MLSA UNILAG

MLSA Bootcamp 2024 Postmortem: Insights and Reflections

Chukwuemeka Aladimma's photo
Chukwuemeka Aladimma
·

8 min read

Table of contents

  1. Introduction

Brief Overview of the MLSA Bootcamp

The MLSA UNILAG (Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors, University of Lagos) Bootcamp is an annual initiative aimed at equipping students with essential skills to thrive in the tech industry. The program primarily focuses on software engineering, offering tracks such as UI/UX Design, Frontend Development, Backend Development, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and more. Remarkably, this bootcamp is entirely free, driven by the dedication of volunteers—organizers, tutors, and facilitators—who generously contribute their time to this impactful cause.

My Role and Involvement as an Organizer

As the leader of the tutor team and coordinator for the MLSA UNILAG Bootcamp, the responsibility for its success rested heavily on my shoulders. My role encompassed a wide array of tasks, essentially ensuring that all stakeholders—students, tutors, and organizers—were happy and satisfied throughout the bootcamp.

Objective of the Postmortem

This postmortem aims to share insights, lessons learned, and strategies for improving future editions of the MLSA Bootcamp.

  1. Pre-Planning Phase

How the Idea for the Bootcamp Came About

The MLSA Bootcamp is a yearly tradition. The previous edition had significant challenges, but the 2024 edition was envisioned as a comeback, driven by the goal to start well and end well.

Setting Goals and Objectives for the Bootcamp

The program was scheduled to begin in August, coinciding with the end of the second semester exams to maximize participation during the summer break. Key goals included seamless execution, robust planning, and an enhanced learning experience for all participants.

A physical planning meeting on July 13 set the stage for discussions on start and end dates, program duration, tutor selection, offered tracks, tools for video conferencing, and the creation of a comprehensive timeline of events.

One significant challenge was selecting an appropriate tool for classes. We needed a solution that supported recordings natively and was either free or cost-effective. As asking tutors to record with a separate app just wouldn't cut it, a lesson learnt from the previous edition. After exploring various tools like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, StreamYard (my $5 in the bin 🥲) we decided to leverage Microsoft Teams’ premium features, available to UNILAG students and Microsoft Student ambassadors.

If you are wondering why that thought did not come to my head first, it is because bulk of the tutors were not students, neither were they student ambassadors. We had two people generally in charge of scheduling the classes on Teams. Start the recordings, then upload it to YouTube for all the tracks. Though managing recordings manually was cumbersome, it proved to be our best option.

Initial Planning: Organizing a Team, Defining Roles, and Establishing Timelines

A “Call for Tutors” was initiated a month before the bootcamp, which generated some fascinating responses. The selection process was intended to be in two stages: reviewing applications and then scheduling interviews with those who passed the initial review. However, due to time constraints (with school still in session, exams and my final year project to deal with), we weren't able to conduct interviews. Despite that, the review process was enjoyable.

I'm fairly strict when it comes to reviewing applications, so to balance it out, Ademola and I both participated in the reviews. We rated each application on a scale of 10, and the final score was the average of our ratings. Once again, I was reminded of the challenges faced by hiring managers. At the same time, I was delighted by some of the applications. I remember telling Ademola, “Guy, the people applying to tutor this track—where did they even see the form? Shey na me go lead these ones like this? God abeg.” Their applications were so impressive that I found myself questioning whether I was truly suited to work with them. A bit of imposter syndrome, ha-ha!

  1. Bootcamp Preparation

Curriculum Design & Content Development

The availability of tutors influenced the final list of tracks. Tutors were tasked with developing curriculum, learning materials, and projects, which were reviewed for quality assurance. This resulted in 14 tracks initially, although tutor withdrawals later reduced the count to 10 active tracks.

Marketing & Outreach

The Design and Content teams created promotional materials and leveraged social media and group chats to drive registrations. Over 360 applications were received, far exceeding expectations.

  1. Execution (Bootcamp Period)

Day-to-Day Operations

Day 1 was a mess! 😂 It was Monday, August 26th, and participants were still joining the group chats. Let's rewind a bit. The first batch of invites went out to students on Saturday, just two days before the 26th. Initially, we planned to offer 14 tracks, but we had some tutors back out. It’s not ideal, but I’m grateful it happened before the program started—could’ve been worse.

As a result, we had to scrap a track, it could’ve been five. And we were fortunate to get last-minute replacements just in time for the other tracks. The UI/UX track also started a week late. Why did all this bother me so much? Because students had already applied, and I really didn’t want to have to say, "Sorry, we messed up."

Now, back to Day 1. Two classes were held that day—Data Analysis and Machine Learning—via Microsoft Teams. The recordings worked, and we uploaded them to our YouTube channel. That was really the only positive of the day for me.

The next day, we had our on-boarding call. Why was it a day late? My excuse was that we wanted more students to join the group chats, but honestly, I just didn’t feel up to it. I was exhausted and didn’t see it as essential. But Paul pushed for it, and some tutors asked about it, so I did it—stressed, but it went well. I gave an overview of the program, shared some advice and encouragement, and we played a quick game of Kahoot.

The rest of the week went as expected: classes for different tracks, and our first game night that Friday. It became a weekly tradition throughout the bootcamp. Friday, 8PM—get online, good internet connection, and have fun on the random channel. I did have a little fun teasing the students once by claiming the winner would get a Pixel 9 Pro, he-he.

By the second week, we had a fixed schedule for most of the tracks, which made setting up Teams calls and monitoring everything much easier. We also introduced something Confidence suggested—Student of the Week. Every week, we highlighted a student who stood out, providing a motivational boost for everyone.

Challenges and Solutions

By the fourth week, issues such as poor class attendance, incomplete assignments, and lack of enthusiasm arose. Addressing these challenges involved:

  • Removing inactive students from track groups.

  • Modifying class schedules and teaching methods based on student feedback.

  • Conducting one-on-one sessions with students to understand and address their concerns.

These adjustments helped boost participation and ensured steady progress across all tracks. One important conversation with a struggling student highlighted the importance of personalized support in building resilience and motivation.

  1. Post-Bootcamp Activities

Graduation & Wrap-Up

The graduation ceremony on October 26 was streamed live on YouTube and featured talks from esteemed speakers; Afeez Lekan and Olayinka T. Hannah, project demonstration by Olamide Soyebo, and awards for top-performing students. Key statistics included:

  • 373 applicants

  • 37 graduates

  • 14 tracks offered, with graduates from 10 tracks

Certificates were issued a week later to all graduates. As I watched the ceremony unfold, I couldn’t help but feel proud of how far we had come as a team and as a community. It wasn’t just about the projects or presentations—it was about the journey that brought us here, a reflection of everyone’s effort and commitment. Easily one of my highlights of the year.

Feedback Collection and Follow-Up Initiatives

Although formal feedback collection was deferred due to exhaustion, participants were encouraged to join the MLSA UNILAG community for continued collaboration and growth. Plans for an alumni group remain under consideration for future editions.

  1. Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned

    • Coordinating a bootcamp requires unwavering commitment and resilience.

    • Financial resources are crucial for enhancing the participant experience through giveaways, games, and premium services.

    • Ensure at least two tutors per track to mitigate the risk of last-minute withdrawals.

    • Patience and people-management skills are essential for navigating diverse challenges.

    • Investing in enterprise-level tools and an LMS (Learning Management System) can significantly streamline operations.

    • Gamification and personalized recognition (e.g., “Student of the Week”) boost engagement and morale.

It’s important to have someone you can turn to when things get tough. I hit a major roadblock in the middle of the bootcamp, feeling completely lost. I shared my worries and concerns with Geektutor, and he was very helpful in guiding me on how to navigate them.

  1. Acknowledgments

The MLSA Bootcamp 2024 was a collective effort, and its success would not have been possible without the remarkable contributions of the following individuals:

Tutors

Facilitators

  • Ademola Thompson

  • Confidence Ufuoma

  • Daniel Ebabhi

  • Olatunbosun Ayinla & the Content/Community Management team

  • Abdulbasit Adesokan & the Design team

  • Debola Oyeniran & the Events team

  • Paul Asalu

Each of you played an indispensable role in making this vision a reality. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.

  1. Conclusion

The MLSA Bootcamp 2024 was more than an initiative—it was a testament to the power of collaboration, resilience, and shared vision. I am immensely grateful to everyone who made this possible: the dedicated tutors who went above and beyond, the facilitators who kept the gears turning, and the students whose determination inspired us all.

Looking back, this bootcamp wasn’t just about teaching tech skills—it was about building a community, igniting passions, and fostering growth. As I reflect on the journey, I am filled with pride and excitement for what lies ahead. Here’s to many more impactful editions of the MLSA Bootcamp!

¡Hasta Luego!

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