This week’s #AlumoftheWeek blog highlights the story of AIMS Rwanda 2020 alumna Angela Nyangagte John. Equally a laureate of our Mathematical Science for Climate Resilience (MS4CR) and AIMS-ESMT Industry Immersion programs, Angela is currently a Data Analyst at Bluechip Technologies International and a part-time tutor at the Cooperative University of Kenya.
Q: Tell us about your journey before AIMS.
Angela: Before joining AIMS, I pursued undergraduate studies in Statistics at the South Eastern Kenya University and graduated in 2018.
Q: How would you describe your time at AIMS?
Angela: AIMS played a significant role in building my personal life and career path to a higher level, introducing me to programming, Data Science, and Machine Learning skills that opened my vision and led me to a career in Data Science. The problem-solving skills that we were exposed to have also been instrumental in my professional life, coming in handy when situations force me to find new ways to solve particular problems in my day-to-day engagements.
Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.
Angela: AIMS led me to many opportunities. I got the chance to be part of the AIMS-ESMT Industry Immersion Program, which equipped me with several skills to excel in the industrial space. Even as an alumna, I recently got a chance to participate in the Mathematical Sciences for Climate Change Resilience (MS4CR) internship, where I gained additional professional and research experience. The networking at AIMS also enabled me to meet some great professors who have become my career mentors.
Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?
Angela: AIMS has contributed significantly to the success of my career journey. As an alumna of the AIMS-ESMT Industry Immersion Program, I got a chance to prepare for opportunities, undergoing several mock interviews and pitching sessions. These skills and training landed me an opportunity as a Data Analyst with Bluechip Technologies International. My role has given me real-world, hands-on industrial experience in Data Analytics.
AIMS also exposed me to different lecturers and teaching methodologies that I have embraced and applied at the Cooperative University of Kenya as a part-time tutor.
With the massive network at AIMS, I firmly believe the future looks so bright and am ready to conquer more.
Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?
Angela: The SGDs I find most critical are Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Responsible Production and Consumption (SGDs 4, 5, and 12). As a tutor and a person who went through challenges to acquire education, I committed myself to advocate for and provide quality education to African students and ensure that all learners receive the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. That is why I took a tutoring job.
Additionally, as part of Women in Data Science, I contribute to many projects in Bluechip Technologies International. Through my work, I support African entrepreneurs in realizing the importance of using technology like Machine Learning to forecast the future of their business and prepare for responsible consumption and production of their products.
Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?
Angela: Take advantage of all opportunities available at AIMS, and be sure to make good use of the knowledge you are gaining to make a change in Africa. Provide solutions to real-life problems with mathematics because that is what AIMS is all about.