Francesca Popescu

About half a year ago, I completely switched from Apple Notes to the Craft note-taking app. Once, on the Q&A session after Jane Davydiuk's workshop on the business operating system, I asked what app she was using for note-taking. She told Craft, showing the app on its phone via a camera. Right after that meeting, I installed Craft and have been using it every day till now. There are a few things I love in the Craft: - Super visually appealing (I am a huge fan of the great and neat UI and UX) - Great Spaces and Folder structure - Public Web links - Shared spaces and collaboration mode Check a "Weekly Team Update" Craft template to see how the Craft looks: https://lnkd.in/ejhTdXkN What great tools are you using in your daily work? I would be super happy to hear about them

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Late on a Friday night after some Friday night chillaxing I wrote up the piece I have been writing for a long long time. This is probably my magnum opus so far when it comes to software engineering writing and I highly recommend everyone who is learning to code and who wants to learn more about software engineering to read this. Definitely some of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned. Also I recommend reading while listening to this: https://lnkd.in/dQTu6suM Because this post is all about how you can read code more efficiently, break things down to solve them, break problems down to solve them, and spare yourself having to read the documentation. What's not to love? #python #pythonengineer #ai #pythondeveloper #software #softwareengineer https://lnkd.in/dyVJy6ms

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Better late than never! 🕰️ Excited to finally share a project I completed a few months back: Pilgrim AI - A Mental Health Support Chatbot! 🚀🧠 In our increasingly digital world, I believe mental health support should be accessible to everyone, anytime. That's why I developed Pilgrim AI, an AI-powered chatbot designed to provide 24/7 emotional support and resources. Website: pilgrimai.live 🔧 Tech Stack: - Backend: Flask on Google Cloud App Engine - AI: Vertex AI and LlamaChatBison2 - Mobile App: Flutter with GetX state management 🌟 Key Features: - Natural, empathetic conversations - Cross-platform accessibility - Mood tracking - Resource sharing - Crisis support Though I completed this project a while ago, its relevance continues to grow. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine cutting-edge AI technology with a crucial social need, challenging me to ensure data privacy, create intuitive UX, and develop an AI model capable of providing empathetic responses. I'm proud of what I accomplished and remain excited about the potential impact of AI in mental health support. The experience gained from this project continues to shape my approach to tech development. #MentalHealth #AI #MobileApp #TechForGood #Flutter #GoogleCloud #VertexAI What are your thoughts on AI's evolving role in mental health support? I'd love to hear your perspectives!

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So I've been doing a lot of work recently on how to improve my coding and how to write better code. A lifelong process no doubt but I have to start somewhere and I have started where I am. I am fortunate to have some really really amazing and incredible mentors to help me to do this - and I am so, so grateful for them each and every incredible day. So one of the things we have been working on this week is how to get better at reading code - how to get better at both reading AND at writing code. When you come across a new piece of code, how do you approach this? This has most certainly been a theme over the past month or so. It has been a theme in my blogs - but that is because it has been a theme in my workplace. So what one of my incredible and wonderful mentors has been saying to me is that in order to get better at both reading AND at writing code, at my level, the best thing is to write more code. Not to read more - to write more. Why? Because as I get better at writing my own code, I will soon be able to read other people's code better too - I will be able to look at it and say - oh okay, right they have done something like this - I would've done it like this, or like this, or like this - etc. But with time, reading code will start to help me more and more often too. With time I will be able to go, "oh! They have done this here - I have done this before, I can see what they were thinking - I would've done the same." Or alternatively I might go: "Oh wow! How interesting. I've never seen this before. What a great way to do this thing! So here, I have learned something new." Thus then every time I will do a code review - I will either learn something - or I will teach something. It is the privilege of my lifetime and the blessing of my lifetime to be doing this. Thank you. #code #coding #princess #software #softwareengineering #softwareengineer https://lnkd.in/ePJy7G7R

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🚀 Join us in building the future of secure payments! 🚀 We're adding the first product expertise to the team at Tunic Pay and I could not be more excited! 🥳 It's been a year since Nicky, Nico and I started down the road to eradicate scams. We’re tackling one of finance’s biggest challenges, building cutting-edge payment intelligence and governance for real-time payments. And we have major UK banks already on board. ✅ Reasons to join: • You're building this from the ground floor so you'll have tons of autonomy... • ... but you'll be joining our existing successful team and have support too • You get to help put a stop to scams, shaping our product and roadmap and leveraging data and innovative tech to out-smart fraudsters • We like snacks ❌ Reasons to avoid: • Maybe you don't like snacks? Apply here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e7NrVjwQ Referrals are greatly appreciated! 🙏 #Hiring #ProductManagement #Fintech #Engineering #FraudPrevention

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Hi everyone, I’m Kingsley Nwoye, Founder and CEO of Range Universe, a platform that enables people to excel in tech, whether through learning digital skills or building digital products that make our lives easier and better. In this pitch, I share the inspiration behind Range Universe and how we’re on a mission to provide access to valuable work experience and professional skill building through hands-on projects with real-world experiences. We are applying for the a million naira grant through the competition hosted by Samuel Ajiboyede of Growth Africa Startups, and your support would mean the world to us! 💡 Why Range Universe?   Our goal is to empower people with real-world experience and access to the tools and guidance they need to succeed in tech. 🙏 We’re seeking this grant to expand our workspace and capacity, so we can serve more students and grow our impact. Watch the video to learn more about how we plan to make a difference, and feel free to share your thoughts! #RangeUniverse #OpenPitchAfrica #GrowthAfricaStartups #Technology #Innovation

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Is 2024 My Unluckiest Year? As we approach the latter half of 2024, I've been reflecting on the challenges and opportunities I've faced. This year, I've had the chance to interview with some of the biggest names in the tech industry, and while the outcomes haven't been as I hoped, the journey has been incredibly enlightening. Google: Cleared all rounds but got stuck in the team-matching phase. Unfortunately, no teams matched my profile. Amazon (India): Had a great experience in the OA and five out of six rounds, but couldn't get past the bar raiser round. Microsoft: Did well in the OA and DSA rounds but didn't make it past the system design round. Goldman Sachs: Couldn't attend the interview due to severe health issues. Amazon (Spain): Everything was going smoothly, but the last two interview was canceled a day before it was scheduled. It might be easy to label this year as "unlucky," but I choose to see the positive side. Coming from a tier-3 college, getting these opportunities without referrals is something I'm immensely grateful for. These experiences have not only sharpened my skills but also taught me resilience and patience. So, was I unlucky? Maybe. But I've also been incredibly fortunate to even have these experiences. The journey continues, and I'm more determined than ever to keep pushing forward. To anyone else facing similar challenges, remember: it's not just about the destination; it's about the journey and what you learn along the way. #TechInterviews #Resilience #Gratitude #LearningJourney

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I wanted to take some time out today to share some exciting news 😊. Last week, I finalised a job offer that has been on the cards for a bit of time now. Not as a software developer, but as a a part-time secondary science teacher, on a one-year temporary contract, working three days a week, starting this September. WHAT?! So, after leaving the teaching profession and committing almost five months to completing an intense full-stack software development bootcamp with School Of Code, I'm actually going to go BACK to that very same profession I left? Technically speaking, yes. But does this mean I've decided a career in tech is not for me and I want nothing else but to be a teacher? Absolutely not. I loved my experience on the bootcamp and want to continue honing the skills I gained from it for a very long time! This decision to go back into teaching is not something I had always known about in advance whilst I was on the bootcamp. In fact, it was when I saw this particular part-time teaching role being advertised, that I got inspired. I saw a unique opportunity that I wanted to take advantage of (part-time teaching jobs in schools are rare to come by). To provide some context - as part of the School Of Code bootcamp selection process, the final stage task got us to outline how we would use technology to help the world, assuming we had access to all the resources, time and knowledge that we could possibly need. We were basically instructed to go and live in the Dreamer room (Disney ideation) - and I frickin' loved it 😍! It was whilst completing this task that I realised a burning desire to ideate ways in which technology could support overstretched teachers to do their jobs more efficiently. How I see it, is that by holding a part-time job as a teacher, I will be right in the thick of the education sector, allowing me to conduct research, identify problems, and ideate solutions, all whilst working in close proximity to loads of other teachers! And, as it's a part-time job, I will have two days in the week (plus the weekends) which are totally mine, and my intention is to use a lot of this time continuing to hone my tech skills and get to a stage where I can build purposeful apps that provide solutions to many problems faced by teachers today. My conscious choice to not apply for full-time tech jobs after finishing the bootcamp has felt like a super scary one to make, but I feel a genuine excitement about it too, and that's a feeling I want to listen to. I intend to write a post soon about why this feels so scary and how I've address these reservations. Sometimes, you've just got to just listen to those burning desires inside you; they are there for a reason!

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Thursday is the day where women and their stories are celebrated and amplified as part of #WomenInTechWeek. The aim is to showcase different career paths and to inspire other women to join our incredible industry, you can read my story below. I first worked in the tech industry back in the early 2000s as a COBOL programmer via a training scheme run by my then employer, a large credit reference agency in Nottingham. I was privileged to work with some inspiring people who believed in me and mentored me, Debs Ramage and Sharon Pearson in particular were key people in the early days of my tech career. I then changed careers and spent 13 years teaching maths at secondary schools. I loved working with teenagers but I missed the tech world.. In 2018 I left teaching and found the School of Code bootcamp, set up by Chris who has a mission to increase diversity in tech. Sixteen amazing, exhausting weeks with the most diverse group of people had a profound impact. Everyone was valued and respected. After the bootcamp I quickly found a junior developer position in a company in Nottingham and worked with some amazing people, who believed in me and helped me develop my career and skills, up to the level of team lead/software engineering manager. I have mentored, trained and worked with some amazing developers and helped people start on their own journeys in tech. It is noticeable though that in 2024, women are still treated differently to men. It is ok for men to be direct and say what they think, but women are expected to keep quiet. I have always felt that I shouldn’t comment on gender disparities, but we are going through a period of change and we need to call it out. It just isn’t ok.    What can help enormously is having a support network, this can be an informal group or a more formal women’s network. I set up a women’s network in my company - it was fairly informal with a monthly meeting where we would generally just chat, but it provided a safe space for us to talk about anything we wanted to. The women in the engineering team had a weekly lunchtime meeting which really helped us to build a strong working relationship that has turned into strong friendships. I believe all organisations need to recognise that change will only happen if everyone, at all levels,  is encouraged to think about and call out any biases they see without fear of repercussions. Organisations need to provide women, and all underrepresented groups, with an environment where they feel respected and valued, and only then will women thrive in their careers. Are you currently working in an environment where you are isolated or not valued? It is time to move on and find a better workplace where you are respected. Embrace the change, scary as it might be. Want to start a career in tech - give it a go! If you need a guiding hand there are lots of women out there willing to help and inspire you along the way.

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I attended the AWS Summit London this week and I’d like to share my thoughts. This is the first conference I’ve been to since the pandemic. The immediate observation is this was a packed event. We are talking many thousands of people, certainly the most attended conference I’ve been to so far. It was extremely pleasing to see a lot of women, and long may that continue! There were 2 themes that dominated everything else; (you guessed it) Gen AI and Security. I found many sessions had similar content which felt quite repetitive. People mentioned that the DynamoDB talk was exactly the same as last year. The content on the sessions delivered by Amazon was, IMHO, dry, shallow and felt very much like a sales pitch. There were some shared sessions between AWS and their customers where the latter would present their use case; these were somewhat interesting (the one by Unitary stood out) but unfortunately they were short, and sandwiched in between the content presented by the AWS people. I was expecting deeper technical sessions, a zoom into the architecture and highlights of the challenges that AWS (or customers) faced, together with architectural & cloud patterns that emerged from solving those challenges. I didn't see any of that. A positive addition was the Urban Nature Hub and the focus on Sustainability. This was very refreshing to see, I hope it carries on and interest grows every year. There, I attended a session on the use of ML to bolster the monitoring of the bat population in the UK which besides being super interesting, it gave me this feel-good factor! Finally, I noticed a shift towards using more and more Managed Services even for applications like Prometheus or Grafana. Overall, I feel the summit was a waste of time, and I will probably not attend again in the near future. I was debating between attending the talks or a workshop, I’d be keen to find out what was your experience, so drop me a comment.

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🔹 The Cost of Under-Communicating 🔹 This year, I discovered that one of my greatest weaknesses was under-communicating. This became much more clear during my first project as a full-time developer. 📈 In any project, there are usually multiple stakeholders involved—some with technical backgrounds, others with non-technical backgrounds. I’ve learned that a project’s success in terms of quality and timeliness relies heavily on all stakeholders being on the same page. And the key to this alignment? Consistent, open communication. 🔗 Unfortunately, I made the mistake of under-communicating my progress and any challenges I encountered. This led to avoidable delays, mismatched expectations, and ultimately, a lack of progress visibility for other stakeholders. After some reflection, I realized I was holding back from reaching out due to a fear of feeling incompetent. There were also times where I thought I was close to solving a problem, only to hit another roadblock—and not communicating this led to more delays. 🕰️ This experience helped me understand that no developer should feel pressured to solve every problem on their own. Subject matter experts and documentation exist to prevent us from reinventing the wheel and wasting time. The goal is progress, not perfection. 🛠️ Though I’m still working on it, I’ve since learned to lower the bar for reaching out, especially when faced with an unfamiliar domain or urgent work. Keeping other stakeholders updated and sharing roadblocks has allowed them to provide valuable guidance and resources, which has made my learning and my work more efficient.🧩 #Communication #Learning #SoftwareDevelopment

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Earlier this year I risked the prospect of losing everything; my dream. I lost my software engineering job suddenly overnight (less than overnight… within the space of less than two hours from the first indication something might be wrong). I only wanted one thing in the world and that was to be a software engineer. And I wanted to do it in the renewable energy industry. I didn’t know who I was going to be anymore. Admittedly not much has changed… I still only really want software engineering… with one or two other bits thrown in I wouldn’t mind… anyway as I applied for new jobs I was well aware that the technical test would be my weakest area. As I was laid off halfway through my apprenticeship there was a lot of making up to do… on the job too but also before the technical test. As some of you will know I worked for hours and hours tirelessly, learning Python, learning Django, and practising for my technical tests… I had this feeling in my head “the technical test will let you down”. So I knew that I had to push to the maximum of my capacity and do everything possible within my reach. And I wasn’t wrong. The technical tests were so hard but equally if I hadn’t prepared for them as much as I did then I would really be struggling with my job now. Sometimes things are hard for a reason and they need to be to get us there I worked for days and days, having just lost my job and not taken a second off to breathe, chilling a bit in the morning and then putting in a 12 hour shift. I would get the bus home at 11 pm every night almost too exhausted to persevere but I knew that I had to keep on going. I knew that I had a passion and a purpose and a destiny. I had people telling me to give up on software engineering… I had people telling me to give up on renewable energy. I didn’t want to give up on either. I listened a lot to this song during that time: https://lnkd.in/ecg-B7Qx I just couldn’t stop listening. “You know the road is full/ Of crimes and thievery, truth be told.” How innocent I had felt before this, starting my bootcamp and going into my apprenticeship! How much I had thought that things wouldn’t change! “And to the mystery Of something pulled away from me.” I couldn’t understand how something I had felt that I was so very very meant to do, my calling in life, my passion, my purpose had been taken away from me. Something I’d worked on for years round the clock, in hours, out of hours… it felt like my life purpose was threatened… The humbling lesson here is That nothing that is meant for us is ever ever truly taken away I feel so so happy and grateful that things have worked out I feel so so grateful and like I have been so so blessed I wouldn’t change my new colleagues for anything My nearest and closest colleagues are so wonderful, my Lead, my Manager, my Senior Manager, and my Mentor and the whole of the wider utilities team as well as the whole of the rest of the company Every day is a gift

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Today reminded me how essential it is to deeply understand the product you’re working on. We had a session that dove into some key aspects of the product we’re building, and the impact on me was immediate - boosting both my confidence in the company and my sense of belonging. It made me feel not just like someone working for the company, but truly part of it. Sure, it's possible to do a professional job with only surface-level knowledge. But for me, that gets boring fast - it feels transactional, like freelancing. I realized that having insight into the product fuels my motivation and keeps me connected to the bigger mission. Never underestimate how product knowledge can engage employees, align them with your company’s vision, and inspire them to go the extra mile.

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How Did You Get Into Coding? I was asked this interesting question today, which took me down memory lane to how I started my journey into Creative Tech. Growing up in primary school, I was introduced to electronics by my best friend at the time, whose dad happened to be an Electrical Engineer. My friend would always come to school with all kinds of electronic parts and tools, which we used to craft our toys. We had a mini workshop at the back of the class where we spent most of our breaks and free time. I learned a lot from this friend, which sparked my interest in tech. However, this inherent interest of mine didn't come without its perks. There wasn't a single electrical device at home I hadn't opened in search of things I could use for my projects. Many devices got damaged in my hands, but on the bright side, I became the go-to person for anything electrically faulty, saving my family some money on repairs and replacements. Fast forward to my teenage years, I had delved deeper into electronics and started developing an interest in wireless control systems and automation. I learned about microcontrollers, thanks to my limited access to the internet. I built a couple of circuits, including a wireless-controlled reading lamp with infrared sensors, a temperature-controlled fan, a battery-less radio receiver, a 4-bit storage device, and many other forgotten projects. My first introduction to code was when my microcontrollers needed to be programmed for automation, and I learned I could do that with C++. I proceeded to download the SoloLearn mobile application, where I learned C++ and ran my first code on my Android phone. The SoloLearn offline learning feature was incredibly helpful; I would download the lessons when I had internet access at night so I could learn during the day. Getting my hands on real-time microcontrollers and other devices was challenging due to finances, so I opted to build circuits with "EveryCircuit," an Android app for building electrical circuits. This app helped me learn more by building circuits and seeing how they would play out in real-time. As my interest in coding grew with C++, I decided to explore other languages like JavaScript and Java. With my interest in IoT, I also wanted to control my projects using my Android device, so I began my journey into mobile app development using Java. I learned and built my first 10 mobile apps using my Android smartphone with the aid of AIDE, an Android app used to code apps. This foundation helped me make the informed decision to pursue Computer Engineering for my first degree, where I had the opportunity to learn a lot and explore new paths in tech, but that’s a story for another day. I think I have been able to summarize my answer to "How I got into coding." Perhaps I may refer to this post for a more elaborate answer next time I'm asked the same question.

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A few steps on successfully pivoting in your career; lessons from my journey: It’s been a busy first half of the year for me, as I found myself once again a beginner in a new and exciting pursuit: Software Engineering. Pivoting into tech has been both challenging and rewarding. Here are a few key insights that have made my transition smoother and worthwhile: 𝟭. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸; So you’ve decided on this new venture. You’re probably moving in this direction because you heard so and so is doing really well in the field. Or you came across it randomly on the internet. That’s where to start; talk to so and so, dm that professional on the internet, reach out to any professionals you can find in the field you’re interested in. Their insights can provide a realistic view of what to expect. Don’t be shy. Reach out, ask. 𝟮. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀; Whether online based, or through physical meetups, get in with like minded people as early in the journey as possible. This is where you’ll learn what to keep doing, and what’s not worth your time, all from people’s experiences. Make a friend, or three, that you can comfortably go to with those "silly" questions that Google doesn’t always answer. 𝟯. 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀; What have I done successfully before, that can benefit me or my future employer(s) and coworkers in this space? This is just another way of asking, what do I have to offer? While I work on getting good in this field, what am I already good at that is applicable here? As you make new friends, join communities, find mentors, a great way to stay memorable is to offer more than the basic skills required in this new venture. Add some spice to it. What more can you offer? 𝟰. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝘆; Maybe take a step back, and another one. Look at the big picture. Why the need to pivot? Why now? Is this a decision I will stand by five or ten years from now? Is it for better work-life balance, passion, growth, or skill alignment? Knowing your motivation will guide your decisions. It’ll allow you to stay the course when this new venture becomes a little tricky and you really want to throw your laptop out the window. 𝟱. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀; You’ve got to make progress in the new field. How do you know if you’re still on track? Yes, clear, measurable goals. Is it a certain number of projects, a certification, or mastering a specific tool? Maybe even landing your first role in this new field. Set a deadline for them and get to work. Celebrate milestones along the way too (very important for morale). Curating these targets will provide clarity on your journey and motivate you as you achieve them, bit by bit. There’s much more I could add, but let’s leave it at that for now. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about the milestones, challenges, and lessons I’ve learnt — both technical and non-technical — throughout this journey.

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Overcoming Setbacks: Resilience and Opportunity I've found that in life, as in coding, the path to success is rarely straight. It's filled with unexpected setbacks and challenges that can test our resolve. I recently had the opportunity to speak to graduates of one of our mobile development bootcamps and share some thoughts, and I wanted to share them here as well. A quote I love is from Woody Allen, who famously said, "90% of success in life is just showing up." This rings especially true in the startup world where perseverance is key. Every single one of us will face setbacks and challenges. Life is hard, but challenges don't have to define you. How you respond to them will. Always remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and more capable. And for those looking to really test their limits and invest in their future, consider challenging yourself further with one of Kodeco's upcoming bootcamps. It could be the beginning of a transformative journey. #ResilienceInTech #CareerGrowth #KodecoBootcamp #MobileDevelopment

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🎧 One of the perks of being on vacation is finally having the time to dive into full episodes of long-form podcasts. It’s been a real pleasure to sit back and listen without the usual daily distractions. I’ve especially enjoyed James O’Brien’s Full Disclosure podcast. The in-depth conversations and wide range of fascinating guests make it an enjoyable and informative listen for anyone interested in politics, culture, or just compelling stories. Worth a spin if you like this kind of thing. https://lnkd.in/eaPWvCF4 #VacationListening #PodcastRecommendations #FullDisclosurePodcast #JamesOBrien #ContinuousLearning #LongFormPodcasts

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I went from knowing nothing about tech to becoming a software developer and product designer. It all started with the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which gave me the skills and knowledge to succeed in tech. Just three months before joining 3MTT, I stumbled upon product design and fell in love with it. I taught myself the basics of UX/UI design and never looked back. Today, I'm proud to say I'm a force to be reckoned with in both software development and product design. Here's what I've learned along the way: - Be willing to learn and ask questions. - Practice makes perfect. - Stay up-to-date with industry trends I'm currently working on exciting projects that combine my passions. My goal is to create innovative solutions that make a real impact. If you're starting your tech journey or looking to expand your skills, let's chat! Share your experiences, ask questions, or offer advice in the comments below! #3MTTNIGERIA #3MTTLEARNINGCOMMUNITY

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