Inspiration
Reflecting on our freshman challenges, we realized how invaluable it would have been to have guidance from upperclassmen. Even as sophomores, many of us could still benefit from mentorship by experienced students or graduates. This insight led to the creation of BoilerFind.
What it Does
BoilerFind bridges the gap between freshmen and upperclassmen, facilitating meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. Users register, input their major, minor, professional track, and other relevant details. Our AI algorithm processes this information to match them with suitable mentors. The platform features a built-in chat function, ensuring secure communication without the need to share personal information.
How We Built It
BoilerFind is powered by ExpressJS for the backend, EJS for the frontend, SocketIO for real-time chat, MongoDB Atlas for database management, and an AI-driven algorithm for matching students.
Challenges We Faced
Throughout the hackathon, we encountered various minor challenges. Our preference for backend development made UI design and coding a struggle. However, with support from StackOverflow and online communities, we successfully created an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface. Additionally, we performed multiple rounds of bug fixes to ensure our AI algorithm delivered accurate matches.
Accomplishments We're Proud Of
Our primary goal was to create something impactful, and we believe we succeeded. Conducting a poll among college students, we received an overwhelming response indicating they would use our app. We're proud of developing all the planned features and designs within the hackathon timeframe. Additionally, the positive feedback from peers and mentors has validated our efforts and motivated us to keep improving BoilerFind.
What We Learned
The hackathon was a tremendous learning experience. We honed our skills in full-stack development, particularly in balancing backend and frontend tasks. Collaboration was key, as we learned to effectively communicate and delegate tasks under pressure. Debugging complex issues taught us patience and persistence, and we gained valuable insights into refining AI algorithms. The experience also underscored the importance of user-centric design, reminding us to prioritize the user experience in every aspect of development.
What's Next for BoilerFind
We plan to enhance BoilerFind with additional features, such as media sharing in chat, user online/offline status indicators, and a mentor verification program. We also aim to expand BoilerFind to universities across the US in time for the new freshman intake. We also plan on expanding this to help college students find services like haircare, nailcare and tutoring services easily.
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