Pre-Dojo:
He co-owned and operated a family dining establishment with his parents
High school dropout
He was afraid to leave his business but wanted more for his family and his children.
After Dojo:
As a web developer for a local business
He has a newfound confidence in himself
He has a work/life balance that he has never experienced before
Program: Three full-stack bootcamps in Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
“It taught my confidence, that I can learn new things and that this is what I want to be doing.”
Please tell us about yourself. Your age, hobbies, passions and what you did (professionally) before joining the bootcamp.
I am 32 years old and enjoy exercising and spending time with my children and my wife. I am also a high school dropout and a recovering addict who has remained sober for 10 years. Before the bootcamp, my parents and I co-owned and managed a family restaurant.
Why did you choose to enroll in a bootcamp for coding?
I wanted more for my family. It was difficult to own a restaurant with my family. It was stressful for our relationship. It was also a lot of work, so most of it went unnoticed. It was not satisfying.
What were your fears and doubts that prevented you from enrolling? How did you overcome them?
It was scary to leave the family business. It was difficult to let my family know and feel like I’m losing them.
What was the secret to Coding Dojo’s success? Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other programs?
I loved that I was able to learn 3 full stacks.
How was it to prepare for bootcamp? How did you prepare for the bootcamp?
I was so excited! I prepared hard to earn all the money I needed to pay for the course and for living expenses during my time off. I also attended some of the Intro classes and any Coding Dojo events.
Talk us through the first few weeks of the program. Which parts were your favorites? What parts were difficult?
Web Fundamentals was easy for me because I had a little knowledge base. It was fun, but a little more difficult to switch stacks because you had to change your mindset.
What were your strategies for overcoming the difficulties you faced?
Great instructors, classmates, and Google.
Do you have any funny stories to share about bootcamp? Make friends! Do you have fond memories?
I made friends with two great people. We talk every day about our lives and discuss any problems we might have with our current projects.
How did you feel about your job prospects and skills as you neared graduation?
I was excited, but I didn’t know what to expect. I was ready to apply, apply and apply!
Did the bootcamp provide you with anything other than coding skills?
It taught me how to learn new things, gave confidence, and reinforced my belief that this is what I want.
How did your job hunt go? How did you land a job at your current job?
It was hard work and I applied a lot. It became a bit scary when I couldn’t find one. Then COVID-19 came along. I was fortunate to find a company right next to me that was hiring, so I applied and was offered a job. I am now a web developer and am extremely grateful for it!
What advice would you give to others interested in coding bootcamps, or just starting one?
Learn, study, and practice. There are many answers.
What are your future goals and dreams, in five or ten years?
Coding Dojo’s accelerated learning programs can help you transform your life and improve your craft. We offer online and onsite courses for both part-time or full-time, as well as post-COVID-19 programs. We offer scholarships, financing options, and other financial assistance programs to help you overcome financial barriers. To schedule a 15-minute session with one our Admissions representatives, click this link.