My Outreachy Internship has concluded successfully, and I am overjoyed with my progress throughout the program. I posted a work-in-progress update as an Outreachy Intern working with Oppia a few weeks ago; today, I am proud to share my internship experience as a User Experience Researcher.

Let’s begin with my experience

As an entry-level User Experience Researcher with little and no experience working on real-time projects, starting the internship was exciting and overwhelming. However, I did possess some design knowledge and had previously designed for open-source communities such as AsyncAPI and Layer5 before applying for the Outreachy Internship.

Working at Oppia Foundation was a valuable experience that taught me the importance of focusing on users when creating digital products that are both useful and usable. Reflecting on the past three months, I am amazed by how much I have grown personally, technically, and professionally.

My Teammates

Wow, I can’t begin to describe my incredible experience with my team of amazing, supportive women from Nigeria and Uganda! Working on our collaborative projects was an absolute joy, and I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented and inspiring group of individuals.

From creating stunning designs and social media posts to providing unwavering support and encouragement, my teammates and I have worked closely together every step of the way. We tackled any obstacles that came our way by communicating openly and honestly with one another, attending weekly meetings with our mentors, and constantly seeking ways to help each other grow and succeed.

I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated, passionate, and caring group of people to work with. Even during the most challenging times, we banded together, lifted each other, and made the entire experience fun and rewarding. I feel so grateful to have learned, worked, and grown alongside my amazing teammates, and I will cherish this experience forever!

My mentor

With the utmost gratitude and joy, I reflect on my experience working alongside my admirable mentor, Mr Lai. As the Partnership Lead for Oppia Foundation, he led by example, showing unwavering dedication and passion for our shared mission.

Under his guidance, I learned invaluable lessons and gained essential skills that I will carry throughout my career. He always encouraged me to communicate openly and honestly, urging me to share my thoughts and ideas freely and without reservation. This approach fostered an environment of trust, respect, and collaboration, allowing me to grow and flourish as a professional.

Beyond his expertise and guidance, Mr Lai’s fun and lighthearted spirit made working with him an absolute delight. He always smiled and was positive, even during the most challenging times. His unwavering support and encouragement were instrumental in my success, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow under his mentorship.

The Project

During my internship at Oppia, I had the pleasure of working collaboratively with four dynamic teams: Research, Marketing, Partnerships, and Translations. One of the most exciting and enriching experiences during my internship was working closely with a fellow intern from Nigeria on the Nigerian Foundational Research Report.

Our project focused on gaining valuable insights into Nigeria’s educational landscape and the challenges associated with technology-enabled learning. Our research delved into Nigeria’s history, geography, demography, educational system, and internet access.

We engaged with a diverse group of potential users of the Oppia platform and conducted interviews with individuals from various regions of Nigeria. The process was exciting and challenging, and we had to document and analyse our findings carefully. I was privileged to conduct 67 user interviews and record the valuable insights from each interaction.

Our team initially expected the project to take three weeks to complete. However, we were pleasantly surprised when we accomplished the task within the last week of our internship. It was a testament to our team’s dedication and hard work on the project, and I am proud of our collective accomplishments.

Challenges

One of the most significant challenges I encountered during my internship at Oppia was locating and recruiting users to interview across all geographical regions in Nigeria. This challenge was a monumental undertaking that required a significant amount of time and effort.

Oppia’s mission is to provide free education to learners and underprivileged children, making it difficult to locate suitable candidates. It took a lot of work to identify and engage individuals who met the criteria for our user research. To overcome this hurdle, we had to venture outside our comfort zones, network with family and friends in the local community, and even travel for holidays to rural areas (something I would not have done were it not for Oppia).

Despite our considerable obstacles, we remained determined to fulfil our research objectives. We persevered, and ultimately, our efforts paid off as we recruited diverse participants who provided invaluable insights that informed our research findings. This challenge taught me the importance of persistence and resourcefulness in achieving one’s goals.

Lesson I learned

• Writing skills

I had the opportunity to improve my writing skills with the help of my mentor. As a UXR intern, clear and concise writing was essential in delivering successful projects and achieving our goals.

At the start of my internship, I was still developing my writing skills and lacked confidence in my abilities. However, with guidance and feedback from my mentor, I improved my writing skills significantly. My mentor provided constructive criticism, showing me areas where I could improve and highlighting my strengths to help build my confidence.

• Communication skills

My mentor’s advice to “overcommunicate than under-communicate” significantly improved my communication skills as I overcame my fear of not speaking up and expressing myself clearly.

I learned the importance of effective communication with my co-interns and mentors, despite my initial fear of not being heard and making mistakes. As I progressed through my internship, I realized that clear and concise communication was essential in achieving our goals and delivering successful projects.

To improve my communication skills, I first overcame my fear of speaking up and expressing my thoughts and feelings. I started by actively listening to my co-interns and mentors, asking questions to clarify misunderstandings, and practising clear and concise verbal and written communication.

Additionally, I learned the importance of being proactive in communicating, setting expectations, and following up on tasks regularly. This helped avoid miscommunication and ensure everyone was on the same page.

• Building Rapport

During my internship, I learned the importance of building rapport with my co-interns to ensure we met all our deliverables. Building a positive relationship with my fellow interns helped to create a comfortable and positive work environment, which enhanced our collaboration and productivity.

I started by getting to know them personally, finding common interests and hobbies, and listening actively to their ideas and perspectives. I communicated clearly, set expectations, and regularly followed up on our progress. I was doing so established trust and mutual respect, allowing us to work effectively together.

In addition, I learned the importance of adaptability and openness to feedback. As we worked on various projects, I had to be flexible and willing to adjust my work style to accommodate the team’s needs. I also had to be receptive to feedback from my co-interns and supervisors, which helped me to improve my skills and deliver quality work.

Overall, my internship experience taught me that building rapport with my colleagues is essential to achieving common goals and delivering successful projects. By showing genuine interest, active listening, and a willingness to adapt, I established strong relationships with my co-interns and contributed to our team’s success.

Next Steps

Working on Outreachy has opened my eyes to new opportunities and allowed me to learn from the talented contributors at Oppia. This experience has been incredibly enriching, providing extensive knowledge and skills surpassing my knowledge in university education. Over the next few months, I plan to develop User Experience Researcher and Designer skills, building my capacity to thrive in this field.

Concluding Part

I encountered several obstacles that professionally and personally challenged me. However, perseverance and determination overcame these challenges and emerged more potent and confident. Along the way, I made some mistakes but learned valuable lessons from them that will guide me throughout my career.

My time as an Outreachy Intern was an exhilarating adventure, and I am grateful for every moment. Throughout the program, I gained abundant knowledge, experiences, and skills that have significantly impacted my personal and professional growth. I am excited to see what the future holds and how to apply my newfound skills to impact the world positively.

Thank you for reading my story.

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Maya❤️