Hi there!

My name is Melaku Alehegn. A junior programmer that is based in Ethiopia. I'm currently working as an intern at Openstack through Outreachy.

I always believe in the power of setting high career goals and pushing my boundaries. Join me in embarking on my learning journey and progressing toward setting bold goals as I navigate the exciting landscape of technology to carve out a fulfilling and successful career.

My learning journey so far

My journey into the world of technology began with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, where I initially had little to no experience in programming. Recognizing the growing importance of coding skills in the tech industry, I took a bold step and enrolled in ALX Africa's bootcamp in 2022. Over the course of the program, which I successfully completed in 2023, I gained hands-on experience and honed my programming skills. This transformative learning journey has equipped me with the foundation and confidence needed to set ambitious goals in my evolving career as a software engineer.

what does my professional experience look like so far?

Embarking on my career journey, I began by interning at a couple of start-ups in Ethiopia, leveraging my programming skills to contribute to innovative projects within the local tech ecosystem. Despite my initial limited exposure to programming during my electrical engineering studies, these experiences fueled my passion for software development.

Venturing beyond the local landscape, I secured an internship at OpenStack through Outreachy, a transformative step into the realm of open source development. During the application phase and my internship, I've been fortunate to collaborate with Goutham Pacha Ravi, a Core Contributor at OpenStack projects, an excellent teacher, and my mentor. Working with him has simplified the complexities of open source, particularly within the vibrant OpenStack community. This experience has turned the challenges into exciting opportunities.

Goutham's support has been crucial, making my contributions within OpenStack impactful. Being part of the community has allowed me to navigate the intricacies of open source with confidence. I had the unique opportunity to work on two OpenStack projects—Manila, the Shared File Systems service, and Manila-UI, which is a user interface component for Manila. This hands-on involvement in diverse projects has broadened my understanding of OpenStack's ecosystem and enriched my overall learning experience. The willingness of experienced contributors, like him, to guide newcomers like me has made my transition smoother. Their generosity has not only sped up my learning process but has also strengthened my belief in the collaborative and inclusive nature of the tech community, especially within OpenStack.

This unique intersection of hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to open source principles, particularly within the dynamic OpenStack environment, has significantly influenced my path. It has given me the confidence to set ambitious goals in my ongoing journey as a software engineer, fueled by the energy and support I've found in the OpenStack community.

My tech tack

My proficiency in software engineering spans a comprehensive tech stack that includes Python, JavaScript, Vue.js, Node.js, Flask, Tailwind CSS, MySQL, Docker, AWS, MongoDB, GitHub, and Linux. This diverse set of tools empowers me to tackle various facets of software development, from crafting dynamic user interfaces and robust backend solutions to efficient database management and cloud deployment. Leveraging these technologies, I navigate the ever-evolving landscape of software engineering with confidence and agility, contributing to innovative solutions and staying abreast of industry best practices.

Carrier goals ahead

Looking ahead in my career, I've got a simple plan: learn, grow, and code cool stuff. Starting with Python and JavaScript, I'm diving into the world of software engineering. My goal? To tackle real problems and build up my skills along the way. As I navigate this learning curve, I'm eyeing projects that challenge me and push my boundaries. From honing my frontend skills with Vue.js to mastering the backend with Node.js and Flask, every step is a chance to learn something new. And it doesn't stop there; I'm all about getting comfy with databases like MySQL and MongoDB, understanding Docker, and managing the cloud on AWS. GitHub is my go-to for collaboration. It's a beginner's journey, but with an eye on the ever-evolving tech landscape, I'm excited about what lies ahead: more projects, more learning, and a fulfilling journey of continuous improvement in the vast and exciting realm of software development. Exciting times ahead!

Cheers and thanks for sticking to the end!