Studying to code so that you could land a job in tech can really feel daunting. That’s why we’re sharing inspiring tales from Codecademy’s neighborhood — to indicate how folks such as you (sure, you!) can embark on a studying journey and find yourself with a very new profession. We hope these tales function a reminder that there’s no single path to a extra fulfilling work life.
At this time’s story is from Vic Ontiveros, a 22-year-old Software program Designer at an IT consulting firm dwelling in Tampere, Finland. Learn extra tales from Codecademy learners right here — and make sure to share your story right here.
Why I selected to be taught to code
“After I was a very little child, my father gave me a Lenovo ThinkPad that was being recycled. I used to be simply taking part in with it and smashing on the keyboard, which led into my love for computer systems. Throughout my childhood, I attempted some HTML and CSS and that form of simply exponentially grew into my love for coding.
My highschool was in a very small city, and the STEM curriculum was just about non-existent — you had your fundamental math lessons and nothing else. I took it upon myself to begin a coding membership at college. I used to be form of going by way of some sources that I might use for the coding membership and I got here throughout Codecademy and I believed, Wow, that is nice. I went forward and I obtained a Professional membership and all of us began coding collectively and discussing totally different ideas. It was positively at that time that I noticed I might flip this right into a dwelling and do that for work.”
How I made time to be taught
“My girlfriend works as a safety guard, so her days are fairly lengthy. We might take my son into daycare, in order that manner I’d be dwelling and by myself. I just about spent most of her shift on Codecademy and constructing my very own aspect tasks. I simply grabbed a Pink Bull and went loopy.”
How I saved up cash to change careers
“I studied laptop science for one 12 months on the College of Massachusetts Amherst, however I needed to depart due to monetary points. I appeared round for developer work, but it surely was tough as a result of I didn’t have a lot skilled expertise and had restricted training. I put that on maintain and began doing pizza supply to repay my tuition. However even then, I’d nonetheless hop on and off Codecademy for some time.
It wasn’t till I moved to Finland and my son was born that I noticed delivering pizza wasn’t going to pay the payments. In order that’s why I actually stepped up and went loopy with Codecademy.”
How lengthy it took me to land a job
“I moved to Finland in 2021, and I began this job in March 2023.”
How I obtained within the door
“I made a Reddit put up in my metropolis subreddit saying: ‘Is anyone searching for a front-end developer or a full-stack developer?’ One man really reached out to me saying, ‘I’ll attempt to get you on this firm. If not, I’ve obtained a bunch of references for you.’ It was by way of one in all his references that I managed to slide into the Software program Designer place that I’m in now.”
How I nailed the interview
“We had a pre-assignment that we needed to full with a purpose to apply. We got a database of various electrical bike leases at stations scattered throughout the town, and one other database of each single journey that came about with these electrical bikes in the summertime of 2021. It was as much as us to determine how we will use this information to create an online app. We needed to just about do all the pieces: the entrance finish, again finish, and managing the information. Codecademy gave me all the talents in order that I used to be capable of deal with this mission. Then there was a proper interview the place we needed to clarify our codebase* for our pre-assignment mission.”
* Throughout a technical interview, you need to be ready to speak by way of your strategy. Learn this weblog for tips about how you can discuss your work.
How I evaluated the provide
“The corporate I’m at now trains folks for six weeks of intensive onboarding. They actually skilled us to assume like consultants and obtained the brand new recruits on an analogous web page by way of talent stage by way of workshops. In Finland, as a result of the economic system is rising a lot and the inhabitants is so small, corporations arrange these applications with a purpose to discover builders. I do know that within the U.S., the job market could be very saturated, and firms search for folks with a grasp’s and 20 years of expertise. I positively really feel like I had a neater likelihood getting a job up right here than I’d have within the States.
However what’s actually particular about my firm is they provide an employment contract and fee, which most different applications don’t do. Compensation is a crucial factor for me, particularly as a result of I’ve a child who I want to have the ability to present for in a roundabout way. The one who referred me to this place additionally talked about that it will be a very good step to take a trainee place as an alternative of making an attempt to instantly break right into a junior-level place, which might be tough with none form of expertise.”
How day one and past went
“This can be a large step by way of breaking into tech. One factor I can’t deny is having loads of impostor syndrome. a number of the different tasks that folks made and their GitHub repos, they’ve obtained some very nice tasks on the market that look superb. Evaluating my codebase to theirs, I’ve this sense that I’m not ok. In addition to that, I’m positively excited.
There’s some preliminary coaching that I’ve to undergo first, so I feel it’s going to be a very long time earlier than I contact something prod. I’ve obtained loads of workshops to go to and loads of issues to check with different builders.”
What I want I knew earlier than I began studying
“Constructing your individual tasks is de facto vital, and I want I had completed extra tasks — I solely realized that final 12 months. It’s one factor to comply with a YouTube tutorial or learn the directions of a Codecademy mission, and one other to simply do it. With a purpose to get a great sense of downside fixing, you actually have to be doing stuff by yourself. I positively have a couple of tasks that I did by myself and am happy with. But when I might return in time, I’d be constructing my very own aspect tasks* to have a greater grasp on JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.”
* Need to begin constructing your individual tasks? Try our tasks library and begin making use of your coding expertise to real-world eventualities. And when you have a mission you’re particularly happy with, take into account submitting it to our learner showcase.
Undecided the place to begin? Try our persona quiz! We’ll enable you discover the perfect programming language to be taught primarily based in your strengths and pursuits.
Need to share your Codecademy learner story? Drop us a line right here. And don’t neglect to be a part of the discussions in our neighborhood.