Studying to code to be able to land a job in tech can really feel daunting. That’s why we’re sharing inspiring tales from Codecademy’s neighborhood — to point out how individuals such as you (sure, you!) can embark on a studying journey and find yourself with a completely new profession. We hope these tales function a reminder that there’s no single path to a extra fulfilling work life.
Immediately’s story is from Matthew Ogtong, a 29-year-old iOS Developer at Comcast, residing in Philadelphia. Learn extra tales from Codecademy learners right here — and be sure you share your story right here.
Why I selected to study to code
“I initially went to school for enterprise, then I transitioned to pc science at NJIT. I truly don’t have a level; I dropped out round senior yr to pursue coding full time. I used to be in a position to land a task in IT help whereas I used to be nonetheless in school, and I labored there for a couple of yr. Luckily, I used to be sitting subsequent to the engineering division, and a variety of my coworkers have been recent bootcamp grads. I used to be like, ‘You guys don’t have levels in pc science? How’d you get this job? This sounds insane to me!’
A few the senior engineers have been having this mentorship program for different individuals within the firm who have been excited by studying the way to code. I used to be the primary one to say, ‘I wish to do that.’ I cherished it. I discovered some internet applied sciences like JavaScript React and even contributed somewhat bit to their supply code. I joined Codecademy in 2019 and I took a couple of programs.
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The pandemic hit in 2020, and since I labored in IT, the vast majority of my time was spent doing work within the workplace. They needed to cut back my hours considerably, so I simply began planning my subsequent strikes. I used to be like, I’m going to do coding full time. I gave my discover about three months later, and stopped college, as a result of I didn’t suppose I might have the ability to juggle college and a coding bootcamp.”
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How I made time to study
“What I discovered from my coworkers is that the individuals who actually stand proud of the remaining are the individuals who additional research exterior of structured bootcamps. You shouldn’t deal with [learning to code] as a 9 to 5. I knew this was going to be my future and what I needed to do, so I used to be coding after hours, studying new applied sciences, excited about the initiatives that I needed to construct. I additionally stayed away from a variety of social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram — I just about solely have LinkedIn.”
How I saved up cash to modify careers
“Like many individuals in the course of the pandemic, I used to be residing at dwelling with my mother and father, and I wasn’t paying hire. I simply stored saving cash from working IT gigs. Since my position was impacted instantly from Covid, I used to be in a position to obtain unemployment advantages. That further $600 per week positively helped so much. If I wasn’t receiving the unemployment advantages, issues would have been way more tough for me.”
How lengthy it took me to land a job
“All of the jobs I noticed on Certainly and LinkedIn have been like: ‘You want Python expertise. You want Java expertise. You want JavaScript expertise.’ I believed, I can’t study all this stuff! It took me six months to be employed right into a consulting agency, the place they train you cellular improvement applied sciences and show you how to land your first consumer and contract.”
I used to be attempting to get my toes moist with open-source contribution, and I believe Docs is an ideal entry for anybody to attempt to get into that.
Matthew Ogtong
iOS Developer at Comcast
How I acquired within the door
“I primarily began utilizing Codecademy initially of this yr, primarily contributing to Docs. I used to be attempting to get my toes moist with open-source contribution, and I believe Docs is an ideal entry for anybody to attempt to get into that. Earlier than you even begin making use of to jobs it’s essential to have a robust GitHub profile and a README in place for your self, at the least simply to provide somewhat intro for anybody that’s visiting your web page.
I had over a yr of cellular improvement expertise, so I contributed to Swift and SwiftUI Docs. Contributing to Docs is very easy; the documentation may be very intuitive and really complete. The method is streamlined, and all of the maintainers are pleasant. And now in my job I take advantage of GitHub daily and Git for the whole lot.
In April 2023, I joined a brand new agency, and so they [placed me in] the position at Comcast as a ‘contract to rent.’ So if the whole lot goes effectively, then they’re anticipated to rent me full time.”
New to open-source software program?
Contributing to Docs is a wonderful option to begin studying the way to use Git and GitHub, lend your data to different learners, and construct your portfolio. Not solely will Docs enhance your coding chops, however it could additionally show you how to land a job.
How I nailed the interview
“It was positively probably the most intensive interview I’ve had — interval. The primary was a screening with the recruiter, then it was a video name with the with the supervisor, the place he requested me a bunch of technical questions. There was a 3rd interview in-person with a stay panel on the Comcast Expertise Middle, which is a large constructing in Philadelphia.
There have been three individuals from the workforce: the Supervisor, the iOS Developer Lead, and the Scrum Grasp. They gave me an inventory of options and API endpoints, and an hour and a half to principally construct an app from the bottom up. I needed to clarify my thought course of all through the entire thing. I didn’t eat something that entire day, and the interview was at 4 pm. My abdomen was growling the entire interview, and I used to be sweating in my go well with.
They gave me an additional hour to wrap up, as a result of I bumped into some points with my code. They requested me if I used to be free that evening and stated, ‘We would like you to proceed engaged on this code, polish it up, put it in your GitHub, after which ship us a hyperlink.’ And that’s what I did. What I constructed for the interview is nonetheless on my GitHub to this present day.”
How I evaluated the supply
“Instantly, I used to be like, I would like this job. The principle factor for me was the workforce. That is my first hybrid position — two days in, three days distant — which is ideal for me, as a result of I type of miss the workplace. My first impressions of the workforce, the vibe they gave off, and the tradition that they offered as an organization have been the principle engaging components. The supply was increased than my expectations, and the potential for profession development on this place is absolutely good as effectively.”
How day one and past went
“The primary week at Comcast was nice. They acquired me settled in straight away, and I acquired my laptop computer on the primary day. On the second day, they simply gave me a tour of the workplace as a result of I used to be new. We performed some ping pong; it was actually chill, and I used to be not anticipating that.”
What I want I knew earlier than I began studying
“Choose one expertise that you simply’re captivated with and decide to it. Keep it up and study these abilities. Going again into time, I might have 100% chosen an iOS improvement bootcamp over the generic software program engineering one. If you wish to, say, change and do one thing completely different, these languages are going to switch over. Every part is type of linked in that sense.”
Unsure the place to begin? Take a look at our persona quiz! We’ll show you how to discover the most effective programming language to study based mostly 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.
