Pre-Dojo:
Worked in Sales & Digital Marketing
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was forced to change my career.
Although I was able to code a little on my own, I needed guidance and structure in order to make it a career.
After Dojo:
Work as a Full Stack Developer at MyEtherWallet
Newfound confidence and communication skills, as well collaboration and collaboration skills.
Dreams of building a foundation that my family can rely on and a legacy.
Program: Three Full Stack Full Time Bootcamps
Testimonial:
I loved the idea of building out projects and giving people the opportunity to learn how to be resourceful and self-sufficient.
Please tell us a bit about yourself. What were you doing professionally before the bootcamp?
I am 32 years old. I love spending time with my family, reading, going to the city, eating out, playing basketball, and sometimes doing a little music. I worked in digital marketing and sales from 2017 until the outbreak. After everything was closed down, I decided that I wanted to change careers and enter a new industry.
Why did you choose to enroll in a bootcamp for coding?
One of the main reasons I joined a bootcamp was because I knew what the bootcamp would offer and the structure it would provide. I tried self-teaching for a while, but I realized that I was running around in circles and wasting my time, which I didn’t have at this stage of my life.
What were your fears and doubts that prevented you from enrolling? How did you overcome them?
My biggest fear was going full-time. I was unsure if I could pick up the concepts at such a fast pace and on such a tight schedule. The bootcamp was well-organized and I developed amazing relationships with my cohortmates, which made it a great environment to learn.
What was the secret to Coding Dojo’s success? Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other programs?
My background in sales and digital marketing meant that I appreciated the retargeting system and the Coding Dojo system. I would say that I loved the idea of building projects and giving us the opportunity to be resourceful and self-sufficient.
How was it to get ready for bootcamp? Were you nervous, excited, etc.? How did you prepare?
I was excited because I have wanted to learn code for a long time. I love the creative process of solving problems and building them out. It was something I was looking forward to.
Take us through the first few weeks of the program. Which parts were your favorites? What parts did you struggle with?
Before the bootcamp, my schedule was erratic and I was freelance. It was the hardest part. But, I was able to adapt after the first week.
What were your strategies for overcoming the difficulties you faced?
As I grew older, I became more aware of my learning style and preferred method of studying. I prefer to be visual and do the work. My one saving grace during bootcamp was that I would do each project in the curriculum at least 3-5 times more to make sure I understood the concepts.
Do you have any funny stories to share about bootcamp? Make friends! Do you have fond memories?
One thing I will never forget is working with my cohortmates on Zoom until around 1am, or just hanging out. We still keep in touch because of how close we became.
How did you feel about your job prospects and skills as you neared graduation?
I felt that my skills had improved and that the foundation was being laid. I made a plan to continue building my skills after graduation. Although I was not the best at algorithms, I knew that if my projects were completed 100% and I used all the information I had learned in bootcamp, it would help me.
How did your job hunt go? How did you land a job at your current job?
I was able to apply every day in a planned manner for the job hunt. I treated it as if I was still in bootcamp. I applied everywhere from LinkedIn, ZipRecruiterer, Indeed, and many more… and I ended up landing a job with MyEtherWallet which is a software company.
Did the bootcamp provide you with anything other than coding skills?
Talk about growth and being comfortable with being uncomfortable every day. From standup meetings and presentations at 9am to algo practice, standup meetings, and presentations at 11am, I would say that I learned the most valuable skills I could ever have: confidence, communication skills, and understanding each person’s strengths and using them in a collaborative setting.
What advice would you give to others interested in coding bootcams?