I took on the responsibility of writing the PRD (Product Requirements Document) and user flow to guide the UI designer. We maintained open communication throughout the hackathon, sharing ideas and working tirelessly on the project.
This being my first hackathon, the teamwork and dedication of my team, who worked tirelessly despite personal commitments, made the process enjoyable.
On the final day, we faced the challenge of rounding up, fixing bugs, and conducting final testing before the submission deadline. Amidst the tension, our Front-End Engineer temporarily left the group chat, adding a touch of humor to the intense situation😂. Thankfully, he returned, and we managed to fix a few of the remaining bugs and submit the project just four minutes before the deadline. 😬
This hackathon turned out to be the highlight of my month. Collaborating with such talented developers was an immense learning opportunity. I am incredibly proud of our collective accomplishments and eager to participate in more hackathons in the future.
As I think about my SIWES journey, there’s a Bible verse from Proverbs that fits perfectly — Proverbs 3:5–6. It goes like this: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.’
This verse has been like a steady friend during my four months as a Product Manager Intern. It reminds me that even when things get tricky, I’ve got support beyond just me. The tech world can be confusing, but this verse pushes me to trust in someone bigger.
In the middle of all the project craziness, deadlines, and surprises, trusting in God has been my anchor. It keeps me going and makes me believe that, with faith, even the most confusing situations can start to make sense.
As I keep going on this journey, Proverbs 3:5–6 is like a motto for me. It’s a reminder that there’s someone guiding me, especially when things get tough. This verse is like the heart of my journey, making it feel meaningful, full of hope, and full of faith.
Month four of my SIWES journey was a whirlwind of excitement, challenges, and personal growth. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to learn, collaborate, and contribute to meaningful projects. I look forward to the adventures that await in the remaining two months of my SIWES program. ❤
If you enjoyed this article and found inspiration in my SIWES journey, kindly give it a round of applause by clicking the clap icon here on Medium. Your encouragement means a lot! 😊
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your own experiences or any insights you gained from this read.
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Hope you haven’t run out of wine yet😉 Cheers! 🎉🥂
