Year in Review: My Growth as a Software Engineer
2020: A Year of Challenges and Growth
2020 was, without a doubt, a year to remember. While the world faced unprecedented challenges, it was also a year of significant growth for me as a software engineer. From mastering new technologies to adapting to new ways of working, the journey was anything but ordinary.
Highlights of My Professional Journey
Embracing Agile Practices
Early in the year, I transitioned to working in an agile environment. Stand-ups, retrospectives, and sprint planning became part of my daily routine. These practices helped streamline teamwork, improve communication, and keep the focus on delivering value.
Tackling Complex Data Structures
On the technical front, I delved deep into SpringBoot and OracleDB while working on a CRM project. Managing complex data structures and optimizing large queries pushed me to refine my problem-solving and performance-tuning skills.
Learning Swift and iOS Development
In March, I began my journey into iOS development with Swift. From creating simple apps to understanding the intricacies of Apple’s ecosystem, this experience expanded my horizons beyond backend development.
Side Projects and Experimentation
One of the highlights of the year was releasing Alexa Runner Pizza, a custom Alexa skill that allowed users to order pizza by voice. This side project combined my love for coding with my love for pizza (priorities!). It also gave me hands-on experience with AWS Lambda and serverless architectures.
Lessons Learned in 2020
This year wasn’t just about technical growth; it also taught me valuable lessons about adaptability and perseverance: - Adapt to Change: Whether it’s shifting to remote work or picking up a new programming language, adaptability is key. - Continuous Learning: The tech world never stands still, and staying curious is essential. - Balancing Work and Life: With the lines between home and work blurred, finding balance became more critical than ever.
Looking Ahead
As the year ends, I’m excited about what lies ahead. My focus for the coming year includes: - Diving deeper into Kubernetes and DevOps practices. - Building more impactful side projects. - Continuing to grow as a team player and problem solver.
How was your 2020? Let’s connect and share experiences as we gear up for the challenges and opportunities of a new year!