“Hang in there, keep applying, and keep upskilling”: From Student to Software Engineer

Here at Coder Academy, we don’t hide the fact that we’re extremely proud of our graduates (we couldn’t if we tried!) so we’d like to introduce you to two incredible alumni, who are out there kicking goals in their respective careers. 

We thought we’d start out by discovering just what prompted these two to cast aside their former careers and take up the challenge of an intensive Web Development Bootcamp. 

“I’ve always had an interest in technology,” Lucy says. “Last year, I was in an admin role that required a lot of troubleshooting, something I hadn’t done before but really enjoyed. That pushed me to pursue study and led me to pursue a career in this field. I realised I wanted something more fulfilling – a career rather than just a job.”

Corina had a slightly different experience, coming to the realisation that she enjoyed coding as she pursued what seemed to be a very different path. 

“I’d just quit school teaching and was backpacking with my husband Dan,” Corina says. “He was starting out as a self-employed software developer but only wanted to focus on the code. I learnt how to manage Dan’s clients, draw up the designs (focusing on user and developer experience), and manage the projects.”

“This led to my attempt at starting a career in graphic design which to my surprise, required a bit of coding. So, I started coding. I fell in love and haven’t looked back.” 

Studying at Coder Academy

Taking the leap and deciding to change careers isn’t easy for anyone, and then choosing the right course is another hurdle to overcome. But for many people there comes a time when the leap has to be made. 

“Dan did his best to guide me through the maze of what to learn and when to learn it but Coder Academy gave structure and focus to my studies,” Corina says. 

“I initially found backend development daunting. However, Coder Academy’s excellent and patient teachers sparked my curiosity, and now I continue to explore backend and other things that I find challenging.”

“This course has filled a lot of my knowledge gaps and made me feel more confident in myself and my work. I now feel secure enough to say, ‘I don’t know how to do that but I know where to start looking.’” 

Lucy also found that her bootcamp experience gave her the grounding she needed to go on growing in her tech career. 

“My time at Coder Academy was great because it covered a broad range of subjects and gave me exposure to a lot of different areas in tech,” Lucy says. “The projects, in particular, were super helpful, giving me hands-on experience and a solid foundation in teamwork and collaboration, which has been really important in my role.” 

“I’m particularly proud of our final assignment at Coder Academy, which was a full-stack app. It was a collaborative project with a classmate where we built a simulated crypto trading app. It was a huge assignment, and I was really happy with how the finished product turned out.”

The projects students complete at Coder Academy serve a few different functions. Students learn by doing, create a portfolio of work to show to potential employers, and sometimes even begin something that they can develop further, as Corina found.

“For the final assignment we did at Coder Academy, my classmate Karla and I built a lesson planner for a pole fitness studio,” Corina says. “Since there are no universal names for pole moves, it makes it tricky for teachers to teach and students to remember what they learnt in class.” 

“So, our website allows a teacher to log in and assign moves to the lessons and students can log in to view those moves. I have since taken our website further and am currently making it into an app for both Android and Apple. Hopefully with a release date later this year.” 

Of course, projects are just one of the many ways Coder Academy prepares students for their future careers. Another experience open to successful graduates is our partnerships program, and whether students are supported to move straight into work or to take up a placement, every student has the backing of our partnerships team as they embark on their new career.

“I was lucky enough to start an industry placement before I graduated, thanks to the partnership team at Coder Academy, with an amazing company,” Lucy says. “I got real-world experience and a taste of what working in the industry is really like. That placement actually turned into my full-time job.” 

Starting a Career in Tech

It’s no secret that developers and software engineers need to be lifelong learners, so how are Lucy and Corina coping with the transition from studying in a structured environment to learning on the job? 

“For me it’s definitely a work in progress,” Lucy says. “In tech, the learning never really stops, and as a junior I want to know everything NOW (not possible, unfortunately!). But I’ve learnt that it’s important to give yourself permission to relax, so I try to limit work-related stuff outside of my working hours. I also like to do fun personal projects as a way to keep learning without feeling too much pressure.”

“I stay updated by listening to the Syntax podcast (highly recommend), and I regularly read tech articles, browse Reddit, and use other online resources like LinkedIn Learning. The internet is full of free (or cheap) learning sources, so I try to take advantage of those to keep my knowledge current.” 

“Staying up to date with everything can be overwhelming, so I don’t,” Corina says. “I study what I need to know and remind myself that all the skills and concepts are transferable.”

“I subscribe to a YouTube channel called Fun Fun Function and receive coding newsletters to my inbox from various places. I also live with other software developers and we regularly chat about tech.”

“I’ve also learnt the hard way that if you don’t take a break, your body will and it won’t be convenient. So, on Sundays I don’t touch my laptop. I have a day off to do whatever I feel like.”

As well as being prepared to be lifelong learners, coders must also commit to being perpetual problem solvers. Whilst studying, Lucy and Corina could problem-solve with educators and their classmates, and when asked how she approaches problem-solving in a professional environment it turns out that Corina has continued this collaborative approach. 

“My team has a diverse range of skills so I’ll reach out for a one-on-one discussion with someone who specialises in that area,” Corina says. “Other times we’ll have a team huddle where everyone takes part in the discussion.”

“On my personal coding projects, I’ll carefully plan what I’m trying to do and ask the people I live with. I even have a small whiteboard that lives on my desk for such occasions.” 

Lucy was also quick to acknowledge the positive influence of a supportive network. 

“This is a very collaborative role, so being able to communicate well and work in a team is essential,” Lucy says.

“I haven’t had any formal mentorship experiences yet, but I’ve definitely benefited from the advice of more experienced colleagues.” 

Of course, the constant need to learn and problem-solve can cause stress, so we asked Lucy and Corina for their top tips for handling the day-to-day stresses of their busy jobs. 

“I handle stress through self-care, regular exercise, and making sure I get enough sleep,” Lucy says. “It’s important to maintain balance and take care of your health.” 

“I make sure I have down time away from my computer,” Corina says. “I go to the gym, go for a walk, or I use a mental health app called Finch, as it has some great activities.”

Looking to the Future

Both Lucy and Corina have big plans when it comes to their futures in tech. 

“I hope to contribute to creating more inclusive digital experiences that cater to a diverse audience,” Lucy says. “I’m excited to see what technology can do, particularly in making tech more accessible and user-friendly.”

“I hope to continue growing my skills as a web developer, taking on more complex projects and eventually moving into a senior developer role.” 

“I never lost my love of teaching,” Corina says. “So, I want to combine that with coding to either run an internship program for graduating software developers or become a workplace mentor for those who are starting out.” 

Our graduates were both keen to pay it forward, so we asked what their advice would be for anyone just starting out and considering a career in tech. 

“Just go for it! Don’t let self-doubt or thoughts of, “What if I can’t?” hold you back,” Lucy said. “The opportunities are there, and you’re more capable than you think. I honestly wish I had done this years ago.” 

“I love my job,” Corina says. “I love coding and solving problems and appreciate that it’s not as math-heavy as I initially thought. But it is hard work. You have to do the hours and there are no shortcuts… except for your keyboard ones.” 

“Be adaptable. You’re not always going to be coding in a software dev role so you have to be willing to switch it up. I’ve done grunt work for other departments so I could stay employed until more software work came along. It keeps things interesting and you pick up some cool skills too.”

“Soft skills are essential. Knowing when to stand your ground and knowing when to compromise. This is especially difficult when deciding what code to use for the project. I am biased when it comes to JavaScript (and all its forms) but sometimes another language is better. It’s not personal and sometimes you have to compromise.” 

And for those ready to start applying for jobs now?

“Have a few code projects ready to demo and talk about,” Corina says. “I’ve used some assignments from Coder Academy and some personal projects. Apply for everything, even if you don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. I’m currently in the process of onboarding at Black Sky Aerospace. I’m familiar with 70% of their code stack but I have a range of other skills they wanted too.” 

“I’ve been 1 of 300 applicants, so the jobs I really wanted to pursue, I followed up about a week later with an email. Be persistent. Be memorable. I used the line, “I know you have a lot of applicants but I’m an appli-can”. That got me three interviews and one resulted in a job. Hang in there, keep applying, and keep upskilling.”