Reflections on Coding Bootcamp — 3 things I wish I knew before I started

Alright hoom, you took a picture… can we go now???

WOOO!!!! I FINISHED!!!!!!!!!! MADE IT TO THE TOP!!!! …What now???

I am now a week removed from finishing Flatiron School’s Live Software Engineering program. I have had many people ask “How do you feel?”

My main response has been “Relieved.”

I am extraordinarily grateful and appreciative of my coding Bootcamp experience. I learned a lot in a very short period, which is the main reason why my response is one of relief. The metaphor that was given to me and my classmates regarding Bootcamp was “it’s like drinking water from a firehose” and I cannot disagree in the least. That would be the only way to be in the position to succeed in a new and competitive industry in a short period. Could I have learned what I learned at Flatiron by myself and without the financial investment? Most definitely, but I know myself well enough to know that I need the structure and the guidance as a learner. Could I have learned what I learned at Flatiron while in the flex program? Sure, but I also know myself well enough to know that I work best in an immersive environment. Am I equipped to make a career change? Absolutely, but… I am a work in progress, which is a great segway to 3 things I wish I knew before I started:

1. Coding Bootcamp is just the beginning: The full-stack that I was taught (HTML/CSS/JavaScript/Postgresql/React/Ruby/Ruby on Rails…) puts me in the position to be a full-stack/back-end/front-end engineer, but my depth of knowledge is only scratching the surface. Since ending Bootcamp I have started a 30-day Vanilla JavaScript challenge, a Front-End development course where I am learning to create a Spotify clone using TypeScript/Prisma/Next.js, and studying data structure/algorithms. There’s still so much to learn.
2. Find your tribe: Coding Bootcamps are challenging. I took a huge risk by leaving my job and relying on savings. Bills do not stop, especially in NYC. You are in the Bootcamp with others who can empathize and also go through the challenging curriculum. Use them! Without my awesome team (❤❤❤Hain Thit, Gehrigbarnes, and Jen Tchai) I would have not been able to make it through the content, let alone the emotional journey. This would have probably been easier if the program was in-person vs. conducted over Zoom, but regardless, remote or live, find your tribe!
3. Follow your passions: You will have the autonomy to make your projects (or maybe what your partner is passionate about). Software Engineering allows you to be creative. Make those projects about things you are passionate about. It makes it easier! My projects were about Skiing, Boardgames, and Rock Climbing. I made my own life easier by being able to think about “what features would I want in this app?” or “what problem do I experience when I _____?”. Not to detract from any of my classmates, but it was clear when a project was just to fulfill deliverables vs. a project that they were passionate about.

Hopefully, you will find some wisdom in these 3 little tips. Do not expect to magically get a job or to be able to 110% confidentially feel like a Software Engineer, but you will be a different better version of yourself at the finish line. Yes, it will be challenging in ways you will not anticipate, but it is worth it if you put the effort in. At the very least you will meet some great people (and make your spouse very happy that you are capable of making friends as a middle-aged adult).