Aminata Hélène Daccoo One morning in May 2023, she hurried through the hot, dusty streets of Bamako, trying to reach her destination in time. Her heart raced and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She was about to ask a very important question, and the answer would have a huge impact on her future.
Just a week ago, she had seen a social media post about a practical computer networking course for young women run by the Internet Society. She knew right away that it was the one for her. Aminata was pursuing a degree in industrial and computer engineering, but still lacked the work experience needed to find a job. If she is accepted into this course, her life could change. Even though she was shy around new people, she knew this was an opportunity she had to seize. She applied for her course, hoping there was still time before her application was processed.
She suspected it was too late. The course was popular and many others had applied before her. So, a few days later, when the course was scheduled to start, Aminata mustered up the courage to go to the Mali branch office of the Internet Society. Her branch president, Bakary Kouyate, greeted her with a smile. There was still a spot available and Aminata could have won it. She thanked him, feeling a sense of relief. she exclaimed excitedly as she made her way to her classroom.
Practical training for young people opens doors
In 2022, to empower the next generation of Internet champions, the Internet Society develops Fundamentals of Digital Deployment of Computer Networks (DDCN), a six-week course offered in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic. Did. The course is designed for young people with basic knowledge of computer hardware and software and was piloted in Kenya the same year and rolled out in Mali in 2023. And as Aminata and her classmates have shown, this course has already proven to be a force for good.
Oumou Doumbia, who holds a master’s degree in electronics and global communication, also took this course. “Universities in Mali lack the practical aspect, even though you need it to get a job,” she says. “You can get all the diplomas you want, but without work experience you might not be able to find a good job. The DDCN course bridges this gap by allowing you to put what you have learned into practice. I will fill it in.”
Far from the typical classroom experience, DDCN courses delve deep into the world of networking, from Ethernet and Wi-Fi technologies to network planning, troubleshooting, and more. Under the guidance of industry experts, participants will explore network components and how they work, and discover how to solve common maintenance problems.
Best of all, participants will be able to immerse themselves in the fun of applying their knowledge and configuring devices that they have only previously read about.
“Learning first-hand how to operate and configure a router was completely new to me, so it was very satisfying,” Aminata said. “It was very exciting to see all these cables in person for the first time.”
Benefits of on-site training
This course had a positive impact on multiple levels. These participants not only gained technical know-how to change their careers, but also increased their confidence.
“Before taking the DDCN, I was nervous about public speaking,” said Pinda Bashirou Traore, who attended the course with a degree in telecommunications networks. “But the trainers were very encouraging. At first I was scared to answer the questions, but they were so supportive that over time I started to get more confident.”
In Oumou’s experience, the atmosphere between students and trainers was welcoming. “During training, we were like a family,” she said.
In Aminata’s case, her fear quickly disappeared. “I was quite shy at first. However, this course has helped me a lot both professionally and personally as I have learned how to be more comfortable with others and how to express myself with confidence.” It was profitable.”
This course also develops teamwork skills. “I wasn’t used to working with other people and always felt like I was more of an introvert,” Pinda said. “But on this course, we learned how to be more sociable, relaxed and happy because we had a great time learning together.”
New opportunities and new internet champions
As a pipeline to growth, knowledge, and community, courses like this open the door to long-term investment in the future of the Internet through better job opportunities for participants. All three young women were able to advance in their careers as a direct result of this training. Oumou currently works as an engineer at a telecommunications company. Aminata and Pinda secured internships at a tax and finance IT support department and a video surveillance company, respectively.
“Before joining DDCN, I lacked real-world experience and although I had a degree, I was not fully qualified for the career I wanted,” says Pinda. “As soon as I added the certificate from her DDCN course to my resume, I was able to find an internship at a company that installs and configures many cameras. Thanks to this course, I now have hands-on experience. I was able to load it.”
Those who complete the course will be in a position to build and protect an open, global Internet. They also serve as beacons of knowledge for local communities, broadening their horizons and ensuring no one is left behind.
Such an achievement would be particularly welcome in Mali, which falls below the regional median for internet performance, resiliency and provider diversity, according to the Internet Association’s country report. These and other factors are key to growing and sustaining the Internet, which in turn helps drive innovation and create a brighter future for everyone.
Today, Aminata is no longer the shy, inexperienced young woman who went knocking on the door that fateful spring morning.
She completed her internship at the end of December. “I feel like my prospects are much better now. If I hadn’t taken the DDCN course, I would have wasted a lot of time. I’m really happy that I was able to get the work experience that employers are looking for. I’m glad.”
In addition to taking the course, several participants said that they would like to join the Mali branch of the Internet Society and take advantage of all the services offered by its membership. “Since the DDCN course, I have already participated in many other activities and trainings,” said Aminata. “I’m also able to speak in public now. I used to be scared of it, but now I enjoy it.”
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Image © Gagny Traore
