Core skills reflection

What are three new things you have learned about yourself and your ego as a result of the core learning?

In the last 5 weeks, I have learnt that I love a challenge. I love coming from a place of 'not knowing' and through my hard work and effort moving to a place of 'knowing'. Establishing new chemical pathways and consistent new learning keeps me stimulated and keeps my mind sharp.

Over the course of foundations I have learnt that control of ego (or lack of) can dictate our growth. We can fall into patterns that fuel our ego which can be a blessing or a curse to our ability to develop. Through this course/readings and interactions with others have I been more aware of the impact our ego plays in life.

I learnt that making smaller goals to meet at the beginning the day helps with my feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day. If I focus on meeting a goal that is too great to achieve that can make the day feel wasted if I do not meet it. Breaking down big goals into smaller ones reminds me that I am progressing.

What is the role of values, empathy and self-awareness in learning and programming?

To grow ourselves nothing is more powerful than surrounding yourself in a positive environment with similar individuals who are striving to learn and to help one another on your learning journey. Being able to connect through values, empathy and self-awareness can we unlock invaluable tools to further our growth and the growth of others.

Holding the same values or beliefs we can find common ground and can communicate easier with one another. Showing empathy and understanding that others might be struggling we can provide support and further their growth and in turn furthers our own, teaching others is a great way of reinforcing your knowledge on the area. Being self-aware we can monitor our learning and change accordingly if we can see something is working or something is not working. Being able to be self-critical and open to criticism allows for reflection and the door to moving forward.

What has surprised you the most about the core learning and what was the most challenging?

It has been the most challenging yet most rewarding side of foundations. Initially, I struggled with it and found it hard to switch from writing and learning the technical side of web development to then jumping ship and writing blogs on the core side. But as the weeks went on I found it easier to explore and understand that both the technical and core learning go hand in hand, and reflecting on oneself and being self-aware can help us push past our limitations and reach new heights.

Why do you think we, a programming school, are spending so much time focusing on core learning in a web development bootcamp course?

We are heavily reliant on computers and writing in code that it can look like to be the best developer we must 'become' a computer or understand every inner working of code and I think it's important to remember that this is not the case. It's more important that we develop human and core skills to attach that to our technical skills. I want to be technically proficient at coding but I also want others to be able to see that there are values, beliefs and emotion attached to what I do and how I work. In a team environment, we need to be able to be relatable and so I think that's why it is so important to learn and teach these skills.

Does the time you spent studying core learning here feel like a waste of time? Should you have just used that time to practicing programming instead?

Not at all. I think as you can read from my previous reflections that it is vitally important to strengthen that side of us. In a world where technology is evolving at a rapid rate, it is learning and growing the core side that helps us remain 'human'. Bringing our identity into our work I believe will make it more approachable and better received than work that has no values, beliefs or emotion attached to it.

Preparing for bootcamp

As I finish foundations and start gearing up for bootcamp I start to reflect where I would like to be in the industry. My long term goal is to use the skills I learn at EDA to be able to communicate my ideas and bring them into reality. I would like to work in an area's where I can help bring people together. I want to use my skills as a developer to pay it forward and help the community and environment out. Working within a company that holds those values would be great in the short term, and further down the track, I will flesh out my ideas and long term goals.

During my time at bootcamp, I think my biggest strength will be my work ethic and drive to grasp a concept. I will encourage myself to help others if I feel in a position to do so and understand it myself. Over foundations, I think I have managed my time well and am looking forward to strengthening my time management. My biggest weakness will be leading a team and my communication skills. But I am excited to strengthen these during bootcamp.

My biggest non-technical challenge will be realising everyone learns at their own pace. Over foundations, I have made myself aware of this and am becoming much better and letting go of where in the learning path I am in comparison to others. I have been more trusting of myself and the learning process. I am also not the greatest public speaker and communicator as I’ve stated above so working in this area will be of great help.

I watched an EDA graduation this week, and I was blown away by what people came up with. It was inspiring to me and I am committed to showing up each day and giving it my all. I can't wait to push myself and exceed my expectations and limitations my ego may have. I will grow both the technical side and non-technical side in me, and if I can help others on their journey I will as well.