Overview

As part of our collaboration with the Telesoftas Get Global Interns program, Victoria Bros. had the pleasure of working with two talented data science interns, Jumoke Adeyemi and Gabriel Yashim. We asked them to share their thoughts on their internship experience, the challenges they faced, and the skills they gained. Here’s what they had to say:

Background

We asked the interns to tell us a bit about their background and how they got into tech

Jumoke

Sure! I actually started off in microbiology and later got a master’s degree in bioinformatics. It wasn’t until 2021 that I transitioned into tech—initially through self-learning and fellowships like the Digital Express program. I had worked in e-commerce for a while before deciding to pursue data science, which felt like the natural next step for me. I really wanted to broaden my tech skills.

Gabriel

I have a computer science degree from the Federal University Lokoja, and I’ve been working in the data space since 2021. Most of my knowledge has been self-taught, but when I saw the opportunity to work at Victoria Bros., I knew I wanted to join because I could contribute directly to building products from the ground up.

Tool & Technology

What tools and technologies did you get to work with?

Jumoke

I mainly worked with Python, SQL, Power BI, AWS, and GitHub. Some of these tools I was familiar with, but Victoria Bros. gave me the chance to deepen my understanding and apply them to more complex, real-world problems. Working with AWS was also a game-changer for me. I feel like my technical skills have really evolved.

Gabriel

I used a lot of Python, SQL, AWS, and GitHub. These were tools I was familiar with, but I got to use them in new ways, particularly for setting up the ETL pipeline and data infrastructure. The experience really helped me refine my technical skills and become more confident in my abilities.

Key contributions

What were some of the key contributions you made during your time here?

Jumoke

One of my biggest tasks was migrating our data from MongoDB to PostgreSQL. That was my first real venture into data engineering, and it was a steep learning curve. I also worked on a recommender system, which introduced me to machine learning—another area that was new to me. I was really proud of how I adapted to these new challenges.

We asked the interns about their contributions to the recommender system

Jumoke

Working on the recommender system was both exciting and challenging. It was my first real exposure to machine learning algorithms, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone as a data analyst. I was mainly responsible for analyzing the data inputs that would be used to train the model, ensuring the quality and integrity of the data we fed into the system. I also worked closely with the engineering team to understand the flow of data between the various stages of the model. It was a steep learning curve, but by the end of the project, I had a much clearer understanding of how recommender systems work and how data influences the final outcomes.

Gabriel

My main contribution to the recommender system was on the data pipeline side. I helped build out the ETL processes that fed data into the model. Working with large data sets was initially challenging, especially in terms of ensuring that the data was processed efficiently and accurately. I collaborated with the engineering learning team to optimize the data ingestion process, and we implemented solutions that improved the system's performance. Being involved in this project was a major highlight of the internship for me—it allowed me to apply my data engineering skills while learning more about how machine learning systems operate behind the scenes.

Challenges

We asked the interns about the challenges they faced during their internship

Jumoke

One of the biggest challenges for me was the transition to data engineering. I hadn’t worked much with ETL processes before, so learning how to handle complex data migrations was difficult at first. There were moments when I struggled with understanding how everything fit together, but the team was great about offering support. I took the time to dive into research and worked closely with my mentors, and that helped me overcome those obstacles.

Gabriel

The ETL pipeline was the most challenging part of my work. I hadn’t done much in that space before, so I had to dedicate a lot of time to learning and troubleshooting. But honestly, I think the difficulty made the experience more rewarding. Every challenge felt like a learning opportunity, and by the end of it, I felt proud of what we accomplished. The team was always there to guide me, which made all the difference.

Feedbacks

We asked the interns how this internship has shaped their career paths

Jumoke

This experience has definitely broadened my career horizons. Before joining, I was mainly focused on data analysis, but now I’ve discovered a passion for data engineering and machine learning. I’ve also become more comfortable with tools like AWS and SQL, which were key to the projects I worked on. Moving forward, I’m excited to explore these areas further and build on the foundation I’ve gained here.

Gabriel

This internship has been a major stepping stone for my career. It’s given me hands-on experience with complex data systems and allowed me to work on projects that have a real impact. I’ve gained confidence in my ability to contribute to product development, and I’m excited to continue growing at Victoria Bros. now that my internship is over. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m looking forward to what’s next!

We asked the interns how they would describe the work culture at Victoria Bros.

Jumoke

The culture at Victoria Bros. is incredibly welcoming. Everyone here is so approachable, and I never felt like I was alone when facing a challenge. It’s a place where people genuinely care about your growth, and that really stood out to me. I also loved the team’s focus on collaboration and the occasional team bonding activities—those moments made the internship experience even more special.

Gabriel

I completely agree with Jumoke. The work culture at Victoria Bros. is one of the highlights of this internship. I always felt supported and encouraged to ask questions or seek advice. The collaborative spirit here made it easy to navigate challenges, and it’s something that really sets the company apart. I’m excited to keep contributing to this environment as I continue working with the team!