From Fear to Fearless: How PRNigeria Fellowship Boosted My Confidence
Each time I read stories or see my peers making professional strides in their careers, I am in awe of their achievements. Early in my career, this admiration often turned into self-doubt. As a graduate of Information and Media Studies, I felt lost, uncertain of my abilities, and unsure how to create meaningful change or make progress like others. That feeling of inadequacy lingered—until now.
The PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship came into my life like a dream. From applying and being accepted to ultimately finishing as the best fellow, it has been the most significant milestone in my career this year.
The PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship is an initiative by PRNigeria designed for 30 promising young graduates, carefully selected from thousands of applicants. Its mission is to refine their skills, expose them to industry realities, and prepare them for professional success.
When I started this journey, I had my expectations, but even today, I am still in awe of how transformative and impactful the experience has been. For me, as for many other fellows, this fellowship was life-changing. It offered me opportunities I will never forget—learning from resourceful professionals, building valuable relationships, and visiting renowned media houses and organizations. I even got to handle professional equipment like digital cameras, microphones, and mixers for the first time.
I shared my journey across all my social media platforms, eager to tell the world about this amazing experience.
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The fellowship transcends traditional classroom learning by emphasizing hands-on practical experiences. Meeting and learning from industry leaders and experts ignited my passion, sharpened my ambitions, and reshaped my career goals. It completely transformed my perspective on my abilities and career potential. For the first time, I became truly aware of my strengths and capacity for impact.
As knowledge breeds confidence, the insights I gained during the program instilled in me the discipline and self-belief to put myself out there. I now see numerous opportunities waiting to be tapped, and I am ready to soar as high as I can.
More than ever, I am intentional about learning and growing every day. Finishing as the best fellow has made me a point of reference for others. Fellows from Kano and Ilorin have reached out to me with questions, seeking guidance and inspiration.
This growth has already translated into other achievements. Recently, I was selected as a YOLHAC Champion, where I lead campaigns for public health and HIV awareness. The lessons I learned in strategic communication during the fellowship are evident in my content and campaigns, which are delivering impactful results and setting me apart in my field.
Beyond professional growth, the fellowship has given me mentors among the facilitators and lifelong friends among the fellows. Salim, for example, helps me with essay competitions, while Ramat and I have built a bond that extends beyond professional collaboration into personal and business relations.
I am incredibly proud of myself and the person this opportunity has helped me become.
As I look to the future, I trust in the potential of all 30 fellows across Nigeria. Together, we are poised to become changemakers who uphold integrity and professionalism in our endeavors. I am confident we will put both PRNigeria and Nigeria on the global map for excellence in communication and public relations.
Fatimat Ibrahim Abedoh
Fellow, PRNigeria
YOLHAC Champion
