Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate Flora Oladipupo

This is the next segment in a blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who have achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level they can achieve, and have recently graduated from college. Each blog in this series will feature a different student and highlight their accomplishments, their experiences in the Student Ambassador community, and what they have been up to.

Today we meet Flora, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

Responses have been edited for clarity and length.

When did you join the Student Ambassador community?

July 2021

What is it like to be a student ambassador?

Becoming a student ambassador has been an incredible experience for me. I came into the program at a critical time when I was just starting out in my tech journey, having given up on a tech career and thinking it might not be for me. In the three years I have been an ambassador, I have not only improved my tech skills, but I have also grown as a person. I have gone from being a shy person to someone who can confidently speak to an audience, and along the way I have developed strong presentation and communication skills. As an ambassador, I have made an impact on both small and large scales, have become adept at organizing events, and have mentored other students to start their tech careers.

Was there a particular experience that had a profound impact on you while you were participating in the program? And why?

One of the key impacts I made as an ambassador was organizing a global Power Platform event in Nigeria, which was estimated to be the largest event in West Africa, with approximately 700 students in attendance. At this event, I worked with an MVP in the Power Platform domain to upskill students on Power BI and Power Apps technologies. I leveraged my position as a Microsoft ambassador to gain access to the school’s facilities, including computer systems, for students to use for learning. This important experience paved the way for me to organize international events outside of the ambassador program.

These experiences helped me develop the skills needed to manage projects, network, and make an impact at scale.

Tell me about the skills you gained as a student ambassador. How did these skills help you in your journey after graduating from college?

During my time as an ambassador, I developed strong skills in data analytics. I honed my skills using a variety of Microsoft technologies, including Power BI, Excel, and Azure for Data Science. I shared this knowledge with the community through my classes, which proved invaluable in my post-graduate journey. I also honed my technical writing skills by contributing to the Microsoft blog, with one of my articles becoming one of the most-viewed blogs of the year. This experience led me to secure internships while in school, freelancing on the side, and ultimately landing a job before I graduated.

What would you like to tell students around the world about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?

I want to let students around the world know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program is for everyone, no matter how new they are to technology. It provides opportunities to grow, learn, and expand their skills, preparing them for success in the workplace. They should not see this program as a program for geniuses only, but as a place to shape them in ways that traditional academics cannot.

Flora and other Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors from her college.

What advice would you give to new student ambassadors just starting out in the program?

I would advise students who are just starting out to do their best and most importantly look beyond SWAG! Many people focus only on SWAG and products and forget that there is much more to be gained, including developing both soft and technical skills. So for those who are just starting out, come in and make good connections and leverage those connections while you build your skills in all areas.

Share your favorite quote! It could be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Let us know why you chose it. What does it mean to you?

Maya Angelou’s words resonate deeply with me. “If you want to excel at anything, you have to love it and make sacrifices.” This truth became clear to me during my journey as a student ambassador. I aspired to be an effective teacher, presenter, and communicator. To achieve this, I knew I had to overcome my shyness and face the crowd. To make an impact on a large scale, I had to step out of my comfort zone. Over time, I became a different person than when I first joined the program.

Tell us some interesting stories about yourself and your travels.

One of the most exciting aspects of my involvement in this program and my academic journey was when I took on the role of community manager. Our goal was to elevate the MLSA community to a prominent position within the school, making it known to both students and lecturers. However, through collaboration and teamwork with fellow ambassadors, we achieved significant growth. The community grew to nearly a thousand members and successfully registered as an official club recognized by the Vice Chancellor and distinguished lecturers. I would like to thank Mahmood Ademoye of FUTA and other ambassadors who played a key role in shaping our thriving community.

Flora and her mentor Olanrewaju Oyinbooke

You can follow Flora here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flora-oladipupo/
X: https://x.com/flora_oladipupo
GitHub: https://github.com/shashacode
middle: https://medium.com/@floraoladipupo
Hashnode: https://writewithshasha.hashnode.dev/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/flora_oladipupo