As I sit down to reflect on my internship experience at Purdue University, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. This journey has been a significant stepping stone in my coding career, and I am excited to share my thoughts and insights gained over the course of this internship. At the start of my internship, I had anticipated working alongside seasoned coding professionals. However, the reality was even better – I found myself surrounded by individuals who not only possessed extensive coding knowledge but also fostered an environment that prevented the infamous imposter syndrome from taking hold. This created a nurturing atmosphere that allowed me to focus on learning and growth. Arguably one of the more important concepts that I had to take time to deepen my previously vague understanding of was child and parent classes. I had to learn how to use them in object-oriented programming and derive each child class from the parent class by placing each of them in their own files. This new knowledge prompted me to learn how to run multiple files through the command prompt. The reason I had to do that was to allow the user to choose between different components for the 4D printing process with minimal intervention. I'll admit that when I started, the concept of 4D printing was foreign to me. However, my optimistic mindset took over, and I decided not to let that deter me. The challenge of diving into the world of 4D printing intrigued me, and I was determined to tackle it head-on. While it might have been easier with a background matching my mentors', I soon realized that their expertise was not a prerequisite. This revelation bolstered my confidence and reminded me that determination and a willingness to learn can overcome any knowledge gap. One of the highlights of this internship was delving into the intricacies of running multiple Python files through the command prompt. The process was unexpectedly enjoyable, and it opened up a new realm of possibilities for me. Opting to work on this project in Python was a deliberate choice. Python, being the first language I learned, felt like the perfect foundation upon which to build my programming skills. This decision proved to be a wise one, as I was able to focus on refining my problem-solving abilities and solidifying my understanding of data structures. Managing time constraints and pressure can be a daunting task, but my positive mindset shielded me from excessive stress. I found that maintaining an optimistic outlook allowed me to tackle challenges with clarity and composure. Throughout my internship, I learned the value of self-motivation, especially in the absence of strict academic deadlines. The words of a Purdue Professor, an alumnus of Berea College, resonated deeply with me. His message emphasizing the need for self-motivation acted as a catalyst, propelling me to renew my commitment to growth and development. Perhaps one of the most crucial lessons I've taken away from this experience is the art of seeking help when needed. In the past, reaching out for assistance was a struggle, particularly during my data structures class. However, this time around, I ensured that my mentors and I were always on the same page, effectively overcoming any obstacles that came my way. What surprised me was the flexibility of my work environment. Despite being associated with a physical lab, I found that I could accomplish everything from the comfort of my personal laptop. This revelation highlighted the modernity and adaptability of the coding world, where innovation and collaboration transcend geographical boundaries. Looking forward, I am eager to apply the skills and insights gained from this internship to my studies at Berea College. The newfound ability to be self-motivated will undoubtedly serve me well as I tackle new challenges and endeavors. Additionally, I hope to enhance my confidence in taking initiative and stepping into leadership roles, aspects that I recognized as areas for improvement during teamwork assignments. As I conclude this reflective blog post, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the growth achieved during my internship journey at Purdue University. Every individual and experience has contributed to my development, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for this institution. My coding journey continues, and I am excited to see where it will lead me next. If I'm being honest, the hardest part of the entire project was getting the code to work with the command prompt. Even though I was stressed out a tiny bit from trying to fix that, I always overcame that stress with my relationship with the Lord, and the help of my mentors of course.