As part of the Ambition Nottingham program, I have attended several lectures focused on careers within STEM, particularly those related to Technology. These sessions were led by professionals who shared their journeys, detailing how they achieved their current roles, what their day-to-day work involves, and the pros and cons of their careers. The opportunity to ask them questions provided valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the diverse pathways available in the tech sector.In addition to these career-focused webinars, the program offered extra sessions dedicated to the university application process. These included guidance on interviews, crafting personal statements, and navigating the UCAS shortlisting process, all of which have been instrumental in preparing me for the next steps in my academic journey.I was also fortunate enough to attend the University of Nottingham’s open day with VIP access, which provided an exclusive look at the campus and its facilities. During this visit, I had my personal statement reviewed by an expert, who offered personalized tips and advice on how to strengthen it further. This feedback was incredibly valuable, helping me to refine my application and increase my chances of success.

In my role as Team Lead for the IBM Hackathon, I led our team in developing an interactive app designed to combat climate change within our community. We implemented gamification to enhance user engagement, creating a platform that motivates individuals to adopt sustainable habits through weekly goals tailored to various aspects of sustainability, such as recycling, conserving energy, and reducing water usage. Each week, users receive specific challenges that encourage them to make small, actionable changes in their daily lives.To achieve this, I designed and built the back end using Python, creating efficient APIs to manage user interactions, track goal completion, and dynamically update leaderboard scores based on user achievements. I also utilized SQL to develop a relational database that securely stored user data, monitored challenge outcomes, and tracked overall progress, ensuring quick access to information and a seamless user experience. This collaborative effort transformed the journey of reducing carbon footprints into an engaging and enjoyable challenge for users.Through this experience, I developed strong leadership, project management, and technical skills. I effectively guided a diverse team toward a shared goal, enhancing not only my programming expertise in Python and SQL but also my ability to collaborate and communicate within a team. This experience reinforced my dedication to leveraging technology for positive social and environmental impact while working cohesively as part of a successful, united team.