Growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, I was lucky to have a supportive family who encouraged me to
explore my interests. And boy, did I discover a passion for all things computer-related when I got
my first one in 2011! From playing games to editing videos and creating special effects, I had a
blast discovering all the ways I could interact with my trusty computer.
But my interest in technology didn't stop there. In the past couple of years, I've been diving
into website development, designing mobile apps, building machine learning models, and even creating
my own game. And you know what? It's been a thrilling ride, and I can't wait to see where my
curiosity and creativity take me next.
One of my favorite things to work with is APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). They allow me
to connect different software systems together and create all kinds of cool functionality. It's like
being a mad scientist in a lab, but instead of potions and chemicals, I'm concocting awesome
software solutions.
So, that's a little bit about me and my journey with computers. I'm excited to see where the future
takes me, and I'm always eager to learn more and take on new challenges.
As a beginner developer, I worked on my first project for over five months to get it just right.
During that time, I gained valuable knowledge and experience with APIs, React, Django, HTML, CSS,
JavaScript, and more. It's worth noting that the Twitter clone I created didn't allow users to
upload videos or photos. Nonetheless, it was a great learning experience that has prepared me for
future development projects.
After becoming comfortable with React and APIs, I transitioned to mobile app development with React
Native. I searched for a client-side project that paired well with server-side Django development.
This project involved video uploading with interaction features such as liking and commenting. I
gained experience in React Native navigation, UI design, and notifications, and attempted to
implement a dark mode feature, which was system default only. This project provided valuable
knowledge and experience to continue improving my development skills.
After mastering React's core functionalities, I took on the challenge of creating a social media
platform that combined Snapchat and Instagram's best features. With real-time chat experience from
the Twitter clone and video uploading knowledge from the YouTube clone, I built a feature-rich app.
Users could update their profile pictures and bio and choose from five different themes and three
languages. This project pushed my development skills and expanded my appreciation for React's power.
Exciting challenges lie ahead!