Pre-Dojo:
As an electrical engineer
I had tried my hand at coding through a few Udemy courses and wanted to get a bootcamp education to quickly learn the skills.
Tired of work travel and looking for a new career.
After Dojo:
As a junior.NET developer
Newfound problem-solving, teamwork, as well as coding skills.
You dream of being a Senior Developer, Tech Lead and/or Tech Architecture in the next 5-10 Years.
Program: Full-Time Online Bootcamp
Testimonial:
Coding Dojo has taught me great skills and fundamentals, as well as exposing me to different platforms and languages. My Coding Dojo experiences have shaped my collaboration skills. I use the skills I have learned to collaborate with others via media like Zoom or Discord every day in my job.
Please tell us a bit about yourself. What were you doing professionally before the bootcamp?
I am 40 years of age when I attended Coding Dojo. I was 39 when I went. I enjoy playing tabletop and board games with my family, as well as video games on PC or PlayStation. I also enjoy regular exercise and learning new platforms for coding web apps.
Why did you choose to enroll in a bootcamp for coding?
I was tired from all the travel and had a genuine interest in coding. I had already taken a few Udemy courses and enjoyed what I saw. I thought a bootcamp would be the best way for me to quickly learn the skills and Coding Dojo stood above all the others I found online.
What were your fears and doubts that prevented you from enrolling? How did you overcome them?
I was afraid of coding bootcamps in which all grads ended-up working for the bootcamp, as they didn’t learn skills that would allow them to be hired by tech companies. Coding Dojo helped me learn fundamentals and skills, as well as different platforms and languages.
What was the secret to Coding Dojo’s success? Why did you choose Coding Dojo over other programs?
The main perk was knowing that we would build three real projects we could then show employers. The career services team was second after school was over. They helped me to create a great resume that I was proud of and could show potential employers.
Take us through the first few weeks of the program. Which parts were your favorites? What parts did you struggle with?
I had a lot of fun taking the Web Fundamentals course. I get a lot satisfaction using css/html to make pages look great. The algorithms were a challenging and interesting challenge. I was nervous about learning Python, a new coding language, at first. But the instructor and curriculum made sure I understood it.
What were your strategies for overcoming the difficulties you faced?
I was saved by the twenty-minute rule. If I was stuck, I would ask Discord questions and either a student or TA would help me. I also learned how to use Google to quickly learn about a topic.
Do you have any funny stories to share about bootcamp? Make friends! Do you have fond memories?
The final week of each stack was great. We would build a project together in teams of three people. I met some amazing people and enjoyed working with them on new technologies, like socket.io. They took me in places I never imagined.
How did you feel about your job prospects and skills as you neared graduation?
Despite the fact that I learned them so quickly, I believed in the skills I had acquired. It is easy to forget skills that are acquired quickly if they aren’t used. I practiced to make sure I retained them as I applied for jobs. Coding Dojo offered me the opportunity to be a TA.
How did your job hunt go? How did you land a job at your current job?
My job search was shorter than I expected. Joseph, my Career Services Manager, helped me with a great resume template as well as many websites to post on. I accepted a position at Zolon Technologies, a contractor for U.S. Department of State. The starting salary for a Junior.NET Developer position was $80,000/year.
Did the bootcamp provide you with anything other than coding skills?
My Coding Dojo experience shaped my collaboration skills. I use the skills I have learned to collaborate with others via media like Zoom or Discord every day in my job.
What advice would you give to others interested in coding bootcamps, or just starting one?
Set up a small area in your home that is isolated from the campus if you are unable to go. A private, semi-private area
