Every journey starts with a dream, but sometimes, the path we envision changes in unexpected ways. For Madhan Raj, financial realities led him down a different road than his initial passion. His story is one of growth and grit. Here, he shares his evolution from a curious student to a full-fledged full stack developer.
Hi, everyone! I'm Madhan Raj, a 24-year-old tech enthusiast from Edayanchavadi, a village nestled in Auroville’s bioregion. While I originally dreamed of becoming a wildlife photographer, my journey took me down a different path—one that eventually led me into the dynamic field of coding and programming. Here’s my story of how I went from a computer science student to a full-stack developer at Yuvabe, ready to take on whatever the future holds!
Early Days: From Dreams to Reality
Growing up, I was always fascinated by adventure and exploration. I love to travel, go on bike rides, and discover new landscapes. Capturing nature as a wildlife photographer was my dream, but the financial demands of pursuing photography as a career was infeasible for me and I ultimately decided to pursue a more practical route. So, I chose computer science for my bachelor's and master’s degrees, embarking on a journey that would ultimately reshape my ambitions.
During my undergraduate years, I befriended a peer who was skilled in both development and design. Through them, I found an unexpected interest in programming. I started building my foundation in programming, and as my interest grew, I dedicated more time to learning and applying new coding concepts. By the time I reached my master’s program, I was confidently coding in Python and creating frontend elements. I even took on the challenge of developing a website independently, which ignited my curiosity about web development.
Taking the First Steps
My initial job post-graduation was as a Graphic Designer. While it was a good start, I soon realised that my true passion lay in development. Eager to pursue it fully, I resigned from my design role and went back to sharpening my programming skills. Around that time, a friend told me about a developer position at Yuvabe, and I seized the opportunity. I joined Yuvabe as a Frappe and ERPNext developer, a role that aligned with my interest in both frontend and backend technologies.
Discovering New Frameworks
At Yuvabe, I was introduced to the Frappe framework, a new and initially daunting tool that opened doors to understanding advanced development practices. Tackling Frappe’s framework architecture was challenging, but it deepened my knowledge in frontend, backend, and even DevOps. My learning accelerated as I worked on live projects, gaining firsthand experience with ERPNext and even integrating it with WooCommerce. This project gave me invaluable insights into ERP systems and allowed me to develop a testing website with WordPress, broadening my skill set.
A Major Milestone
One of the most pivotal projects I worked on was CEBA (Common ERP Backbone for All), an ERPNext solution created for seven units within Auroville. This project demanded not only technical knowledge but also a mindset shift to become a Techno-Functional Analyst, a role that required me to understand user needs, identify solutions, and improve the user experience for clients. CEBA pushed me to analyse problems critically, resolve issues efficiently, and communicate effectively with clients—a true milestone in my professional growth.
Beyond Development: Serving the Community
At Yuvabe, we follow a motto: “Work, Serve, and Evolve.” While Yuvabe has equipped me with technical expertise, it has also given me opportunities to give back to the community. One of my most memorable experiences has been teaching robotics to school children. Passing on my knowledge to these young, curious minds has not only been fulfilling but has also helped me evolve personally, giving me a broader sense of purpose and impact.
Forging Ahead: Anticipating New Horizons
Reflecting on my journey so far, I’m grateful for the guidance from my mentors and the hands-on experience I’ve gained at Yuvabe. The challenges, projects, and community work have molded me into a confident and competent full-stack developer. I’m excited for what lies ahead as I continue to learn, adapt, and grow in this ever-evolving field. From a kid in Edayanchavadi with a passion for adventure to a full-stack developer ready to tackle complex challenges, I’ve come a long way—and this is only the beginning.
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