Pre-Dojo:
- Worked in billing, logistics, and real estate
- Kept running out of room to grow
- Desired a fast-paced career that would challenge her
After Dojo:
- Works as an Implementation Engineer
- Has newfound autonomy and independent learning skills
- Continually growing her skill set to become a Senior Engineer and/or Manager
Program: Online Full-Time bootcamp
Testimonial:
I chose Coding Dojo because they offered that much versatility and experience. I’m glad I committed to the course as it has helped me level up on my skills and get up to date in tech.
Tell us a little about yourself. Age, hobbies, passions, and what you were doing (professionally) before the bootcamp?
I’m in my 30s and have plenty of work experience, but have always had a passion for tech and learning. Bootcamps like Coding Dojo and self-learning have helped me in my journey. I enjoy helping others and volunteer whenever possible. I love music, playing guitar, as well as enjoying good food and coffee. I am a passionate person and once I commit to something, I am all in.
Prior to the bootcamp, I was working in billing (Accounts Payable and Receivable), also in Logistics (Shipping & Receiving hardware parts) and at some point also became very interested in real estate. I bought a home in my 20s and even studied to get my real estate license.
Beyond the desire of learning to code, why did you decide to enroll in a coding bootcamp?
I like a good challenge because once you figure things out, it’s one of the most rewarding feelings. I hopped around between a few different types of careers because after about a year, I found I learned most of what I could and there wasn’t much room to grow. I decided to transition into tech because it is the opposite of this. Tech is ever-changing and growing and there is always a new problem to solve or technology to learn.
What fears or doubts were “holding you back” from enrolling? How did you get over them?
I was mostly doubting myself at the idea of having to learn 3 full stacks. I chose Coding Dojo because they offered that much versatility and experience. I’m glad I committed to the course as it has helped me level up on my skills and get up to date in tech.
What sealed the deal on Coding Dojo? Why did you choose us over other programs?
Three full stacks were offered. I did not see any other school that was doing that and this is the challenge I wanted to undertake.
What was it like getting ready for the bootcamp? Were you nervous, excited, etc.? How did you prepare?
I was definitely nervous but also excited. It pushed me to really get out of my comfort zone, coming back from a tech hiatus while I was abroad for over a year. It really got my mind back into hands on programming.
How did you overcome the obstacles or struggles you faced?
Lots of self-learning and hands on practice…though also taking time off when feeling a bit burned out was definitely crucial to me. There are times when, as a “newbie coder,” you can feel overwhelmed and experience intense imposter syndrome. Duy, my Career Services Manager, helped me get over part of this hurdle when I started applying for new work and wasn’t receiving the kind of responses from employers that I was hoping for.
When your graduation date was approaching, how did you feel about your skills and job prospects?
I was still feeling a bit iffy about my skills, as towards the end of the camp I felt a bit overwhelmed and burned out..like I could’ve done better. However, even so, I came out of all this knowing so much more than when I first started and knew it was an asset that would help me find work.
How did the job hunt go? Where did you land a job?
The job hunt was hard. At first, having had prior experience in the field (even though I had a job gap), I kept getting approached by recruiters for senior level roles, which was something I was not ready for. Duy taught me to go a different route and rather than rely on recruiters to send me leads, that I should hunt down my own.
Covid also put a damper in my job hunt. I may have been able to land something sooner, but I was afraid to apply and have to go into an office in person during the pandemic…so I decided to wait. Later on, in order to keep my skills active, I decided to volunteer for as many things as I could, even if there was no pay. This helped me fill up my resume and I found it to be one of the best decisions that I could’ve made. It’s been a win-win situation for myself and the companies I was helping. I finally found a job through a WomenHack, virtual job fair event with Sorcero. I am really excited about my role and the company and I’m glad I waited to find a good fit.
Beyond the coding expertise, did the bootcamp give you anything else?
Doing the Online course helped me become a bit more autonomous and independent in my learning. I have built up the confidence now to really feel like a tech.
What advice do you have for others who are interested in coding bootcamps or who are just starting one?
You have to really want it – both the career change and the challenge. There will be a lot of times that you will get discouraged but you have to keep pushing on and believe in the process. You have to find that drive within yourself and be hungry for it. Most of it you have to do on your own, but lean on your career advisor and reach out to the tech community. There are so many great groups for local tech, like Meetup.com groups and for women and minorities. So find something that works for you. I was able to find a mentor through Portland’s Women in Tech group and joined groups like Tecqueria (LatinX in tech), Women Who Code, and others. Find the support you need when you need it.
What are your goals/dreams for the future, say 5 or 10 years from now?
I want to develop my skills well enough so that I am proud to say that I am a Senior Engineer and by that time, would like to be a Lead and possibly Manager 🙂
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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.