Kyla's Aiducation Journey
Hello! I am Kyla, an AiduTalent from Pathways to Higher Education in the Philippines, and I am happy to share about my Aiducation journey. Looking back, I consider the UBS e-Mentoring Program as one of the highlights among the many other opportunities provided to me by Aiducation. It is a one-on-one mentorship program that allows Aiducation mentees to virtually connect and interact with UBS Switzerland mentors. It ran from February 2021 to March 2022.
Entering this program really helped me in a lot of ways. During this time, I was actually looking forward to a lot of opportunities available as a graduating student which entailed taking internships, being part of organizational projects, and working on my thesis on top of all my academic requirements. I was paired with Samantha, whom I call my Ate Sam. She actually comes from a business background, which may be considered quite far from the degree I was pursuing in technology. But, it really didn’t matter as our mentoring sessions were more than the technical aspects. My Ate Sam taught me skills that made me embrace myself more--one that empowered me to keep on taking new opportunities aligned to my personal goals. She’s also partly Filipino. That's why we were able to connect well with each other as she also understands the culture and dynamics in my country.
Picture: Kyla with her UBS mentor, Ate Sam during one of the e-mentoring sessions
During the program, we focused on meeting a few of my goals for myself. Back then, I really wanted to develop habits inclined toward self-care and also find opportunities related to my growth within the field of computer science. And for both of these goals, I can definitely say that we were able to accomplish them well. During the mentoring period, I was able to manage my time well in a way that I can study while pursuing my passions in illustration, take on two challenging yet enriching technology-related internships, and actively participate in organizational projects involving journalism and data literacy.
In its entirety, the highlight of this mentoring experience for me is the confidence boost I got from the program. I actually had a lot of doubts about myself as I entered my final year at the university, but the mentoring reminded me that I have to continue trusting my capabilities and continue pursuing growth. My Ate Sam has constantly cheered for me, especially during the significant events I got into such as my internships and exam weeks, all through her wise and encouraging words. Most of all, she shared and taught me not only relevant career skills but also life lessons. She was very generous about sharing her time and knowledge with me which became a huge part of my growth as an individual.
The impact of my Aiducation scholarship goes beyond. I have also participated in academies such as the Synpulse Project Management Academy, Swiss Re Start-Up Academy and most recently, the Swiss Re Corporate Career Academy which was a helpful guide as I start on a new life journey. I will always be amazed every time I get to apply what I have learned from Aiducation’s academies in real-world scenarios such as project management, leadership, and collaboration, all while taking responsibility for my share of work. I found this knowledge and skills greatly helpful as I pursue more opportunities. This gave me opportunities to improve my technical skill sets and pick up new ones while also enriching the relationships I have with the people I learned with and from.
.
Picture: Kyla (3rd from left) with her Pathways and Aiducation co-participants in their final activity in Pathways -- the Pabaon (send-off) Camp held last July 30, 2022.
I am very grateful for the opportunities that the Aiducation scholarship made possible for me. These weren’t just about the knowledge from the programs and modules, but also about the enriching relationships I have with the members of its community. I found a supportive mentor through Ate Sam, I became part of a community that genuinely cares about everyone’s growth. I met friends and mentors whom I made memories with to cherish for a long time. For me, the impact of Aiducation’s programs has definitely helped me with my growth which I and my family are very grateful for. As I end my college journey, I am beyond grateful and proud of all that I have experienced together with my Aiducation and Pathways communities, my fellow university scholars, friends, and family.
After my four-year stay at Ateneo de Manila University, I graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Specialization in Data Science and Analytics degree. As an aspiring technologist entering the field, I look forward to being able to share my knowledge towards impactful projects that leverage technology towards uplifting, positive causes.
Picture: Kyla’s graduation photo
I am very grateful to have the opportunity to share a part of my story with the Aiducation community. I could look back through my Aiducation (and part of my Pathways and Ateneo) journey to realize how time flew fast and how much I have grown from its entirety. I give my sincere thanks to the people behind the Aiducation program and to my donor, Mr Georg of Barth Fruit Scholarship, for trusting our potential and believing in each one of us throughout the years.
For anyone reading this, I hope that you also find the time to look back and realize how much you have improved since you first joined the community. I hope it also helps you move forward with a grateful heart.
Written by Kyla Nicole, AiduTalent from the Philippines chapter