Maliya Naz Malik (she/her), Global Studies and Creative Coding ’23 
Minor: Code as a Liberal Art
Instagram: @maliyanaz
Independent Research and Creative Project Grant
Project Description:
During my intensive coding bootcamp, I explored new concepts and tools through expert-led lectures, discussions, and code-alongs. I also completed coding exercises to reinforce my newly learned skills and received individualized feedback from my instructional team. Finally, I was able to create the structure and style of a website using HTML and CSS. In addition, I learned to apply interactivity to a site with JavaScript programming fundamentals and build a site from scratch.
Outcome: Website
Who was supporting you and how did you work with them throughout your project: Jennifer Riegle, Director of Student Programs and Special Projects. I made sure to update my mentor about my progress and my mentor also made sure to check in regularly with me for updates and simply to inquire if I needed any assistance.
How has this project has been impactful or transformative — for you personally or for those this work has impacted:
I believe this experience has been extremely transformative because it enabled me to not only design and build a website of my own choosing but I also gained the necessary skills I needed to finish redesigning a website for a graphic design firm.
What would you do differently? How would you advise a student who is going to do something similar?
I’d advise anyone considering enrolling in a coding bootcamp to be aware that they need to have the time to dedicate and independently practice subjects they may not fully understand. Everybody processes information differently and at their own pace. As a result, if you want to get the most out of the bootcamp, I would advise taking some time each day to go over the ideas you have learned in class. A successful bootcamp requires holding yourself accountable, self-discipline, and extreme dedication.
Will you publish your work?
I will not be publishing the site I made for my final project. However, the revamp and re-design I assisted in will be published on the GDUSA magazine soon!
Short summary
I am really grateful for this opportunity because it allowed me to interact with web developers and professionals already working in the field, in addition to developing my technical coding skills. This gave me the opportunity to get a realistic idea of what a front-end web development profession would be like.