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Blog post #2

Blog Post: Our Tech Journey with BeaverHealth-Vulnerable-Web-App

For our capstone project, we’re building BeaverHealth-Vulnerable-Web-App—a purposely vulnerable web app to learn about security issues. Out of all the tools we’ve used, our favorite is Laravel. Its extra features, clean syntax, and built-in tools make developing web applications a breeze. We even love how it handles routing and templating so elegantly, it really feels like a real asset.

On the flip side, Docker has been our least favorite. Although it creates a stable, reproducible environment, setting up containers and managing volumes was a steep learning curve. Over time, we’ve grown to appreciate Docker for its consistency in development and deployment, even if it was a bit of a headache at first.

If I could change anything, I’d streamline our Docker setup, maybe use Docker Compose more effectively or try a different container management system.

Laravel works like this: when a user makes a request, Laravel’s routing directs it to a controller. The controller talks to models (which handle our database) and then passes the data to Blade templates to build the page. Meanwhile, middleware takes care of tasks like authentication and logging, keeping everything neat and organized.

Overall, while Docker was challenging at first, it’s taught us a lot about modern development practices. Laravel’s ease of use and powerful features make it hard to beat—and if we started over, we’d definitely stick with it.

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As I Wrap Up the First Term of My Capstone Series at OSU

As the first term of my three-part capstone series at Oregon State University comes to a close, I’m amazed at how much it resembled a deep dive into the real world of tech and project management. This blog is where I unpack the journey of tackling a major project that really feels like working in a tech company, complete with all the ups and downs of team collaboration and the challenges that come with it.

Starting Our Adventure
This year’s capstone project is more than just a graduation checkpoint; it has transformed into a real-life tech environment simulation. From day one, the project’s scale required the type of coordination and communication you’d expect at any tech company. Our lifeline was our weekly group meetings. These weren’t just simple check-ins; they were vital planning sessions that kept us all moving in the right direction, together.

Overcoming Obstacles
No real learning happens without a few bumps in the road. We hit technical issues, integration problems, and the inevitable differences in team opinions. Each challenge forced me to sharpen my problem-solving skills and ensure I was pulling my weight, knowing the team relied on me. This type of pressure is normal in the tech world, and it pushed us to exceed our limits, even when solutions were hard to see.

Growing Together
Working so closely under pressure really previewed what I expect from a future tech career. Depending on each other to meet deadlines and sharing the responsibility for our project’s success built a strong sense of community and respect among us. It was inspiring to see how everyone’s unique strengths played a crucial role in overcoming our challenges.

Preparing for the Real World
This project did more than test our technical skills—it prepared us for the real tech industry. The constant need for iteration, effective communication, and adaptability are essential in any tech role. As we get closer to the job market, the skills and experiences from this term have built a solid foundation not just in technical abilities but also in vital soft skills like teamwork and resilience.

Looking Ahead
As this term ends, I’m genuinely excited about what’s next. The hurdles we’ve cleared have not only given us knowledge but also a strong desire to dive into more complex parts of our project in the upcoming terms. Continuing this capstone is more than a school requirement—it’s an exciting next step in our learning journey.

Reflecting on the Term
Looking back, I’m really grateful for a curriculum that prioritizes hands-on learning. This capstone project enhanced my technical and interpersonal skills and significantly ramped up my enthusiasm for my future career. It’s been a revealing look into what my professional life will entail, and I can’t wait to jump into what comes next.


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Blog Post #2

My Capstone Journey, so far:

As my time at Oregon State University wraps up, I’m diving into one of the most practical projects of my Computer Science program. This year, our capstone project involves creating a web application with intentional security flaws, such as SQL injections and cross-site scripting. It’s designed to be a hands-on tool for learning about cybersecurity. Our goal is straightforward: build an application that shows what not to do when it comes to web security. This approach puts our classroom knowledge into real-world practice, helping us understand how to spot and fix security vulnerabilities.

I’m working with teammates Brady, DeVaan, and Ray. We’ve organized our roles flexibly, allowing us to adapt and cover all necessary aspects of the project as they arise. This flexibility has been essential in keeping the project moving smoothly, and right now, we’re just starting to integrate various technologies. This phase is about setting up the foundation of our application while planning how to maintain the educational vulnerabilities we want to include. It’s a unique challenge that will likely teach us as much about project management as it does about software development.

Team meetings have become crucial. They’re not just for progress updates but also for troubleshooting and stress management. These discussions keep us coordinated and motivated, ensuring everyone is on the same page and contributing effectively. As we start building the application and look towards the final presentation, our focus is on making sure every security flaw we introduce is clear and educational. We want this project to be useful for future students, not just a requirement for us to graduate. It’s about creating a learning tool that we can be proud of.

This capstone project is proving to be a great summary of our time in the program, emphasizing the practical application of our studies and the importance of teamwork. As I move on from OSU, I’ll be taking not just a diploma but a set of real-world skills that will influence how I approach technology and security in my future career.

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Alexa Blog Post #1

Blog Post #1: Introduction

Hey everyone! My name is Alexa (but you can call me Al), and I’m currently wrapping up my computer science degree at Oregon State University, while also working in the heart of Orange County, California. Originally, I’m from the Mojave Desert, but I’ve lived in Oregon for about four years before returning to California. My current time zone is Pacific Standard Time (PST).

When I’m not working on schoolwork or working at the water store I manage, I’m either playing beach volleyball, hiking, or enjoying some quality time outdoors. I also like to stay active have been exploring the idea of creating an Instagram page that combines my love for working out with my tech skills, as part of my senior project. I’m also passionate about trying new sports and soaking up the sun.

I got into computers after I decided to shift careers and dive into something that would challenge me and offer endless opportunities to grow. I started my journey at OSU during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then, it’s been a wild ride through everything from software testing to microservices.

In terms of work, I manage a water store right now, but I also work part-time at a restaurant. I haven’t had much luck in securing an internship in tech yet, but I’m hopeful as I continue applying to new positions.

Some of my favorite technologies include Python, JavaScript, CSS, other Web Dev technologies and diving into data science tools as I consider what my long-term career might look like—possibly as a data scientist or software engineer. My favorite project so far has been the motivational microservice I built for my StudySync app. It was a great way to combine creativity and coding, and it definitely kept me motivated!

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