This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
From Rural Kisumu to a Blue-Chip Company: A Journey of Perseverance ¶
September 5, 2019
Growing up in rural Kisumu, Anne's life was far from easy. However, she refused to let her circumstances define her. With a strong determination to succeed, Anne embarked on a journey that would take her from a mixed day school to a prestigious boarding high school, and eventually, to a coveted internship at a top tech firm.
Despite facing financial challenges, Anne's hard work and determination earned her admission to Nyawara Girls Boarding School. However, she was unable to attend due to financial constraints. Instead of giving up, this setback only strengthened her resolve to succeed. Anne's environment may have been tough, but she refused to let it dim her potential.
With the help of a PeaceCorp volunteer, Anne was introduced to the Africa's Tomorrow Scholarship, which enabled her to study in the United States. However, applying for American college admission was not a straightforward process. Anne had to take the TOEFL exam on computer, despite having little exposure to technology. Her first attempt was unsuccessful, but she persevered and was eventually accepted after her second attempt.
Anne's passion for community development led her to pursue an economics major. However, as she continued to experience and analyze the American system, she realized that economics alone did not provide actionable solutions. It was technology that provided real solutions to real problems. Anne was amazed by the power of technology and wanted to gain the skills to harness it.
As an economics major with little exposure to tech, Anne faced a significant challenge in learning how to code. However, she persevered and eventually became proficient in computer programming. Her hard work and determination paid off when she was accepted into a coveted internship program at a top tech firm.
As a global technician specialist (gTech) intern, Anne was responsible for offering technical support to clients through troubleshooting Google's advertising platforms. She was amazed by the ability to help small and large businesses achieve their goals by building their Google Ads strategies. The employees at the firm were also impressive, with managers and mentors who were always available to support her.
Anne's experience highlights the importance of access to opportunities and the need for a more creative and problem-solving education system. She believes that companies should actively recruit interns from colleges, providing them with the skills and experience they need to succeed. This would involve a discussion between university officials, the government, and companies to create programs and opportunities for students to intern as early as possible.
Anne's journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and access to opportunities. Despite facing numerous challenges, she refused to give up and has now secured a coveted internship at a top tech firm. Her story serves as an inspiration to young people from underrepresented backgrounds, showing that with perseverance and hard work, anything is possible.
