Embarking on My Tech Journey with SKIES and Rapid Tech Skills

With the introduction of AI tools, every industry has been revolutionized, making tech skills a vital requirement. From coding and app development to AI, dev tools, and tech-preneurship, these terms dominate conversations among young people today. But what exactly do they mean?

The KIEP-SKIES program and Rapid Tech Skills were created to address these questions. This four-month sponsored program equips youth with the necessary tech skills to thrive in the current job market. I'm thrilled to be a beneficiary and will be undertaking the program at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) .

Why I Joined the Program

As someone with a strong interest in transitioning from public health to data science, the KIEP-SKIES project, provides the perfect platform to nurture my tech aspirations through the Rapid Tech Skills. The program offers a wide range of other tech-related skills like software development, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship in tech. This is a huge advantage for someone like me seeking a foundation in tech. My career development plan involves specializing in health informatics, and I believe the data science skills I'll gain from the SKIES program will be instrumental in achieving this goal.

The program's blend of physical and virtual classes creates the ideal environment for me to interact and network with fellow tech enthusiasts, lecturers, and mentors. I'm particularly impressed by the program's inclusion of individuals from diverse industries, which will broaden my understanding of various sectors. Additionally, the JHUB Africa Innovation Hub fosters global collaboration for my future projects, while the cross-cultural experiences and networking opportunities within the SKIES program will undoubtedly broaden my horizons.

Skills I Aim to Gain

While my primary interest lies in data science, I'm grateful that the SKIES program also offers software development, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship training. These four skillsets are essential for my journey to becoming a health informatician.

·???????? Data Science: This will enable me to analyze health data trends. I'm particularly eager to learn data analytics, data visualization, and machine learning in Python. With this expertise, I can effectively communicate health data trends in Kenya.

·???????? Software Development: This will allow me to create a system for communicating health data trends. C# is one of the programming languages taught in software development under the SKIES program. Proficiency in this language will equip me for backend development.

·???????? Cybersecurity: The SKIES program provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity, using real-life examples to highlight its importance. This knowledge will empower me to secure my digital platforms against cyber threats and integrate ethical considerations into my software development practices.

·???????? Entrepreneurship: The program equips me to become a marketable techpreneur, enabling me to create jobs for other young people and contribute to reducing unemployment rates. We are highly encouraged to take risks and explore all our ideas. The program's supportive personnel are readily available to provide guidance and ensure our ideas reach fruition.

·???????? Coding Skills: The coding skills I'll acquire will transcend to other industries, diversifying my career prospects.

·???????? French Language Skills: Though not strictly a tech skill, the French lessons offered at JKUAT as part of the SKIES program will enrich my language skills. Being multilingual will enhance my communication and collaboration abilities, ultimately boosting my career and social reach.

?Innovation

I define innovation as the customization of existing inventions to meet the specific needs of a particular environment. In the context of technology, being innovative means having a deep understanding of current trends, identifying gaps and shortcomings in existing systems, and offering real-time solutions that benefit and modernize those systems. I envision myself creating an ecosystem that monitors all health data and information, potentially through:

·???????? Developing an application or data relay system that connects rural community members to healthcare service providers.

·???????? Encouraging the uptake of telemedicine services, especially in rural areas, to reduce wait times in hospitals and clinics. With advanced data, healthcare providers can plan patient bookings more effectively.

·???????? Service Leadership: By innovating solutions to address healthcare gaps, I will naturally become a leader. The SKIES program's emphasis on leadership resonates deeply with me, as it defines leaders as those who develop solutions and shape the future.

I'm embarking on this journey with immense excitement to explore the tech world. I can't wait to merge my skills in tech and public health to contribute to global health as a whole.

The SKIES program is equipping me to excel in the current technology-driven work environment. I am incredibly grateful to the program's sponsors for creating this opportunity to nurture eager minds like mine.

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