Nationwide — Chioma Sonia Eze, who grew up as an orphan after losing both parents at a young age, has defied significant personal challenges to become a promising engineer and aspiring machine learning expert. Born and raised in Enugu State, Nigeria, Eze is the eldest of five siblings and has taken on the responsibility of guiding her younger siblings through life. Despite these challenges, she still managed to graduate in 2022 from Covenant University with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Her journey is not just one of academic achievement but also a testament to her resilience and dedication to her field.According to an interview she did with EDU Gist, Eze’s passion was initially for computer science, but family influence steered her towards electrical and electronics engineering. Her aunt’s reservations about computer science led her to consider computer engineering, and eventually, her high school teacher’s advice pushed her to pursue electrical and electronics engineering instead. Eze recalls asking her teacher if he thought she was smart enough for the course, and his confidence in her abilities encouraged her to take the leap. Although this was not her original plan, the decision shaped her academic path and led her to discover a new passion.
Eze’s academic journey was far from easy. She encountered several challenging courses, particularly in her second and third years, where subjects like ‘Introduction to Electrical Engineering’ and ‘Electromagnetic Fields and Waves’ seemed insurmountable. She often found herself turning to prayer for strength and understanding. Despite the academic rigors, Eze developed a strategy to balance her studies with her other responsibilities, including her leadership roles within the university’s chaplaincy. Her approach was to foster a genuine curiosity in her subjects, going beyond just cramming for exams to truly understand the material.
One of the significant hurdles Eze faced was balancing her academics with extracurricular activities. As a leader in her service unit, she was responsible for managing people and often had to sacrifice her own time and well-being to fulfill her duties. The pressure was immense, and there were moments when she questioned whether taking on such responsibilities was wise. However, Eze found solace in serving others, which helped her cope with her own challenges. This experience, she believes, played a crucial role in shaping her character and preparing her for future endeavors.
During her time at Covenant University, Eze also gained practical experience through internships. One of the most impactful was her six-month stint as an Electrical and Automation engineering intern at Guinness Nigeria Ltd, which sparked her interest in automation and machine learning. She also took advantage of opportunities like the DataCamp scholarship to hone her data-related skills and served as a Cowrywise Ambassador. These experiences solidified her interest in pursuing a career in machine learning and automation.
Looking ahead, Eze is determined to continue her education and career development. While she has already completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, she is currently focusing on gaining practical experience and obtaining certifications in machine learning. Her long-term goal is to specialize in machine learning within the fields of cybersecurity or finance, with a secondary interest in robotics engineering. Although her journey has been marked by personal and academic challenges, Eze’s determination and faith continue to drive her forward as she strives to achieve her dreams.
