From Curiosity to Scholarship

My Path into Software Engineering with DCTP

Hello readers, I am sorry for keeping you waiting since the last time I published my first article with the topic: “HASHING: A Simple Developer’s Guide”

This week, I will be sharing with you my journey on how I earned a scholarship into the Digital Career Tech Program (DCTP), a 6-month intense learning program.

It all started during my online search for a program or job that would either earn me money or enhance my skills to land a well-paying job. When I saw a media post about the Digital Career Tech Program (DCTP) offering a scholarship opportunity to learn software engineering, it got my attention and aroused my curiosity.

However, I am already equipped with HTML, CSS, Tailwind, JS, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB skills. But the term “software engineering” sounds like an adventure I cannot resist exploring. I applied to the program, which did not take much of my time, and I also joined the program community on Slack to stay updated on the latest program information.

After a week, an assessment test was scheduled with a deadline and a study kit to assist. How thoughtful of them! I refreshed my brain by going through the study kit. Thanks to my prior knowledge, I was able to pass the test outstandingly by following the video guide on how to access the test site and complete the test.

Moreover, on the program community channel, there are a lot of applicants having issues with the site the program chose for the assessment test. Thanks to @Favour, who handled the issue by giving helpful instructions, listening to complaints, and providing assistance as the community manager, I commend her efforts.

After days of complaints, an announcement was made on the channel, and a mail was sent to all applicants about the cancellation of the prior test due to the issues faced by the applicants. A new assessment test will be communicated to us shortly.

A week later, I received a mail with the link to a new test site and a study kit. I wasted no time taking the test, which was very challenging. After submission, I was expecting my test score to be communicated to me just like the prior test I did, but it wasn’t.

However, on the 2nd of August, after waiting for a week to receive my test results, just like a sailor longing for the distant shore, I got a mail from the Digital Career Tech Program (DCTP) stating that I have earned myself a scholarship. I was filled with joy and happiness. This serves as not only a confidence boost but also as motivation to keep moving forward, especially after receiving a Negative email from my previous application days ago.

Thank you for reading this, and rest assured I will keep you informed weekly about my 6-month journey of learning to be a software engineer, piloted by the Digital Career Tech Program (DCTP).