Blessing Uhunmwangho

College: Lehman College

Education Level: Junior

Career Interest: Computer Science

I am a computer science major and currently an upper sophomore. So far I have completed my first programming class in java. So I am familiar with the fundamentals of programming from variables to one dimensional arrays and objects and classes. A fun fact about me is that I actually began programming in this spring semester. I was a previous nursing student but I knew it was not the path for me because I felt skeptical trying to go through the nursing process and also because I was pressured into going through that path. A friend talked me about computer science. And the first week, I started to watch some JavaScript videos on Khan Academy. It was really interesting, and I loved how I was compelled to think critically and creatively. I actually forgot the things I learnt from khan academy because it was just a quick skim through. But before class started, I decided to start practing java in Codeacademy because I wanted to prepare myself for the upcoming semester. So that was how I switched my major. Currently, I have learned java and currently learning the basics of python with a group of friends. Throughout the summer I started to touch base on web development and this included Javascript, C#, .Net, HTML, CSS, TypeScript and, mySql Angular.

What was your role?

I fixed bugs relating to the website, I worked mainly on the Html and CSS part of the website. Mostly fixing buttons that was not appearing in a page due to a css error or an error with the function related to that button.

What did you work on?

What was the impact of your project?

This internship was more of an adventure for me as I realized that there is SO much for me to learn; in both backend and frontend.My project definitely open my eyes to alot of things I should be learning if I was to go into web development.

What did you learn or improve on from this internship or from your teammates?

Although my schedule was different, I was still able to spend few hours with a team and loved how everyone collaborated together in making sure that each bugs in the website was fixed correctly and was responsive in each person`s website. I was not used to using git, but my teammates were patient enough to guide be through it until I eventually got it on my own.

What skills have you gained?

Some skills I picked up is how to debug an error in the websites. I also learned that one mistake can lead to other issues with anything related to it.

What was the biggest roadblock you've overcome?

One roadblock I overcame was understanding how html and css connects with jQuery, Javascript and Ajax. I had a lot of trouble understanding the code especially when there was thousand lines of them. I had to learn the basics of how an Html id or Class is used by other languages such as Javascript to make the website responsive. For one of the bugs I had to fix, it took me some hours to figure out what was going on but I eventually figured it out by watching a brief Youtube video on Javascript, Html and css.

How has company culture guided your work?

The company is team-driven and I liked how everyone worked together and how my supervisors answered my questions when I was need of help.

What was your experience at Unadat?

My experiences at Unadat is one to remember. I was exposed to what it is like to be a web developer and basic things like how different languages interact with each other. Although my schedule was different, I was still able to spend few hours with a team and loved how everyone collaborated together in making sure that each bugs in the website was fixed correctly and was responsive in each person`s website. I was not used to using git, but my teammates were patient enough to guide be through it until I eventually got it on my own.

What was one big project you worked on during the internship? Can you walk me through the process?

What advice would you give to future interns?

One advice I would give is to come prepared. I suggest each intern should have enough knowledge of Javascript, HTML and css in order to succeed. If not, they would be lost and feel disconnected with the team. One thing is that my team was already used to the whole process of debugging or know alot of the languages from past projects. I came only with the knowledge of Java and python. Although I understood the basics of programming like data types, functions, loops, etc, the syntax of other languages is different and you need to learn to understand what is going on.