This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Flora who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in biotechnology from Federal University of Technology Akure in Nigeria.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
July 2021
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a student ambassador was an amazing experience for me. I joined the program at a crucial time when I was just beginning my tech journey and was on the verge of giving up on a tech career, thinking it might not be for me. Over the three years I served as an ambassador, I not only enhanced my technical skills but also grew as an individual. I transformed from a shy person into someone who could confidently address an audience, developing strong presentation and communication skills along the way. As an ambassador, I made an impact on both small and large scales, excelled in organizing events, and mentored other students to embark on their own tech career paths.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
One significant impact I made as an ambassador was organizing a Global Power Platform event in Nigeria, which is presumed the largest in West Africa, with around 700 students attending. During this event, I collaborated with MVPs in the Power Platform domain to upskill students in Power BI and Power Apps technology. Leveraging my position as a Microsoft ambassador, I secured access to school facilities, including computer systems for students to use for learning. This pivotal experience paved the way for me to organize international events outside the ambassador program.
These experiences aside helped me develop skills in project management, networking, and making a large-scale impact.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
During my time as an ambassador, I developed a strong skillset in data analytics. I honed my abilities using various Microsoft technologies, including Power BI, Excel, and Azure for Data Science. I shared this knowledge with my community through classes, which proved invaluable in my post-university journey. Additionally, I honed my technical writing skills by contributing to the Microsoft Blog, with one of my articles becoming one of the top most viewed blogs of the year. This experience helped me secure an internship while in school and side-gigs via freelancing, and ultimately landing a job before graduating.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
I want students worldwide to know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program is for everyone, regardless of how new they are to tech. It offers opportunities to grow, learn, and expand their skills, preparing them for success in the job market. They shouldn’t view it as a program only for geniuses but as a place that will shape them in ways that traditional academics might not
Flora and other Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors in her university.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
I would advise students just starting in the program to give it their best and, most importantly, to look beyond the SWAG! Many people focus on the swag and merchandise, forgetting that there’s much more to gain, including developing both soft and technical skills. So, for those just starting out, come in, make good connections, and leverage those connections while building your skills in all areas.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
Maya Angelou’s words deeply resonate with me: ‘Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be willing to make sacrifices.’ This truth became evident during my journey as a student ambassador. I aspired to be an effective teacher, presenter, and communicator. To achieve that, I knew I had to overcome my shyness and embrace facing the crowd. Making an impact on a large scale requires stepping out of my comfort zone. Over time, I transformed into a different person from when I first joined the program.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
One fascinating aspect of my involvement in the program and my academic journey was when I assumed the role of community manager. Our goal was to elevate the MLSA community to a prominent position within the school, making it recognizable to both students and lecturers. However, through collaborative efforts and teamwork with fellow ambassadors, we achieved significant growth. The community expanded to nearly a thousand members, and we successfully registered it as an official club recognized by the Vice-Chancellor and prominent lecturers. I owe a shout-out to Mahmood Ademoye and other ambassadors from FUTA who played a pivotal role in shaping our thriving community.
Flora and her mentor Olanrewaju Oyinbooke
You can follow Flora here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flora-oladipupo/
X: https://x.com/flora_oladipupo
Github: https://github.com/shashacode
Medium: https://medium.com/@floraoladipupo
Hashnode: https://writewithshasha.hashnode.dev/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/flora_oladipupo
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