Introduction
As 2024 comes to the end, I find myself reflecting on the experiences and lessons that have shaped me throughout the year. It’s been a journey filled with challenges, growth, and countless opportunities to learn. Here are the key takeaways from this transformative year:
1. Believe in Your Potential and Take the Challenge
Being the only Moroccan team in the top 100 of the Google Solution Challenge showed me that we can achieve great things, even at an international level. At first, it felt difficult because we were competing with talented people from around the world. But with hard work, creative thinking, and belief in our ideas, we succeeded. This taught me that trusting yourself and putting in the effort can open amazing opportunities.
2. The Power of Collaboration
Reaching the A2SV Hackathon semifinals taught me how important it is to work well with a team. For three months, we worked on a project, dividing tasks based on our strengths and communicating often to improve our work. There were some disagreements, but we learned to listen to each other and solve problems together. This showed me that teamwork is about supporting each other to reach shared goals.
3. Stay Determined to the Last Minute
During the BCGx challenge at AUI, we faced big problems just before the deadline. Instead of giving up, we stayed calm and worked hard to find solutions. We submitted our project just one minute before the deadline and ended up winning first place. This experience taught me that staying focused and determined, even in tough situations, can lead to success.
4. Embrace Public Speaking as a Skill
Speaking at DevoxxMA was an exciting and challenging experience. Preparing for the event taught me how to organize my ideas and communicate clearly. On stage, I learned to manage my nerves and connect with the audience. Public speaking helped me grow my confidence and realize the importance of sharing knowledge with others. This experience showed me that with preparation and practice, anyone can improve their public speaking skills.
5. Adaptability is Key
I was excited to be accepted for a double diploma in France, but I couldn’t find an apprenticeship, which was disappointing. However, staying at ENSET became a chance to improve myself in new ways. This taught me that when things don’t go as planned, adapting to the situation can lead to new opportunities.
6. Create Something That Makes You Known
Starting content creation @rustbdarija was an experiment for me. I wanted to share knowledge and improve my level about Rust in Darija for Moroccans, but I didn’t know how people would react. To my surprise, many people recognized and appreciated my work. Some even from the tech community told me they knew me because of @rustbdarija. This taught me that sharing your work can help you connect with people and make a positive impact.
7. Networking is a Gateway to Growth
Attending events and meeting new people gave me the chance to learn from others and grow. Talking to experts and peers inspired me and opened up new opportunities. I realized that building good relationships and learning from others is very important for personal and professional development.
Looking Ahead
As I step into 2025, I take these lessons with me, ready for new challenges and opportunities. 2024 was a year of learning and growth, and I’m excited to see how these experiences will shape the future. Here’s to continuing this journey and making an even bigger impact in the year ahead.