Happy Huduma day!

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Happy Huduma day to all Kenyans!

Hello to the 5 new subscribers who have joined our community since the last edition.

In today’s email:

1. The key insight from MicrosoftADC and Catherine Muraga DeKUT’s visit?

2. What are Trading bots?

3. No more free Netflix for Kenyans.

4. AWS has joined the other big fish in Kenya, by opening a center.

Microsoft ADC visit

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a Microsoft ADC visit at DeKUT, and I'd like to share some valuable insights I gained from the experience.

If you're aspiring to secure a position at a major corporation like Microsoft, here's a roadmap to consider:

• Skill Mastery: It's imperative to ensure that you are not only well-skilled but also equipped with the right set of competencies.

• Have people Skills: As Catherine Muraga wisely pointed out, many individuals possess the requisite skills and knowledge for desirable positions. However, the challenge often lies in effectively communicating what one can contribute. Building strong networking skills is crucial because these connections can lead to meaningful encounters with potential employers.

• Showcase Your Work: During the event, I encountered someone who had been hired by Microsoft simply by sharing their work on platforms like LinkedIn. This underscores the significance of sharing your professional achievements on social media, demonstrating that opportunities can arise from these platforms. Remember, you don't need to undertake monumental projects to share; even sharing an article about your experiences and insights can be impactful. Share your work in places like Medium, LinkedIn, and GitHub. To learn more about places to share your work here Apps and websites for Techies.

• Engage with University Groups and Societies: Participating in university clubs and societies can broaden your knowledge base and introduce you to new fields of interest. For instance, when I was a first-year student, I joined a club called "Innovators," which exposed me to the fascinating realm of IoT. Thanks to this involvement, I am now focusing on IoT as a specialization. Had I not joined the club, I might have only grasped the concept in my third year, during a data science and IoT course. Additionally, these groups provide opportunities to connect with mentors, co-founders, and potential future colleagues. This club includes GDSE, MLSA, IEEE, and other Computer Societies engineering societies.

• Attend Events: Participating in events should also be a deliberate part of your strategy. These gatherings provide opportunities to connect with individuals who share your interests, as well as potential employers and mentors. They can be a source of inspiration and serve as eye-opening experiences.

Takeaways from Catherine Muraga.

Catherine Muraga holds the positions of Managing Director at MicrosoftADC and Engineering Director at Microsoft Corporation. Here are her noteworthy takeaways:

1. Tech is Thriving: The technology industry is currently in a state of high demand and growth.

2. Dive Deep into Learning: If you're pursuing a specific area, such as learning a programming language or specializing in fields like data science or artificial intelligence, immerse yourself completely in your chosen domain.

3. Share Your Work: Make sure to actively showcase your professional contributions and achievements.

4. AI and Data Science in Africa: Catherine emphasizes that artificial intelligence and data science are poised to be the next significant developments in Africa.

5. Get Busy. “You can’t sit still and expect things to come to you“

Trading Bots🤖

These are automated software programs designed to execute trades on behalf of traders using predetermined rules and algorithms, such as buying or selling when the price reaches a certain level, or using artificial intelligence to analyze market trends and make decisions.

The concept of an automated trading system, which includes trading bots, was first introduced by Richard Donchian in 1949 when he used a set of rules to buy and sell funds. Then, in the 1980s, the concept of rule-based trading became more popular when famous traders like John Henry began to use such strategies.

How do they work?

Trading bots work by connecting to an exchange or a broker platform via an API (Application Programming Interface), which allows them to access the market data and execute trades on your behalf. They can also use external sources of information, such as news, social media, indicators, etc., to enhance their decision-making process. Trading bots can be programmed to follow different types of strategies, such as arbitrage, market making, trend following, scalping, etc., depending on your goals and risk appetite. Some trading bots are pre-built and ready to use, while others are customizable and allow you to tweak their settings and parameters.

Trading bot benefits

Trading bots offer benefits and drawbacks:

Benefits:

• Time-saving: Automate repetitive trading tasks, eliminating the need for constant market monitoring and manual orders.

• Performance boost: Execute trades faster and more accurately, without human errors, emotions, or biases.

• Portfolio diversification: Trade multiple assets, markets, and strategies simultaneously, enhancing your investment approach.

• Strategy testing: Test and optimize strategies using backtesting and live testing features, with the ability to evaluate and fine-tune performance.

Drawbacks:

• Technical issues: Bots are susceptible to technical glitches, system bugs, or network disruptions, potentially leading to losses or missed opportunities. Users need technical expertise to customize bot parameters.

• Security risks: Trading bots store personal information and funds on platforms vulnerable to security breaches, posing the risk of compromised bots or identity theft.

• Market volatility: Bots operate based on predefined rules, potentially failing to adapt to sudden or unexpected market changes, resulting in losses or missed opportunities.

Some examples of trading bots include Trade Ideas, TrendSpider, Bitsgap, Scanz, Tickeron, Stock Hero, and Signal Stock among others.

It is important to do your research before choosing a trading bot and to use it with caution and discretion. You should also monitor your bot regularly and have a backup plan in case anything goes wrong.

I hope this post gave you some useful information about trading bots and how they can help you with your trading journey. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.

No more Free Netflix

Starting next month, Netflix, the popular streaming service provider, will discontinue its free plan in Kenya, a move that will affect thousands of subscribers who have been enjoying complimentary access since 2021. In a message sent to users on Tuesday, Netflix announced that once the free service is deactivated on November 1, 2023, subscribers' memberships will automatically be terminated. Those who wish to continue watching will need to upgrade to one of the paid plans, starting as low as Sh200 per month. This upgrade will grant them access to all shows and movies, additional features, and the flexibility to watch on various devices, including phones, TVs, and laptops.

AWS has joined the other big fish in Kenya, by opening a center.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled plans to establish a development center in Nairobi, Kenya, with a focus on bolstering employment opportunities in software development, cloud support, and software engineering. Kenya, often referred to as the "Silicon Savannah," stands as a vibrant tech hub in Africa, attracting both global tech leaders and startups. AWS, the world's largest cloud computing provider, caters to prominent companies like Netflix, General Electric, and Sony. Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized the tech sector's pivotal role in job creation and economic growth amid global uncertainties.

AWS joins a lineup of major corporations, including Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Alibaba, Huawei, and Oracle, in establishing centers in Kenya. This collective presence of global tech giants underscores Kenya's burgeoning tech landscape and the exceptional talent pool it offers.

The presence of global tech giants in Kenya has both bullish and bearish aspects. On the bullish side, it brings increased investment and job opportunities, fostering healthy competition and innovation. However, there are bearish concerns related to data privacy, security, and potential strains on local resources like energy and infrastructure. Achieving a balanced approach is essential for Kenya's sustainable tech sector growth.

A Little History of Huduma Day

Huduma Day is a cultural holiday celebrated in Kenya on October 10th every year. Formerly known as Moi Day, it was renamed to Huduma Day in 2019 to celebrate the country's public service. The day is marked by countrywide prayers and community service to showcase Kenyans' commitment to helping one another.

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