An Online Taxi Bike Driver Then, A Full-Stack Developer Now
A Story of Muhammad Nasa’i Kairupan, Bangkit 2023 Batch 1 Graduate from Informatics, Institut Teknologi Kalimantan
They say that the most significant achievements are born from the greatest struggles, and Muhammad Nasa’i Kairupan (22) understands this. Born and raised in Balikpapan, Kalimantan Timur, Sa’i—his nickname—faced significant hardships that shaped his life.
During his high school years, he lost his father, the family’s primary breadwinner. Shortly after, his mother was laid off, plunging the family into financial distress. Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Sa’i refused to succumb to despair. Instead, he channeled his energies into a passion that intrigued him: technology.
Recognizing the potential of the tech industry to change his life, he immersed himself in learning tech every day. This commitment led him to Bangkit, a transformative program designed by Google to equip aspiring tech enthusiasts with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital world.
After Bangkit, Sa’i felt empowered and ready to launch a career in the tech industry. He emerged with advanced technical skills and a renewed belief in his potential. Now, Sa’i has become a Full-Stack Developer at Universitas Balikpapan.
So, how far has Sa’i’s journey at Bangkit changed him? Let’s delve into his story!
Sa'i’s Journey Against All Odds
Sa’i is the eldest of three brothers. He was thrust into a “family head” early on after his father passed away when he was 19 years old. This meant taking on immense responsibility. “All the money my father left was spent repairing our house and meeting daily needs.”
His father was a freelance civil engineering contractor who signed contracts to build roads or markets for different companies. On the other hand, his mother used to work as a contract employee in the Balikpapan city government office. However, as she grew older, she began to suffer from knee problems and could no longer work as she used to.
Despite these challenges, Sa’i remained determined to pursue higher education. Unfortunately, after spending Rp25 million on preparation for Politeknik Keuangan Negara (STAN) admission, he faced rejection. After that, he took a gap year. During his gap year, Sa’i did whatever he could to contribute to his family’s income.
“I worked as a porter at transportation hubs and became an online taxi bike driver (ojol). I also became a tutor, both through agencies and privately. I tutored daily, focusing on middle and high school subjects, particularly math, science, and English.”
In the Dark Times, Sa’i Found Passion in Tech
Sa’i’s interest in technology began somewhat unexpectedly. Honestly, he wasn’t exposed to advanced technology during high school. He started to explore programming until he graduated and found himself with a gap year. Initially, he was drawn to Python because of his interest in AI (artificial intelligence), thinking it would be highly relevant in the future.
“However, learning tech wasn’t as straightforward as I had hoped. I tried PHP Laravel for a while but didn’t stick with it. Instead, I spent most of my time working various jobs.”
“I was initially interested in AI, but programming, especially software development, captured my interest even more,” he reflects.
“My first encounter with Bangkit through its pilot program in 2020. I watched a video on YouTube and was thrilled at the idea of learning directly on campus.”
Bounced Back as a Tech Enthusiast with Bangkit
Back then, Bangkit only offered a machine-learning path. Motivated by the potential opportunities, Sa’i prepared from his first day at college to join Bangkit. However, he was not yet eligible to apply for Bangkit. At that time, he didn’t meet the minimum semester requirement to participate in Bangkit.
This setback didn’t deter Sa’i but fueled his determination to prepare even more rigorously. In preparation for Bangkit, Sa’i dove into various programming and software development aspects. He tried everything, starting with web development and JavaScript, building back-ends using Node.js and React, and then experimenting with mobile development using Flutter.
After dedicating his time to learning tech for three years, Sa’i applied to Bangkit and successfully joined the Cloud Computing path. Reflecting on his experience, he highlights the mentoring process as the most rewarding aspect.
“The mentors were incredibly supportive, especially since I juggled college, teaching, and freelance jobs. They provided one-on-one support and guidance that I still use today,” he says.
“The labs provided by Bangkit, especially those involving Terraform and Kubernetes, were both challenging and enjoyable,” he concludes.
“Dicoding’s content facilitated a deeper understanding, especially when dealing with complex terminologies related to cloud learning on Google’s platform.”
From Junior Software Engineer to Full-Stack Developer
Not long after joining Bangkit, Sa’i worked as a Junior Software Engineer at Universitas Balikpapan (UNIBA). When Sa’i embarked on his journey with Bangkit, little did he know how significantly it would impact his career trajectory.
During his interview at UNIBA, Sa’i highlighted his participation in Bangkit. His prospective employers were impressed by his commitment to learning and were particularly interested in his ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
“They asked if I could manage my time well, considering my involvement in Bangkit,” Sa’i recounts.
Moreover, he occasionally develops new websites for accreditation purposes and postgraduate admissions. One significant contribution Sa’i made to UNIBA's tech infrastructure was introducing Docker for application deployment. Additionally, he applied IT support skills, like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), to address the institution’s technological needs effectively.
Reflecting on his experience, Sa’i acknowledges the profound impact of Bangkit on his professional development.
“The concepts I learned in Bangkit, especially Docker and Kubernetes, have significantly improved our workflow at UNIBA,” he remarks.
“Never Give Up, No Matter How Tough Things Get”
Sa’i’s journey inspires anyone to pursue a career in the ever-evolving world of technology. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. He also encourages tech professionals to embrace challenges, seek mentorship, and utilize available resources, such as online courses and educational platforms like Bangkit.
By leveraging the opportunities provided by Bangkit and his relentless drive, Sa’i proved that he could avoid the pitfalls of his earlier struggles. “The key is never to give up, no matter how tough things get. With determination and the right support, anything is possible,” he advises.
To end the interview, he shares an insightful perspective on success:
“For me, success is when someone can conquer and improve themself to their limitless potential every day.”
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