Chisomo Boshoma

If there was a prize for making learning STEM interactive, fun, and tailored in such a way as to leave you with the skill set and tools to tackle any future endeavor you wish to take — the fellowship will definitely take the cup. As an international fellow the times were very accommodating to the time difference and the recordings allowed for flexibility. Over and above learning more about STEM, during the span of the fellowship I was able to network and form meaningful connections not only with the amazing mentors who are enthusiastic and always willing to help and answer any questions I had, but also with some of my peers. It was inspiring to hear about some of the projects that our mentors and peers have started and completed in the different areas of STEM, and the fellowship equipped me with the right mindset, knowledge, and support to turn my ideas into reality too while remaining productive at school and planning for college. Since the fellowship, I got the courage to participate in my first ever IT Showcase where I was able to attain first place with my chess opening learner program, I was able to apply for various scholarships by applying the tips and skills we were taught, and I was able to reach out to the radio using the cold emailing techniques I was taught to speak more about my program and achievements in order to inspire others and put myself out there! I could go on forever about the value that the fellowship brought and continues to bring into my life; I am truly grateful to be a part of this fruitful community.

Chisomo Boshoma is a high school student from South Africa with a passion for math, technology, and chess. Chisomo is a two-time national chess champion and one-time African chess champion and has represented her country in many tournaments. She recently developed a chess-opening learner game, which has garnered enthusiastic interest from the chess community. Outside of chess, Chisomo also loves mathematics, having advanced to the final round of the South African Math Olympiad and ranking among the top 100 math students in the country.

Chisomo is now preparing to start her studies in actuarial science at the University of Cape Town, the top university in South Africa. She’s is working to officially release her chess program and is also collaborating on an AI and sustainability competition with another fellow she met over the summer. Chisomo aspires to pursue a PhD in the future, further pursuing her love for problem-solving and learning. Read on to learn more about Chisomo’s love for chess, her interests in math and technology, and her plans for the future!

Meet Chisomo

How did you initially become interested in STEM, and what subjects are you most interested in?

I’m passionate about three main areas: chess, IT, and math. Math has always been something I excel at. I’ve had a natural affinity for solving problems, and it’s always been my favorite subject. My real interest in math began in Grade 8 when I started participating in math competitions like the Math Olympiad. During COVID, I had a lot of free time, so I studied from a GMAT book with my mom.

IT became a major interest after attending a camp hosted by SAP South Africa called Kick and Code, where we made games. Then, in grade 8, I took a Microsoft software development course in C# and truly made me fall in love with technology. This led me to pursue IT in high school, and I’ve been fascinated by learning different programming languages ever since.

As for chess, I started playing at age six. My brother taught me, and because we were competitive, I was determined to beat him. At first, he always won, but eventually, I asked him to teach me more, and my mom got me a coach. I think I love chess for the same reason I love math—problem-solving.

Can you tell us about the chess and math competitions you participate in?

Chess has been a huge part of my life, and I love the problem-solving aspect of it. I’m really proud of my achievements in chess, especially because it’s such a male-dominated sport. I’ve represented South Africa, been a two-time national champion, and even a one-time African champion. I’ve also earned bronze and silver medals in other tournaments. At one point, I played in the boys’ section, which was daunting since I was the only girl, but I pushed through. The grandmaster who won gave me a special mention, which was really encouraging.

Math competitions also challenge me and help me grow. After COVID, I participated in the Math Olympiad, and made it to the final round and ranked among the top 100 math students in South Africa for my grade. Since then, math has become my thing, and I’m excited to start tutoring it when I’m in university.

What other activities do you enjoy doing?

I like to think of myself as pretty versatile, and my extracurriculars reflect that. I do gymnastics—not as competitively as I used to, but I still enjoy it. I used to compete at the national level and made it to provincials. Gymnastics helps me stay fit and has been a part of my life since I was little.

I also play piano, which I started in Grade 7. It’s my way of relaxing, and if I’m upset, I play something calming to help me refocus. I also enjoy public speaking, both impromptu and prepared, as well as group speaking. When I was younger, I did dramatized poetry, but now I enjoy writing my own speeches. I love balancing all these different interests.

Outside of school, I’m an avid reader. I also love traveling, which chess has made possible. Meeting people from different backgrounds and networking is something I really enjoy.

Summer Experience

What was your favorite part about the fellowship?

Everything was really great, but I’d have to say my two favorite parts were the deliverables and the networking. First, the weekly deliverables. It’s often hard to start working on your goals and dreams, but having a deliverable each week helped me get into the habit of taking action. Even after the fellowship, I’ve kept that habit. For instance, with my IT program, I initially hesitated to showcase it due to fear of mistakes or how others might perceive it. But by working on it each week and improving it consistently, I built confidence. The same goes for chess and my vision board—I’ve started working toward each goal step by step, making steady progress.

Second, the networking. I still stay in touch with another fellow, Lola. We’ve even started collaborating on a competition project combining AI and the environment. She’s more focused on environmental work, and I’m helping with the IT side. It’s been such a cool experience.

What was your favorite Fireside Chat or speaker from the summer?

My favorite Fireside Chat was definitely Isabella’s "Ideas to Reality" session. Sometimes I have so many ideas, but I don’t know where to start or feel like I don’t have the resources. Her session really motivated me. It was the first one of the summer, and it set the tone for me to take that first step. It was a game-changer for how I approached the rest of the summer.

As for speakers, I’d say Cierra really inspired me. Her career path and decision-making process resonated with me, especially her advice on balancing priorities. I was debating whether to start a business now or wait, and she gave me some really helpful advice that has helped me balance my priorities.

What were some of the lessons you learned from the summer?

There are a few key lessons that stood out. First, the productivity Fireside Chat was super helpful. I downloaded an app called Forest, which helps me stay off social media, and I started using Google Calendar to plan my day. It keeps me accountable and reduces procrastination. Even if I don’t follow the plan perfectly, I still get so much more done.

Second, the cold emailing session was a game-changer. I’d never heard of that concept before the fellowship, but it’s been incredibly useful. I reached out to someone for advice on my coding project, and it gave me the confidence to ask for help and feedback.

Lastly, the importance of taking the first step and creating a timeline for my goals was huge. The deliverables and goal-setting sessions taught me how to break down big ideas into actionable steps, which is something I’ll carry with me going forward. They’ve made a big difference in how I approach tasks.

Future Aspirations

What are your goals and career aspirations over the next five to ten years?

In terms of actuarial science, I plan to pursue it up to my honors degree. After that, I’ll focus on completing the board exams to become a qualified actuary, which will take a few years. Once I’m ready, I’d like to pursue my master’s and PhD.

In addition, I want to start the business I’ve been planning. It’s still in the works, but I’m passionate about it. Also, in the near future, I’m focused on releasing my IT program for chess openings. I was interviewed for it on the radio, and ever since, I had so many people reach out asking about it, so I’ve committed to releasing it by 2025.

How did the fellowship influence your career aspirations?

The fellowship really expanded my perspective. I came in pretty set on math and actuarial science, but I decided to keep an open mind. It felt like I was immersed in different areas of STEM, getting glimpses into various fields. Even though subjects like biology or medicine aren’t for me—I get freaked out by blood—I still learned a lot about balancing personal and work life, working hard, and persevering through challenges.

That PhD panel was especially inspiring. At first, I thought a PhD seemed like an endless journey of research and writing, but the panel showed me the value of the knowledge you gain and how it allows you to help others. It convinced me that pursuing a PhD is worthwhile—not just for the title, but for the journey and the learning experience. It really solidified my decision to aim for it someday.

What have you been up to since the fellowship?

Right now, I’m focusing on finalizing my chess program. I’m also collaborating with Lola on an AI and sustainability competition, which I’m really excited about. We actually met to brainstorm ideas today, and it’s been an amazing opportunity to combine our skills.

Apart from that, I’ve been focusing on my studies and applying for scholarships. The fellowship helped me a lot with personal statements and figuring out what to highlight in applications. I’ve also been working toward competing in the Chess Olympiad. I’ve played in the South Africa Closed tournament before, and my goal is to make the top five next year to qualify for the Olympiad. Chess has my heart—I’ll never stop playing.

I’ll also be starting university soon. I’ve decided to attend the University of Cape Town, and I’m really excited for everything that lies ahead!