Pre-Dojo:
- Reached a career point with no advancement opportunities
- Was interested in coding and tried to self learn, but couldn’t keep up
- Worked as a Nonprofit Training Coordinator and E-Learning Administrator
After Dojo:
- Works as a full-time Web Developer
- Has confidence in his ability to learn challenging new subjects
- Wants to continue helping others learn more about coding and software development
Program: Three Full-Stack Bootcamp in Los Angeles, CA
Testimonial:
I also had some friends and acquaintances who had done other bootcamps but they didn’t seem too enthusiastic about them. I eventually ran into an old friend and found out he was working as a software engineer after attending Coding Dojo. I talked with him more and saw that it really was possible to successfully change careers.
Tell us a little about yourself. Age, hobbies, passions, and what you were doing (professionally) before the bootcamp.
I’m 33 and like playing and learning new board games, watching sports, cooking, and making homemade ice cream.
Before enrolling in Coding Dojo, I worked as a Nonprofit Training Coordinator and E-Learning Administrator.
Beyond the desire of learning to code, why did you decide to enroll in a coding bootcamp?
I had reached a point in my career where I wasn’t able to advance at my organization, but I was working in a weird niche of nonprofit that didn’t have a lot of opportunities within the sector. So if I wanted to stay in my field, I would need to leave nonprofits, and it felt like the right time to make the transition to tech as I always had an interest and took on those types of responsibilities in my previous roles.
What fears or doubts were holding you back from enrolling? How did you get over them?
I wasn’t able to make the commitment to leave my job and the high cost of bootcamps made it even harder. I also had some friends and acquaintances who had done other bootcamps but they didn’t seem too enthusiastic about them. I eventually ran into an old friend and found out he was working as a software engineer after attending Coding Dojo. I talked with him more and saw that it really was possible to successfully change careers.
What sealed the deal on Coding Dojo? Why did you choose us over other programs?
In addition to talking to my friend, I went to some open houses for different bootcamps and felt that the instructors at Coding Dojo were more open and involved. It was great being able to ask current students questions about their experience. Coding Dojo was also more affordable than the other bootcamps through their lower tuition and available scholarships. I also was interested in Python at the time, which other bootcamps weren’t offering.
What was it like getting ready for the bootcamp? How did you prepare?
I was excited because I actually made the decision to enroll, but due to timing with my previous work I had to wait a few months before starting which only made it worse. I tried to do some free online courses in the meantime, but just like the times I tried to learn on my own before, I got busy and fell behind and didn’t finish (which is why I needed a bootcamp to learn coding). I had about a week between leaving my job and starting Coding Dojo so I did the assigned pre-work during that time.
Walk us through your first few weeks in the program. What were parts you liked? Parts you struggled with?
The first few weeks were exciting because it felt so new and I was able to spend so much time learning new things. The biggest struggle the first week was the quick pace as we went from learning what a div was and how to make it a certain color to recreating a webpage in a couple of days. I also struggled with the concept of object oriented programming.
How did you overcome the obstacles or struggles you faced?
The instructors and TAs were really helpful, and our cohort was really great about helping each other. A lot of us stayed very late each day so that we could keep on schedule.
Do you have any fun anecdotes to share about your time in the bootcamp? Make good friends? Fond memories?
A group of us stayed until about midnight every night working and some of us called it “Dojo After Dark”. Some of my cohort went out to eat after the first test because we all did badly on our first try and that helped us all bond together. Our cohort worked really well together and even now we check in with each other to see how we are doing and try to provide help.
When your graduation date was approaching, how did you feel about your skills and job prospects?
I felt fairly confident in my skills after acquiring three black belts, but I knew my grades alone weren’t going to help much when applying for jobs. I always knew getting a job would be much harder than the bootcamp itself, so I expected a difficult time in the job search.
How did the job hunt go? Where did you land a job?
The job hunt was indeed very difficult as we graduated around the holidays, and then after a few months the pandemic occurred. I sent out over 150 resumes and applications and wasn’t getting any interviews. But, I eventually got a three-month internship at BluePath Solutions after they shared the opportunity with Coding Dojo. After the internship had run its course, I was promoted to a full-time Web Developer!
What advice do you have for others who are interested in coding bootcamps or who are just starting one?
Research to see which is the best fit for you and try to set your own goals and expectations. Be prepared to commit a lot of your time and make sure you are learning as much and working as hard as you can. It is a lot of hard work in a short amount of time, so don’t get discouraged.
Beyond the coding expertise, did the bootcamp give you anything else?
It gave me some confidence as I saw what I was able to learn and do in such a short amount of time.
What are your goals or dreams for the future, say 5 or 10 years from now?
I would like to be a software engineer and a team lead. I really enjoyed working with other students during Coding Dojo and helping those who needed it, and would like to be in a position where I could continue to help others learn more about coding and software development.
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If you are interested in learning how to code and changing your career trajectory into a career that you love, Coding Dojo bootcamp offers accelerated learning programs that can transform your life. We offer both part-time and full-time online courses, as well as onsite (post COVID-19) programs. We also offer financing options, scholarships, and other tuition assistance programs to help you with financial barriers.
If you want to invest in yourself and your future, there is no better time than the present! If you’re interested, use this link to schedule a 15-minute exploratory session with one of our Admissions representatives today.