Week 7: Summer Internship Programme

Following the hustle and bustle of week 5 and 6 in preparing for the virtual pitch for the social impact project, it was only right that the week started off on a strong note with Pitch Day. The ladies on the Internship Programme were joined by the AYA Initiative ladies for the session.? It started at 7pm GMT and saw 5 teams from the AYA Initiative and 1 team consisting of the Interns deliver their presentations before an esteemed panel of international judges. Marks were awarded to each team based on predetermined criteria.? The judges for the night included Shauni Nix, Antoinnette Opoku, Adetoun Yeaman, Abosede Alaka and Candybell Reider Kensah. The ladies on the two programmes successfully delivered their pitches and will start work shortly on their projects.

The interns later joined the second session in the AKAYA Application Webinar Series on Wednesday, 28th August where Candybell Reider Kensah (AKAYA’s Projects Consultant) led a session on ‘Presenting Your Best Self’. Ms Candybell touched on all important things to note when going in for a role or an interview. At the interview, make sure to present your unique selling point. Go into each interview prepared, have adequate information about the company or group you are being interviewed by as well as enough information on the role you are applying for. Ms Candybell mentioned that it is okay to carry a simple notebook to note down questions asked as there is no written rule that this is not allowed. She also did mention that you have to remain emotionally intelligent at every interview.

Ms Kensah concluded her session with detailed information and tips for dressing or presenting yourself for every interview. She mentioned that style is personal to each and every person. Basically, it's about finding what works for you. Some of the tips included knowing your body type as this helps you choose clothing that compliments your body the best. Another was to know your undertones as this helps in knowing which colours work best on your skin type. Choose neutral colours for each interview and ensure your hair is neat and tidy. Wrapping up, Ms Kensah mentioned yet again that how you appear for each interview cannot be overestimated because style is a way to say who you are without speaking.

The week ended marvelously with an inspiring session on the topic of leadership by Dr Catherine Mbema , Director of Public Health for Lewisham, United Kingdom. Dr Mbema started by sharing the journey to her present role as Director of Public health and how her culture and roots helped her stay true to herself. She stated that authenticity is critical to being a leader so do not forget your roots. Again, she mentioned that the role of a leader is to influence and make an impact. The Director mentioned that she took on her role at the beginning of the COVID pandemic and when answering a question on how she led a team at such a critical time, her response was resilience, planning and the right people. Dr. Mbema mentions that to lead effectively, you have to know what impacts your resilience. Leading and working in general can be draining but resilience keeps you going. Yet, when your resilience is reduced, your ability to lead also reduces. Resilience can be affected positively and negatively and it is important to identify each.? Perhaps negativity and overexertion may make you less resilient. Yet recharging through sleep or rest, engaging family and friends or indulging in your faith allows you to top up and get back to leading effectively. Dr. Mbema also mentions that becoming an effective leader is a journey and shouldn’t be rushed.There may be mistakes alongside successes but the mistakes shouldn’t deter you.Celebrate your achievements, aim high and dream big. To conclude, she mentions that in all things, let your work and actions speak louder than anything.

The week was filled with much learning and the interns are looking forward to another fruitful week as they cross over the halfway mark of the programme.

Article written by Edna Dorgbefu - 2024 Content Writer Intern