06May 2018 by Nic

Data Science Challenge Scholarship

Data Science, Learning Resources, Python
While I was waiting to find out whether or not I would be accepted into phase 2 of the FEND I applied for the Bertelsmann Data Science Challenge scholarship. I figured it was worth a shot. Apparently it was because on May 2nd I received an email congratulating me on being accepted into the Data Science scholarship program. This scholarship opportunity is the first time I ever heard of the company Bertelsmann. I don't even know what they do. Even so I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn a new topic. The data science challenge program doesn't officially start until May 8th. In the meantime, I joined the programs Facebook community which has been... interesting. There's all sorts of different people. Some even in the FEND program like me. Some stay at…
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28Apr 2018 by Nic

FEND Week 1

CSS, HTML, Learning Resources, Responsive Design
Kicked off the FEND this week. My focus this week has been working through Web Foundations. These  lessons center around HTML, CSS, efficient code writing, responsive websites, pixel & viewport definition,  what to include in READMEs,  Markdown syntax and last but not least building a project portfolio site. About half of the course topics for Web Foundations I've already completed from my Grow with Google challenge earlier this year.  To avoid rework of completed topics I'm familiar with (HTML, CSS) I'm focusing on the responsive design topics and started on the portfolio site project.  Although the bulk of the HTML & CSS topics are completed, I can go back and review any of the Udacity completed course topics if needed. Stuff I learned: HTML I reviewed a few HTML topics for…
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28Apr 2018 by Nic

Front-End Web Developer Nanodegree Program

Learning Resources
The Front-End Web Developer Nanodegree Program program has officially started! Due to the challenge course I took earlier in the year a portion of the nanodegree program is already completed. This means that the first few weeks may seem like I'm zipping through the course really fast when in fact I've already completed many of the lessons and problem sets. I will be going back over a few of the lessons I completed previously for a refresher though not everything. Most of the HTML lessons were something I was already familiar with even the first time around. The Front-End Nanodegree has 5 sections and a 4 optional ones - 3 of these are career focused. Web Foundations (HTML, CSS, Responsive design...) Web Programming with JavaScript (JavaScript, git, version control, DOM..)…
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23Apr 2018 by Nic

Grow with Google Scholarship

Learning Resources
Grow with Google Scholarship Back in October of 2017 I applied for a Grow with Google Scholarship advertised online (Facebook if I recall correctly). Around the same time I had been poking around on various online learning websites (Udemy, Udacity, Stackskills...) to learn JavaScript. I even purchased a few low cost programming bundles at some ridiculously low prices. Hooray for creepy useful targeted marketing. While applying for the Grow with Google Scholarship I figured I had nothing to lose, submitted my application...then promptly forgot about the scholarship. Two months later I received an email from Udacity explaining that the scholarship deadline had been extended. This email sparked my memory (and interest) about the scholarship application submitted months prior and I reopened my application. I carefully reviewed and updated the scholarship information…
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