Shaping Our Path Through Positive Influence: The Impact of Senior Mentors
Hello everyone, today I want to share with you my journey from a curious 7th-grader to becoming a software engineer. It all started in a small school in India, where I was a student in class 7. One day, I stumbled upon a senior from class 12 who was writing something with zeros and ones on a blackboard. He tried to teach me about binary, but the only thing that really stuck with me was the idea that computers don’t know about the games I play in it— games are just collections of zeros and ones for computers. That was the moment I first became interested in computer science and the idea of creating games and apps.
As a student, my understanding of technology and the role of software engineers were limited. However, as I continued my education, my curiosity in the field grew and I considered pursuing a computer science degree from an IIT or NIT, like my senior from school. After a week of entrance training, I realized that this traditional route was not for me as I wanted hands-on experience in the tech industry instead of memorizing information. I explored alternative options, including BCA, and BSc. CS, BVoc CS, and others. After comparing their syllabi, I chose to study BCA because it offered me more time to learn and develop my skills in the tech field.
During my BCA studies, I had a senior who was highly knowledgeable in technology but would often downplay his expertise by saying he knew nothing. Despite this, he inspired me to pursue my interest in technology further. He encouraged me to become a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador and co-founded Techsias, a tech community in my college, with me. He also motivated me to bring a TinkerHub Campus Chapter to our school so that students could connect with others students across Kerala and become a part of a larger community of tech enthusiasts.
My first exposure to the tech community was attending a Devfest that my senior from the school informed me of. Although I was hesitant to attend alone, I ended up going and was impressed by the great accomplishments of others in attendance. This experience led me to attend a TinkerDay gathering by TinkerHub, where I met Moosa Mehar and learned more about communities and their purpose. After this, I was accepted as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, further solidifying my involvement in the tech community.
In the introductory session of Techsias, I met a junior who was passionate about the community and reached out to us through WhatsApp. During my last year in college, some seniors had a practice of asking for money from juniors in the guise of ragging, which I refer to as “begging.” This behaviour made the junior, who faced financial challenges, hesitant to attend college, causing a lack of attendance every semester post-COVID-19. Despite these difficulties, he continued to develop his skills in technology and learned to code, ultimately finding success as a freelance worker and earning a good income. I am really happy for him.
This type of behaviour is not uncommon in colleges and I have encountered it as well. I recall having a conversation with one member of this “begging” group who justified their actions by saying that when they were first-years, their seniors also demanded money from them, and this was their way of seeking revenge. This response struck me as wrong, as it perpetuates a cycle of bad behaviour. It made me think about how this kind of mindset could lead to further negative actions, as if someone was robbed, they would in turn go on to rob someone else. Although I wasn’t able to articulate my thoughts effectively during the conversation, it stayed with me and I often reflect on it.
In conclusion, it is evident that the journey towards becoming a software engineer is not limited to just IIT or NIT. The key is to have a thirst for learning and a passion for technology. I am grateful for the seniors who motivated me and helped me to reach where I am today. The story of my junior also highlights the importance of positive influence in shaping one’s path.
Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to be the senior that they wanted to have. By spreading positivity and encouraging others to chase their dreams, we can have a significant impact on their lives. “Shaping Our Path Through Positive Influence: The Impact of Senior Mentors” is a testament to the power of guidance and mentorship. Let’s strive to be a positive influence on those around us and help shape their paths towards success.
