Pre-Dojo:
Assist in the areas of billing, logistics, real estate, and other related tasks
Keep running out of space to grow
She desired a challenging career in a fast-paced industry.
After Dojo:
As an Implementation Engineer
Newfound autonomy and independence in learning
To continue to grow her skills set and become a Senior Engineer/Manager
Program: Full-Time Online Bootcamp
Testimonial:
Coding Dojo offered so much flexibility and experience that I chose them. I am glad I took the course. It has helped me improve my skills and stay current in tech.
Please tell us a bit about yourself. What were you doing professionally before the bootcamp?
I am in my 30s, have a lot of work experience, and have always had a passion to learn and tech. My journey has been made easier by bootcamps like Coding Dojo or self-learning. I love helping others and volunteer whenever I can. I enjoy music and playing the guitar. I also love good food and coffee. I am passionate and will do anything for it. Prior to the bootcamp I worked in billing (Accounts Payable & Receivable), as well as logistics (Shipping and Receiving hardware parts). I also became interested in real estate at one point. In my 20s, I bought a house and studied for my real estate license.
Why did you choose to enroll in a bootcamp for coding?
I enjoy a challenge because it is rewarding to solve problems. After about a year, it was clear that I had learned the most I could and there wasn’t much room for improvement. Because it was the opposite, I decided to move into tech. Tech is constantly evolving and growing. There is always a problem to solve or a new technology to learn.
What were your fears and doubts that prevented you from enrolling? How did you overcome them?
I was mainly doubting my ability to learn three full stacks. Coding Dojo offered so much flexibility and experience that I chose them. I am glad I took the course. It has helped me improve my skills and stay current in tech.
What was the secret to Coding Dojo’s success? Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other programs?
Three full stacks were available. I didn’t see any other school doing this, and that is what I wanted to do.
How was it to get ready for bootcamp? Were you nervous, excited, etc.? How did you prepare?
I was both nervous and excited. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone after a long hiatus in tech. I had been away for over a decade. It helped me get back to programming.
What were your strategies for overcoming the difficulties you faced?
I did a lot of self-learning and practice, but it was also important to take time off when I felt a bit tired. As a “newbie programmer”, there are times when you feel overwhelmed and can experience intense imposter syndrome. Duy, my Career Services Manager helped me overcome a part of this obstacle when I applied for new work but wasn’t getting the responses I wanted from employers.
How did you feel about your job prospects and skills as you neared graduation?
I was still unsure about my skills and felt overwhelmed and burnt out towards the end. Despite this, I learned so much more about my skills than I did when I started, and I knew that it would be an asset to help me find work.
How did your job hunt go? How did you land a job at your current job?
It was difficult to find a job. Despite having some experience in the field, I was constantly approached by recruiters for senior-level roles. This was something I wasn’t ready for. Duy taught me to take a different approach and not rely on recruiters for leads. Instead, I should search for my own leads. My job hunt was also hampered by Covid. Although I could have landed something sooner, I was afraid to apply for the job and to have to visit an office during the pandemic. So I decided to wait. In order to keep my skills active, later on I decided to volunteer for any job I could, even if it was not paid. This helped me build my resume and was one of the best decisions I could have made. It was a win-win for me and the companies I was supporting. Through a WomenHack, virtual job fair with Sorcero, I found a job. I’m excited about my job and the company, and I’m glad that I waited so long to find a good match.
Did the bootcamp provide you with anything other than coding skills?
The Online Course helped me to be more independent and autonomous in my learning. I feel confident now.