Machine Learning Pathway: My Journey with Bangkit Academy 2023 by Google, GoTo, & Traveloka
Hello everyone👋🏻! In my first post on Medium, I will be sharing the journey of the Bangkit Academy 2023 Program. This story encompasses my journey, starting from discovering the Bangkit program, the reasons behind my decision to apply, choosing the machine learning path, and ultimately becoming part of the Bangkit 2023 cohort. I hope this story will provide insights and benefits for those who are interested in joining Bangkit Batch 2. Happy reading!
Introduction: Bangkit Academy 2023
Bangkit Academy is one of the programs under the Kampus Merdeka initiative that equips individuals with the skills necessary for a successful career in the technology industry. Collaborating with industry giants like Google, GoTo, and Traveloka, Bangkit offers specialized learning paths in fields such as Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and Mobile Development. This comprehensive program bridges the gap between theory and practical skills, preparing participants for the demands of the industry. Bangkit Academy aims to equip students with technical expertise, soft skills, and English proficiency by the end of the program. Additionally, Bangkit provides certification for students to validate their skills. Moreover, Bangkit offers a capstone project program to solve real-world problems as part of the graduation requirements.
Why did I interested enroll in Bangkit?
You may wonder, “Why did I commence on this incredible journey with Bangkit Academy?” Well, let me share my story with you.
In the beginning, when I was still in my third semester, I was busy exploring posts on the official campus website. I wanted to find inspiration and the latest information regarding opportunities that could enhance the value of my educational journey. I felt increasingly enthusiastic when I came across a post that caught my attention.
The post contained amazing stories about five senior students who successfully won the selection for a highly prestigious program called Bangkit Academy. I was amazed by their achievements and felt challenged to follow in their footsteps. However, one thing that made me even more captivated was the fact that this program was only limited to 3,000 selected students across Indonesia. It became a blazing and challenging challenge that made me even more excited.
Bangkit Academy, like a treasure chest of education, offers three interesting learning tracks: machine learning, cloud computing, and mobile development. In this program, participants are given an extraordinary opportunity to convert their 20 credit hours into a deeper, relevant, and beneficial learning experience for the industry.
Since then, without a single doubt, I firmly placed Bangkit on my educational journey wishlist. This program is a dream I want to make a reality, not only as an opportunity to acquire invaluable knowledge and technical skills but also as a window to the challenging and potential-filled world of industry. With a burning spirit, I am determined to take the necessary steps to prepare myself and make this dream come true.
Furthermore, my interest is also piqued by one of the learning tracks offered by Bangkit Academy, which is machine learning. Although I haven’t had prior exposure to the materials or direct experience in machine learning, my curiosity and fascination towards this field cannot be ignored. There is something intriguing and mysterious about the ability of machines to learn and make predictions based on data.
In my journey with Bangkit Academy, I aspire to gain a deeper understanding of machine learning and acquire the necessary skills to design and implement effective machine learning models. I believe that with determination and strong enthusiasm, I can overcome challenges and achieve success in the world of machine learning, even if I start from scratch.
Application process
I reached my sixth semester, and finally, the Bangkit program was opened. The news made me feel extremely enthusiastic. Immediately upon hearing it, I registered on the second day the program was opened. The registration process consisted of several stages that I had to go through.
- Register your interest. Fill out the registration form Bangkit 2023 to demonstrate my interest in the program.
- Re-register and submit a commitment letter
- Take an assessment test consisting of two parts, namely a technical test and a personality test. 2 (two) Assessment tests on Dicoding Platform such as General Assessment (General Math, General Programming, General Computing Knowledge, Traits) and Learning-path Assessment (each learning path has a different type of question).
- Apply to kampus merdeka platform
- Wait for the announcement
Tips for passing the selection: 1) complete all registration documents and follow each selection stage, 2) make sure your internet connection is stable when conducting the assessment test, and 3) for those of you who will register for the Machine Learning Pathway, prepare yourself by learning about computers and basic programming, data reading and interpretation techniques, multivariate calculus, and linear algebra.
Program Acceptance
Several weeks passed after I went through a series of application processes, and finally, the day of the announcement arrived. I felt anxious as I hadn’t received the notification email yet, while my friends had already received theirs. Initially, I felt disappointed upon learning that I was placed on the waiting list. Feelings of despair and worry started to creep in, and my enthusiasm began to fade.
However, I chose not to give up easily. Despite feeling less motivated, I continued to hold onto hope and kept praying for an opportunity. After two days had passed, the official announcement finally came. The email brought incredibly joyful news. Officially, I was declared successful and became a part of Bangkit 2023.
The excitement and gratitude I felt at that moment were indescribable. All the fatigue, doubt, and uncertainty during the wait seemed to vanish instantly. I felt grateful for this opportunity and was ready to face the challenges and embark on the amazing journey ahead with the Bangkit team and fellow program participants.
The Bangkit Learning Journey: Exploring the Program Highlights
The implementation of the Bangkit Academy 2023 Program involves several learning processes that combine various components. These components are carefully designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience for the participants. Let’s delve into the key elements of the program:
- Student Team Meetings: Every month, Bangkit organizes team meetings for all participants through the YouTube platform. These meetings are highly anticipated moments, where participants from all three learning tracks and the Bangkit team gather in a mandatory session. The team meetings provide valuable opportunities for participants to connect with their peers and the Bangkit team directly.
2. Instructor-Led Sessions: Throughout the program, participants engage in instructor-led sessions that cover both technical and soft skills. These sessions are conducted by experienced professionals who guide and mentor the participants in their respective domains. Technical sessions focus on building expertise in areas such as machine learning, cloud computing, and mobile development. Soft skills sessions focus on enhancing communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership abilities.
- Instructor-led sessions for Soft Skills
Bangkit Academy deeply understands the importance of comprehensive skill development. As a participant in this program, I am granted a special opportunity to receive soft skills training from experienced instructors. These sessions are guided by experts in their fields and have aided me in enhancing various aspects of soft skills that are highly essential in the professional world. During these sessions, we learn to sharpen our communication abilities. We gain a deep understanding of how to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. We are also taught strategies to build good working relationships with team members and superiors, as well as effective negotiation skills.
- Instructor-led sessions for Tech
One crucial component of the Bangkit program is the technical learning sessions guided by expert instructors in their respective fields. These sessions provide us with a rare opportunity to learn machine learning directly from experienced professionals in various industries.
During these sessions, instructors present comprehensive materials on the fundamental concepts of machine learning, the algorithms used, and real-world applications. We are introduced to techniques such as data preprocessing, feature exploration, and statistical modeling employed in machine learning. I feel highly inspired and motivated by the instructors who share their knowledge with enthusiasm and dedication.
- Instructor-led sessions for English
As part of the comprehensive learning experience in Bangkit Academy, we were privileged to receive English language training from native speakers. These sessions were designed to enhance our communication skills and proficiency in English, which is crucial in the global technology industry.
The English language training sessions were led by experienced instructors who were native speakers themselves. They provided us with valuable insights into the nuances of the English language, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and idiomatic expressions. Through interactive activities, discussions, and practical exercises, we were able to improve our speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
3. Self-Placed Sessions: Participants also had access to self-paced sessions through the Decoding and Coursera platforms. These sessions offered flexibility in learning, allowing participants to explore additional resources and deepen their knowledge at their own pace. By leveraging these platforms, participants were able to enhance their understanding of key concepts and gain insights from various educational materials.
The Decoding and Coursera platforms offered a wide range of resources, including video lectures, tutorials, quizzes, and interactive exercises. Participants had the freedom to choose the topics that interested them the most and delve deeper into specific areas of machine learning. This personalized learning experience allowed participants to tailor their learning journey according to their individual needs and preferences. We’ve got a lot of courses and got a lot of certificates. Here are my certificates from Dicoding and Coursera:
Overall, the self-paced sessions offered a convenient way to review and reinforce my understanding of the material. I could revisit challenging topics, clarify any doubts I had, and solidify my grasp of key concepts. The flexibility provided by these sessions allowed me to balance my learning with other commitments and progress at a comfortable pace.
4. Capstone Project: For my capstone project in Bangkit Academy, I chose the Product-based Capstone category with a focus on Human Healthcare and Living Wellbeing. My goal is to develop a mobile application using machine learning and cloud computing to combat stunting in Indonesia. By providing personalized recommendations and interventions, I aim to improve nutrition and reduce the prevalence of stunting. This project allows me to apply my skills and make a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of children in Indonesia.
The capstone project is an opportunity to showcase our technical expertise and collaborative skills. Working closely with healthcare professionals and experts in the field, I aim to create a user-friendly solution that addresses the pressing issue of stunting. Through this project, I hope to contribute to the field of human healthcare and make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities affected by stunting.
In conclusion, the capstone project in Bangkit Academy empowers us to develop innovative solutions. My focus on creating a mobile application to combat stunting reflects my dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of children. With the guidance and support of instructors and mentors, I am determined to create an impactful product and contribute to the field of human healthcare.
5. Google Certification: The Bangkit Academy program offers participants the opportunity to earn Google certifications. These certifications validate participants’ technical skills and expertise in specific areas, enhancing their credibility and marketability in the industry.
By combining these various learning components, the Bangkit Academy 2023 Program ensures a holistic and immersive learning experience for the participants. The program equips them with both technical prowess and essential soft skills, preparing them for the demands of the ever-evolving technology industry. The journey is designed to inspire growth, foster collaboration, and empower participants to achieve their full potential.
Other Activities
In addition to the core curriculum, Bangkit Academy offers various activities to enrich our learning experience. One of these activities is the Guest Speaker Sessions, which take place every Friday. During these sessions, we have the opportunity to learn from industry experts who share their insights and experiences. These guest speakers provide valuable perspectives and practical knowledge, giving us a broader understanding of the technology industry and its trends.
Furthermore, weekly consultations with our class mentors are held to provide personalized guidance and support. These consultations serve as a platform for us to discuss our progress, clarify doubts, and seek advice on specific topics. Our mentors, who are experienced professionals in the field, offer valuable feedback and help us navigate challenges along our learning journey. The weekly consultations ensure that we receive the necessary guidance to succeed in the program and maximize our learning potential.
As a closing statement
“Success is the result of the courage to begin.”
Every small step we take is a starting point toward success. Through the courage to start, we can open new doors in our lives. Bangkit Academy becomes the stepping stone that leads us to remarkable changes within ourselves.
In this journey, I have learned to face obstacles with a determined mindset and unwavering spirit. I have learned to challenge myself, develop skills, and push the boundaries that exist. I express my gratitude to Bangkit Academy 2023, the instructors, and fellow program participants for this unforgettable journey. I will continue to apply the values and knowledge I have gained and strive to keep learning and growing in the world of technology.
Are you ready to take your skills and knowledge to the next level? Embrace the opportunity to grow and excel with Bangkit Academy!
If you’re interested in learning more about this transformative program, visit https://g.co/bangkit
