Student to Web Developer – Week 10: Navigating WordPress Quirks and Designing the Web, One LOL at a Time!
Welcome back to our weekly reflection on the experiences of our co-op team at U+. This week, we delve into the accomplishments, challenges, and insights gained by Muhammad Taha Ghaffar and Shievon Senthilkumar as they contribute to U+’s objectives.
Significant Tasks: Web Revamps and YRES Pages
Muhammad Taha Ghaffar focused on revamping the U+ Careers website, elevating its aesthetics and refining design elements. Additionally, he wrapped up the “All Hands on Deck” project, providing valuable information to support U+ Education and the Project 3 Volunteer initiative. Shievon Senthilkumar concentrated on the YRES website, creating essential pages like Terms and Conditions and the March Break Camp. These tasks directly contribute to U+’s goals by enhancing the online presence and providing vital information, aligning perfectly with the objectives of the organization.
“This week honed my web development skills, emphasizing design enhancements and data organization. Attention to detail was crucial in refining textures and layouts. These skills are fundamental in the tech industry, ensuring efficient project delivery and aligning perfectly with my aspirations in web development and design.”
“I also developed my communication and collaboration skills, as a big part of overcoming this problem required me to communicate with my supervisors and collaborate with them and peers to find possible solutions.”
Overcoming Challenges: WordPress Woes and Time Management Triumphs
“One challenge I encountered was managing multiple deadlines simultaneously. To tackle this, I prioritized tasks based on their impact and urgency, creating a detailed schedule to allocate time efficiently.”
“I as well as other web developers were not able to access the WP Editor. In order to overcome this significant roadblock, I was able to consult with my supervisors and peers to find solutions. Though this also allowed me to develop many transferrable skills, such as time management and organization.”
Interactions and Collaborations: Learning from Peers and Mentors
“I had several engaging discussions with colleagues about user experience and industry trends. Collaborating on the Careers website with senior developers offered hands-on learning, providing a clearer understanding of industry standards and best practices.”
“The interactions that stood out the most to me this week were with Hugo, as well as colleagues I worked with during the YRES page updates. These interactions specifically enhanced my understanding of the workplaces, as I gained awareness about how employees and supervisors in the workplace work together and support each other.”
Insights and Lessons: The Tech-Education Nexus and Soft Skills in Web Development
“Through these experiences, I gained a deeper understanding of the tech and educational industries. Understanding the significance of user-centric design and collaboration highlighted the importance of continual learning in this dynamic field.”
“I have noticed that errors are completely normal in this field, and that most of our learning comes from troubleshooting these errors, and collectively exploring solutions with colleagues. This made me learn that you do not only need specific hard skills such as knowledge of code, etc. but the usage of soft skills is much more common in such a field.“