The Importance of Tech Internships for African Youth and Teens
William Jackson, MAT, CEO MetaverseWP & My Quest To Teach
Web Site
https://metaversewp.com/destination
Email
metaversewp@gmail.com
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdjacksonblogger/
Part 1
There is a known fact that in order to earn valuable experiences
in technology, African youth and teens must have experiences
learning tech skills, gaining knowledge and understanding the
language of tech. Public education will not be enough because
of the required Standards and Learning Objectives set by the
government that needs to be taught.
Technology cannot be learned just from a book, YouTube videos
or webinars. In order to gain experiences there must be
opportunities provided by African companies so African youth and
teens can learn from industry experts how to apply, incorporate
and integrate tech. Hands-on learning is valuable and important.
Experience is a valuable commodity and should never be discounted
nor ignored, when youth and teens are allowed and even invited to
learn new skills there should be great anticipation and hopeful
expectancy that new discoveries will be made and new adventures
found.
Since starting My Quest To Teach years ago and then establishing
MetaverseWP in 2022 it has always been a joy to work globally with
youth and teens. I have had the honor of speaking in-person and
virtually at conferences, workshops and even teaching virtually.
African youth and teens have no fears nor apprehension to jump in
and get their hands ready to build, create, develop and establish
great content. Bill Gates stated it very well years ago that “content
is king, and engagement is queen.” That still applies in this era of
ecosystem, broadband, WIFI enhanced digital connections and now
AI, VR, IOT and other avenues are present and able to lift African
youth to new highs and build opportunities.
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, and shifting
ecosystems of immersive environments that are showing how
Africa is growing into a influencer across multiple digital paths
growing faster than many elements of Europe and in some cases
the United States. Africa is building for the future and creating
continental opportunities for future developments and enhancing
the intellectual not the physical talents and skills.
Agriculture is has moved to use technology to grow crops for
the growing millions and soon to be billions of people across
Africa. Medical technology is developing faster because the
Pandemic showed that globally all nations need to work with
each other not against each other. Africa must be involved in
medical research and developments, trials in clinical studies
and build the educational systems to be stronger for all students
in all ages, races, genders, cultures and languages. Girls must
receive an equal education just like boys.
The African Union must improve their standards to be sure that
there are qualified, experienced, dedicated and sustainable
measures in place to empower, inspire, motivate, encourage
African youth, teens and young adults.
The African Union appears to be falling behind its promises and
processes to build African schools into high tech classrooms of the
future and even prepare African students with basic digital skills.
The significance of tech education cannot be overstated nor can
it be overlooked. Children aged 13 to 18, participating in tech
internships offers invaluable opportunities that extend far beyond
traditional classroom learning. These internships provide practical
experiences, fosters creativity, and equips young minds with skills
that are essential for future success. African youth need to learn
and experience how networking can benefit them.
These skills will one day allow African astronauts to travel into
Space for exploration, research and development, and study in
fields never thought of before. Medical technologies, deep sea
exploration in the seas surrounding Africa will be made possible
without asking other nations to do the work for African nations.
Providing African citizens the chance to study their own lands,
not from the view of other nations. The danger of colonization
and its thinking is denying knowledge, understanding, growth
and comprehension. To make Africans dependent on others
and not allow its youth to grow into productive and powerful
adults. Colonization still hurts Africa because of many of the
thinking today because schools are still struggling with getting
computers, having WIFI, qualified teachers and even for
African businesses to help mentor in schools. African students
need to see African business men and women, they need to see
African technologists and African entrepreneurs.
Africa still does not even understand the coral reefs around its
own continent, Africans still do not know about the continental
shelf of Africa and how this can create new careers of exploration,
discovery and new agricultural sciences.
African nations should have African university students doing the
works that European students have been doing for years.
There is power and purpose in research and development,
African youth and teens should be the experts about their own
nation, not allowing Europeans, Americans, Asians or others to
know more about Africa than Africans do.
African nations will only gain excellence and extended into new
areas of business, commerce, financial growth if African youth and
teens are taught by African experts, investors and re-investments
are provided by African businesses and African governments if
Africans are to stay in control with an African mind-set.
Part 2 shared compelling reasons why African businesses, medical
institutions, agricultural systems, and financial institutions should
consider offering internship-driven chances to empower their own.
When Africa allows foreign nations to take the lead and allow “their”
people priority over Africans, this is sending the wrong message.
African youth and teens are intelligent, intellectual, creative,
innovative, excited, imaginative and have a joy for learning.
