Lecture Tolga Doganer (Funda) - Nayomekaia/i-love-web GitHub Wiki

This week we had the pleasure of hearing from Tolga Doganer, a front-end developer at Funda who also studied the same programme we’re doing (AD Frontend Design & Development). His journey from student to professional is both relatable and motivating, especially since he once stood where we are now.

What I Learned

Tolga emphasised that accessibility, semantic markup, and responsiveness aren’t optional they’re core fundamentals in web development. When it comes to finding a job, his advice was straightforward: apply widely, even to companies you’re less familiar with or unsure about. Each application and interview builds experience and confidence. He also shared how he progressed from FDND student projects to creating a portfolio that helped him land a position at Funda. Hearing his story made the process of moving from study to career feel much more tangible.

My Reflection

Listening to Tolga’s talk reminded me that strong technical foundations are just one part of becoming a good developer. The way you present yourself, apply for opportunities, and communicate your work is equally important. It was motivating to see how persistence and self-confidence helped him grow into his role. His journey reinforced for me that learning, building, and staying proactive are key steps toward turning our studies into a real career path.