My Programming Childhood
16 Jan 2019
I came into this semester with wide eyes and excitement, reminiscent of that anticipation you got as a child when Christmas was three weeks away. Feeling like a toddler that grew out of his programming diapers, I was eager to learn a new computer language. Upon discovering that it was offered as a training module with a little over a week to learn, I said to myself, “Wait a minute…Java, C, and C++ were each taught over a semester. A week?” A little bit of panic welled up in my throat, but my inner motivational beast that lay dormant from the Christmas vacation, perked its ears up and I knew it was time for business.
To my surprise, not only were the training modules easy to absorb, they were a lot of fun too! The JavaScript language itself was digestible and enjoyable. I felt that someone overheard my gripes on the little nuances about the previous languages and created JavaScript to make amends. I love the easiness of not having to declare your variables as being an integer or a string. You can also make an array that holds strings and integers? “Sure! you’re welcome and thank you for shopping at JavaScript.”
As far as this software engineering class goes, I am really enjoying myself. There are a lot of tasks to accomplish but these tasks tantalize what I enjoy doing anyway. It can be comparable to telling a surfer that he has to catch at least twenty waves within an hour. I think that the composition of this class is brilliant. I also feel that it is geared for practical use versus a strict regiment of technical knowledge. It is a tricky position to be able to find a balance between instruction and practical use, and I think this class found that perfect dynamic.
Not everything can be fun and games. This class does offer some challenges outside of a tight schedule. One such challenge is the Workout Of the Day (WOD). Coming from an unconfident background in programming, these WODs have tested my abilities. Having to code specific programs within a set amount of time tested my anxieties at first, but I really feel that this will boost my confidence as I fall into a good rhythm. My goal is to be proficient and confident, and I believe that this will definitely get me where I need to be.
The one aspect of this class that seems to really stand out to me is the creation of your personal persona. Building a portfolio, making network connections, and creating that proverbial “first step” into your career is a benefit that is not only hard to find in a scholastic environment, but creates a professional momentum that will follow through after graduation.
Looking past the laughter and tears that I’ve experienced in this class thus far, I look forward to the challenges and information that have yet to present themselves. Overall this has been an enjoyable enterprise. The conveniences of JavaScript, the challenges of WODs, and the preparation for my future are a welcomed part of my programming evolution. I may consider myself to be a programming toddler right now, but I am confident that this class will provide the tools I need to succeed. I can’t wait to grow up to be a programmer!
