In the realm of Advancing Computer Science, Xenia Denoyer embarked on a remarkable journey fueled by passion and innovation at the University of Advancing Technology. As a student at an esteemed institution, Zenia delved into the intricacies of the Student Innovation Project (SIP), where she crafted a groundbreaking mobile application known as "Home Brew."
"My SIP was Home Brew," Xenia shares, her voice tinged with excitement. "It's going to be a mobile application that will help find coffee recipes that best suit you based off your preferences."
Despite her specialization as a frontend developer, Xenia found herself confronted with the challenges of backend programming. "I do not like touching backend programming," she confesses. "But unfortunately, Home Brew was very backend heavy."
Undeterred by the unfamiliar terrain, Xenia embraced the opportunity to expand her skill set. "This allowed me to kind of get that experience and overall say I can do backend as well as frontend," she reflects, highlighting the transformative power of the SIP in pushing boundaries and fostering growth.
Throughout her SIP journey, Xenia leaned on the support of her peers and mentors, particularly her Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). "When you come into the SIP class, I highly suggest you take advantage of your SMEs," she advises. "They're there to help you."
Grateful for the guidance she received, Xenia credits her SMEs for the successful completion of Home Brew. "It's actually thanks to two of my SMEs I was able to finish Home Brew on time and even fix a lot of the bugs I ran into that I wasn't able to figure out on my own," she acknowledges.
For Xenia, the inspiration behind her project was deeply personal. "The inspiration is something that you're passionate about," she explains. "For me, it was coffee, and I'm just so happy that I was able to do something I'm passionate about."
Despite the challenges and occasional moments of doubt, Xenia found solace in the process of creation. "It seemed scary and overwhelming, but after going through it myself, it's actually really fun," she admits. "Working on Home Brew had a lot of ups and downs and it kind of helped me as a programmer a lot."
Emerging from the SIP process, Xenia is filled with a profound sense of accomplishment. "Coming out the SIP process, I definitely think my biggest benefit is just having a portfolio piece," she shares. "This is something that I made originally by me and my own hands."
As Xenia reflects on her SIP journey, she exudes confidence and pride. "I feel amazing," she declares. "I feel like a whole weight has been lifted off my chest."
Indeed, for Xenia Denoyer, the SIP was not just a project; it was a testament to her resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination. As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her journey, Xenia's SIP experience serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring innovators everywhere.