In this post, I am sharing with you the story of how I embraced a career change.
It was the end of 2022 when I was introduced to the realm of creative coding, and I fell in love with the discoveries and design creations I could produce with just a few lines of code. From vector drawings to video and web animations, my fascination grew with each passing day.
It became more than a spare-time occupation. Thanks to these discoveries, I delved into programming languages like JavaScript and Java, exploring their countless applications in web technologies. At some point, I started to notice that I couldn't stop pondering how to solve coding challenges or implement a function to create that particular design 🤯. Coding took over all of my interests, and suddenly, it was clear to me: I wanted to transform this passion into a career.
About Motivation and Following the signs
All that I knew, I had taught myself through trial and error. While I had a solid foundation, I recognized that to truly immerse myself in the world of information technology, I needed a structured learning method. During a research, I stumbled upon the incredible possibilities that a coding bootcamp could offer.
A coding Bootcamp is a particular form education wich teaches programming fundamentals with a Job-oriented approach: in fact it enables students to acquire the precise skills and knowledge that employers and customers are seeking, all within a relatively short timeframe compared to an academic education path.
Initially, the idea seemed daunting, but my eagerness to change my career motivated me tremendously. I thought, "Enrolling in a coding bootcamp might be the right step to bring about this change in my life."
One day, as I was taking my usual stroll in the park near my area, I couldn't help but relish the tranquility of hiking in the woods, a cherished habit that allowed me to reconnect with nature and clear my mind. It was at the end of this walk that I serendipitously stumbled upon a building adorned with a colossal graffiti message: "BE HERE NOW." This striking message immediately caught my attention.
As I moved closer to the building, I discovered that it was the campus of the WBS Coding School. At that moment, the name was new to me, but upon visiting their homepage, I learned that it offered precisely what I had been searching for. A full-time course in web development that claimed it could take me from the very foundations to building a full-stack web application in less than five months.
It was almost too good to be true, but it was fascinating to witness how life presents opportunities and possibilities in the most unexpected and casual ways.
From the application, to the enrollment
after my initial excitement, I decided to dive a little deeper into the school, conducting meticulous research. I scoured Google for reviews and explored platforms like course report or switch up, To my amazement, the school held exceptionally high Scoring and review.
Without much hesitation, I filled out the application form, pressed the submit button, and, just a few days later, I received an invitation from the admissions manager. The invitation included a phone interview and a subsequent video interview. During these interactions, I couldn't help but notice the consistently friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which remained a constant throughout my enrollment.
With these steps completed, I promptly wrote a termination letter to my employer. As the excitement for the bootcamp's start built, I knew now i had just to wait a couple of months due to the notice period at work and waiting some bureaucratic procedures to complete. in fact, I applied for an educational voucher program that did help me cover the tuition fees. In the meantime, I made the most of my time by continuing my solo learning.
As soon as the lessons began, it became abundantly clear that this bootcamp was far from a chilled walk in the park. To give you an idea, right within the first two weeks, often referred to as the "primer," we jump headfirst into the full program. We delved into the fundamentals of web technologies, from mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to getting the hang of Git, not to mention exploring the intricate realms of UX/UI design.
Challenges and Overcoming them
The bootcamp allowed no room for distractions; it was nothing else but coding. Our class consisted of twelve students, ager learners like me, and we were under the guidance of a dedicated professional instructor. Each day, steering us through new topics with engaging lectures and providing meaningful examples, making the learning process both challenging and captivating.
You might be thinking, "That sounds like quite a challenge," and you'd be absolutely right. In fact, there were plenty of new coding challenges to tackle every single day. However, the most significant challenge lay in the volume of information and subjects we were constantly inundated with. It was here that the adoption of Agile methodologies from day one came to our rescue. This methodology enabled us to navigate the vast sea of information and subjects with relative ease.
Ok, we didn't just quickly get introduced to a new topic then move on to the next one a few hours later, but rather we completed various exercises that build on each other, like this we had to repeatedly look back at the material previously covered and practice on it.
Valuable Skills and Technologies i have gained
Over the course of the bootcamp, I acquired a treasure trove of technical skills, and could Sharpen the confidence about what i had solo learned before it
here i am listing the most important Staks i have learned:
HTML: the bones of a Web Page
CSS: the Skin of a Web Page
Javascript: the Muscles of a web page
UX / UI: from the basics of a website design to how to turn a PSD file into code
Git: how does a Distributed Version Control System works and how to avoid code conflicts
React: a JS Framework, and a booster for modern Websites, along with ll its different use cases
API: enable external software to communicate with your program
SQL: a programming language for storing, retrieving and manipulating data stored in databases
PostgreSQL: a powerful, open source object-relational database system
NoSql: an approach to database design that allows storing and querying data outside of the traditional structures of relational databases, making particular focus into:
MongoDB: a powerful Scalable and popular NoSQL database
Node.JS: a JavaScript environment, wich allows to write server-side JS applications
Express.JS: a framework for nodeJS wich allow to create powerful backend apps
Projects and Experiences
Throughout the 17-week program, I encountered numerous moments that still stand out vividly in my memory. For instance, the day I first grasped the magic of CSS Flexbox was a genuine "AHA" moment. There was also the unforgettable moment when I opened the browser preview of the very first simple webpage I had programmed, using just a few lines of HTML and CSS. I can still feel the goosebumps when I think back to that day.
As the weeks went by, we continued building one project after another, each time adding complexity and reinforcing the skills we had previously learned. Building friendships with React, NodeJs and co. felt like forging bonds with old comrades.
Yet, the crowning achievement was the final project: "<CodeRoad>," a multifunctional full-stack web platform designed for coding graduates. This platform serves as both a social media hub and a learning resource for fellow students like me. It not only allows us to sharpen our knowledge through dedicated learning cards but also offers the opportunity to seek job opportunities, share interview questions, and upvote valuable insights.
The final Day of the Campus Phase we were also able to Present the result and a Demo of our Project in front of a big Crowd of other peer Graduates Students and Instructors
A Wealth of Added Values
An invaluable aspect of this journey that cannot be underestimated was the exceptional support and motivation provided by the Community Management. They not only regularly hosted informational events but also offered words of encouragement, keeping us, the students, motivated throughout. Additionally, during the final Campus Phase, they "managed" the community in such a vibrant way that each student could feel safe and sound in every aspect of the campus visit, while also getting the right motivation to learn and be productive.
Another significant added value to our regular lessons came in the form of educational workshops conducted by the Career Service Department of the school. These workshops proved instrumental in enhancing my confidence in skills I would need after completing the bootcamp. I learned how to write an effective CV, master the art of job hunting in the tech industry, and ultimately secure a position.
In retrospect, this coding bootcamp was undeniably a crucial step in my life; a journey filled with challenges, discoveries, personal growth, and new friends. My technical and soft skills expanded, and my confidence in programming soared. The safe and welcoming environment provided by the school and the unwavering support of the community were essential to my successful graduation.
As I look back, I'm reminded that the path of a software developer is an ever-evolving adventure, one that I proudly embrace with each line of code.
If you're considering embarking on a similar path, I'd like to offer a sincere suggestion: I wholeheartedly ❤️ encourage you to set aside doubts and dive in. Remember that with dedication, passion, and a supportive network, you can conquer any challenge and transform your dream of a career in tech into a reality."
