Accueil > Graduate stories > Transitioning from an operations role into a developer role within the company, while learning to code part-time.
Transitioning from an operations role into a developer role within the company, while learning to code part-time.
If anything the pandemic pushed me further into my decision to apply as I know developing is a very remote friendly job, and that I would love the freedom to work from anywhere in the future. Speaking from experience, the pandemic might be the most opportune time to enrol in the part-time bootcamp.
Summary
I am Canadian born and raised, from the near arctic city of Edmonton. I grew up heavily involved in music and pursued a music degree which I later dropped out of to move to Montreal and study marketing and work as a musician on the side. I really didn’t enjoy studying marketing but nevertheless finished my degree and felt even more confused about the direction I wanted to head than ever before. I then moved to Berlin in 2018 without ever having stepped foot in Europe and so started my search for new opportunities.
I had thought about learning to code for several years and one day I went to the library and took out a “HTML for dummies” book and probably didn’t make it past the first 10 pages but I was interested enough to learn more and took on some online video courses. At this point I was really interested in taking my education further but I held off for a couple years due to work, finances, etc.
“When the pandemic started in 2020 my employer put everyone on Kurzarbeit and I suddenly was granted copious amounts of free time. A lot of free time to think... and so I decided to research some bootcamps and I landed on Le Wagon.”
I work in a tech company where I was fortunate enough to have a sizable network of software engineers literally right next to me and I had begun talking to several people about pursuing coding which had re-ignited my interest. When the pandemic started in 2020 my employer put everyone on Kurzarbeit and I suddenly was granted copious amounts of free time. A lot of free time to think... and so I decided to research some bootcamps and I landed on Le Wagon.
I knew a couple alumni through my work and I spoke to them first. I then researched several bootcamps and spoke to some of my close friends in tech and many of them recommended I apply to Le Wagon. Not only that but it seemed to have a great reputation! I decided to join the part-time program because I wanted to keep working my full-time job and study at the same time. My social life has definitely sacrificed a bit but it’s all been worth it.
“The best part of the bootcamp for me is just how much newfound knowledge I have gained that I am consistently excited about. Then being able to immediately apply this knowledge and overcoming challenges along the way is incredibly gratifying.”
The best part of the bootcamp for me is just how much newfound knowledge I have gained that I am consistently excited about. Then being able to immediately apply this knowledge and overcoming challenges along the way is incredibly gratifying.
Of course none of that would be possible without the incredible support and wisdom of my teachers and peers. They really foster an astonishing learning environment which is very contagious and encourages you to be as supportive to others as they are to you.
I think every single student who goes through this bootcamp faces difficulties, it is simply the nature of the coding world! There was not a single day I didn’t face difficulties, whether it be with understanding concepts, solving a problem, among many other things. What kept me motivated and ultimately allowed me to overcome these difficulties was that I always knew that these challenges and overcoming them would be rewarding and beneficial. Jordan at Le Wagon's campus in Berlin.
Though I would say one of the biggest challenges for me was being patient and taking my time to write clean code. I think my excitement really got the best of me and I just wanted to code code code! Until I learned the hard way that this can get really messy really fast…
I applied to Le Wagon mid-pandemic so I knew my learning experience would possibly be fully remote, which was new for me but I came to terms with the fact this was the new normal. If anything the pandemic pushed me further into my decision to apply as I know developing is a very remote friendly job, and that I would love the freedom to work from anywhere in the future. Although, I was fortunate enough that I was allowed to go to the campus for the first half of my course and was able to meet my teachers and peers (distanced of course!) which I definitely prefer over the remote setting but I’ve gotten used to it by now.
“Right now I am working with my own company to transition me from my current position to a junior developer so I can learn from the professionals in my company and gain experience.”
My goal is to absolutely work as a developer. Le Wagon has only further solidified this dream and ignited a new-found passion! Right now I am working with my own company to transition me from my current position to a junior developer so I can learn from the professionals in my company and gain experience. I also hope to take on projects of my own and help my friends and community develop websites and applications for whatever it may be.
Speaking from experience, the pandemic might be the most opportune time to enroll in the part-time bootcamp. There's not much to do or places to go so it’s the perfect time to focus and learn a new valuable skill(s). You won’t regret it.
