A brief introduction of HNG.

HNG Internship is a large-scale, fast-paced virtual program designed for individuals learning code, design, project management, and technical sales/marketing. It caters primarily to early junior developers and designers who have completed training programs or possess basic knowledge in these fields.

My first encounter with HNG happened in 2022, during my search for free bootcamps, training programs, and internships that could guide me towards a career in tech. I aimed to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for transitioning into the world of development. Upon my initial encounter with HNG, I was tasked with creating a Linktree clone using ReactJs during the first stage of Hng9. At that time, my knowledge was limited to HTML and CSS only. Faced with this challenge, I opted to wait and improve my skills for the following year.

Fast forward to HNGX 2023, and here's a summary of my experience:

The Good:

Mentors: The program boasts experienced mentors, many of whom were finalists in previous cohorts. They understand the ins and outs of the program, maintain a friendly rapport with participants, and provide valuable guidance.

Tasks: For frontend developers, the stage one task serves as an essential test of basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge. It's akin to an entrance examination, ensuring you pass if you follow the requirements and have a grasp of the necessary stacks. Stage two's task, though challenging, offers an opportunity to create a portfolio-worthy project. Despite the intensity, I relished the experience, as I am passionate about building and practicing.

Knowledge: I have been privileged to learn and acquire some skills during the program basically from the last task which made me happy. I also believe I'd have stack up and acquire more skills at the end of the program.

Networking: I had the privilege of meeting exceptional individuals during the program. I also look forward to connecting with even more talented participants.

The Bad:

Congestion: HNGX experienced significant congestion, with up to 22,000 interns active in the Slack channel. Navigating this sea of participants led to confusion, particularly for those new to Slack. The absence of a structured onboarding program exacerbated the issue. While I encountered two Zoom recordings upon joining, a comprehensive onboarding program would have been beneficial. The organizers could have provided interns with essential rules, regulations, and a curriculum outlining the path, tasks, projects and deadlines, basically a handbook might be better also. Such guidance would transform the experience from a competition to a more structured training internship as interns would have presumed what they signed up for and what to expect during the program.

The Fear:

Achieving Excellence: My primary goal is to excel in this internship and emerge as one of the top finalists. This accomplishment would greatly benefit me both personally and professionally, enhancing my resume and providing invaluable real-world experience. However, my fear is falling short of this goal, potentially leading to disappointment and demotivation.

This sums up my experience with the HNG internship, just one week into the program.