A Transformative Journey: How My Internship at CJID Redefined My Path and Ignited a Passion for Innovation

My internship journey at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) began on September 16, 2024, as part of my Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), a mandatory program for many Nigerian university students. As a Computer Science student at the Gombe State University, I viewed this six-month internship as an invaluable opportunity to gain industry experience, enhance my technical skills, and kickstart my career in tech.

When I first walked into CJID, I had limited knowledge about the media sector and only a basic understanding of software development. However, I was eager to learn, explore, and experience how the professional world operates. My primary goals were to network with professionals, gain hands-on experience, and understand how technology contributes to journalism and media innovation. This internship, which concluded on March 17, 2025, proved to be a transformative experience that exceeded my expectations.

Upon joining CJID, I was placed in the Innovation Team as an entry-level software engineer specializing in frontend development. Although my core focus was on frontend technologies, I had minimal understanding of AI and backend development, which sparked my curiosity to explore these areas further. My primary responsibilities included improving my development skills, assisting in coding tasks, performing QA testing, troubleshooting issues, and providing feedback to developers working on CJID’s various tools and platforms.

One of my most significant projects during the internship was the Internal Collaboration Hub (Task Management Hub), which I developed alongside Iseoluwa, a backend developer, following a task from my team lead, Monsur. Additionally, I took on a personal challenge to clone the Press Attack Tracker, a CJID-built tool that documents attacks on journalists. This hands-on experience helped me bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. I also worked as a QA tester, troubleshooting issues in various projects, ensuring their smooth functionality, and providing valuable feedback to developers.

Throughout my internship, I gained a wide range of technical and soft skills. I improved my frontend development skills, deepened my understanding of JavaScript ES6+, responsive web design, and version control using Git and GitHub. I also learned to leverage AI tools to optimize workflows, significantly improving my efficiency and problem-solving abilities. On the soft skills side, I enhanced my communication, teamwork, time management, and brainstorming abilities. Communication was initially a challenge, but with guidance from my team lead, Monsur, I significantly improved my ability to articulate ideas effectively.

A major turning point in my experience was attending the AI Collective, an event supported by Luminate through the Ministry of Communication. This was my first time at such an event, and it exposed me to AI’s transformative impact across various industries. 

Beyond technical contributions, I also had the opportunity to work in non-technical roles. My rapporteuring task work at CJID’s 2024 Media and Development Conference (MDC) allowed me to engage directly with several AI-powered tools, including Chatjourno, The NewsLab, the News Accessibility Platform, and the Dubawa Audio Platform. The Dubawa Audio Platform, another tool by CJID,  particularly interested me because of its role in fact-checking, radio monitoring, and combating misinformation.

I served as a rapporteur for the Lake Chad Crisis Basin panel sessions at the MDC, where I documented key crisis discussions, proposed solutions, and reported to the Development Manager. This experience allowed me to engage with real-world issues and understand journalism’s broader impact in Africa. I also attended CJID’s 10th-anniversary dinner, where industry leaders and young journalists were recognized for their contributions to journalism and media development.

Working in a multi-faceted organization like CJID gave me insight into various aspects of the development space in Africa, a better understanding of the issues African countries face, and how organizations address these challenges. I realized why professionals with varying expertise need to collaborate to strengthen Africa’s democratic systems.

Reflecting on my internship, I can confidently say it was a game-changer for both my professional and personal development. Before joining CJID, I had only imagined what working in tech would feel like, but this internship gave me practical experience, exposure to real-world projects, and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to a professional team. While I initially saw myself strictly in software engineering, my time at CJID influenced me to explore broader IT fields, particularly AI chatbot development, machine learning, and cybersecurity.

One key lesson I learned is that hard work and dedication always pay off. Coming from a background with limited exposure to the tech industry, my internship showed me that professional life requires persistence, continuous learning, and adaptability. The mentorship I received from Muzzamil (my assigned mentor), Monsur, Job, Maimunat, Glory, Tobi, Dan, and Iseoluwa was instrumental in my growth.

Looking ahead, I plan to apply the skills and ethics I learned at CJID in my future endeavors. The organization’s strong ethical values, collaborative spirit, and commitment to innovation have left a lasting impact on me, and I aspire to uphold these principles in my career.

I will like to express my gratitude to CJID for this opportunity and its overall investment in developing the next generation of journalists and media practitioners. If I had to summarize my internship experience in one word, it would be “transformative.” This journey not only equipped me with technical expertise and industry exposure but also reshaped my mindset, broadened my horizons, and ignited a passion for innovation that will guide my future path.