Pre-Dojo:
As a high school math teacher
I had thought about programming before but other fears and excuses kept me from doing so.
He was interested in technology and loved the idea that he could work from home, building applications on his computer.
After Dojo:
As a Full-Stack Developer
He has made new friends at the Dojo
Aspirations to be a Senior Developer in the next five years
Program: Online Part Time Accelerated Software Development
Testimonial:
Participate in lectures, ask questions, challenge yourself every chance that you get. Your success is entirely up to you Coding Dojo will provide you with all the tools and guidance you need to be great. You just have to take the steps.
Please tell us a bit about yourself. What were you doing professionally before the bootcamp?
26 years old, I enjoy snowboarding and playing video games, ATV riding and DJing. Before the bootcamp, I was a high school math teacher.
Why did you choose to enroll in the bootcamp, other than the desire to learn how to code?
I was unhappy at the time with my job and wasn’t getting enough for the work that I was doing. I have always been interested in technology and loved the idea that I could work from home, building applications on my computer.
What were your fears and doubts that prevented you from enrolling? How did you overcome them?
Although I had considered becoming a programmer for some time, other fears/excuses kept me from pursuing this career. These fears were overcome when I decided to make the career change and put in all my effort.
What was the secret to Coding Dojo’s success? Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other programs?
Part-time accelerated programs fit my teaching schedule, the technology stacks were comparable to what I needed to get a job, as well as the great price.
How was it to get ready for bootcamp? Were you nervous, excited, etc.? How did you prepare?
The bootcamp was a great experience. I love learning new things, particularly programming. I spent as much time as possible researching the basics of web development through YouTube videos and apps like Sololearn.
Take us through the first few weeks of the program. Which parts were your favorites? What parts did you struggle with?
Everything about the program was amazing, especially when we started to use JavaScript to add logic to our websites. The content was easy to learn from my teachers.
What were your strategies for overcoming the difficulties you faced?
I found that I could reach out to my fellow cohort members whenever I was having trouble with something. We would then work together to solve the problem. If we couldn’t figure it out on our own, there were always TAs available to help us.
Do you have any funny stories to share about bootcamp? Make friends! Do you have fond memories?
I don’t have any particular memories, but I did make good friends in the Dojo. We still communicate and update each others about our careers in Discord groups.
How did you feel about your job prospects and skills as you neared graduation?
As we neared graduation, I felt quite confident in my abilities. I hadn’t yet applied for a lot of jobs because I was still teaching. I had another month and a half to go before I could start a new position.
How did your job hunt go? How did you land a job at your current job?
My job hunt was successful. I applied a lot on LinkedIn, but received very few responses. However, I would be contacted by recruiters and companies in waves. My current job was with Cdev after I applied through an email sent to Coding Dojo alumni. Coding Dojo received my application and gave me a interview. They hired me within a week.
Did the bootcamp provide you with anything other than coding skills?
I had a lot of practice talking about code, which I believe helped me in the job hunt and in my current job.
What advice would you give to others interested in coding bootcamps, or just starting one?
I advise you to put everything into the bootcamp. It will pay you handsomely. Participate in lectures, ask questions, challenge yourself every chance that you get. Your success is entirely up to you Coding Dojo will provide you with all the tools and guidance you need to be great. You just have to take the steps.
What are your future goals/dreams, in five or ten years?
My goal is to become a senior developer in a company that earns six figures in the next five years. We offer bot
