RGSoC ~ It’s A Wrap! :) TEAM BUNDLER - ATLANTA
TEAM BUNDLER – ATLANTA
ABOUT ME
How did you hear about the SoC and why did you apply?
I have always been interested in web development and dabbled here and there over the years. After completing my academic studies at Saint Leo University and securing a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a specialization in Technology, I took some time off to study yoga and develop my practice. While learning to meditate and practicing yoga, I revisited things that had made me happy in the past and the idea of a career in the IT field and programming bubbled up. From there I began seeking out opportunities to meet people with similar aspirations.
I attended several events though Meetup.com and found a “home” with Rail Girls Atlanta and Woman Who Code. I learned of the SoC via a Meetup hosted by the Atlanta Ruby Group, titled “Career Planning for Rails Newbies.”
Almost immediately after the event, I began the application process and finding a partner. It has been a wonderful experience and I am so grateful to the sponsors of the program for helping to create opportunities for women to learn and get into the field!
THE COACHES
My actual coach(es) for the project were Al Snow and Shawn Johnson. I am so grateful to Al because he came in, volunteering his time a bit after the project started and has been amazing!
The project mentor was Andre Arko or (Indirect – his virtual name, as we so often referred to him) and supervising things was Terrence (Hone) Lee. Everyone has been so gracious in sharing their time and expertise and in helping me grasp so many concepts that I did not know of when the project started. Thank you all for your unending patience!
ABOUT BUNDLER
Bundler is a program for managing gem dependencies in Ruby projects. With Bundler, one can specify which gems a program needs, what versions it should be, help install, load at runtime and distribute within your software. Basically, it takes all of the guesswork out of installing gems needed to run your Ruby projects.
THE PROJECT
The Project was to implement a variety of changes, fixes and improvements to the Bundler gem.
As Bundler is used by a significant portion of the coding and open source community it is important to ensure that the gem is working and functioning as efficiently as possible.
Starting out, we were a team of two. My chosen partner started a new job and school and was unable to push through with the project as initially planned.
Summer of Code has end. I have had a great time and I will continue to learn and make contributions through and with Bundler.
What was your happiest moment?
My happiest moment(s), there were several:
- Getting my virtual box and all of the needed applications up and running
- Advancing from practice pull request to live pulls
- My car was totaled this summer and I was not able to physical meet with my coaches towards the end. Coach Al suggested I use an app “TeamViewer” to continue sessions. Using the app allowed us to communication more efficiently it seems. I listened more actively and seem to have learned more virtually than when we were physically driving to meet each other. I’m thinking that I did not have such a huge transition with the drive to and from and was able to use that extra time and energy revamping in my mind the discussion of the day.
Lesson Learned: Despite challenging situations, press on until things work in your favor.
What was the most challenging moment?
Losing a team member and basically having to almost work alone. It has been stressful and full of so many unknowns – I guess, the same as with life in general. I have seen myself grow personally and professionally. Some key skills that I have pulled from: project management, time management, interpersonal communications, ability to listen well, creativity, enthusiasm, self starting, problem solving, being courageous enough to ask the same question over again and if needed to the same person.
Lesson Learned: Stay steadfast to the end!
If you could code anything in the world, what would it be?
As I am a yoga instructor, I would develop a stress-o-meter that let’s you know when you have reached your Embrace and OM point. Making you aware of the majic moment when you should embrace a hug, smile, kind word to someone or simple find a place to meditate and Omm.
WHAT NOW
Starting Oct. 2nd , I will begin “How to Think Like a Programmer” offered by University of Washington via Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/uw.
Stay tuned…
Blog: www. http://devrubyslippers.svbtle.com/
Twitter: @devrubyslippers
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kai-baraka/94/874/488/