This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Compiling 2025.
Introduction
2024 was the year I set my foundation, navigating internships, contracts, and learning opportunities while balancing challenges in college and life. Now, 2025 is here, and Iโm stepping into The Year of Growth ๐ฑ. This is the year I take bold steps toward becoming the well-rounded software engineer, and musician Iโve envisioned. Hereโs how Iโm planning to make it happen!
๐ฏ Main Goals for 2025
๐ฅ๏ธ Become a Better Software Engineer
- Deep dive into Full-Stack Development: JavaScript, TypeScript, ReactJS, and Node.js.
- Build practical projects while mastering design patterns and runtime concepts.
๐น Excel as a Musician
- Strengthen keyboard skills: ear training, soloing, and exploring music technology like VSTs and DAWs.
- Expand both local (Ghanaian worship styles) and foreign (advanced chord progressions) repertoires.
๐ฌ Enhance Communication Skills
- Refine articulation, presentation skills, and tone to improve speaking presence.
๐ Succeed Academically
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 with consistent performance.
๐ผ Secure Professional Experience
- Obtain a full-time role or freelance gigs to enhance industry exposure.
๐ Quarterly Quest (Jan โ March 2025)
Morning Manifesto
"I am a great and renowned software engineer, architect, and musician through Christ who strengthens me. ๐"
Focus Areas
๐ฅ๏ธ Software Engineering: Full-Stack Development
-
JavaScript (JS)
- Study runtime concepts: execution context, event loop, and transpilers.
- ๐ Resource: You Donโt Know JS (YDKJS).
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Build a project using advanced runtime concepts.
-
TypeScript (TS)
- Understand its use for type safety and transpilation.
- ๐ Resource: TypeScript Handbook.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Refactor an existing JS project into TS.
-
ReactJS
- Master design patterns, state management, hooks, and reusable components.
- ๐ Resource: React Design Patterns by Michele Bertoli.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Build a feature-rich web app using reusable components.
-
Node.js
- Learn advanced patterns and middleware.
- ๐ Resource: Node.js Design Patterns.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Build a REST API with Node.js and Express.
๐น Musician: Keyboardist and Music Technologist
-
Ear Training
- Local focus: Ghanaian worship & praise (horns/trumpets, advanced voicings).
- Foreign focus: 251 and 736 progressions.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Transcribe 5 songs (3 local, 2 foreign).
-
Music Technology (MuTech)
- Explore VSTs and DAWs for music production.
- Tools: FL Studio or Ableton Live.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Produce one instrumental track using DAWs.
๐ฌ Communication Skills
- Record and review presentations to refine articulation, tone, and voice projection.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Deliver a 3โ5 minute presentation on a technical topic.
๐ College
- Allocate daily study hours for core courses.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Complete assignments on time and prep early for exams.
๐ผ Job
- Polish resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Start applying for full-time roles and freelance gigs.
- ๐ Key Deliverable: Secure 3 interviews or freelance opportunities.
Looking Ahead
2025 is a year of intentional growthโprofessionally, creatively, and personally. With faith, focus, and consistent effort, I believe I can achieve everything Iโve set out to do. ๐
โจ Letโs make this year amazing! ๐
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