My journey into professional software engineering began in Tangerang, during my second year at vocational high school. As an intern at PT. Autochem Industry, I found myself in a small but dynamic team of just seven people - three senior developers who doubled as project leaders, three fellow interns each handling their own project, and myself.

The challenge laid before me was both exciting and daunting: create an expense tracking app for the sales team. It was a real-world project that would push my skills to the limit and beyond.

Our workspace was modest - a shared office where the hum of focused coding and occasional discussions created a backdrop of productive energy. As the newest and youngest member of the team, I felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.

Armed with Java for Android development and PHP for the backend, I dove headfirst into creating a solution that would streamline the company's expense management process. Every line of code was a learning experience, every bug a puzzle to be solved.

The most significant challenge I faced was implementing offline support. The sales team needed to input data even without an internet connection, a feature that proved to be a formidable obstacle. I spent days grappling with the logic, often feeling like I was in over my head.

While the senior developers were supportive, their involvement was limited to occasional light suggestions. They were busy with their own projects and responsibilities as project leaders. This meant that the bulk of the problem-solving fell on my shoulders.

I remember countless late nights, poring over documentation, experimenting with different approaches, and slowly but surely making progress. It was frustrating at times, but each small victory fueled my determination.

The breakthrough came after nearly a week of intense focus. I had pieced together the suggestions from the seniors, combined them with my research, and finally cracked the code for offline synchronization. The feeling of accomplishment was indescribable.

As the weeks turned into months, my expense tracking app took shape. It wasn't just functional; it was being actively used by the sales team. Seeing them effortlessly log expenses using my app filled me with a sense of pride I had never experienced before.

This internship was more than just a school requirement; it was a baptism by fire into the world of professional software development. I learned the importance of self-reliance, the value of perseverance, and the satisfaction of solving real-world problems through code.

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have this opportunity so early in my journey. While I may not have had constant guidance, the independence I was given forced me to grow rapidly as a developer. The experience laid a solid foundation for my future career, instilling in me a drive for continuous learning and problem-solving that would serve me well in the years to come.

As I left PT. Autochem Industry, I was no longer just a high school student with an interest in coding. I had become a budding software developer with real-world experience under my belt, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology.