My path to being a certified Google Associate Android Developer
Dream changed to reality through Andela, Udacity & Google
“It is important to think big, it is important to dream but it’s also important to start small.”
I had always wanted to intern with Google right from my undergraduate days but even though that didn’t happen, I have not let that dream die.
It was on the 18th of March 2017 that I got to know of Start Innovation Hub (StartHub), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, through a seasonal program Everest Information Solutions Limited (EISL), Uyo. The advert came like a joke as others had come previously, but my mind was very convinced about this particular one. During the opening session of the program, Hanson Johnson, the CEO of StartHub, shed more light on Android Development. Trust me, I thought he was just a mere motivational speaker not knowing what packages he had for me.
I had prior knowledge of C-series programming languages, but none of Java. At the start of classes on the 21st of March, I was assigned a tutor, SAM ESIDEM, who taught many of us Java. And you know what, I grabbed Java within a week and dived into Android proper the following week. Weeks later, I heard about Andela. Hmm… Andela! Is it a human being or what? I was very curious, so I asked what Andela was and I was enlightened more on what it was all about.
I started attending ALC Beginners’ meet up alongside with my classes. It was here I got to know about Udacity and the Andela-Sponsored Scholarship. Oops!!! Android was getting more interesting with the sharing ideas among the community members. However, my learning pace increased rapidly. As a result of this, I was considered by the organizer, Emem Brownson, and my name was sent to Andela, in the hope that there was an open slot. Well, I never knew the worth.
While waiting for mail from Andela, an application link for Intermediate ALC was sent to Slack community which Nsikak Thompson told me to apply for. Hmm, what is intermediate again? I was quite confused as I did not understand the gist of it. I applied by completing a challenge in order to get the scholarship. Funny me, I was always checking and refreshing my inbox for message. Still, no message from Andela on whether I was qualified or not. I waited for some days and I almost gave up.
On the 10th of May, 2017, I got a mail from Chimdindu Aneke. Yesss! Jumping with excitement, I read the mail which asked if I would be able to meet up since I was already 5 weeks behind schedule. I replied ASAP by faith that I would.
Hmm… The journey of Android courses with Udacity began, my sleeping duration reduced, learning speed increased more than when I started. I ate less because there wasn’t enough time to cook. I struggled so much with power supply, subscribed at least two times a month, then I remembered when Sam used to tell me at the beginning that Android requires internet, I should also make Google my friend, I thought it was a joke. As time went by, I told him that Google is not only my friend now but my husband because what I never understood in the course, I would search online and understand better. Hmm…Google, kudos to you!
During Udacity Projects review, I learnt from the code reviewers. I mean, I learnt a lot like Espresso test recorder, Bind views, Support libraries, Orientation Configuration, Widgets, etc. Even when you think you are smart to by-pass some errors, your project will be returned back to you for corrections. Waoh! Udacity code reviewers are awesome and superb. Nice one!
One of the things that discouraged me from programming in my second year in school was error. ERROR!!! You know after writing so many lines of code thinking you have written something, then you see lines of error. I always had headaches with that. But guess what! I came to realize that:
“Whatever error we encounter, we write the code because computer exhibits a garbage-in-garbage-out. So the gist is, if you understand you will be able to detect and fix the error.”
Waoh! I have come this far and it was time for me to take my certification exam, I was afraid because of the exam duration — 48hrs. I studied hard in the areas I didn’t understood well, I did my best and left everything to God. I requested to take the exam. I read the instructions for more than 30mins before I started. They were so strict! Before I submitted, I was very afraid, looked through my codes over and over again in order to avoid failure.
“When you lose on your journey of success, don’t give up for it might be a temptation. Change the situation by becoming victorious over it through your efforts.”
Yeehhh!!! I passed the exam and was invited for exit interview. I waited for almost a week and coincidentally, the good news came while I was in forLoopUyo. I had been certified by Google. Hmm, after all the struggles, I am now a certified Google Associate Android Developer.
I made it! A dream of 3years ago finally a reality.
“Life is a linear equation in which you can’t cross multiply! If you think you can do it, you can do it. If you think you can’t do it, you can’t do it. It’s a simple formula!”
Thanks to the EISL team, Hanson Johnson and the Start Innovation Hub team, Andela ALC (Chimdi Aneke, Awosupin olalere Solomon, ALC intermediate Team(6) — Cohort), Udacity (Ben, Katherine et al) and Google for the open resources given to me to learn and actualize my passion. I would also like to appreciate my Udacity mentor, Rohan Taneja, for his immense contributions. I love you all!
Above all, I want to thank the Almighty God for the divine grace, mercy, protection and opportunity granted to me.
This is only the beginning of my journey!
