Thursday, February 22, 2024
Among the promising career opportunities, IT stands out as an exciting and well-paid option. To help young Ugandan women gain a foothold in IT, one of Hostinger’s board members, Jochen Berger, co-founded the Innovative talents program.
Read on to find out what it is, how Hostinger participates in the program, and what you can do to empower Uganda’s youth.
Empowering Ugandan Youth in IT
Groundbreaker Talents is a full-time Software Engineering scholarship program that empowers Ugandan students from disadvantaged communities to reach their full potential. 14 women from Uganda are already participating in the program since last June. Another 15 participants are awaiting their training, which will begin in March. Hostinger, along with other businesses, provides funding, mentors and professors for training.
Maybe you want to be a part of it too? In fact, some of our colleagues are already helping to pave the way for aspiring tech talent from Uganda.
An hour a week makes a difference
Živilė Lazauskienė, Analytics Engineer at Hostinger, didn’t hesitate when she heard about Groundbreaker Talents. “For me, it was clear that it was a well-thought-out, high-quality program and that becoming a mentor would be worth the time and effort. It focuses on people who can really benefit from the scholarships, as the mentees come from the underprivileged communities, but they must have that spark and motivation to be selected for the program,” – says Lazauskienė.
By joining Groundbreaker Talents, Živilė committed to spend at least one hour a week with her mentee and to have regular online meetings with her throughout the one-year training program.
“Since she’s already enrolled in a very rigorous program, I don’t play an active role in guiding her learning on a day-to-day basis. Instead, during our discussions, I try to identify her specific interests and offer insights from my own experiences that can complement her formal education. We also participate in discussions about practical aspects of the business world, such as collaborative coding, version control and the dynamics of cross-functional product teams”, – shares Živilė Lazauskienė.
Rewarding experience
Živilė notes that mentoring has always been a two-way process, so she also learns a lot of new things – specifically about Uganda and its people, local job market facts, global IT developments, and how affect that particular region of the world.
“I’m lucky to have the opportunity to get to know my mentor quite well on a personal level. She is smart, motivated, very curious and also a quick learner. I am confident that these qualities will help her succeed in whatever path she chooses to take in following the program. I am grateful for the opportunity to positively impact someone’s life and career and to be able to support a person who is just starting their IT journey. The sense of fulfillment is undoubtedly there and provides the best reward”, – emphasizes Živilė Lazauskienė.
A way to give back
Živilė is not the only one who feels this way. Nisha Yadav, Video Content Creator at Hostinger, will also participate in the program. As Nisha has benefited greatly from the guidance of more experienced colleagues in her career, she is acutely aware of the role that mentors play.
“Mentors throughout my career have been my unsung heroes. Their advice went beyond the technical aspects – they taught me how to navigate the professional landscape, how to network and the importance of giving back by sharing knowledge. It’s a big reason I’m so passionate about coaching today. So the program with the mission of empowering Ugandan youth, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, in IT really struck a chord with me. When I heard about Groundbreaker Talents, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity,” says Yadav.
Mentors also learn
For Nisha, participating in the Groundbreaker Talents program has already been a valuable experience. She points to a variety of events and activities, from workshops to networking meetings, that have been truly enriching for her.
“These interactions not only allowed me to connect with like-minded professionals, but also provided a deeper understanding of the unique challenges in Uganda’s IT landscape. Every session was a learning experience and the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved was truly contagious,” reveals Yadav.
While still waiting to be paired with her mentee, Nisha is using this time to prepare herself to be the best mentor she can be. This includes understanding the program’s matching process, which carefully considers the skills, interests and goals of both mentors and mentees.
“Having previously worked with different teams, I feel excited and ready for this new commitment. I believe my experiences with different cultural backgrounds will enrich this mentoring relationship. Through this mentoring program, I aspire to foster an engaging and insightful experience for my mentee, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to excel in IT. My goal is to see them not just as a successful IT professional, but as a future leader who can contribute innovatively and ethically to their field,” Yadav emphasizes.
Your chance to contribute
Živilė and Nisha say they wouldn’t think twice if they had to make the decision to join coaching again. For them, it is an incredible experience and an opportunity to change someone’s life for the better.
Do you also feel that your mentoring could contribute to the professional development of young people in less fortunate communities? Do you think that sharing your knowledge and insights could be valuable to others? Then don’t hesitate to join Živilė and Nisha and become a Groundbreaker Talents mentor. Your skill set and experience in IT can be used to give Ugandan women the opportunity to improve their quality of life by pursuing a promising career.
Go ahead, find out more about this program and gain a rewarding and meaningful cross-cultural professional experience.
Part of Hostinger’s Communications Team, Kotryna is responsible for building and maintaining media relations and ensuring that the organization’s achievements and initiatives receive public recognition. In her free time, Kotryna likes to explore new places and take pictures.
