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A new adventure!

Posted by Danial on

The last time I posted I was embarking on an ambitious personal project – Project 300. The process was rough; I had temporarily stopped all non-essential activities, namely gaming and tabletop trading card games. My days were a cycle of work and code, rinse and repeat. I completed freeCodeCamp’s JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures and managed to clear a significant portion of The Odin Project’s Foundations.

The plan/goal was that by 14 March 2022, I would be in a role (internal or external) that was closer to code and software development. However, midway through around end-August, I decided to apply for a Technical Support Engineer role Adyen that involved reading and debugging code as part of the job scope. I did not really expect that I would get very far, as my knowledge extended to basic HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python and surface-level SQL. Regardless, I went in with the mindset that no matter what the outcome, I would still at least get feedback on where I am currently in my learning journey.

I managed to clear all 5 rounds to receive an offer which I accepted! Looking back, I remember that the technical assessment round, which was a take-home assignment that required me implementing the company’s API integration using Postman and testing the API calls to get the response required of the scenario. It was fun because it was the first time that I was integrating APIs and using Postman, and it was exciting observing my API integration receiving the expected responses.

It’s now my first week in the role, and to be honest it’s still pretty surreal. There is an overwhelming amount of knowledge to go through, considering that complexities of the payments industry. Excited to see where this adventure takes me!

Code/Projects

Project 300: Revisiting #100DaysOfCode, new roadmap, phases and focus.

Posted by Danial on

My last #100DaysOfCode log was on 14 Feb 2020. Up to that point, I had made 2 attempts and was starting to gain momentum with learning Python and Machine Learning. I was sure that AI/ML would be the path that I wanted to move towards. It’s been about 16 months since, and the world is a different place.

With Covid-19 turning lives upside down, my life similarly underwent significant changes, some intended, some unintended:

  • Mar 2020: lockdown in Singapore in the form of “circuit breaker”.
  • Mar – Apr 2020: in the midst of work from home (WFH), I completed Python Crash Course and learnt basic Python, but realized that I wanted to do more with code, I wanted to build things that help and add value. Thus begin a pivot to web development.
  • May – Jun 2020: Volunteered to assist my company via remote tech support role while waiting for lockdown to end. In that time, I also started freeCodeCamp’s Responsive Web Design course.
  • Jul 2020: Return to work and adjusting to a new tech support role in store.
  • Sep 2020: Completed freeCodeCamp’s Responsive Web Design course. Started freeCodeCamp JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures course.
  • Oct 2020 – Mar 2021: Hit a rough patch with my work, and this time was interspersed with occasional coding, adjusting to new role, gaming in my free time.
  • Mar – Apr 2021: A relative asked me to consider a startup role that was very different from tech, and while doing so, started a brief self-directed learning experience with marketing and growth hacking. At the same time, also applied for an internal programme to try out and shadow a corporate technical role in my company.
  • May 2021: A new Covid-19 wave resurging in Singapore resulting in a quasi-lockdown state termed “Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)”. Radio silence from the startup marketing role.
  • Early Jun 2021: Interview for the internal company experience for Escalations Engineer role (tech stack – Python, SQL, Charles Proxy, Splunk). Take home challenge to learn SQL, Charles Proxy, Splunk, and review Python in 4 days. Managed basic surface learning of technologies; bombed the technical interview. Silver lining – suddenly found new momentum to continue learning.
  • 14 June 2021: Crafted and started a personal 39-week plan to reignite web development journey with 3 distinct phases. Now titled Project 300 (i.e. 3 x #100DaysOfCode).
  • 19 June 2021: And so here we are.

While I already started the project on 14 June, I felt that instead of doing it in private, learning in public would supercharge the process and also act as another driving force to maintain the renewed momentum that I gained, ironically from a failed interview. I am restarting my #100DaysOfCode today, and the plan is to do it 3 times in parallel to my 39-week plan.

The roadmap for Project 300:

  • Commitment – 12hrs/week
    Workdays – 1hrs/day
    Off Days – 3.5hrs/day
  • Learn in Public
  • Restart #100DaysOfCode
  • Tweet updates
  • 1 blog post weekly

Phase 1: Fundamentals (14 June to 12 Sep – 13 weeks)

  • Complete freeCodeCamp JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
  • Complete The Odin Project Foundations & Full Stack JavaScript
  • Complete Watch and Code (free)
  • [Optional] Complete Full Stack Open

Phase 2: Portfolio Building (13 Sep to 12 Dec – 13 weeks

  • Portfolio site
  • Blog site
  • Bug tracker
  • Budget tracker

Phase 3: Network and Expand (13 Dec to 13 Mar – 13 weeks)

  • Get feedback on portfolio
  • Offer to build a website for a friend/relative

Some tools I’m using to help me with my daily goals:

  • Done App to track daily tasks
  • Day One App to journal daily affirmations
  • Toggl track to track time on coding and learning