A Droidcon newcomers diary unfolds my experience in attending Droidcon for the first time , capturing the awe, excitement, and insightful encounters that marked my initiation into the dynamic world of Droidcon. In this article I will highlight some of the sessions I enjoyed from this year's event.
I had an opportunity to take part in a panel discussion on "The Art and Science of Mobile Interface Design" which was both enlightening and enjoyable. The discussion explored essential components such as promoting inclusitivity and crafting human centered designs. I also had the chance to lead a discussion on Navigation Testing. Despite the initial nervousness about being on the panel and presenting my talk,I ended up having a good time. I honestly thank the droidcon team for giving me chance to be part of the event.
Panel Discussion on Interviewing and securing jobs in the current tech landscape with layoffs
In this discussion I got key insights from the panel discussion on Interviewing and securing jobs. There was emphasis on quantifying achievemements in order to stand out to recruiters. It was emphasized that we should demonstrate tangible accomplishments to increase the chances of standing out. Additionally, the panel highlighted the importance of Data Structures and Algorithms knowledge to companies in the hiring process. Companies seek individuals who can adeptly solve complex problems to address scaling issues in applications they deliver to users. Lastly we were encouraged to show initiative, particularly for most of us seeking junior roles as proactive engagement can significantly enhance one's chances in a competitive job market.
I'm done with Android
This session was led by Rachel Murabula, An Android Developer and the Co-lead of the Droidettes Community. The session was one of the most interesting sessions I attended. But was she really done with Android? I don't think so😅.
She shared a moment from her Android Development journey when she reached a point of giving up, expressing feelings of doubt and a sense of being unable to continue. She shared some key strategies to help when one is going through this. Firstly she talked about Building personal projects, this not only helps with sharpening your skills but it also to crafts a compelling portfolio. Secondly contributing to open source projects which helps in providing practical experience, fosters collaboration and also boosts community recognition. Lastly, she emphasized on the importance of associating with the right circles within the tech community, here she gave an example on how when she was giving up and one of her friends is the one who encouraged her not to lose hope.
With this session she showed us that it is normal to feel like you cant do it but with persistence, hardwork and patience you can do it. #itajipa
Konsist Linter : Your code Harmony Enforcer
This session was led by Victor Kirui, an Android Developer. In this session I was introduced to a new linter, Konsist. Konsist is a specialized code analyzer designed for Kotlin, with a primary focus on maintaining codebase consistency and ensuring adherence to coding conventions. Konsist promotes customization by avoiding predefined rules. Having undergone more than 1300 tests, Konsist asserts its ability to cater to your testing requirements. He showed us a few examples of what you can verify with Konsist. I am really excited to try out this linter when I get the opportunity.
While I've shared insights into some of the standout sessions, it is important to note that the wealth of knowledge and experiences offered throughout the event was truly extensive. Unfortunately I couldnt touch upon every session that left a lasting impression on me.
Conclusion
Summing it in just one word, it would be "AWESOME". I had priviledge of meeting and interacting with incredibly inspiring individuals, exchanging beautiful insight. My knowledge on Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, Flutter and KMP(Kotlin Multiplattform) was significantly expanded. I got to witness numerous outstanding projects from various contributors that expanded my perspective and provided valuable learning opportunities.
The panel discussions were equally remarkable, offering valuable insights and diverse perspectives. Reflecting on the sessions lineup this year, I found myself yearning to attend to each one of them.
Additionally, I must give credit to the organizers. They did an awesome job in ensuring the event was flawless, from the setup to the time management and ensuring everyone had an enriching experience. And lets not forget the food and snacks were absolutely delightful(had to highlight that😆)
I'm already eagerly anticipating next year's Droidcon🎉🎉