Pre-Dojo:
As a barista and in higher education
Tired of being forced into low-skill, low-paying jobs that made you unhappy
You desire a career that is both recession-proof and future-proof?
After Dojo:
I work as a software developer
He has a newfound confidence in his abilities to learn
Aspirations to be a Lead Developer in the next few years
Program: Online Part Time Bootcamp
Testimonial:
Coding Dojo was recommended by a family member. This person has been in software development for decades and knows what it takes to succeed in this industry. He also mentioned friends who were in a similar situation to me years ago and who used Coding Dojo. They now work at Microsoft or Amazon. I also appreciated the transparency of CD job placement data as well as extensive Career Services.
Please tell us a bit about yourself. What were you doing professionally before you started bootcamp?
I am 27 years of age. I enjoy reading, cooking, video games, hanging out with my dog, baking, and I’m an Atlanta sports fan. Before the bootcamp I had tried many jobs. I went to school for Music Education but realized after six months that teaching in a traditional classroom was not for me. I worked in higher education for two years before I lost my job due the pandemic. I then became a barista for a few months before I decided to pursue programming full-time.
Why did you choose to enroll in a bootcamp for coding?
All of the above. I was tired of being forced into low-paying, unskilled jobs with poor benefits and long hours. I wanted a career that would be recession-proof and that I could use to find work anywhere. I knew that programming would allow me to write my own tickets if I was able to break into the world. I have always been interested in computers and technology in general. I built my own computer many years ago and took a few online IT courses through Google.
What were your fears and doubts that prevented you from enrolling? How did you overcome them?
The main thing was the money. I was concerned that I would spend thousands and months on something that would not land me a job. I had to trust that God would allow me to do this. I did extensive research on many online programs and made sure they all had very clear placement data. I also sought out career placement assistance. These factors helped me to relax about committing to bootcamp.
What was the secret to Coding Dojo’s success? Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other programs?
Coding Dojo was recommended by a family member. This person has been in software development for decades and knows what it takes to succeed in this industry. He also mentioned friends who were in a similar situation to me years ago and who used Coding Dojo and now work for Microsoft and Amazon. I also appreciated the transparency of Coding Dojo’s job placement data, and extensive Career Services.
How was it to get ready for bootcamp? Were you nervous, excited, etc.? How did you prepare?
Although I was nervous, I was also excited to take some formal steps in my coding education. To prepare for Web Fundamentals, I took a few HTML and CSS courses through Codecademy. I also took a bit more time learning than I did before I signed up for the bootcamp. Knowing that I was about start four months of coding at 30+ hours per week, I wanted to take a break before things get crazy.
Take us through the first few weeks of the program. Which parts were your favorites? What parts did you struggle with?
The first few weeks were very busy. I hadn’t been required to attend lectures or complete assignments in many years. It was difficult to get back into the rhythms of formal learning. I loved the ability to get live feedback on my code. In the past, I would have had to search through Reddit or StackOverflow for the solution to my problem. Having a live instructor with extensive knowledge was very helpful.
What were your strategies for overcoming the difficulties you faced?
My wife was there to support me and keep me focused. It helped me to stay focused when I felt discouraged or frustrated, knowing that I was doing this program for her.
Do you have any funny stories to share about bootcamp? Make friends! Fon