Hi everyone! My name is Juliet Cuthbert and this will be the first blog post in a series of posts detailing my journey through CS 467. For this post, I’m going to delve a little into my background, what I hope to learn from this course, and what type of person I am in terms of a group dynamic.
My Background
Prior to becoming a Computer Science student at Oregon State University, I got my first degree in Sociology at the University of Washington, Seattle. After graduating, I worked in early childhood education for a while before coming to the conclusion that I needed a change of pace career-wise. I realized I wanted work that combined creativity with problem-solving in a field that constantly evolves, so that I would always be learning something new. Software engineering was right up that alley, and the rest is history.
What I Hope to Learn
I’m coming into CS 467 at the tail end of my time in the OSU CS post bacc program. Throughout this program, I’ve been able to learn and cultivate my skills in problem-solving, web development, working with databases, and developing and testing software. Each course leading up to this one has given me a good foundation in the fundamentals of software engineering.
In this course I hope to learn how to become a better software developer in a setting that emulates the industry, where working on a team to attain project goals is the standard. I think this course will be a great opportunity to hone in not only on the skills every good developer should have, but also the soft skills that every good teammate should have – particularly clear and consistent communication.
In addition, I have yet to work on a project involving mobile development, so I’m really interested in working on a project that allows me to dip my toes in that field. I would love to pick up some new technologies along the way.
Who I Am in a Group
I think the best term to describe my dynamic in a group is ‘team player.’ I have no problem taking the lead, but I am also willing to step back and let others shine if they are better suited for a role. I am a straightforward communicator and always like to make sure everyone feels safe and on the same page. If I am given a task, I will make sure that I complete it on time and to the best of my ability. If there’s any slack that needs to be picked up, I’m your person. In a team setting, I’m flexible and can fill in any role that needs it for the overall success of the group.
