Disclaimer: Coding Dojo cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. The experience of this alumnus/alumna may not be representative of all students.
Pre-Dojo:
- Was working as a freelance WordPress developer
- Felt stuck and wanted to explore new possibilities
- Wanted to join a team and build something impactful
After Dojo:
- Works as a Software Engineer for Agility Robotics
- Had newfound confidence in his ability to take on technical interviews
- Aims for progressing into more senior positions so he can mentor new developers
Program: Online Part-Time Accelerated Software Development (One Stack)
Graduation Date: November 2022
Testimonial:
“I liked that they had coursework beyond what was required. Since I already had a background in the fundamentals, I wanted to use the beginning of the bootcamp to strengthen my core skills while also upgrading my capabilities.”
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Tell us a little about yourself! Age, hobbies, passions, where you grew up, where you live now, and any other fun facts!
I’m 43, I play classical guitar and write arrangements of 80s hits. I grew up in California’s Central Valley and Coast (raisins, cows and surfing). I live in Portland, OR with my wife and two kids.
What were you doing professionally before bootcamp?
I was a freelance WordPress developer.
Tell us why you enrolled in Coding Dojo? Were you unhappy with your current role? Yearning for a change in career path?
I felt stuck with WordPress development and wanted to explore new possibilities. I wanted to expand my knowledge of React and dive into back-end technologies like Node.js, Express.js and MongoDB. Plus, I really wanted guidance and support with the tech interview process.
I was tired of working on websites by myself and wanted to be part of a team, building something impactful. Coding Dojo seemed like the perfect opportunity to break free from my current role, gain the necessary skills, and get the help I needed to ace those tech interviews.
Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other bootcamps?
I liked that they had coursework beyond what was required. Since I already had a background in the fundamentals, I wanted to use the beginning of the bootcamp to strengthen my core skills while also upgrading my capabilities.
I also liked Coding Dojo’s emphasis on hands-on projects and practical experience.s a hands-on learner, this approach fit my learning style. It provided the opportunity to apply my knowledge in realistic scenarios to solidify my understanding and building valuable practical skills.
And this isn’t abstract! During one of my interviews, I was given a tech assignment that was very similar to a project we had previously worked on in class.
What were your thoughts going into bootcamp? Were you nervous? Excited? All of the above?
I was excited! I was happy that I’d finally made this decision.
Did you face any obstacles in bootcamp? If so, how did you overcome them?
I have two small children and I was still freelancing, so time management was a real challenge. I overcame this by being super deliberate about my schedule. It also meant quite a few late nights.
What was it like during your first few weeks in bootcamp? What did you enjoy? What did you struggle with?
I had a lot of fun. I raced ahead and focused on solving the Pacman assignment.
What advice would you share with others considering bootcamp? What about those currently in bootcamp?
Advice for those considering a bootcamp:
- Research thoroughly: Take the time to research the bootcamp’s curriculum and ensure it aligns with your learning style. Look into alumni feedback and the career services offered by the bootcamp.
- Schedule effectively: Be prepared to manage your time and schedule carefully throughout the bootcamp and try to stay ahead of the coursework.
Advice for those currently in a bootcamp:
- Practice assignments: Take full advantage of the bootcamp assignments and projects. Do all of them, even the ones that are not required! Practicing these assignments can save you time during interviews when you encounter similar tasks.
- Study algorithms and data structures: Having a solid understanding of these concepts really helped during interviews. Even if I wasn’t sure of implementation details, discussing them with the interviewer was helpful.
- Utilize career services: Make the most of the career services provided by the bootcamp. They offer valuable support and guidance for your job search and interview prep, making them worth the bootcamp tuition alone.
Do you have any fun memories to share about your time in bootcamp?
The group project was the highlight of my bootcamp experience. Our team collaborated to create TwEater, a Twitter clone for foodies. It was an incredible experience, and even after the bootcamp ended, we have stayed connected.
What was your favorite stack, project, or module to learn? Why?
I really enjoyed learning how to build the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern using Express.js and MongoDB. It allowed me to overcome challenges that had previously troubled me in my prior projects, providing effective problem-solving solutions. I’ve since used it in interviews and projects.
As graduation approached, how confident were you in your new skill set?
Very! The only thing I wished I had spent more time on was algos and data structures. I had to do some work on those after graduation.
Aside from credentials, what else did you leave bootcamp with? (soft skills, motivation, confidence, etc.)
Confidence, for sure! I had bombed technical interviews before the bootcamp and I now felt ready to take them on.
How did the job hunt go? Where did you end up working?
I got a job as a Software Engineer for Agility Robotics. The job hunt took 6 months and was grueling! I got through several rounds of interviews with different companies but kept getting told they were going with other candidates. Career services were essential to each step of the process. They helped keep my spirits up and provided guidance on each step of the journey.
What did it feel like to receive your first job offer? Or to get that first paycheck in tech?
Getting the job offer was a peak experience. It validated all that hard work!
What are your goals and dreams for the future? Career or otherwise.
I am committed to further enhancing my programming skills by continuously exploring new languages, expanding my knowledge of programming best practices, and honing my craft. I’d like to aim for more senior positions and eventually mentor other programmers. Hopefully I can help someone avoid some of the mistakes I made!
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If you are interested in pursuing a new career path, Coding Dojo bootcamp offers accelerated learning programs designed to help you learn the skills you want. We offer both part-time and full-time online coding programs, as well as programs training you in Data Science and Cybersecurity. We also offer financing options, scholarships, and other tuition assistance programs for those who qualify.
If you want to invest in yourself, there is no time like the present! If you’re interested, use this link to schedule a 15-minute exploratory session with one of our Admissions Advisors today.
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