My Background

As a recent Information Technology graduate, I have a strong foundation in software development and data-driven problem-solving. My passion lies in designing, building, and maintaining scalable solutions that empower organizations to make strategic, data-informed decisions. My hands-on experience with Python, SQL, and creating Power BI dashboards has fueled my interest in building efficient, data-centric applications that bridge the gap between raw data and actionable insights.

How "Ask Sarah" Was Built

"Ask Sarah" is a project born from an interest in full-stack development and the practical challenges of data engineering. The goal was to build an intelligent application that mirrors the data processing, system integration, and API interactions found in modern tech environments.

The application was built using a modern tech stack chosen to explore data handling and backend development principles:

• Framework: Next.js (App Router)
• Styling: Tailwind CSS with ShadCN/UI
• AI & Data Processing: Google's Gemini API via Genkit
• Backend & Database: TypeScript, applying principles relevant to cloud platforms like Firebase

At its core, the application processes user input through a backend flow where it's enriched by an AI model. A key feature is a tool that programmatically decides when to fetch external information, simulating how a data pipeline might conditionally source and integrate data. This project was an exercise in turning a concept into a functional application with a focus on a clean data flow and an effective user experience.