Unlocking Potential
Testimonials
Alex Ruheni
Developer Advocate at Prisma
GOL Season 1
My experience with Microsoft ADC Game of Learners introduced me to DevOps, and with the learning resources from LinkedIn Learning, I delved deeper into the field. This newfound knowledge gave me the confidence to apply for a full-time DevOps Engineering role at Safaricom PLC, and fortunately, I was successful.
In my current position, I apply techniques such as agile methodologies that I learned during the program. Despite working remotely, we prioritize team spirit, ensuring motivation to deliver excellent solutions. The mentorship and guidance from Winnie and Kennedy, our team mentors, were invaluable. They provided insights into the career world and the recruitment process for developers. I applied their advice during my interview at Safaricom PLC, leading to a successful outcome.
I am incredibly grateful to the entire Microsoft ADC team for granting me this opportunity. Special thanks to mentors Kenneth and Winnie, as well as my team, Team Tribore. We were honored to win the media category for delivering the best results. I highly encourage students to apply for this exceptional opportunity as it has been one of the highlights of my campus life.
Bethany Jepchumba
Cloud Advocate at Microsoft
Team Captain of winning team in Season 2
In the 2021 season of Game of Learners, I had an enriching experience. My primary objective was to guide my team in developing a comprehensive project. While winning the competition was a fantastic achievement, the true reward lay in the knowledge and skills I acquired. Building the project taught me valuable lessons about team dynamics. After the program, I received mentorship from Donovan Brown and Microsoft FTEs, which played a significant role in securing my current position as a Cloud Advocate at Microsoft
I highly recommend Game of Learners to individuals seeking personal growth and challenges, as it not only enhances technical skills but also develops essential soft skills for the workplace.
Gloria Keya
Software Engineer at Microsoft
GOL Season 2 Participant
I have engaged with Game of Learners at various levels, each offering unique experiences. In season 2, GoL, I was a member of Team Crowducate. Although we didn't secure a win, the journey was filled with excitement, unforgettable moments, and valuable learning opportunities. The following year, I took on the role of a GoL ambassador, which equipped me with leadership, planning, and collaboration skills. In 2023, I had the privilege of serving as a judge during the initial round of evaluations.
Throughout these different levels of participation, my key takeaway has been the significance of maintaining a growth mindset. This mindset has become an integral part of my daily work as a software engineer at Microsoft and has positively impacted my life as a whole.
Josh Ndemenge
Cloud Advocate at Microsoft
Team Captain of winning team in Season 1
As the team captain of Team RemD, the winner of Game of Learners Season 1 in June 2020, I led a team of four other students in developing a solution to a real-world problem using cloud computing and AI technologies. During the five-week competition, we learned how to build and deploy end-to-end solutions on Microsoft Azure and acquired valuable skills such as growth mindset, teamwork, and adaptability.
Our victory earned us mentorship sessions with Microsoft PMs, software engineers and technical fellow until early 2021. These sessions helped me prepare for my Microsoft interviews in 2021 and land a full-time role as a Cloud Developer Advocate in the Data & AI Team.
The Game of Learners Season 1 was a transformative experience that prepared me for the challenges and opportunities in the tech industry. I gained not only technical knowledge but also leadership, communication and collaboration skills that are essential for my career.
Julia Muiruri
Cloud Advocate at Microsoft
Team Captain GOL Season 1
Being a Team Lead in Season I of the Game of Learners was an extraordinary journey! Collaborating with talented and motivated individuals, I acquired a wealth of knowledge and expertise. GOL provided me with the ability to think creatively and devise innovative solutions for intricate challenges. It not only expanded my understanding of cutting-edge technologies but also enhanced my team coordination, project management, and communication abilities.
Overall, the experience was beyond my expectations and has significantly enriched my life. I highly recommend participating in the Game of Learners Season to anyone seeking to enhance their skills and gain practical experience. I express my gratitude to Microsoft ADC for organizing such an exceptional program!
Leah Ligare
Software Engineer at Microsoft
GOL Season 1 participant
Participating in Game of Learners (GoL) connected me with like-minded individuals who shared a passion for using technology to solve problems. The intense 5-week challenge showcased our capabilities, and although we didn't secure first place, being first runners-up was a close achievement. Our team leader encouraged me to join the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program. We decided to continue working on our project for the following year's Imagine Cup, and I took on the role of team leader, gaining valuable leadership experience. While we didn't win the world finals of the Imagine Cup, the journey itself was incredible, filled with small victories, valuable connections, and important lessons
GoL also provided me with the opportunity to meet and network with amazing individuals who supported me along my path. One teammate, in particular, helped me tremendously with my fourth-year project by connecting me with professionals working on river cleanup, which sparked my interest in computer vision and formed the foundation of my project. Throughout GoL and Imagine Cup, I had mentors assigned to different aspects of the projects, and their guidance motivated me to apply for a graduate position at Microsoft, which ultimately led to my current role as a software engineer.
Overall, joining GoL was one of the best decisions I've made, and I'm incredibly grateful for the program's impact on my personal and professional growth.
Naomi Mwangi
APIGEE Developer at Safaricom PLC
GOL Season 1
Microsoft ADC organized a 5-week virtual hackathon in June 2020. Our team, Team Tribore, consisting of Isaack, Camlus, Sharon, and Ayan, worked with Microsoft Azure credits to develop a health solution. My focus was on creating the mobile application with Camlus. We built a platform for doctors to create profiles, enabled users to find nearby hospitals using Azure Geolocation services, and provided symptom information through Azure Health Bot.
Despite the remote setup during the pandemic, efficient collaboration was crucial. We adopted agile methodologies, including daily scrum meetings and weekly sprint planning, to deliver minimum viable products each week. Azure DevOps played a key role, facilitating code deployment through pipelines. Exploring DevOps further through LinkedIn Learning increased my interest in the field. Using Azure DevOps maximized collaboration, while tracking tasks on the scrum board provided visual project progress.
Despite the virtual environment, we formed connections through introductions via short clips, sharing backgrounds, schools, and courses. The spirit week was a highlight, fostering camaraderie among all participants.
Shadrack Kiprotich Lang’at
Microsoft MVP
Participating in the Game of Learners hackathon as a team lead for Team Kaizen was a transformative experience. Despite coming from a non-technical background, I embraced the opportunity to dive into software engineering and product management. Leading a talented team, we explored software engineering concepts, collaborated effectively, and developed a product for the Education sector.
We achieved remarkable success, winning first runners-up in the Game of Learners and progressing to the EMEA regional finals of the 2021 Imagine Cup Competition. This experience also opened doors, with part-time job offers and a nomination for the MVP award. I am grateful to the Microsoft Africa Development Centre and the Game of Learners team for organizing such an exceptional hackathon. I recommend this immersive experience to anyone seeking to enhance their software engineering skills and unlock exciting opportunities. Thank you for this incredible journey!