Nikiwe Masenga
Bachelor in Economics
University of Lusaka
Hackaton Companies:
B360 education partnerships
Swiss Business Protection (SBP)
Roche Global Citizenship (RGC)
My time in the Career Bridge Program was a period of real growth. It took me from classroom theory to practical, professional work. Working on Hackathons with B360, Swiss Business Protection and Roche showed me what is expected in a real working environment.
Trainings
Before the Hackathons, the Preparation Week, CSW and ICT trainings gave me a strong foundation. They improved my communication, my confidence and my professional conduct, and they gave me practical digital skills. Each training linked directly to the tasks we later faced in the Hackathons.
Teamwork with Career Bridge colleagues
I worked with colleagues from different courses and backgrounds, and that made our solutions stronger. I learned to listen, share tasks fairly and give and receive honest feedback. Our team became a supportive space where we encouraged each other, especially when things got difficult.
Highlights and challenges during the Hackathons
My biggest highlight was discovering my self-confidence and developing a genuine love for presenting. As someone who was previously very reserved and often stayed in my shell, I never imagined that presenting would become something I genuinely enjoy. Being part of a team that gave me the opportunity to present first helped me step out of my comfort zone and discover a new side of myself. I particularly enjoyed finding creative ways to capture the audience’s attention and communicate our ideas effectively. This experience taught me that presenting is a skill I can develop and enjoy, and I hope to carry this newfound confidence into my future public speaking opportunities.
One of my main challenges was internet connectivity, as network disruptions sometimes made it difficult to follow discussions and stay on track. This occasionally caused confusion during presentations, making it challenging to keep the audience engaged and ensure they followed our ideas. However, as a team, we worked through these difficulties and did our best to keep going despite the setbacks. Another challenge was staying motivated and consistent over time, especially when fatigue and moments of discouragement began to set in. This experience taught me the importance of resilience, patience, and consistency, even when circumstances are not ideal. I hope to carry these lessons into my future career, where I know that challenges will arise and the ability to adapt, persevere, and remain committed will be essential.
My future plans
My future will be a strong reflection of how the B360 internship has helped me. I plan to keep building my skills and to apply them professionally by securing a job where I can grow, take on responsibility, and use what I have learned to keep improving myself every day. I also want to start a Master’s program so I can deepen my knowledge and become even more capable in my field.
One day, I would like to come back to B360 to give back. I want to use what I have learned to encourage and support other young people, just as I was supported.
Personal Message
Thank you to B360, our mentors, the company experts and my fellow participants. This program built my confidence, strengthened my skills and showed me what is possible.
I never imagined being part of B360. I applied without much expectation, but I was selected, and I’m grateful because it helped me grow, discover my strengths and believe in myself.
In the future, I hope to be a beacon of hope for students who doubt their abilities. I want to encourage them to take every opportunity, even when they feel unprepared.
My journey shows that the opportunities we least expect help us discover the best version of ourselves.