My Journey to Becoming a Software Engineer

My journey into software engineering began when I started studying Information Systems at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur (UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur). At the beginning of my studies, I was introduced to the fundamentals of information technology, including programming, databases, system analysis, and software development. Learning these topics helped me understand how digital systems are designed and how software can be used to solve real-world problems.

During my time at university, I became increasingly interested in programming and software development. I started learning various programming technologies and focused on building practical skills through personal projects and experiments. Through continuous practice, I developed experience in areas such as mobile application development, backend development, and system architecture. These learning experiences helped me understand not only how to write code but also how to design applications that are structured, scalable, and maintainable.

Beyond academics, I actively participated in technology competitions and development programs. One of the most valuable experiences was participating in the Google Solution Challenge, a global competition organized by the Google that encourages students to develop technology solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through this competition, my team developed a mobile-based waste management platform called Circlo, which aimed to promote environmental awareness and improve waste management practices. The project was successfully completed ahead of schedule, and our team was selected among the Top 100 teams worldwide, representing one of the Indonesian teams that advanced to the next stage.

In addition to competitions, I was also actively involved in student organizations and technology communities. I contributed to Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC) at UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur, where I served as a Co-Lead and worked together with other students to organize technical workshops, sharing sessions, and developer events. These activities helped foster a collaborative learning environment and encouraged students to develop their technical skills.

I was also involved in student leadership roles within campus organizations. Serving in organizational positions gave me the opportunity to develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while managing programs and coordinating with diverse teams. These experiences taught me how to lead projects, manage responsibilities, and work effectively with others to achieve shared goals.

Through a combination of academic learning, technical projects, competitions, and organizational activities, I gradually built a strong foundation in software engineering. These experiences shaped my approach to problem solving, strengthened my technical abilities, and helped me grow both as a developer and as a leader.

Today, I continue to develop my skills as a software engineer by building applications, learning new technologies, and contributing to technology communities. The journey from learning the basics of programming to working on real-world software projects has been challenging but also highly rewarding, and it continues to motivate me to grow further in the field of technology.