Stepping into Viamo’s office this past summer, I had no idea that the next two weeks would be a whirlwind of growth and eye-opening experiences. Viamo, a social enterprise that provides access to information and mobile technology to connect marginalized communities, was my first taste of the corporate world.  

From day one, I was thrown into the deep end, from tracking office inventory (trust me, it’s more complicated than it sounds) to analyzing and writing reports on different firms and their projects. It was a crash course in problem-solving, quick thinking, and rapid skill acquisition. Taking initiative with tasks allowed me to dive headfirst into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. A daunting task that expanded my toolkit and gave me some insight into this semester’s Web Technologies course. 

The flexible, hybrid work environment taught me the importance of work-life balance and teamwork. Daily check-ins with the director, discussions about networking opportunities, and exposure to agile methodologies revealed just how little I know and how much more there is to learn, leaving me with a clearer vision of my aspirations in the tech industry.  

This externship was more than a two-week stint; it was a bridge between classroom theory and real-world application, challenging my preconceptions, expanding my skillset, and igniting a passion to drive social impact. As I look towards my future, I carry the lessons, experiences, and inspiration gained at Viamo—ready to make my mark in the world of technology and social enterprise. 

Kelvin Ahiakpor is a Computer Science student in the Class of 2026.