When you first walk into an Uncommon Innovation Hub, you might see young adults teaching children how to code. However, you might not see the powerful transformation happening; not just for the children learning to code but for the teachers themselves.

This was true for Vivian, one of our bootcamp alumni, who discovered that teaching code would help her overcome one of her biggest fears: public speaking. "It was a great opportunity for me to overcome my fears," she reflects. Like many of our students, Vivian found that the technical skills were just the beginning of her transformation.

The journey began simply enough. Already passionate about technology, Vivian joined Uncommon's bootcamp program with a clear goal: to be the best in her field. What she didn't expect was how the community would reshape her vision of what was possible.

"It has greatly changed my perspective because I have seen my peers achieve their dreams in different fields which shows everything's possible," Vivian shared. This shift in perspective is something we see often at Uncommon - when students are surrounded by others pursuing their dreams, the impossible starts to feel within reach.

But perhaps the most significant impact came from an unexpected place - the Youth Coding Program. As part of their training, our bootcamp students teach coding to children in nearby government schools. For Vivian, these teaching sessions became transformative moments. Not only did she develop crucial public speaking skills, but she also discovered the joy of empowering others in her community.

"It had a positive impact because I was given the chance to teach coding to children in my community," she explains. This experience of giving back while learning proved to be a powerful combination, building both technical expertise and leadership skills.

The impact of the program extended beyond just technical skills. Vivian gained valuable professional skills and, more importantly, a clear vision for her future. When asked about her biggest dream, her answer reveals the true power of the Uncommon experience: "Women’s empowerment," she says, adding that "Uncommon exposed me to a lot of women in the tech space which made me realize any goal is achievable."

This vision of empowering other women through technology exemplifies what we call the "Uncommon effect" - when students don't just transform their own lives but become catalysts for change in their communities. Vivan now plans to offer free digital tech skills training to other women, creating a new ripple of impact.

Today, Vivian sees being "uncommon" in a new light. "It means being part of a community of people who are dedicated to helping each other grow," she reflects. This sense of community and mutual support is at the heart of our program's success.

To those considering joining Uncommon, Vivian's advice is clear: "I would encourage them to join because Uncommon is a community that allows young people to explore and grow their talent."