This beautiful day, I will be doing part 2 of my previous post, I will do a little summary for the benefit of those that missed my last post.
Rising Above The Tides Part 1 is centered around how I was able to deploy my time into some skills inspired by the long Academic strike in Nigeria Universities (you may want to go back to check for the full story).
Here's the next story on how I rose above the tides.
Last month, I had the opportunity to train on any skill of choice in Redeemed Initiative For Skills And Empowerment (RISE 23) at Ogun State for 2 weeks, an initiative by The Redeemed Christian Church of God for youths.
Initially, I decided to go for baking to get more ideas in baking, however on our long journey from Port Harcourt to KM 46 Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Redemption Camp, which was the venue, I had a mind change to go for Project Management to boost my Curriculum Vitae(C.V) as well as get the knowledge. So when we got there, I changed from my initial course though I had to pay more because Project Management was costlier.
So the first week was beautiful, changing to a new environment, meeting new people, and learning something new, the excitement overshadowed the stress, the program was a boot camp, and there was no time for me to even think about myself, we wake early as 4 am to prepare for class, get to class before 7 am, get through two sessions with 1 pm break for lunch, another two sessions before dinner by 7:30 pm then evening roll call and clean up before going back to our hostels by 10 pm. So, my schedule was extremely tight and I didn't have time for anything, I just get back, shower, and off to bed.
By the second week, the excitement had already started waning, exhaustion set in, and I was even down with malaria, yet our schedule was never lessened, we kept pushing till the two weeks ended.
Towards the end of our two weeks of training, we did our group projects, my group did the Business case, Project charter, and Work Breakdown Schedule for Phoenix Filling Station, my group did the best and most precise presentation, on Thursday we all wrote an examination, the exam setting was extremely tight, forty-one students sat meters apart in a very large hall, however, I didn't bother, though, we never had enough time to read, the tutor was really good.
On the day of graduation, I was announced the best graduating student in five years (ten sets, since the training, is held twice a year) in terms of all-round performance. I got three certificates too from the training.
My joy knew no bounds, I am grateful I didn't waste my time despite my late decision, I still made it to the top. Now I am a certified Project Manager and by next year, I look forward to writing the international exam.
Finally, I didn't only learn a skill that will boost my C.V, I learned a skill that I will use at any time because as a project manager, I can plan and execute any project or event ever, you could meet me in case you need me ☺️.
Thanks for your time once again.