Hello, World Again
A Devlogue - Navigating Through Life and Code
Welcome to my personal blog! My name is Junaid, and I am graduating soon as a computer engineer from McGill. During my second year, I had created this platform as a way to express my thoughts, reflect on my experiences, and share my journey with the world. Here, you will find insights into my student and professional life, including the skills I have developed, the lessons I have learned, and the projects I have undertaken. Whether you're looking for inspiration, motivation, or just a fresh perspective, I hope you'll find something of value here. So, make yourself at home, grab a cup of coffee, and join me on my journey as I explore the world of technology, engineering, and personal growth.
Summer Internship Hunt
It's that time of the year again. This can be a stressful time, but I try to stay organized. I maintain an excel sheet with all the deadlines and interview dates. I also have separate to-dos and additional details; people I know at the company and the stage of my application. Additionally, one column reads "What can be improved", and the other stores a document "Resume + CoverLetter + Job Posting" ... Read More
Major Change (Pun Intended)
Recently, I changed my major from Electrical to Computer Engineering. Don't get me wrong, I love the hardware side. However, I have grown to love the software side of things a little more. With Electrical engineering, we have minimal software courses available to us, but I wanted to take more. I was then advised to switch to Computer Engineering and have also decided to do a minor in Software Engi ... Read More
Making the most of McGill
As I look back on my first year at McGill Engineering, I can't help but feel a mix of emotions. I was ecstatic when I first learned that I had been accepted into the program. The opportunity to study at one of the top engineering schools in the world was a dream come true. But as the pandemic hit, and we were forced to adapt to lockdowns and virtual classes, the excitement was tempered with disapp ... Read More
International Student Life in Montreal
As a 22-year-old international student at McGill University in Montreal, I have had the opportunity to experience life in a new and exciting city. From the bustling streets of downtown to the charming neighborhoods surrounding the campus, Montreal has something for everyone. One of the things I love most about Montreal is its vibrant culture. As a city with a strong French-Canadian heritage, Mo ... Read More
A Journey of Growth — Reflections from My Time at McGill
It's funny how life gets in the way of plans, isn't it? Three years ago, in my second year at McGill, I built this personal website with grand intentions of documenting my journey. Back then, I was just beginning to explore the world of web development outside of school. I had created this blog section, written a few posts, and promised myself that I'd keep posting — that I'd share my experienc ... Read More
Building a Solution That Matters: My Capstone Journey with Machine Learning and NPOs
When I first heard about our capstone project — to help a Polish non-profit organization streamline their email management using machine learning — I thought, "This sounds cool!" But as we dug deeper into the problem, it became clear that this project wasn’t just about coding a solution or building a prototype. It was about making a real difference for people who dedicate their lives to helping ot ... Read More
A Fresh New Look: Revamping My Personal Blog
Three years ago, I built this personal blog during my second year at McGill, driven by a newfound passion for web development. It was my first attempt at combining Node.js, Express, and EJS templating into a real project. While the blog served as a creative outlet to share my thoughts, life soon got busy with internships, on-campus jobs, and club leadership roles. The blog website remained static— ... Read More