From Geologist to Backend Developer with HNG Internship
Tags: javascript, webdev
Published: 2024-07-04 11:59:16

## Introduction

Have you ever felt the urge to completely change career paths? That's exactly what I'm doing, and I'm excited to share my story and the journey I'm about to embark on with the HNG Internship program.

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and sometimes, the most rewarding journeys are those that take us down unexpected paths.  This is certainly the case for me. As an exploration geologist with a passion for uncovering the Earth's secrets, I recently found myself drawn to a new kind of exploration: the world of coding. This newfound passion ignited a desire to transition from the realm of rocks and minerals to the exciting and dynamic world of web development.

This article chronicles my initial steps on this exciting path, specifically focusing on a challenging backend problem I encountered during my studies.  More importantly, it explores why the HNG Internship program is the perfect launchpad for my journey as a developer.

## From Rocks to Code: A Passion for Exploration Takes a New Form

For the past five years, I've been an exploration geologist, using my skills to identify and assess mineral deposits. It's a fascinating field, but recently, a new passion has emerged: coding. I'm currently studying programming at Kinshasa Digital Academy, and my ultimate goal is to create earth process simulations through code. This shift might seem unexpected, but both geology and coding share a core element – the thrill of exploration!

## Facing My First Big Backend Challenge: Authentication and Permissions

As a beginner coder, I recently tackled a challenging backend project during my studies. We were building an API for an application that assigns computers to students based on their coaches. The biggest hurdle I faced was implementing user authentication and authorization – concepts I was completely unfamiliar with. It was a classic "sink or swim" moment.

## Learning by Doing: A Journey of Self-Improvement

Instead of letting the challenge defeat me, I embraced it as an opportunity to learn. I dove headfirst into tutorials on YouTube, scoured informative blog posts on Medium (like this one on JWT authentication [URL non valide supprimée]), and tapped into the knowledge of my fellow students. Within days, I went from complete novice to someone with a solid grasp of authentication and permissions.

## Why HNG Internship is the Perfect Launchpad

Having just finished my training at Kinshasa Digital Academy, I'm eager to propel my newfound web development skills to the next level. When I discovered the HNG Internship program (you can learn more about it on the HNG website: [https://hng.tech/internship]), I knew it was the perfect opportunity to begin my journey. The program's emphasis on web and mobile development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence perfectly aligns with my goals. Not only will it equip me with technical skills, but it also holds the potential to open doors to exciting career prospects after the internship (check out HNG's hiring options here: [https://hng.tech/hire]).

## Beyond the Code: My Strengths as a Team Player

While technical skills are essential, I believe a successful developer thrives in a collaborative environment. My background in geology has instilled in me a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and a natural ability to solve problems creatively. I'm also a positive and optimistic individual who finds joy in the journey, and that translates to a positive influence on the teams I work with. My friends can attest to that – they often seek me out as a teammate! (Want to put my teamwork skills to the test? Hire me or collaborate with me; you won't be disappointed!)

## The Road Ahead: Embracing the Challenge with HNG

I'm incredibly motivated and excited to embark on this new adventure with HNG Internship. I'm confident that the program's comprehensive curriculum and collaborative environment will provide the perfect springboard to propel me towards achieving my dream of building earth process simulations. Stay tuned to see what this aspiring developer accomplishes next!

## Conclusion

My journey from geologist to aspiring backend developer has just begun, and I'm brimming with enthusiasm for what lies ahead.  The HNG Internship program, with its emphasis on web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence, presents an incredible opportunity to not only hone my technical skills but also connect with a like-minded community.  I'm confident that the program's comprehensive curriculum and collaborative environment will provide the perfect springboard to propel me towards achieving my dream of building earth process simulations through code.  So, stay tuned – this is just the beginning of my coding adventure!