When Wonderful Jude came across WAVE on social media, the appeal was simple “I didn't have to pay for the training upfront,” she says candidly.
Little did she know that this casual decision would spark a transformative journey that would redefine her career and professional capabilities.
Before joining WAVE, Wonderful was self-employed with no expectations going into the program. She describes her experience as a challenging yet rewarding blend of overcoming personal hurdles and gaining new insights. “One challenge was adapting to the change—and that’s time,” she shares. “Making sure I got there on time. Omg, I was struggling at first, but later it got better.”
The training, however, quickly proved to be more than just a free opportunity. Wonderful found herself being pushed out of her comfort zone, particularly when asked to make and sell a product using nothing but old newspapers. “We were told to make a bag out of newspaper and go out on the street to sell it,” she recalls, still in disbelief. “I was like, what is this? Sincerely, I had never seen or heard anything like that.” But that exercise altered her perspective.
She realized that creativity could unlock new avenues, and that there’s no excuse for being idle when one can create wealth even from discarded items. “No one is jobless,” she concluded. “You just have to think outside the box.”
Today, Wonderful works at Access Bank in Media Relations, a role that demands high-level communication and collaboration.
She credits her success to the skills honed at WAVE: communication, time management, and teamwork. “My training experience has been transformative,” she reflects. “Previously, I was shy and reserved, but through this training, I have learned to express myself confidently when given the opportunity.”
The impact of the training was put to the test when Wonderful faced a crisis at work—the passing on of the bank’s CEO. It was an emotionally charged time that required careful navigation. “During the time of our CEO’s demise, I used my communication skills to draft a sensitive and respectful press release,” she explains.
Time management was equally critical. “We had to provide timely updates to the media and staff,” she adds. Her training experience also empowered her to lead a coordinated response, reaching out to the internal communications team and deploying contact information for therapists and counselors to support grieving employees. “We all grieve differently,” she says, emphasizing the need for compassion and unity in the workplace.
For those contemplating enrolling in the WAVE programs, Wonderful has a simple message: Go for it. “Even if you don’t secure a traditional 9-5 job immediately, the extra knowledge and skills you gain will be invaluable,” she advises. “These skills can empower you to become an employer yourself, creating opportunities for others.”
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