Kayla Barrera completed a 95+ hour shadowing project with mentor River Ross to create a secure file transfer web application called "File Friend". The app allows users to invite others, send files peer-to-peer without third party storage, and ensures files are not vulnerable to breaches. Kayla learned technical skills like JavaScript, frameworks, and version control through independently developing the app, which was deployed using technologies like WebRTC, Vue.js, Bulma, and AWS services. She also gained valuable lessons around time management, the software development process, and the benefits of passion-driven independent projects and mentorship.