From Hobby to Hackathons: My Journey into Web Development - Taha Bichouina

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

My journey into web development started as a simple hobby. I never imagined it would evolve into something that shapes my career ambitions, connects me with amazing people, and pushes me to take my skills seriously.

Early Experiences

It all began when I participated in the National Python Programming Competition. At first, I was just curious and wanted to see how I would perform. This experience sparked something inside me—the excitement of solving real problems with code and the thrill of building something from scratch.

After that, I began approaching development more seriously. I started attending events, conferences, and workshops, meeting other developers, and learning from their experiences. Connecting with like‑minded people fueled my motivation to grow in the IT world.

Turning Point

The turning point for me was an intensive summer university program, where I was surrounded by passionate individuals, mentors, and real‑world projects. It inspired me to dedicate myself fully to web development and explore opportunities beyond the classroom.

Leadership and Kumocoders

Later, I had the incredible opportunity to work on a project with Mr. Wills Ruben NYAMA NYAMA, where I was appointed as the team leader for web developers. Our team of six—Nacer Eddine Bouras (team lead), Taha Bichouina, Amine Balhan, Salah Eddine Lachheb, Sara Chihab, and ELBATOUL HNEGNEG—collaborated closely, combining our diverse IT specialties.

We eventually formed an independent team called Kumocoders, participating in international hackathons and creating innovative web projects together. Leading this team taught me how to coordinate, communicate, and innovate with others.

Community Building with Opportunet

During this journey, I realized the importance of community and collaboration. This inspired me to create Opportunet, a community that initially brought together dozens of students and grew to over 1,500 members. Opportunet became a platform where students could share knowledge, resources, and opportunities in web development and IT, connecting young talents with mentors and professionals.

Reflections and Advice

Looking back, what started as a hobby has now become a passion and a purpose. Web development is no longer just a pastime—it’s a path that allows me to learn continuously, collaborate globally, and inspire others to explore technology.

If there’s one piece of advice I could give to anyone starting out: follow your curiosity, participate in events, connect with people, and don’t be afraid to lead or create something new. You never know where a simple interest could take you.