Programmers Life - Debugging 24

Looking Back at 2024: A Year of Change

2024 was full of ups and downs. It felt like fixing a tricky computer program. Each mistake taught me something valuable. As I think about this year, I realize it was not just about what I achieved. It was also about the challenges that made me stronger and more creative.

Big Wins: What Made My Year Special

1. Learning and Growing This year, I got more into my tech interests. I finished courses like NASA's DART and ISRO's AI/ML for Geo Data Analytics. This helped me understand more about space and how to work with data. These achievements brought me closer to my dream of being part of space research.

I worked on projects like using drones to help with railway safety and the CodeLush project, which focuses on eco-friendly tech solutions. These projects made my work feel meaningful and impactful.

1. Leading and Working with Others
   I helped run Google Developer Groups On Campus. I led my team through workshops and events. We reached Tier 1 in Google Cloud Study Jams and even had a project recognized in the Google Solution Challenge. This showed how hard my team and I worked together.

2. Recognition
   Winning the Community award at the Merge Dev Hackathon and getting a $200 prize was a proud moment for me. It was a real reward for my effort and ability to be creative under pressure.

Challenges: Tackling the Tough Stuff
While I had successes, I also faced some tough times:

1. Time Management
   Balancing school, internships, and my own projects was tricky. I had to learn how to prioritize what was important and make realistic goals.

2. Self-Doubt
   Sometimes, I struggled with feeling like I didn't belong, especially during important moments like the Goldman Sachs interviews. With support from friends and mentors, I learned to trust myself and focus on my strengths.

3. Team Management
   As a leader, it was hard to let go of inactive members from GDGOC. This taught me the value of having a strong and committed team to reach shared goals.

What I Learned: Lessons for the Future
Stay Flexible
This year taught me that plans don’t always work out. But being persistent and adaptable can lead to success.

The Importance of Connections
Working with different teams showed me how valuable relationships are in driving innovation and achieving goals.

Celebrate Small Wins
Every little achievement added to the bigger picture. Recognizing these moments kept me excited and motivated all year.

Wrapping Up: My Growth Story
2024 was more than just a year; it was a test of my skills and mindset. It was a mix of wins and lessons that brought me closer to my goals. As I head into 2025, I take with me the strength and knowledge I gained this year. My journey was not just about hitting milestones; it was about growing as a learner, leader, and dreamer, ready for what’s next.

This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Retro’ing and Debugging 2024.