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My Journey to a Coding Career

My Journey to a Coding Career: Coding Boot Camp Insights

In early April, I came across the Code to Career program—a government-supported initiative encouraging women to transition into tech. As someone who had been self-studying Python for a while, the idea of coding as a new career path truly intrigued me! 💻

Getting Started with the Application

Excited about the opportunity, I promptly reached out to a learning advisor from Brain Station. After filling out a quick application form, I was pleasantly surprised by how rapidly they responded. 🌟

During our initial call, I expressed my interest in finding out if I qualified for their free classes. The advisor sent over a questionnaire asking about my educational background, work experiences, English proficiency, and my situation in Canada.

Qualification and Application Process

I submitted my form and eagerly awaited their response. The next day, I received a call confirming my eligibility! However, there was a catch: the Boot Camp wasn’t for complete beginners. I needed to pass a written and an interview assessment for front-end development.

This was a surprise, especially since their paid courses indicated that beginners were welcome. It seemed that given the number of applicants for the government-funded free program, the bar was raised higher. 😅

Determined to succeed, I spent the next month preparing my skills and materials (check the comments for my study resources!). On May 13th, I reached out to my learning advisor again to officially apply for the Software Engineering Program starting June 4th. Exciting news—another class is set for July too!

The Assessment Challenge

By May 14th, I received my assessment questions, which needed to be completed in three days:

• Create a webpage using HTML+CSS based on given requirements.
• Complete basic JavaScript loops and calculations.
• Solve a pseudocode algorithm error correction problem.

I managed to submit everything on the same night! 📝

Facing the Interview

The online interview happened on May 16th. Within just 15 minutes, I was required to succinctly share my background, reasons for switching careers, learning goals, and experiences with teamwork. The pace was quick, but I felt prepared.

The Awaited Outcome

After a suspenseful two-week wait, I received my acceptance notification on May 29th! 🎉 For a moment, I feared that I wouldn’t make it, but persistence paid off. I reminded myself of the feedback from others stating the assessments weren’t particularly difficult—some even suggested using ChatGPT—but I knew that I couldn’t afford to fail, considering the significant investment of $16,000 tuition!

Thoughts on Career Transitions

While many have questioned whether it’s worth transitioning to tech in 2024, I believe it all depends on individual direction and planning. The timing and external circumstances can be uncertain. What I can say for sure is that every day during my coding learning journey, I’ve picked up a new skill. And for that, I am grateful! 🌈

I encourage all women interested in tech to consider giving it a try—this could be your beginning! As I embark on this new three-month journey, I gently request understanding as my posts may dwindle. 📽️

Looking Ahead

With the Bootcamp graduation in September lining up with the TIFF film festival, it feels like a full circle of learning and excitement! If you’re a seasoned programmer, your guidance would be much appreciated as I navigate this new path. Here’s to new beginnings and early success in the tech world! 🚀

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