Meet Akofa Ahiable

Jelimo Kimutai: Hi everyone. Welcome to Mind the Gap, the podcast that aims to empower students pursuing computer science through interviews featuring alums in the tech field. Today we are joined by Akofa, an alum who graduated from Wellesley in 2013. Akofa has been working as a software engineer for the past 10 years and has worked in three different industries, starting with chemical engineering at Aspen Tech document processing in Snow software and higher education at Boston College.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: Afoka enjoys building legos in her free time and she owns over 30 themed sets. She also loves reading and watching mystery stories. Her favorite authors are Arthur Conan. Doyle and Agatha Christi and BBCs with Benedict Kaba and Martin Freeman. So welcome, Akofa today. I am the host. My name is Sarah Jelimo. Hi Akofa.

Jelimo Kimutai: How have you been today? 

 

Akofa Ahiable: I'm good. Really excited for the warm weather. It's been a long winter, so 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: That's so true. Today the weather is so warm. Mm-hmm. Like 20 What degrees Football. Yeah. So could you like tell us about your story? How did you end up at Wellesley College? What are some of your favorite moments and memories? Or things from Wellesley? 

 

Akofa Ahiable: Yes. So, um, I'm originally from Ghana in West Africa. Um, I grew up there. Um, I moved, I came to Wellesley when I was 19 and I attended a private school, um, back home in Ghana. And we were given the opportunity to apply to universities and colleges outside the continent. So we had the option of America, of London, basically anywhere we wanted to.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And I had a couple of friends who. Already attended Wellesley. And so that picked my interest. And so WSI was one of my top schools that I applied to, also applied to Mount Holyoke, which is another, um, amazing woman's college. And I had already previously visited the Boston area and liked it. So a lot of my options were based in the like sort of northeast area.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so when I got into Wellesley, it was a no-brainer to, to come here because we all know how good Wellesley is and everything that Wellesley has to offer. And so that's how I came to Wellesley. When I came to Wellesley, there was some alums from my high school were already at Wellesley, so that helped ease the transition when I started.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And, um, my favorite memories at Wellesley, Involve a lot of waa. I was, I was in WAA for all my four years and, um, sophomore year I was a MALAND coordinator. And junior year I was a first year coordinator and senior year I was a treasurer. So it was, it was nice to have a sort of sibling hood with others from the continent who were far from home.

 

Akofa Ahiable: You know, our families aren't here and so it was nice to have the support system, so just hanging out us later, or Harambe house, watching movies, playing games. Some of us went to church together and, and so that was. A lot of my favorite memories at at Waley involved Wassa. Another department that I had a lot of fun with was the computer science department, cuz when I was at Waley it wasn't as big as it is now.

 

Akofa Ahiable:Apparently there's wait list and stuff, but back then there was less than 30 of us and so we had a, a lot of good times hanging out in the science center, doing homework together. Um, attending the Grace Hopper conference together. Uh, and meeting up with other alums, writing code and wondering why a code is not working.

 

Akofa Ahiable:Spending . Hours and hours and just, um, Java and emax, those, those are a lot of the fun times that I had at Wellesley.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: I feel like I really do relate a lot with you cause I am also in wasa. Yeah. And it's so crazy to think about how computer science was also a very small field during your time. Currently we have to like, Write like some Google docs before registrations to try to like secure classes. Because right now it's a very, very popular, um, major. 

 

Akofa Ahiable:That's good to hear. That's good to hear. Yeah. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: So how did you decide on major in computer science and double majoring that mathematics? How? Were you able to manage, um, to do a double major in this very two intense stem parts and also like what motivated you to do so?

 

Akofa Ahiable:So I actually came into Wellesley as a math major and back in, back in high school we did the Baccalaureate diploma program. The IB program. Mm-hmm. So we had already done math and computer science at a higher level, and so got extra credit for that before I came into Wellesley. So by the time I started, um, my time at Wellesley, I had.

 

Akofa Ahiable:Satisfied, I think three or four requirements for the math major already. So I was already starting math at a high, like at the high, the three level courses, and I got really bored really quickly. Um, and so I was, I, I also sat down and thought about what I would do with my math degree. And at that time, there also the, there weren't that many options.

 

Akofa Ahiable:Also, it's either going to research or academia. Which I wasn't really feel feeling, um, excited about. Um, and so then I remembered how much I enjoyed computer science in high school and thought that would be something new to sort of venture into, which is like the great thing about liberal arts college, right?

 

Akofa Ahiable: You're, you're able to explore and find that maybe something that you came in wanting to do is not exactly what you are. Sort of called to do it. It was a challenge to, to get my parents on board with that. Cuz at that time computer science was unpopular. It's like, what are you gonna do with computers? Um, you're just gonna be like an maintenance person, an IT person.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And I had sex and that's the only thing you know, this is actually software engineer and not hard hardware engineering. This is coding. And so I sort of compromised was that I wouldn't drop the math. And so that was sort of how I was able to get my parents on board in terms of managing those two at the same time.

 

Akofa Ahiable: It wasn't easy, but one thing I did was also limit how many extracurriculars I was doing at waa. So, which is why I dedicated most of my time to, to waa. And so that gave me a lot of like more flexibility to be able to dedicate my time to these work intensive sort of majors and also it how that I enjoyed.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Majors. Um, I, math, math was my life before I came into Walsey, and so it, it, it, it wa it was a no-brainer to just continue doing it. And then computer science was interesting to sort of learn new coding languages, learn cryptography, learn, uh, and then combine like combinatorics and permutations and stuff.

 

Akofa Ahiable: With computer science. And so, um, it helped that I was actually having fun doing what I was doing. So that helped me like data a path. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: Yeah. Cause definitely there a lot of overlapping concepts in mathematics, in computer science, for example, like withal and, and like, even like permutations as you were talking about.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: So I definitely see the overlap between the two. I also really relate with what you said about, um, convincing your parents with computer science. Yeah. I feel like. Especially like back home how computer science is perceived is very different from how it's like in the US and how big it's, you know.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: Definitely. Yeah. Okay. So you know how in CS we have so many parts, like in ux, UI design, we have product management, we have web development. So what made you choose to go through the software engineering field and like to be on that part in your career in tech? 

 

Akofa Ahiable: Yeah. So, um, back then, I don't know how it is now, but back then CS 111 was a Java class, and so it was

like an intro to coding and I enjoyed that class so much was one of my favorite classes actually, when I started the program.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And my, the professor, I don't know if he's still there, professor Jayden, he actually ended up becoming my, my major advisor. And I found out that coding like came really easy to me. Once you, I think one, one thing is I'm a problem solver. It's easy for me to sort of, Think through a problem and come up with solutions.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so just adding sort of the coding to it came really easy. And we had a lot of fun with the projects that we were doing and, and then an optional class that we have that is not required for the Major O CS one 10, which was web design. I took that also, and although that was fun, I wasn't as drawn to that as I was to the coding class.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so I, I'm not a like UX person. I, I don't care how it looks as long as it works, you know? I was like, just, just, just, just tell me what you want it to look like and I, I can code it for you. So, uh, so that's why I decided to, to go the engineering. Sort of coding path. Um, and so that's what actually dictated work classes.

 

Akofa Ahiable: I took. So like 230, um, I can't, I can't remember other courses, but, um, I, I found that coding and problem solving was one of like the things I actually really enjoyed doing. I could see a career in that class really helped shape that decision. I don't, what, is it still Java right now? 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: No. Currently it's an intro to programming, um, taught through Python.

Jelimo Kimutai: It's like, Python programming introduction. Yeah. That's so interesting to even just know that it was Java before. Yeah. I feel like, personally, I think Java is a bit more complex than Python, so I feel like it'll definitely discourage so many people. 

 

Akofa Ahiable: I mean, yeah, it, it, Java has definitely a little more intense than a little of the program language we have today.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Um, but like you said, it, it also helped people decide if they want to do this. Mm-hmm. Cause it so intensive.

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Jelimo Kimutai: Yeah, no, that's so true. I was also speaking with a student who goes to Tuft and they were telling me that their intro class is in C. And I was like, what? What do you mean? Like, you know what anyone pursuing Cs like, yeah.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: But it's interesting to even just see how classes have evolved over time in Wellesley. So currently you are a senior applications developer. And kind, can you just like, tell us more about what you do on a day to day basis, um, like what your job entails? What is the rule about? 

 

Akofa Ahiable: I'm the senior applications worker at Boston College Libraries. So what that means is libraries run on a lot of. Custom software. So as a developer, we or as developers, my team and I, we're sort of responsible for managing the software. Some of it is written in how some of it is outsourced, but customized to work for, uh, Boston College. So we're responsible for the customizations and maintaining those customizations.

 

Akofa Ahiable:And so my day-to-day. Varies based on which season we're in. So if we're sort of purchase a new software or working on a new software, my day-to-day will include writing the code to, for our personalizations, making sure our personal personalizations work in preparation for a release date. So sort of going through the software development cycle, um, until release.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And, and then once we are in sort of the release cycle. But as bugs come in or as um, feedback comes in, we make changes based on. Those feedback or fix the bugs. And then another aspect is, uh, being responsible for our servers that run the software. So server management, making sure there's always enough space on the server, making sure there's enough ram, um, CPUs are dying, things like that.

 

Akofa Ahiable: So our day-to-day varies, but mainly always making sure that we all have, um, some software assigned to us. So making sure that your software is working correctly, making sure that. Bugs are being fixed as in as in when are reported, making sure you're running updates. If it was an outsourced software and they've released a new version, making sure, testing the new version to make sure it works with your customizations before like running updates and just basically software maintenance.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: And thinking back at your time, Wellesley, what are some resources that you feel really benefited you, especially being an underrepresented community student, like in your academic studies, in your internship applications as. I saw you, um, did an internship back in college also. What are like some resources you would recommend Wesley students who are like in your position to reach out to?

 

Akofa Ahiable: So, at Wellesley, what really helped was for me, the computer science department, the professors, they were always willing. To help. I know that they probably aren't as accessible as they were at Black is such a huge department now. Mm-hmm. But being able to leverage them, um, they knew which albums had already done computer science are already in the industry, so they're able to refer me to them for like, sort of internship, um, opportunities.

 

Akofa Ahiable: We have the Career Center. I went there for some resume help when I was applying for my internships. And, um, in terms of just like general, like emotional support, just being a part of waa. So what, it doesn't have to be waa, but whatever sort of extracurricularly, find yourself in just using that community and being a part of that community really helps because we're, we're not like, you can't do this by yourself.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so just having some people around you, supporting you, encouraging you when you're feeling down, motivating you when you need it. Was was super, super helpful. And we have an amazing, like alumni network. Mm-hmm. And like through LinkedIn and I guess now there's handshake. Um, and this Facebook we have, um, the Facebook groups just reaching out to the, um, to the Allen network.

 

Akofa Ahiable: There's always somebody willing to help. Mm-hmm. And we were, we were told not to be, not to hesitate to ask for help. Mm-hmm. If you don't ask nobody who know what you need there was it, it that was, that was really helpful to know that our sort of network is always willing to help somebody who needs the help and but also being, Willing to leverage what is already on campus.

 

Akofa Ahiable: So for me, my professors, the people I hang out with, and. My club and then also, um, Slater, cuz I was an international student, so Slate, um, Slater was able to advise what you could do and what you can't do based on your citizen, like your immigration status. Mm-hmm. What is acceptable. So also like going there and get so that you're not missing anything.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so that was really helpful to know like as an international student, what were my limitations when it came to internships. So what, what could I apply for and what I couldn't apply for? Cuz you know, some companies will use your O P T or C P T or E A D and stuff like that. And so you need to be able to know all of that before you go in.

Akofa Ahiable: That was also really, really helpful. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: No, I really see that because I also remember like my first year coming here, I didn't know much. I didn't even know when timelines were for the communications. I feel like I was just thrown into AIDS and it's a lot of like independent, um, Like you reaching out because nobody will come and talk, reach out to you.

 

Jelimo Kimutai:  It's up to you to like reach out to alumni, reach out to Ssta, reach out to career ed. They wanna come to your dorm room and be like, for this job, you know, like, so yeah. I, I hear what you're saying. During your campus experience, did you experience like imposter syndrome? And if you did, how did you navigate imposter syndrome or like self-doubt in your career? And what advice would you give to students who may be struggling with similar feelings? 

 

Akofa Ahiable: So I definitely did, especially after I graduated and started working full-time because as, as great as Baldi is, it's a bubble. So you feel great working with all these like empowered people, um, empowered minorities.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And you're all working towards the same goal and it feels great, and then you graduate and that's not what the real world is. Mm-hmm. And you, you sort of have to work over time to prove yourself. Yeah. Um, so like for the first year and a half I was like, am I supposed to be here? Is this mm-hmm. Can I do this?

 

Akofa Ahiable: Am I good enough? And what, what helped me is that remembering how, how hard I worked at Wellesley and knowing that I have something to show from my talent, right? Mm-hmm. Um, all the projects and homeworks and stuff we did at Wellesley mm-hmm. I did them. My professor didn't do them. I did them like with if I did it, but with a teammate.

 

Akofa Ahiable: But we worked on it ourselves. And so like I have something to show for the skills I have on my resume. And so I am, I am equipped to do this. And it's even harder if like you're the only person who looks like you in a company. So then it's very easy to be like, oh, I was a diversity hire. Mm-hmm. Or, you know, then you get like the token, you need to check off a lesson, which is why I'm here.

 

Akofa Ahiable:But no, I actually it, um, one thing I've learned is that I actually, whatever, like wherever I am, I earned my seat at that table. It doesn't matter if they have to check off a checkbox or whatever. It's still me. They chose. Yeah. And like, I'm here to like, to prove something and I, I have the skills to prove it.

 

Akofa Ahiable: I'm equipped to prove it. I'm not just thrown into the deep end. And, and that was, that was really helpful. Just believing it, it's hard to believe in yourself, but, um, just acknowledging the fact that you've, you've been equipped to do what you're doing. Mm-hmm. Right? You're not, you, you didn't lie on your resume.

 

Akofa Ahiable: You know, you. You have the work, and so just head down and getting the work done, showing up every day. Mm-hmm. Making them see that you're like, you're worth what they're putting into you. And putting something, contributing something into the organizational company, wherever you find yourself helps. Once you start being able to see tangible contributions, it's, it, it becomes easy to combat those thoughts of self-doubt because you see.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Like, uh, evidence of what you're doing. And so that was very helpful for me. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: So I hear like a lot of like just reminding yourself like what you have done, the accomplishments you've done, the work that you put in college. Just reaffirming yourself with that is, um, a good confidence. Like build up. Yeah. Okay.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: And how would you say you use your identity to an advantage rather than constantly seeing it like a setback or like how, how do you actually use it to your advantage? Like in the work field? Um, if you have like any specific example you may want to share 

 

Akofa Ahiable: when, when you're like the only or something, or the first of something. It causes the other people to start to think differently. Right. So ways that they would've thought before, now they have to sort of make some changes. At my current position, we, yeah, we had, we had an opening. Mm-hmm. Um, and we were hiring, and up until we hired, I was the only like woman on the team.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so when we were considering candidates, one thing they did, which I really appreciated, was asking me how I felt about being the only woman on the team. And because before I came mm-hmm. Uh, that almost also only been one woman, but she had retired. So it was like a, like a cycle of just maybe the one woman on the team.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Yeah. And for me, I, I said the talent is what matters, right? What the person is going to contribute is what matters. But it was really heartwarming to see that they actually considered my feelings as being like the only woman. On the team. They've been very ac accommodating since I joined. Um, I actually enjoy working on that team.

 

Akofa Ahiable: But if I wasn't there, it, they wouldn't have thought about that. Right. It wouldn't have been an like, something to consider. Mm-hmm. As you know, cuz tech has tendency to be very dude bros. Just mm-hmm. Little groups. Um, and as we sort of infiltrate their tech industry, they're having to rethink how the culture of the organization is, how the, how, like, sort of the conversations they're having.

 

Akofa Ahiable: When I think about, like, when we're writing software and we're using words and we're using phrases and stuff, and being a black woman, being an African, I'm able to sort of get people to think. More widely, more diverse about the I impact of their words. Mm-hmm. And patient of some of the words that they're using.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Mm-hmm. Um, especially for like websites and stuff, public facing things, you have to be mindful of your audience and be mindful of how far reaching like you're. Stuff is. And so I've, I've been able to sort of be like, Hey, think, think this through, or think about what this term actually means before putting that up.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so that, that has also been interesting to, to do. Cause I didn't think I would ever do that. Like we say, back home, you don't know you're black or anything until you get here. Yeah. Yeah. And so, mm-hmm. Um, just having to always be conscious of that fact has helped me be sort of speak up in situations when it's needed.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Yeah. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: Yeah, because definitely that's a perspective that they didn't have. And by using that, you have filled a gap that was there. You know, in terms of skills or certain qualities in the tech industry, specifically in software engineering, what are some important skills or qualities you think the field needs and.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: How do you think students should start developing these skills while still in Wellesley, while still in their undergraduate studies? Think classes. Like what are some things that if you were to go back, um, you would wish you start, how you have started? Like, developing them or like, you know, preparing them while you are still in undergrad?

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Akofa Ahiable: Yeah, so. The two important ones for me, your problem solving skills and your collaborative skills. So in, in, in the industry, whichever, in in tech, it's always about solving a problem, right? How, what's the best way to solve this problem in the most efficient and quickest way possible that would bring a good return on investment, right?

 

Akofa Ahiable: So all those intro classes where you have to think about the steps to get to the problem. I, I'll take those seriously and, and develop those like problem solving skills. And so it's, it's not always just the fastest way, it's the most effective way. Cuz you can write code that works in two minutes, but then, um, it takes like a lot of space, right?

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so that's not good. Or you could write code that. It doesn't take enough space, but runs really slowly. Mm-hmm. And so just being conscious of how you go about solving the problem is very, very important, especially in the industry because you don't have two or three weeks to do a problem set. Right?

 

Akofa Ahiable: Day to day things are coming in, some bugs are critical. They need to be solved right there and then, and so, mm-hmm. You have to be able to do that on the fly. So sharpening those problem solving skills is very important and collaborating. So almost everywhere you go, you work in a team. So you should be able to give feedback and you, you should also be able to receive feedback.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Mm-hmm. Um, sometimes when your team members aren't going to like your code at all, and you should be able to separate yourself from the code and know that they're not attacking your personality or who you are. It's just that the work is not the best way to do it. Yeah. But also, you also have to learn how to give.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Like effective and productive feedback. So just always taking the chance to work in a group if, if that's available in your classes with like coding assignments, lab assignments and stuff. Just always taking that advantage of those times to work with a others, to see how you work in a group and how you can sort of adapt to working in a group.

 

Akofa Ahiable: That's very important cuz once you come out into the real world, people are gonna critique any, everything you do and you should be able to sort of be on your feet, think on your feet and like regroup and rethink it and come up with a, a better solution if it's needed. Or be able to defend your solution if you think that is the best, um, way to do it.

 

Akofa Ahiable: So those two, um, important skills and I think undergrad is one of the best ways to do that cuz you have all these like study periods, homeworks and problem sets and stuff. And that should help, 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: especially the collaboration. I'm thinking like how you always do partner work or like in the labs. These are things I think we tend to, it's just like a regular thing.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: Like, you know, you just, you have to do this for the class, but we actually don't think of like the long term. Like if you actually now start working on how to work as a team, how to navigate such things, it's very, it's very useful. Like in your work, as you've talked about. Yeah. Currently. Um, you are pursuing a master in leadership and adminis administration at Boston College.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: What inspired you to, um, go to that path or like to even pursue a masters, um, in, in a field that was not even like, You know, computer science related, we would love to hear more about that. 

 

Akofa Ahiable: The next step, usually after, you know, you've worked long enough, is to be in management or be in a senior role.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And what I had noticed from a lot of my previous positions is that people who were in management, like tech management, didn't necessarily have management skills or leadership skills. They were just like senior software engineers or senior. It people who had been promoted because of their tenure year.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Yeah. And so, although it was great working with them, I wasn't being managed, I was just working with a senior person. And so I, I didn't wanna be that kind of manager. So what I decided to do was go in and work on my skills so that I could be an effective manager, that I could, um, sort of be the kinda manager that I needed when I was, when I started out in my career.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so one of my specialties is executive leadership, so just mm-hmm Becoming a better leader. How to run a team, how to run a group, how to run a company if, if I ever do that. But just trying to become a better leader as I get older in my career of like some of my experiences with leadership in tech.

 

Akofa Ahiable: That was sort of my inspiration for that. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai:  How are your studies and like, You still being working at the same time, how do you, how are you able to like, create a balance between the two? 

 

Akofa Ahiable: So, Wellsley taught me well with that and just being able to balance all these things. A lot of my classes are remote or online on Canvas, so that's very helpful.

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Akofa Ahiable: So I, I go to, I go to work during the day and tackle my school at night. If they're in person classes, they're usually at night, evening classes. Mm-hmm. So that's also very, very helpful. Um, and one thing that I've learned is to leave work at work. Mm-hmm. When my work hours are done, my work hours are done, and after work is for resting and concentrating on school.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Would I do this again? Probably not, but it's been rewarding. Um, and I've learned a lot so far, learned about myself, and it's been like muscle stretching time, just being, being working full-time and going to school full-time. But like you said, I learnt. Wellsley taught me well. So, uh, I, I also don't think that I would've enjoyed just going to school.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Mm-hmm. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: Yeah. How important is. Networking in like the tech industry. What, what's your perception about like networking and, um, and what tips will you have even for someone to like, like now as in college, this is when we start reaching out to people and the alumni and this other people will trying to build a professional network.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Every time people ask me this question, I'm like, I'm the worst person to ask because. Huge introvert, and I hate talking to people. Mm-hmm. Or like cold calling people, but networking is really important. I like it. It's very important to have a group around you mm-hmm. Who aren't necessarily like your friends or whatever, but.

 

Akofa Ahiable: There and sort of where you, the trajectory that you want to go into. Yeah. Cause it's super helpful. Cause it's not only that they can offer you a job or positions, they can give you advice, they can share their life experiences with you if, especially if it's the, that's the line of career you wanna take.

 

Akofa Ahiable: So they can like tell you what's work for them or hasn't worked for them. And I think people look at networking as just a group of people can give you a job, which is, which is just one aspect of having a network, right? It's a network is supposed to help you grow, help you, help you learn, show you things that like sort of hindsight for them so

that you don't make the same mistakes that they, they made.

 

Akofa Ahiable: And so, It's, it's really, really important, especially for us as, um, Wellsley students or Wellsley LMS coming into the industry. Like I said, Wellsley has a tendency to be a bubble and so doesn't adequately prepare you for the real world. And so having sort of a network of people who have done that, As you like, make your journey.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: I personally, what I struggled with with networking is I don't want this person to just think I'm interested in you because I want you to help me. You know, like, get into your company or like send resume to certain people. I, I don't want you to just think that's, Because I feel that's when you don't actually build a good connection.

 

Jelimo Kimutai: I want it to come out friendly and actually want to know you cause I am actually interested. But also that aspect of you helping me professionally is also there. But I don't want it to just come out that way, you know? 

 

Akofa Ahiable: Yeah, that's definitely true. And I think one way to be able to con convey that is, Is in how you reach out to them. And so what you put in, like your initial message, um, if, like, say if you're, if you're on LinkedIn, um, usually your LinkedIn profile status to say, currently looking for a job or whatever, but when you reach out to them, you, you can save that. Although you're looking for a job, this is sort of the what you what. It's also important to note that the people you're reaching out to, maybe in different stages of their lives. So to get, in order for them to make an informed decision, you have to give them as much information as possible. It's like, what, what do you need from them at that time? If you're busy, uh, you're working, you're going to school, you have a family, and you just see a hi. You're gonna ignore that message, right? You, you need to know what, what you need to know at that time. And so my advice would be to be as, as clear and open as possible with what you need when you first reach out. Like you said, sometimes you don't. It's not the job that you need. You, you want to sort of find out where they are, get to know them better, talk to them.

 

Akofa Ahiable: Um, so be as honest and open as you are and when you reach out so that they, they also know what they're committing to. Yeah. And also be prepared for people to say no. Like, Hey, I can't do this at this time cuz I have such and such a my way. And that's okay. Um, because everybody's, like I said, everybody's at a different stage in their life. So, which makes, to my next point, don't just have, don't just fix on one person. Right. Have a people cuz you might not get the yes you're looking for until you keep going. Um, so cast a wide net. Um, and, and then hopefully can catch some fish. Do you have any final thoughts? Any, anything you'd like to see as we, as we wrap up? One thing my dad taught me before I came, um, I moved out here was asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Um, and that was very helpful. That, that, that actually is one thing I've held onto, um, since I moved to America, that asking for help is not, is not a sign of weakness. Nobody is going to call you a weekly because you asked for help. Cuz we, we can't do everything by ourselves. Yeah. I, I think this is a great, like I said, when we first started talking, this is a great resource to have. I hope like this is being helpful to our current students. Um, and even the, our, our albums that are in the beginning stages of their career, we can never have too much helpful information. And so I'm glad that this exists now. It would've been very helpful to have something like this when I was, I was at Wellesley, but, um, I'm glad that it's there. And this, this is, Super amazing. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: Okay. Thank you so much Akofa, for like, just getting time, um, just to even have this conversation with us. It goes such a long way. Um, trust me. Um, someone will be walking to class and be listening to this and be like, mm, okay. Bye. You sharing about how. You've been in the field, um, how you like studied in school, what are things that helped you and like even just about navigating imposter syndrome and like knowing how to use your identity in the workforce in a way that stands out like, I feel these are things that we really needed to hear from, um, someone like you, like someone we can relate to. And I, I just, I just want to share our appreciation from the Mind the Gap team. This has been really lovely and we really enjoyed having you. 

 

Akofa Ahiable: Thank you. I had a great time too. 

 

Jelimo Kimutai: That brings us to the end of this episode of Mind the Gap. Thank you all so much for tuning in and we hope you have enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed creating it for you . A handful, thanks goes to our guest Akofa Ahiable for chatting with us and sharing her lovely insight with us.

Jelimo Kimutai: This episode was hosted and edited by Sarah Jelimo Kimutai, and wouldn't have been possible without the leadership of our executive producer Smaranda Sandu