Pre-Dojo:
- Laid-off Web Developer
- Lacked back end and database skills and knowledge
After Dojo:
- Worked as a Software Developer and now as a Front End Engineer
- Can learn anything and pick up new technologies with ease
Program: Online Part-Time Bootcamp
Career Satisfaction Prior: 6/10
Career Satisfaction After: 10/10
Testimonial:
“Coding Dojo not only taught me how to do full stack coding, but they also taught me to be a self sufficient developer. I didn’t know everything, but I knew how to learn anything after attending the Dojo.“
Tell us a little about yourself. Age, hobbies, passions, and what you were doing (professionally) before the bootcamp?
I’m 30 years old and my hobbies are spending time with my family and creating things. Whether it be wood working, building legos with my kids, or creating a nice garden and yard, I love to create.
Prior to the bootcamp, I had just been laid off working as a Web Developer.
Beyond the desire of learning to code, why did you decide to enroll in a coding bootcamp?
I had just been laid off and I wanted to be able to dig deep into expanding my coding skill set. I knew front end development pretty well but I wanted to learn back end coding and databases so I could become a full-fledged software developer.
What was your bootcamp experience like? What parts came easy, and what parts did you struggle with?
My bootcamp experience was amazing. Because I had been laid off, I was able to fully commit time and effort to the program and finished 6 weeks early. Overall the bootcamp was pretty easy for me, but my .NET exam was a bit of a struggle for me. I only earned my red belt.
Do you have any fun anecdotes to share about your time in the bootcamp? Make good friends? Fond memories?
I really appreciated that my .NET instructor decided that he wanted to learn Linux, so he wiped his (only) computer, installed it, and he had to learn as he went. I also thought it was really cool that the job I got after graduating the bootcamp also hired a Chicago campus Coding Dojo graduate about a year after I got there.
How did the job hunt go? Where did you land your first job after graduation?
The job hunt for my first “big kid” dev job after graduating was tough. I applied to around 100 companies and in the end only got two offers. Ultimately, I ended up at the Radiological Society of North America.
Walk us through your career journey. If applicable, where did you go after that first job?
I worked at RSNA for a little over two years and once I felt I was at a point where I could move to something bigger and better, I started looking for a new job. It took about a month and about 25 applications, but I was able to get a job at Red Shelf in Chicago, IL with a six-figure starting salary. I was beyond thrilled.
How do you feel the skills you learned at Coding Dojo helped you in the workplace and/or advance your career?
Coding dojo not only taught me how to do full stack coding, but they also taught me to be a self sufficient developer. I didn’t know everything, but I knew how to learn anything after attending the Dojo. When I got my job at RSNA, I was working with a tech stack I had never done or learned before. So I had to learn it very quickly and I was able to do that with ease because of the skills I got from Coding Dojo.
What advice do you have for others who are interested in coding bootcamps or who are just starting one?
My advice is to do your homework and understand exactly what you’re getting into. Anyone can learn to code, but coding isn’t for everyone. The curriculum is rigorous, and there is a high expectation for self learning beyond what is taught, but it’s very rewarding in the end.
What are your goals/dreams for the future, say 5 or 10 years from now?
In 5-10 years I want to be a Principal Engineer working in medical support or research. I want to be building the tools that doctors and medical researchers use to develop the next generation of treatment and care to save as many lives as possible.
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If you are interested in learning how to code and starting the path to land your dream job, 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.