On the 7th of September 2023, I received an invitation to join the HNG Internship X via email. I hadn't done any tech internship prior to this time, so I was thrilled; this was my first opportunity to immerse myself in a different learning environment. I was excited to learn from Mark Essien, the founder of this program because of all the good things I read or heard about the internship. I eagerly registered through the LMS link attached to the email, and during the process, I was invited to the Slack channel. Upon entry into the channel, I noticed that there were 10,323 participants. That was the first shock! How I was going to make it to the end and become a finalist with all those interns! My constant thought was, "How far will I go?".
At that time, I was just learning React. I love building user interfaces and web applications, and although this program wasn't beginner-friendly, I had played around with JavaScript and had a basic knowledge of functional programming and object-oriented programming. I also had some significant knowledge of React.js. Despite the initial intimidation, I was determined to learn more as the program progressed.
The energy in our internship workspace was remarkable. The aura and excitement among the interns were palpable, with everyone eagerly anticipating the next steps. For those who needed guidance, the mentors were always there to lead. I vividly remember @riri, @naza, @kakarot, and @adewemimo. They were like guardian angels throughout the course, each with their unique mentoring style—some were ruthless, some friendly—but all were dedicated to pushing us to succeed.
Our first task was just a post away, increasing our agitation. Then, a Slack notification popped up: "Stage-1 Task: Create a portfolio about yourself." This task had specific requirements, and missing any detail could mean failing. One mentor advised us that attention to detail was crucial for success. The anticipation was high as the time came to know our fate. So imagine my joy when I received a Slackbot notification that I had been promoted to "Stage-Two".
Stage 2 marked the beginning of a new level of intensity. The tasks became more challenging, requiring more creativity and technical skill. I was added to a team named "Innovators," a diverse group of passionate individuals from various backgrounds. We quickly introduced ourselves and set up a WhatsApp group for better communication. The camaraderie in the group was uplifting; we shared resources, discussed strategies, and supported each other through the hurdles.
The weekly tasks were relentless but rewarding. Each assignment pushed us to expand our skills and think outside the box. One memorable task involved creating a responsive e-commerce website. This was a significant step up from the initial portfolio task, requiring us to apply advanced concepts in React and frontend development. The pressure was immense, but the satisfaction of completing each stage was unparalleled.
The mentors played a pivotal role throughout the internship. They were not just instructors but motivators who inspired us to aim higher. I recall an incident during Stage 5 when I was struggling with a complex state management issue in React. It was late at night, and I was on the verge of giving up. I decided to message @riri on Slack, not expecting a response until morning. To my surprise, she replied within minutes, guiding me through the problem with patience and clarity. Her dedication was a testament to the commitment of all the mentors.
By the time I reached Stage 7, I felt a significant transformation in my skills and confidence. The tasks had evolved from individual assignments to collaborative projects that mimicked real-world scenarios. Our team was tasked with designing a comprehensive user dashboard for a hypothetical company. This project required seamless integration of frontend functionalities with backend APIs, a challenge that tested our coordination and technical prowess.
The most remarkable aspect of the HNG Internship was the continuous learning and improvement. Even when a task was completed, the feedback from mentors and peers provided valuable insights for refinement. This process was instrumental in perfecting our skills to a professional level.
As the internship progressed, I noticed a growing recognition of my work. I added the HNG Internship to my LinkedIn profile, which led to new connections with industry professionals. Within a few weeks, I began receiving offers for freelance gigs, job opportunities, and invitations to mentor at other internships. The visibility and credibility that came with being part of HNG were immensely beneficial.
The culmination of the internship was a blend of relief, pride, and a bit of sadness. I had formed strong bonds with my teammates and mentors, and the end of the program felt like the conclusion of a significant chapter in my life. The final task was to present a comprehensive project as a team based on everything we had learned. Our team chose an ambitious project, but we stood together, driven by the knowledge and skills we had acquired to deliver it.
Presenting our final project to the mentors and peers was a nerve-wracking experience, but the positive feedback and constructive criticism we received were invaluable. It was a fitting end to an intense but incredibly rewarding journey.
Reflecting on my experience with the HNG Internship, I realize it was more than just a learning opportunity. It was a transformative journey that equipped me with not only technical skills but also the resilience and confidence to tackle real-world challenges. The mentors, the tasks, and the community spirit all contributed to an environment that fostered growth and innovation.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this internship. The experience has opened doors I never thought possible and set me on a path toward a promising career in web development. To anyone considering this internship, I can say without hesitation that it is a challenging yet immensely rewarding experience that will shape your career in profound ways.
HNG X Finalist: Ekpo, Sampson Emmanuel
At that time, I was just learning React. I love building user interfaces and web applications, and although this program wasn't beginner-friendly, I had played around with JavaScript and had a basic knowledge of functional programming and object-oriented programming. I also had some significant knowledge of React.js. Despite the initial intimidation, I was determined to learn more as the program progressed.
The energy in our internship workspace was remarkable. The aura and excitement among the interns were palpable, with everyone eagerly anticipating the next steps. For those who needed guidance, the mentors were always there to lead. I vividly remember @riri, @naza, @kakarot, and @adewemimo. They were like guardian angels throughout the course, each with their unique mentoring style—some were ruthless, some friendly—but all were dedicated to pushing us to succeed.
Our first task was just a post away, increasing our agitation. Then, a Slack notification popped up: "Stage-1 Task: Create a portfolio about yourself." This task had specific requirements, and missing any detail could mean failing. One mentor advised us that attention to detail was crucial for success. The anticipation was high as the time came to know our fate. So imagine my joy when I received a Slackbot notification that I had been promoted to "Stage-Two".
Stage 2 marked the beginning of a new level of intensity. The tasks became more challenging, requiring more creativity and technical skill. I was added to a team named "Innovators," a diverse group of passionate individuals from various backgrounds. We quickly introduced ourselves and set up a WhatsApp group for better communication. The camaraderie in the group was uplifting; we shared resources, discussed strategies, and supported each other through the hurdles.
The weekly tasks were relentless but rewarding. Each assignment pushed us to expand our skills and think outside the box. One memorable task involved creating a responsive e-commerce website. This was a significant step up from the initial portfolio task, requiring us to apply advanced concepts in React and frontend development. The pressure was immense, but the satisfaction of completing each stage was unparalleled.
The mentors played a pivotal role throughout the internship. They were not just instructors but motivators who inspired us to aim higher. I recall an incident during Stage 5 when I was struggling with a complex state management issue in React. It was late at night, and I was on the verge of giving up. I decided to message @riri on Slack, not expecting a response until morning. To my surprise, she replied within minutes, guiding me through the problem with patience and clarity. Her dedication was a testament to the commitment of all the mentors.
By the time I reached Stage 7, I felt a significant transformation in my skills and confidence. The tasks had evolved from individual assignments to collaborative projects that mimicked real-world scenarios. Our team was tasked with designing a comprehensive user dashboard for a hypothetical company. This project required seamless integration of frontend functionalities with backend APIs, a challenge that tested our coordination and technical prowess.
The most remarkable aspect of the HNG Internship was the continuous learning and improvement. Even when a task was completed, the feedback from mentors and peers provided valuable insights for refinement. This process was instrumental in perfecting our skills to a professional level.
As the internship progressed, I noticed a growing recognition of my work. I added the HNG Internship to my LinkedIn profile, which led to new connections with industry professionals. Within a few weeks, I began receiving offers for freelance gigs, job opportunities, and invitations to mentor at other internships. The visibility and credibility that came with being part of HNG were immensely beneficial.
The culmination of the internship was a blend of relief, pride, and a bit of sadness. I had formed strong bonds with my teammates and mentors, and the end of the program felt like the conclusion of a significant chapter in my life. The final task was to present a comprehensive project as a team based on everything we had learned. Our team chose an ambitious project, but we stood together, driven by the knowledge and skills we had acquired to deliver it.
Presenting our final project to the mentors and peers was a nerve-wracking experience, but the positive feedback and constructive criticism we received were invaluable. It was a fitting end to an intense but incredibly rewarding journey.
Reflecting on my experience with the HNG Internship, I realize it was more than just a learning opportunity. It was a transformative journey that equipped me with not only technical skills but also the resilience and confidence to tackle real-world challenges. The mentors, the tasks, and the community spirit all contributed to an environment that fostered growth and innovation.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this internship. The experience has opened doors I never thought possible and set me on a path toward a promising career in web development. To anyone considering this internship, I can say without hesitation that it is a challenging yet immensely rewarding experience that will shape your career in profound ways.
HNG X Finalist: Ekpo, Sampson Emmanuel
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