CodeSpeak Labs: Two Students’ Journeys with Career-Connected Learning
A few weeks ago, we talked to Issouf Diarrassouba and Yeasin Haque, who participated in CodeSpeak Labs’ new three-week-long program, in partnership with The Opportunity Network. The program equips students with career-connected opportunities by having them work closely with employer partners in real work environments. In our first conversation with Issouf and Yeasin, they said they were excited about not only expanding their technical knowledge and skills, but also gaining the confidence and soft skills to map their future career goals.
Real-world experience, coupled with the technical skills workers need to succeed, can bring clarity to students’ career dreams and help turn them into reality. Career-connected learning opportunities, like the program offered through CodeSpeak Labs, unlock pathways for young adults who are beginning to connect the dots between their education and their career goals — and make the process much more tangible and accessible.
At the end of the program, we reconnected with Issouf and Yeasin to learn about their experiences and their goals for the future.
Catalyze: We’re so excited to reconnect with both of you! Interested to hear what you both thought was most surprising about the experience and where you feel like you expanded your knowledge base?
Yeasin: I already miss it! I was surprised by the fact that it wasn’t as intimidating and difficult once the program actually kicked off, and the real-world experience genuinely changed my whole mindset. I embraced the ways I like to work and what work I see myself doing in the future, and it really felt like a newfound sense of freedom.
Issouf: It was so valuable to be trained by the very best in the industry, and to also have real-life experience working on a day-to-day basis with a client, as well as the mentors within the CodeSpeak Labs team. It didn’t feel like I was answering to a boss. It felt like we were genuinely working as a team toward one common goal, and that was pretty cool.
Catalyze: What excites you most about what’s next?
Yeasin: I’m most looking forward to exploring more ways to make my passion for art into a livable wage. I grew up under the impression that this wasn’t possible, but this program allowed me to see that I can actually follow my passion and make a high-paying salary while doing so.
Issouf: I feel much more confident and prepared to enter the workforce as a college student, and might even pick up freelance tech work on the side. This program helped me find my confidence and start to put my goals into actionable next steps. I also feel like the networking portion will go a long way, as I’ve started making connections I know will help propel my career to where I want it to go.
Catalyze: How has your experience shaped the advice you’d give first-generation students now that you’ve completed the program?
Issouf: Just go for it! You’ll be proud you did. I feel like this is the big first step I made toward the future that I want to build for myself, and it makes me really excited for what’s to come. This program will help me approach new and intimidating experiences with confidence and excitement, rather than fear and trepidation.
Yeasin: It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. I rekindled my creative spark once this program allowed me to see the ways I could translate my personal interests and skills into economic fulfillment for the foreseeable future. I’d recommend it to anyone willing to work hard to achieve their career goals.
Exploring and identifying career path opportunities is just the beginning for students like Issouf and Yeasin. Programs like those offered through CodeSpeak Labs can enable students to explore and engage with real-life career paths, redefining what the path from education to career can look like.
