Growth & Adaptation My Journey as a Mechine Leraning at Bangkit 2024

Hello! My name is Aziz, and I am a Management major at Malang State University. Although my academic background is in management, my interest in programming—particularly in the field of machine learning—has been growing significantly. Recently, I had the privilege of being selected by the Ministry of Education and Culture to join this exclusive program, "Bangkit 2024." Currently, I’m in my seventh semester, where I am starting to experience an intense period of academic exploration, stepping outside the confines of my management studies to engage in a new and challenging world. The Bangkit program is somewhat unrelated to my major, but I see this as an incredible opportunity to develop skills in a rapidly evolving field.

My journey through the program so far has taught me a lot about adapting to new ways of interacting, achieving, learning, working, and thinking. With each challenge I face, I am not only learning machine learning but also discovering new aspects of myself and how I can grow in ways I hadn't anticipated. Here's a closer look at my experiences so far.

1. Ways of Interacting

One of the first challenges I faced in the Bangkit program was adjusting to the language barrier. Since most of the program materials, lectures, and assignments are in English, I realized right away that I would have to improve my English skills to succeed here. English is my second language, and I haven't fully mastered it, so interacting and understanding course content hasn't been easy.

In my previous academic journey, most of my subjects and activities were conducted in my native language. This made the initial transition to an English-centered platform difficult, especially in a subject as technical as machine learning. Despite the language difficulties, I saw this as an opportunity to improve my English skills alongside my technical knowledge. I found myself relying heavily on translation tools, which provided a valuable crutch, but I knew that to make real progress, I would have to learn to operate in English more fluently.

Each day, I’ve been dedicating time to improve my English, learning vocabulary specific to programming and machine learning. Although this has been challenging, I've started to see improvements in my understanding of the materials. This experience has also given me insight into how language can affect learning and how persistence can help overcome this barrier. I am slowly but surely growing more comfortable, and I hope that by the end of this program, I will have both improved my English and developed my technical skills.

2. Ways of Achieving

At the start of the program, I faced a new kind of academic pressure. Unlike my management studies, where I was familiar with the type of coursework and assessments given, this program had a very different structure and intensity. I initially found it overwhelming to keep up with the high volume of assignments, training modules, and assessments. With so many tasks, I felt unsure about how to navigate this learning curve.

However, instead of backing down, I decided to meet these challenges head-on. I began to dedicate more time to completing assignments on platforms like Coursera and Dicoding, which are integral to the Bangkit program’s learning approach. Through these platforms, I encountered a variety of courses covering fundamental concepts in programming and machine learning. Each course I completed came with a certificate of achievement, which served as both a reward and a motivation boost. These certificates symbolized small victories and marked tangible progress, giving me the drive to continue working hard.

By setting small, achievable goals, I was able to steadily adapt to the demanding pace. I made sure to celebrate each milestone, which helped me maintain my motivation and avoid burnout. The rigorous schedule was certainly challenging, but the sense of accomplishment I felt with each completed course pushed me to strive even harder.

3. Ways of Learning

The shift in study methods was another significant change for me. In my management program, my study hours were very different. With the addition of off-campus activities related to Bangkit, I found that my regular study time was reduced, which meant I had to find new ways to learn and retain information. Since I had limited experience in programming, I knew that catching up in this field would require a different approach.

Bangkit’s structured schedule and frequent assignments forced me to adopt a more disciplined approach to my studies. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, with practical exercises and real-world applications, which helped me understand the concepts better than if I had simply been reading or listening to lectures. I relied heavily on platforms like Coursera and Dicoding, which provided a wealth of resources, especially for foundational Python and machine learning concepts. Python was new territory for me, and initially, it felt overwhelming. However, as I spent more time practicing, the syntax and logic started to become more intuitive.

To keep up, I’ve had to be strategic in managing my time. I set specific times each day for studying machine learning, often sacrificing my leisure time to ensure I don’t fall behind. This required a lot of discipline and, at times, a willingness to struggle through complex material. But over time, I’ve developed a study routine that works for me, allowing me to absorb the material more effectively and keep up with the demands of the program.

4. Ways of Working

Another unique aspect of the Bangkit program is the emphasis on teamwork. As part of the program, each team is tasked with creating a final project, or "Capstone," which serves as a culmination of everything we’ve learned. Working on this project has been an incredible learning experience, both technically and interpersonally.

Teamwork has introduced its own set of challenges. Each member of my Capstone team has their own busy schedule and commitments, making it difficult to coordinate and work together efficiently. Given my management background, I initially assumed that I would be able to handle the team dynamics easily. However, working in a technical setting requires a different approach to collaboration. I had to learn how to communicate my ideas effectively and understand the perspectives of others who had more technical backgrounds.

The experience of working with my Capstone team taught me the importance of flexibility, patience, and empathy in a team setting. We had to be adaptable and find creative ways to balance our individual schedules and complete our tasks. This experience has not only improved my technical skills but also reinforced my teamwork abilities, making me a more well-rounded professional.

5. Ways of Thinking

Perhaps one of the most significant changes I have experienced in this program is a shift in the way I think. Coming from a management background, my thought processes were initially shaped by strategic and analytical perspectives, which are well-suited for business environments. However, programming and machine learning require a more logical and systematic way of thinking, which was initially challenging for me.

I often struggled with the mathematical and algorithmic aspects of machine learning, which felt foreign and complex. To overcome these obstacles, I turned to additional resources outside of the Bangkit platform. I began watching tutorial videos on YouTube, where concepts were explained in various ways that helped me understand the material better. These resources offered alternative explanations that were sometimes easier to grasp than the program’s materials, which allowed me to approach assignments with a fresh perspective.

This shift in thinking has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. I am learning to approach problems differently, breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts. Over time, I’ve found that my confidence in my ability to tackle new challenges has grown. I’m now able to think more analytically and strategically, which I believe will be valuable in my career, regardless of the field I ultimately pursue.

Conclusion

Looking back on my journey in the Bangkit program, I am grateful for the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and explore the world of programming and machine learning. This experience has taught me not only technical skills but also valuable life lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of lifelong learning. Although I initially faced numerous challenges, from language barriers to a steep learning curve, each obstacle has helped me grow in ways I never anticipated.

My time in Bangkit has reinforced my belief that learning is a continuous process, one that requires patience, effort, and an open mind. I am excited to see where this journey will lead me, and I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I’ve gained here to future opportunities.

#LifeAtBangkit #Bangkit2024