Hey everyone! My name is Uche Enem, and my adventure with Google Maps started back in 2017. What really got me excited was the idea of contributing to this amazing platform. This passion even led me to become the first female verified Street View photographer in Nigeria – pretty cool, right? That same spark also inspired me to volunteer as a Google Crowdsource Contributor, which opened up some incredible doors, including opportunities to be a Program Coordinator and an SSA at Google!
So, what first drew me to Google Maps? Well, the Nigerian community on there was just buzzing! It was full of enthusiastic contributors like @Sagir @EmekaUlor (now awesome Connect Moderators!), Sanya, U-roy, Samson, and so many others. Their genuine passion was contagious and, honestly, it’s what made me fall head over heels for photography. I especially developed a love for capturing the beauty of landscapes and nature.
Now, you might be wondering how all this Google Maps stuff connected with my photography…
Imagine seeing your photos become some of the most viewed on the entire map! It’s such a thrill! And you know what makes a good picture? Great angles, sharp focus, a good lens, and a helpful caption. I have to admit, when I first started, I was a bit of a rushed photographer. I’d often end up with blurry shots or accidentally capture people’s faces. But Google Maps? It totally transformed me into a much better photographer!
I remember the first day one of my photos hit a million views. I was absolutely buzzing! It made me realize how my contributions could really make a difference in how people see the world. And you know what else gave me a huge kick? Adding a new place to the map and seeing it go live almost instantly. It felt like I was really putting places on the map, literally!
Another thing that kept me going was seeing my pictures pop up as the featured image so often. It was such a confidence boost and definitely motivated me to contribute even more.
Plus, Google Maps turned me into a super observant traveler. Everywhere I went, I’d automatically check if the place was already on the map. If it wasn’t, I’d add it right away. And if it was missing photos or videos, I’d make sure to capture them. This really trained my eye to notice little details I used to miss. And when it came to reviews, I always tried to give honest feedback, especially keeping an eye out for places with accessibility ramps.
On top of everything else, Google Maps made me absolutely love traveling! I especially enjoyed venturing out to more remote areas because I knew they often lacked visibility on the map. It felt like I was bringing these hidden gems to light.
The Local Guides community has been a valuable platform for strategic networking and continuous learning. Through my active participation in various meetups, including Hospital Walks, Geo Walks, Learning sessions, and Mapping the Earth meetups, I have consistently expanded my professional network and gained diverse perspectives through direct community engagement.
The first image is a Geo Walk Meetup at the Cave which happens to also be my birthday. The second image is our first Awka Walk meetup. I started the community in Awka.
So, why am I sharing all this? Because I’ve been reflecting on how Google Maps didn’t just help the platform grow, it also played a huge role in my own growth and the growth of my community. It’s funny, isn’t it? You’d think we were just helping Google Maps, but in my case, Google Maps really nurtured me and my passion. This seemingly simple activity blossomed into something that deeply influenced my creative side and my desire to volunteer. I’m so proud to say I feel incredibly fulfilled as a Google Maps volunteer.
Even though things have changed a bit since I first started, and I don’t contribute as often now, looking back on my journey fills me with so much satisfaction. I really wanted to share this story to encourage all the passionate contributors and volunteers out there, in any field – keep up the amazing work!
And here’s a really special part: all those voluntary contributions on the Google platform actually led to a job opportunity! I ended up working at Google in Lagos for a year, like I mentioned earlier. Also, my commitment to accessibility extends beyond physical structures. The Google Maps team has recognized me as an [accessibility champion]
(Five Local Guides making Google Maps more accessible) in 2021 for my proactive efforts in assisting PLWD individuals within my community. Whenever I think about the hard work and the impact I’ve made on the Google space, I feel so incredibly fulfilled and wish I could still contribute as much as I used to.
#Googlemaps #Googlejob #Googleopportunities #Googlemapper
