Student to Web Developer – Week 12: Code, Collaborate, Conquer
Unveiling Projects and Contributions
This week at U+, Taha Ghaffar and Gloriana Zheng took on significant tasks, each contributing to U+’s overarching goals and objectives. Taha focused on steering the Workshop project, enhancing the YRES website’s functionality and user experience. Meanwhile, Gloriana played a pivotal role in translating French programs on the website, expanding U+’s reach and ensuring a positive brand image.
“This week, steering the Workshop project to integrate workshops onto the YRES website took precedence. Contributing to U+’s objectives, this endeavor aligns with our aim to enhance user experience and engagement.”
“The most significant task that I worked on this week was helping develop the French websites. Other developers and I worked on translating the French programs of the website from English to French. These contributed to U+’s goals because the French version of the website is something that we have not focused on, but it is still used by a large audience.”
Navigating Challenges
Challenges are an inevitable part of any professional journey. Taha faced the challenge of aligning the workshop interface with the existing website design framework. His adaptive problem-solving skills and effective communication with design and development teams were crucial in finding a harmonious solution.
“A recent challenge arose in aligning the workshop interface with the existing website design framework. Leveraging past experiences, I approached this by initiating discussions with both design and development teams, seeking a compromise that ensures functionality without compromising aesthetic cohesion.”
“The challenge that I encountered this week was working with templates on Elementor. This was the first time that I was using templates, and the programs on the website are built on templates within templates. However, it was very helpful because Hugo, the web developer, helped me learn all about it, and I had help from the other co-op students.”
Skill Development and Future Aspirations
Reflecting on the week’s experiences, both Taha and Gloriana shed light on the skills they utilized and developed.
“This week, honing adaptive problem-solving skills proved invaluable. Balancing design integrity while ensuring seamless functionality required a nimble approach. Additionally, effective communication played a pivotal role in aligning diverse teams toward a unified goal. These skills are pivotal in my future aspirations, allowing me to navigate complexities seamlessly and collaborate effectively in multifaceted projects.”
“The skill that I utilized the most this week was my leadership skills. This week and last week I got to lead the Toastmasters project where we would contact the Toastmasters all around China. Leadership is a very important skill to have in the workplace because it helps with guiding a group of people to success and motivating and inspiring others.”
Collaborative Moments and Workplace Insights
Collaboration was a common theme in both Taha and Gloriana’s experiences. Taha collaborated with design and development teams, deepening his understanding of the intricate connections between design aesthetics and functional implementation.
“Collaborating with both design and development teams stood out this week. Observing how different perspectives merge to create a cohesive product reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving superior outcomes in the workplace and the industry.”
“The interaction with my colleagues that stood out the most this week was being able to work with the other co-op students, Ammar and Matthew. This interaction enhanced my understanding of the workplace because it taught me that collaboration and teamwork are invaluable assets in a professional setting. This contributes to being more productive and creating a positive work culture.”
Insights for the Future
The insights gained from this week’s experiences align seamlessly with future career goals. Taha emphasized the importance of adaptable solutions and continuous innovation in the education technology industry.
“Insights gained this week highlighted the importance of adaptable solutions within the education technology industry. These lessons align perfectly with my career aspirations to pioneer user-friendly, innovative web solutions.”
“This insight aligns with my career goals because it is important to build these strong relationships in the workplace in order to enjoy your work environment and occupation.”