Pre-Dojo:
Owned a theatre production company and played various roles at a local college.
Not able to earn a steady income or have sufficient financial resources
I have had little programming experience before.
After Dojo:
Three dream jobs in one: Production Engineer at Bungie
She proved to herself that she can quickly learn difficult subjects
Comfortable in high-stress environments and environments
Program: Three Full-Stack Bootcamps in Seattle, WA
Testimonial:
“I know that I am more excited about my future now than ever before in my life. Hey, thanks, Dojo. ”
Please tell us about yourself. Your age, hobbies, passions and what you did (professionally) before joining the bootcamp.
I am 24 years old and have a passion for theater. I started a production company with a friend several years back. I have also done research on gravitational wave astronomy and may or not have a collection of swords. I love D&D.
Before joining the Dojo I graduated from UW Bothell in Culture, Literature and the Arts with a minor in Consciousness studies. I was a web assistant in the Office of Advancement and External Relations, and a TA for Cosmology (the one that deals with space and not the one about make-up) during my time there. Apart from that, I was also running my theater company. However, that was more of a labor of love than a job. My resume includes a lot of odd jobs, including barista, legal assistant, and freelance video editor, but nothing that was really “career-relevant.”
Why did you choose to enroll in a bootcamp for coding?
While having dinner with a friend at Mox Boarding house in Bellevue, I had an epiphany. I knew I wanted to pursue theater professionally but I didn’t want it to become a money-focused venture. It wasn’t likely to bring in a steady income. I was also sick of not having enough financial resources.
I decided that I needed a “day job” that was both engaging and non-soul-sucking. It would give me a steady paycheck while still allowing me to pursue my creative endeavors. After thinking back to the coding classes I took in highschool and the current tech market in Seattle, I realized that it was a wise decision to get into a tech job. It turned out that the friend I was dining with had just joined a local coding bootcamp called Coding Dojo!
What were your fears and doubts that prevented you from enrolling? How did you overcome them?
If I’m being honest, my biggest fear was getting the money to pay for the tuition. It was definitely not a small amount, especially since I didn’t have the time to work while I was there. Thankfully, I was able get a loan through the Dojo’s partnership to SkillsFund. This was a great solution.
What was the secret to Coding Dojo’s success? Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other programs?
It was a recommendation from a trusted friend. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have received a personal, honest recommendation. This is not an option for everyone. But, it’s possible. This is not for the faint-hearted, but if you put in the effort it will bring you out the other side (exhausted, but ready to apply for some amazing jobs! !
How was it to prepare for bootcamp? How did you prepare for the bootcamp?
Although I was nervous, it was not the most important thing. I was excited and determined to conquer this new challenge. I found it a great help to have the pre-course material sent to me. Being told that ‘hey, if this stuff is done by day one, you’re officially okay’ made me feel much more at ease.
Talk us through the first few weeks of the program. Which parts were your favorites? What parts were difficult?
The first few weeks of the program were truly amazing! Web Fundamentals was built on the skills I had previously acquired in the past. This gave me time to adjust to my new environment and get mentally settled before I was able to take on completely unfamiliar territory. I met many new and interesting people, learned new web-building techniques, and was able to frantically scribble windows like a mad person! It was very enjoyable.
As things got more complicated, I struggled to ask for help. My friends are nodding their heads and rolling their eyes as they read this. I am naturally too stubborn for my own good. But I’m improving! I can honestly say that my time at Dojo was a huge help.