After taking the leap and enrolling in our Beginner Coding Bootcamp, she’s now a Support Engineer at Smartrr, where’s she’s the initial point of contact for technical support for the engineering team. We recently caught up with Esther to ask about her new role, her bootcamp experience, and the advice she has for others who are thinking about changing careers.

How did you become interested in software engineering?

My path into software engineering was quite non-traditional. Initially, I ventured into the tech industry as a technical recruiter. At the beginning of the pandemic, my team and I were laid off so I took that opportunity to build my own e-commerce business on Shopify. That experience sparked my interest in coding and website development, leading me to dive headfirst into software engineering with Hack Reactor.

What drew you to the Hack Reactor program? What did you get out of your time in the program?

Hack Reactor caught my attention due to the numerous success stories I heard from peers. The program excelled in demystifying both fundamental and complex concepts, providing a solid foundation for further growth. Engaging in collaborative projects with fellow engineers provided hands-on experience in essential software engineering practices, fostering a real-world tech environment.

I also met a lot of wonderful classmates – some of whom I still keep in touch with today! Ultimately, you get out what you put in, so I would encourage those who are interested in joining to be ready for the workload and have a growth mindset!

Congrats on your new role at Smartrr! What is your role like?

I’m currently a Support Engineer at Smartrr, the leading brand for subscriptions within the Shopify ecosystem. In this multifaceted position, I serve as the initial point of contact for technical support within our engineering team, addressing any issues our customers and clients encounter.

The diversity of my daily tasks keeps the work engaging and varied so every day is different and exciting! My day-to-day involves helping implement and write custom code to display our subscription widget within merchant stores, migrating customers into our application, and delving into bugs. Each day offers a new opportunity to solve problems and enhance our platform’s user experience.

What do you like about being a Support Engineer? What challenges have you faced so far?

I thoroughly enjoy the diversity of my role, allowing me to engage with the Shopify ecosystem, work on an exceptional product, and collaborate with a fantastic team. I’ve learned a lot in the short amount of time I’ve been here so far, and I really enjoy the blend of work I have, which involves coding, troubleshooting, and talking to merchants! I’m particularly grateful for the opportunity to participate in my company’s software engineering mentorship program, where I collaborate on engineering tasks and delve deeper into our codebase with an awesome mentor!

The steep learning curve was a challenge initially, especially grasping the intricacies of our database and app functionality. However, the continuous learning and supportive team environment have been incredibly rewarding.

What’s your work environment like (hybrid/in-person/remote)?

I am currently fully remote in southern California. My company is based in New York City so we have a mix of hybrid and remote teammates! Although I enjoy working with my teammates in person, I also really enjoy working remotely because I’m able to be more efficient at my work by having my setup ready to work any time!

You took an internship after the bootcamp and before landing your role at Smatrr. How was that experience?

The internship was a good experience to collaborate with others in building out portions of the application. I was part of the front-end team, so I learned a lot about best practices and different frameworks to add to my engineering toolkit! I’d recommend others looking for jobs post-bootcamp to take any opportunity that presents itself as we can always learn something from every experience.

How was the job search process for you?

Post-bootcamp, I maintained a structured daily agenda, prioritizing coding to keep my skills sharp. I divided my time into applying for jobs, studying and practicing data structures and algorithms for interviews, and working on smaller side projects to help retain and grow from what I learned during bootcamp. Career Services helped by sharing useful resources like Huntr, a job tracking app to help me manage all of my applications neatly in one place.

Do you have any advice for incoming students who are about to start the bootcamp?

My advice is to fully commit to the process. Treat the bootcamp as a significant investment in yourself and your future, requiring both time and effort. Engage deeply with the coursework and practice explaining concepts simply to solidify your understanding. While it’s an intensive journey, embracing it and enjoying the learning process is key to building a strong foundation. A growth mindset with a positive attitude goes a long way!

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Ready to launch your software engineering career?

Follow Esther’s footsteps toward the Beginner Coding Bootcamp. Kickstart the admissions process by taking a 15-minute Aptitude Test.

The post How Esther Kim went from Technical Recruiter to Support Engineer appeared first on Galvanize.

In this Q&A, Natalie talks about her job search, her passion for coding, and her career change from pre-dental student to software engineer.

How did you become interested in coding and software engineering?

It was my partner who introduced me to the software engineering industry. He was a computer engineering student at the time I was a pre-dental student. Since he would always talk about his projects and what was taught in class, I was constantly surrounded by the information. It wasn’t until his senior project that I really became more interested in what he was doing. I ended up doing more research about the field and became intrigued. I eventually took an HTML and CSS course to start my journey and loved it!

What led you to seek a career change through the Hack Reactor Beginner Coding Bootcamp?

When researching different coding bootcamps, I was able to use Reddit as a good source to ask questions and opinions from others. A person I met there – who I still talk to – introduced me to Hack Reactor and said it’s a great opportunity. That led me to read more about the program and I eventually applied to the 19-week program. I chose it because I wanted full-time learning at a great pace.

During your time in the program, what stands out in terms of skills you acquired and/or projects you built?

What stood out to me was getting to learn every bit of technology and being exposed to so much. Even if some topics weren’t in-depth, the curriculum still allowed me to gain a fundamental understanding, so if someone were to ask me about it, I would at least know the concept. It was great exposure and I was able to showcase and use the skills I acquired toward the final project of the program.

Congrats on your new role at JPMorgan Chase! I know it’s new, but what has it been like so far?

Thank you! Because I’m in my role through the ETSE (Emerging Talents Software Engineers) program, I’m currently training for a few weeks. After that, those of us in the program will join our teams on-site and work on the projects given. In terms of my role, I do know that I’ll be working in Securities Services Technology. I will say that during this training, it does feel like class all over again, in which being focused and engaged is essential.

You mentioned you’ll work on-site once you join your team. Is this role on-site full-time?

After the training, which is remote, I’ll be working hybrid. I’m definitely excited because I love a good balance between both – and the office I will be working at is so nice! As much as I like being in the comfort of my own space, I know being in the office gives me chances to network and be surrounded by hard-working teammates.

How was the post-program job search process for you?

I graduated in February, and since there was somewhat of a hiring freeze in the market during that time, it was definitely difficult. However, my amazing Career Services Manager was able to give me great advice. One thing she mentioned was that I have to love what I do, which brought me to ask myself: What do I see myself doing as a programmer? What languages do I like and want to pursue?

Before going through about 500 applications, I knew I wanted to be a part of JPMC, which encouraged me to take the time to keep learning even beyond what was taught at Hack Reactor so that I would be a great candidate.

So you studied biology and you mentioned your pre-dental career. Is there anything from those areas that you’ve been able to carry over into software engineering?

I’m able to carry over skills such as attention to detail, problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, communication, and the most important thing I carry with me is to stay true to helping others. The attention to detail allows me to ensure I write clean code and identify any bugs. The problem-solving ability is vital in programming when troubleshooting issues and optimizing code. Teamwork is very important since there’s collaboration involved every day, and effective communication is equally important to explain technical concepts. I’ve always loved helping others and giving back to the community, so I’m grateful I am able to carry that over, as well.

Do you have any advice for incoming bootcamp students?

Learn as much as you can without feeling too pressured or overwhelmed. If anything, the bootcamp has taught me not to cram, not to try to know everything, but to learn at a pace that’s enjoyable. After all, what’s great about being a programmer is the continuous learning! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek assistance. Sometimes the instructor could also learn from the programmer.

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Ready for a career change? Learn more about our Beginner Coding Bootcamp. 

If you’d like to read more alumni stories, check out Kye Lindholm’s journey from fine dining to software engineering via our Intermediate Coding Bootcamp, and read how Cise Babatasi’s interest in the intersection of art and technology led her to a new software engineering career through our Beginner Coding Bootcamp. 

The post Career change from pre-dental to software engineer appeared first on Galvanize.

In this Q&A, read about Kye’s experience in the program, the advice he has for incoming bootcamp students, and what he’s up to now as a Site Reliability Engineer at the background check company Checkr.

What inspired you to make a career change to software engineering?

Before I enrolled at Hack Reactor, software engineering, and programming in general, were things I had been interested in. I grew up playing video games and I guess that’s what initially spurred the interest. Through high school, I took programming classes and even went into college intending to major in computer science, which I ultimately didn’t complete. Eventually, I used Hack Reactor as a pivot point into the world of tech.

That’s all to say, although software engineering wasn’t my career path until pretty recently, I’ve been interested in the world of programming and software engineering for a good while.

Why did you choose the Intermediate program specifically?

I came from the world of fine dining and restaurants, so the long hours of the Intermediate program weren’t a deterrent for me. I know that was a hurdle that a lot of others had to overcome and get used to, but for me, it was a transition from 14 hours on your feet in the kitchen to 12 hours in the chair. It wasn’t too bad.

Ultimately, I chose the program because I wanted a quick turnover. I wanted to pivot into the industry, start the job search, and get all that started quickly.

What did you get out of your time in the program?

Definitely a good number of technical skills. As I mentioned, I had something of a background in programming before enrolling, but it was buried under years of not practicing, so it was definitely good to dust off those skills and build upon them. I hadn’t had a ton of explicit experience with the particular languages and frameworks and tools that we used in the program, so I had a lot of technical learning.

I also got some insight into working on a team in a tech, programming, and software engineering context. It was a useful experience to undergo such a rigorous program with a bunch of other people who were doing the same thing, as we’re all making presumably big pivots in our lives together. It built a lot of comradery and trust, and we could lean on each other.

You’re now at Checkr, working as a Site Reliability Engineer. What’s your role like and what types of things are you working on?

A Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) was not a job title that I knew existed when I started my job search, so it definitely wasn’t something I was explicitly looking for. But it aligns well in terms of there being a good amount of software engineering that goes into the role’s day-to-day. We code, to an extent, but the role also draws in a lot of DevOps principles. We really focus on observing the product and ensuring everything’s running smoothly, rather than building the product itself. At Checkr specifically, an SRE also runs incident command, so when something breaks, we orchestrate the fixes.

My personal day-to-day involves a lot of scripting and automation, not for the product, but for internal processes, which I love. It’s a lot of smaller but potentially very impactful projects. As a whole, SRE was a really wide entry point into the industry because there’s one SRE team at Checkr, and we have access to the whole product. We can look at everything and contribute across the board, and we work with every engineering team within the organization.

You mentioned aspects of the role you enjoy. Anything else to mention? And then, what about any challenges you’ve faced on the job so far?

Overall, I like what SRE offers, because we have such a wide span of influence within the company. You can pick projects or things to work on from different parts of the company. I focus on automation, but some people are more focused on things like observability or CICD pipelines. Our responsibilities run the gamut, so you can pick and choose what you want to do, or maybe your manager will, depending on the quarterly goals. There’s a wide variety of things to do in my role. Also, I love the team I’m on. I love working with the people I work with.

As for challenges, or things that were hard to adjust to, this is definitely a role that I hadn’t even known existed before getting the job. It comes with a wide array of responsibilities, so I guess that’s both a plus, as well as a growing pain, especially at the start.

Do you work on-site, remote, or some combination? How’s the work environment for you?

I work entirely remotely. Checkr has two offices, one in Denver and one in San Francisco. I’ve been to both, which is nice. Usually twice a year, we have on-site events with our team, and then maybe some bigger company-wide events, which are good for team building and just pal-ing around, but we also get some work in, too. In a way, I’ve experienced the in-office work culture a little bit, but my day-to-day is entirely remote.

You mentioned your experience in the food industry. Has there been anything from your former career that you’ve been able to pull into software engineering?

Yes, there’s actually a ton of overlap. The technicalities of the industries are different, obviously – I’m not chopping onions for a living at this job. But many things, aside from the technicalities, are very similar. Both industries are super problem-solving and decision-making oriented. Both industries place a high level of importance on efficiency and not wasting things, like time or resources. I was super pleased to find out that there’s a ton of overlap between these two industries.

Do you have any advice for incoming students who are about to start day one of the bootcamp?

I think the people who are deciding to make this transition are people who are obviously willing to learn, and I think everyone knows themselves best. It’s good to take any advice you get to heart and to consider everything you’re told from people who have more experience than you. But at the end of the day, you know yourself best, you know how you learn best and most efficiently. So I’d say be sure to trust yourself as you go through this process.

Want to read more alumni stories? Learn about Adjoa Reeves, Intermediate Coding Bootcamp graduate, Galvanize scholarship recipient, and Software Engineer at Blend. Plus, hear from Kyle Merckx, a graduate of our Beginner Coding Bootcamp now working as a Software Developer at the Independent Pharmacy Cooperative.

The post Graduate Kye Lindholm’s path from fine dining to Site Reliability Engineer appeared first on Galvanize.

In this Q&A, learn how he approached that outreach, about the projects he’s working on at IPC, and the advice he has for incoming students.

What drew you to software engineering?

I’ve always had a connection to computers. I’ve always been interested in them. I grew up playing video games and being on the computer, and those are some of my earliest memories. When I was in college, I got a little more interested in how computers worked. It was just a hobby, and I would learn a couple of things having to do with coding here and there. Nothing really went anywhere, and I didn’t even really retain any of the knowledge I gained during that time because I did it so infrequently.

But it was always something I was interested in and wanted to explore more. As I got older, I went through some different jobs and finally decided it might be a good idea to actually pursue this as a career.

What did you get out of your time in the coding bootcamp?

Aside from all the technical stuff I learned, which was great, an important thing I learned was how I can best work as a software engineer. I learned about my own limitations, in terms of the amount of information I can take in at once and when I need to take breaks.

I think an important thing is to learn your own process for writing programs and learning new languages. I learned how you go about solving problems and how you conceptualize the kind of things that you might run into, especially things you didn’t expect like errors and tracking down bugs. The program really got me used to the feel of doing the actual work.

What is your current role? And what types of projects are you working on?

My position is Software Developer at the Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC). I work on a variety of different things at the moment. The code base is pretty complex here, and there are a lot of different systems working together, so they started me off with simpler projects to get me used to how things run. I’m still in the process of learning everything because it’s quite a lot.

We have a big warehouse here that holds all the inventory, and I built an app to track end-of-day summaries, which feed into our database so we can track trends. Right now, I’m working on an app for when we receive product and we need to scan it, get it into inventory, and get it stored in the proper place.

What are you enjoying about your new role so far? And what challenges have you faced?

I’m working in a language that I didn’t know prior to working here. We work mostly in C# and .NET. So when I started, they gave me a lot of time to learn how to code in that language before I started writing programs or anything like that – and I really like working with this language.

Another thing I enjoy is working with the team. They all have a lot of knowledge that they share with me, so I get to learn from experienced developers who’ve been doing this for quite a while. It’s been nice, just learning and honing my skills. Everyone here is great.

As far as challenges go, I’d say it’s in the smaller things, like the quirks of some of the frameworks we’re using, and troubleshooting and finding workarounds for some things we want to do. A big challenge is just learning the overall business logic of the company. There are so many moving parts and I’m getting an understanding of how it all works together.

Do you work remotely, on-site, etc.?

It’s a combination for me. I’m mostly in the office, but we get two days a week where we can work remotely. Some weeks I do that, and some weeks I don’t. It just sort of depends on what’s going on, and if I just feel like not commuting that day. But it’s really useful to be in the office. I like to be here.

How was the job search process for you? Were you able to use any strategies you picked up from the Career Services team?

When my job search started, I was sending applications to all open positions, and I was not getting any responses. It was rough, and it could feel a little demoralizing.

But I was talking to my Career Services Manager, and she told me I should consider doing more outreach. It was one of those things that just felt a little bit unnatural to me – to just reach out to someone on LinkedIn, or something like that. But I happened to know someone through Twitter who worked as a software engineer. We communicated on Twitter every once in a while, and I just decided to reach out for information about their day-to-day.

As it turned out, her company was hiring, so I sent her my application and had an interview the next week. I got hired after that. So the big takeaway for me was definitely to focus on doing outreach. I lucked out, and it worked out for me.

You studied music and had a variety of jobs prior to software engineering. Is there anything from those areas of career or study that you’ve been able to use as a software engineer?

I’m not quite sure of the connection between music and coding, but I feel like there’s some sort of strong connection there. There’s a level of creativity when you’re putting together a program, and it’s similar to when you’re writing music. There’s a creative process for both, though the outcome’s quite different. I still haven’t figured out the exact connection, but it feels like there’s a strong one.

Also, I previously worked at a bookstore, which was nice because I got access to a lot of information. The projects we worked on there carry over to some of the stuff I’m designing at IPC, as far as scanners for inventory. The systems that we used at the bookstore were similar in some ways to what’s needed at IPC, and my experience using them at the bookstore – especially in terms of what I thought could have been better – has informed some of the decisions I make now, in terms of designing user interfaces.

Do you have any advice for incoming students? How can they get the most out of their time in the program?

I think the best advice I have is to know when you need a break and to step away when you do. You’re going to be getting a lot of information really quickly and it’ll take a while for it all to sink in.

There were times when I was stuck on a problem. I couldn’t figure out what to do, and it was really upsetting and I was getting stressed out. Then I took a break, and I’d come back in maybe an hour or so, and then I was able to approach the problem in a different way or was just able to focus on it better. In one particular situation, I stepped away for an hour and came back and figured out what the issue was in five minutes. It’s important to realize that what you’ll be learning is going to seem very strange at times because computers can work in very strange ways. It’s good to give yourself time to let the information you’re receiving absorb totally in your mind.

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Want another beginner coder’s perspective? Read how Cise Babatasi’s interest in the intersection of art and technology led her to the coding bootcamp, what she got out of her time in the beginner program, and what she’s up to now as a Software Developer at Thryv. 

The post How grad Kyle Merckx leaned on his network to land a new role appeared first on Galvanize.

Grad Emily Arai had a prior connection to MNI founder Derick Ongeiwun, and when she found out the organization needed a functional website to further its mission by raising awareness and funds, she thought of her bootcamp cohort. They’d graduated just one week prior, and she’d grown close to many of them. She reached out to see if anyone was interested in joining a team to tackle this project with her.

“There was a group of us in the bootcamp that had always gone to a breakout room together,” she said. “We’d been talking about looking for a project that we could do together to continue building our skills and getting job ready. When this idea came up, I went to them first.”

Multiple graduates joined, inspired by both the mission of the organization and the ability to continue learning together. In a few months, they successfully launched MNI’s new website.

Overall goal: Furthering MNI’s mission

Move Network International aims to relieve pregnant adolescents and teenage mothers in Uganda from generational cycles of poverty, illiteracy, mental illness, and early marriage, among other issues. MNI helps in a variety of ways, including the Girl Space program, which aims for holistic support through education, small groups, healthcare assistance, financial support, and more. The organization also offers its Speak Out program to provide comprehensive career guidance initiatives like counseling and mentorship.

“MNI provides a fresh start, empowering pregnant youth and young mothers to do things that others around them may be telling them they can’t do,” said Emily. “It was very important to me, and to our group, to use the new skills that we have – like the ability to deploy websites – to help MNI get more visibility.”

Donate to MNI here

Group member Paula Mejia was especially inspired by MNI’s work with teen mothers, who she noted are often stigmatized to such a degree that they can’t pursue schooling, literacy, careers, and so much more in life.

“MNI’s mission is amazing and we wanted to give them the greatest opportunity to continue to do their work and do even more work on the ground,” she said.

How the team worked together to launch MNI’s new site

To bring this website to life, the group organized itself like a real-world software development team, with group members acting as everything from project managers to developers and even designers. It was a from-scratch project that was challenging and provided space to gain valuable experience.

“This was a great opportunity for us to develop our skills and to work as a team. We did our best to simulate a professional working environment,” said Paula. “We did regular standups, we figured out our Git flow, how to merge conflicts, and a lot more to make sure this project could work.”

According to group member Sam Shenker, working on this project reinforced just how important good leadership skills and teamwork are in software development. He admired the organization of the group as they worked together to plan, divide tasks, and meet deadlines along the way. He was able to use skills and tools learned in the beginner bootcamp to push himself as a member of the team.

“We talked a lot about creating the workflow itself and approaching the project from an Agile perspective,” he said. “I feel like I used a ton of tools I learned in the bootcamp, and that was instrumental. We all wanted to push forward and do more than what we did in the bootcamp, too. We wanted to try things that we hadn’t done before.”

That mentality comes from the bootcamp, as well, according to group member Shaun Ragasa. It’s all about leaning into the discomfort rather than shying away from it.

“This project helped me realize that what we learned in the bootcamp, about how we should feel comfortable being uncomfortable, means that we shouldn’t be afraid to try out new technologies and try out new responsibilities. It’s been good to see where that approach can get you,” he said.

Paula added that all of the “hacking and slashing our way through [course] problems during the Hack Reactor experience” served the group well during this project as they navigated new terrain together.

And according to Emily, part of that navigation involved getting familiar with each other’s strengths and leaning on them to reach their overall goal.

“We were able to leverage everyone’s strengths to make something that none of us could’ve made on our own,” she said. “We were learning to communicate and figure things out on the fly while also working to be kind and professional and creating a really positive working environment. It wasn’t always easy, but I think we did a really good job handling the challenge.”

Group member Diana Angarita hopes that with the website now live, it will mean immediate results for MNI’s fundraising goals.

“It feels good to see our work out there, and it’s exciting to finally launch because the hope is that MNI will start getting more donations to help their cause,” she said.

Sam also noted a feeling of accomplishment achieved by creating something that anyone can access and use.

“I’m really proud, and I feel empowered,” he said. “We can create something and change something for this organization…something that everybody in the whole world can see with just a few keystrokes.”

Looking forward: Future work with MNI

While the website was launched successfully, the group’s work together is not done. They hope to implement a backend portion of the website so that members of the team in Uganda can create blog posts and update the site on their own when desired. Diana also has hopes for a future online store where visitors can purchase branded merchandise that might help further promote and raise money for MNI.

So the work will continue but in a different form. The team will adjust their workflow to be more asynchronous moving forward, as some start new software engineering jobs and others continue their job searches.

“We’re moving into a less time-consuming phase now, and I’m sure it’ll take us a little bit to get into a good, new flow,” said Emily. “It’ll be another organizational thing we’ll figure out as we go.”

As they transition into this new phase, Paula reflected on the group’s collective growth and lasting connection through it all.

“Our bootcamp cohort had a super positive environment. Pretty much everyone was willing to learn, was humble, and was also willing to teach,” she said. “I think that’s why a project like this could happen because all of us really got along. I really am super grateful for this community.”

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Learn more about Move Network International (MNI)‘s work, and support their life-saving and life-enriching efforts here.

And if you’re interested in learning more about our Beginner Coding Bootcamps, check out our full-time program and part-time program. 

The post How a group of Hack Reactor grads are supporting a youth-led nonprofit organization appeared first on Galvanize.

“The work we’re doing directly influences the design of aircraft that will end up being used by the military, which gives us a strong sense of purpose and desire to succeed,” he said.

Below, read more about Matt’s new career and how the Operation Level Up program helped him launch it.

After your many years of service in the Army, what drew you to software engineering?

Growing up, I was always really interested in computers, and I built a few of my own over the years. In college, I took a few computer science courses that really stood out from my other courses. They were difficult, but I enjoyed the challenge of creating algorithms, systems, and programs to solve a problem. Software engineering is a blend of logical and creative thinking, which kept me feeling engaged and left me with a strong sense of accomplishment. As I began my transition out of the military, I knew I wanted to go into a career field that kept me mentally stimulated and provided constant challenge and growth.

What led you to enroll in the Operation Level Up program specifically?

Operation Level Up stood out to me compared to other coding bootcamps for several reasons. First, it was already an approved Career Skills Program at my installation. Second, they accepted VET TEC funding. Third, they offer many cohorts each year, so I was able to find a cohort that fit nicely into my transition timeline. Fourth, I had overwhelmingly positive interactions with the staff during the application process.

Not only did Operation Level Up provide me with the hard and soft skills needed to be a successful software engineer, but it also provided me with a network of strong relationships with amazing people who will help me grow and succeed. On top of that, I had so much fun learning to code each day of the program!

Congratulations on your role at the Sierra Nevada Corporation! What’s your role there?

I’m currently a Modeling, Simulations, and Analysis Lead. I lead a small team that is responsible for creating digital models and scenarios designed to test the performance of future military aircraft applications. We analyze the resulting performance metrics to help drive both business development as well as engineering design.

What do you like about your role? And what challenges have you faced so far?

I really enjoy working on a small team of great people. The work we’re doing directly influences the design of aircraft that will end up being used by the military, which gives us a strong sense of purpose and desire to succeed. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced so far is learning to code in a new, proprietary language in a short amount of time. However, the foundational knowledge and skills I learned while in Operation Level Up have enabled me to learn the new language quickly.

What’s your work environment like? Do you work on-site or remotely?

I work mostly on-site in a corporate office environment. However, I do have the flexibility to work remotely when need be. Many team members work fully remote or hybrid, and some work a 4×10 schedule while others work a traditional 5×8. It’s a good balance, and the company allows a lot of latitude for employees to balance their work schedule with other commitments.

How was the post-program job search process for you?

The job search process took me about a month, and I ended up applying to 14 positions before I accepted an offer. I utilized multiple different online job boards, as well as networking with friends and former colleagues. The resume-building help my Career Skills Manager provided was invaluable in helping me create a strong first impression with employers and set me apart from others.

Is there anything from your career in the Army that you’ve been able to carry over into your new career in software engineering?

Most of my intangible, soft skills developed in the military translated over into the civilian world and gave me a leg up over others in the job search. Leadership, teamwork, discipline, and attention to detail are some of the most impactful skills that carried over.

Do you have any advice for incoming students who are about to start Day 1 of the bootcamp?

My biggest piece of advice to new students is to devote as much time and energy to the bootcamp as possible. It should be your number one priority over the next four months. What you get out of the bootcamp is directly correlated to your level of effort, which will then impact how desirable you are to employers, what kind of job you’ll qualify for, and how quickly you’ll be able to secure a job. Also, listen to the instructors and take their advice to heart – they know what they’re talking about!

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While we no longer offer the Operation Level Up program, we still focus on tech and coding training for active duty service members and Veterans. Learn more here.

The post Grad’s new role tests performance of future military aircraft applications appeared first on Galvanize.

Below, read a Q&A with Meka about her Operation Level Up experience, and what she’s doing now at Intrusion. Plus, be sure to check out her four-part advice for others considering a coding program.

After many years in the Navy, what drew you to software engineering?

What drew me to software engineering is the ability to create complex systems that can automate tasks, process data, and solve problems. Software engineering can significantly impact society, from improving healthcare to advancing scientific research.

What led you to enroll in Operation Level Up?

I spoke with my Navy career counselor about my interest in becoming a software engineer after leaving the Navy, and they recommended I contact Transition Overwatch. Transition Overwatch enrolled me in the Galvanize program.

And what did you get out of your time in the program?

I can now make a web application with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.

Congrats on your role at Intrusion! What do you do there?

I am a Software Engineer Intern. I am learning new programming languages and completing projects with various libraries, programming languages, and databases with a team of mentors.

What do you like about your role? And what challenges have you faced so far?

What I like is that it promotes a safe environment to grow, learn, and try new ideas. As for challenges, programming with a variety of programming languages can get confusing.

Do you work on-site, remotely, etc? And how’s that going for you?

I work remotely. Everything is going great. My schedule allows me to be there for my family when needed.

Are there elements of your experience in the Navy that you can use in software engineering?

Problem-solving and cross-functional teamwork are two skills I developed in the Navy and can be used as a software engineer.

Do you have any advice for incoming students about to start a bootcamp?

Set goals: Setting specific, measurable, and achievable goals can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the program. Take the time to identify what you want to achieve academically, professionally, and personally during your time in the program, and create a plan to make it happen.

Seek support: Operation Level Up can be challenging, and it’s essential to seek help when needed. Use the resources available, such as your peers, the Software Engineering Immersive Residents (similar to teaching assistants), and the instructors.

Network: Networking is an essential part of building a successful career. Take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Operation Level Up program to meet professionals in this field and start building relationships with them.

Have fun: Finally, remember to have fun! This can be a challenging program but also an exciting time in your life. Take the time to enjoy the experience and make the most of it.

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While we no longer offer the Operation Level Up program, we still focus on tech and coding training for active duty service members and Veterans. Learn more here.

The post Meka James on her journey from the Navy, to a coding bootcamp, to a new career appeared first on Galvanize.

In this Q&A, read about Tommy’s career trajectory, his role at Zoom, and the robust advice he has for bootcamp students.

What drew you to software engineering?

Growing up, I loved building things, especially Legos and Minecraft worlds. My friends and I wanted to play Minecraft together, and in the early days, the only way you could do that was by coding a Minecraft server. I learned how to code a server and that sparked my passion for software engineering.

What led you to enroll in this program specifically?

I went to a college prep high school. I loved coding so I took all the coding classes they offered. Then I said, “What’s next?” I found out about Galvanize through the Denver Startup community. I learned they offered coding courses, and I chose to enroll in the immersive bootcamp right out of high school instead of attending college.

During the program, I built a solid foundation in software engineering thanks to my great instructors. Each day, we would build upon the foundation to keep expanding our skill set. I loved all the hands-on learning and building, vs. just reading out of a textbook like in traditional schooling. By the end of the program, we had learned all aspects of software development and were confident in building software applications.

I made lasting friendships with my classmates and connected with the startup community and entrepreneurs. Galvanize also hosted a number of meetups that I would attend to learn more about the software industry and expand my network.

What’s your role at Zoom?

My role is Senior Developer Advocate and Software Engineer. I love coding, but I also love working with people and other developers. Developer relations was a sweet spot for me.

I wear a lot of hats at Zoom, like writing production code, creating sample apps for our software development kits (SDKs) and APIs, product managing, writing documentation, helping sales close developer platform deals, speaking at conferences and meetups about the Zoom Developer Platform, growing the developer community, and more.

What do you like about your role? And on the flip side, what challenges have you faced?

I like how I can speak to developers around the world about what they are building and how Zoom can solve unique problems for them and power their innovative use cases.

There can be many challenges during your role, but having a strategy to overcome the challenges is critical. At Zoom, before we try to solve a problem, we take a step back and dive into the root cause of the problem. Once we fully understand the problem, then we work on solutions, which is the fun part because you can think outside the box and solve problems in innovative, scalable ways.

What’s your work environment like? On-site, remote, etc.?

At Zoom, we have the option to work from the office or remotely. It’s also great to connect with your team and friends in person at the office, collaborate together and celebrate the wins. It’s a nice work-life balance.

It’s nice to check in with you at this stage of your career. How do you feel about your career trajectory since you graduated?

Galvanize is the launchpad to your career in tech. I have been nothing but blessed with my career so far.

Every company is different, and every manager has a different management style. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and add value where you see opportunity to.

Do you have any advice for incoming bootcamp students?

I have a few key pieces of advice that worked for me and that I share with classes and students I speak to:

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
2. Don’t compare yourself with other people; only compare yourself with who you were yesterday.
3. Grow your network. Don’t just attend meetups and hackathons, meet the speakers and judges. Add them on LinkedIn and stay in touch with them.
4. Share your story; everyone has a unique path to becoming a Software Developer.
5. There’s a saying in the startup world around raising capital for your company that can be applied to your job search. Ask for money and you’ll get advice. Ask for advice and you’ll get money. When you’re searching for a job, show your projects to your network or with employees of a company you’re looking to join. Ask for advice on your project. The worst thing that can happen is they give you advice on how to improve it. The best thing is they are impressed and want to interview you to join their company.
6. Mentor other students or junior developers. Teaching helps deepen your understanding of topics and develops leadership skills. It’s important to give back and be humble.

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Learn more about our coding bootcamps, including our intermediate program, and our two beginner programs. 

The post Tommy Gaessler, from high school to bootcamp to lasting career in tech appeared first on Galvanize.

To do so, Adjoa applied to our Intermediate Coding Bootcamp and enrolled after receiving a full-tuition Galvanize Scholarship. Now, she’s working at Blend, a financial services software company, where she started as an apprentice and worked her way into her current role as Software Engineer. In this Q&A, read about Adjoa’s career journey at Blend, her time in the bootcamp, and the advice she has for incoming students.

What drew you to software engineering?

Before I became an engineer, I was working at Walmart.com on the retail side, and not specifically with the software engineering product managers. The interfaced with them if I had to file tickets for things on our site that were causing issues, or sometimes, the product managers for internal tools would reach out to us to ask us for feedback on a certain product.

So I saw the engineering side of things through that lens, and I really liked learning more about the tools that I was working with on a daily basis. I was interested in looking at how they were getting built and then how the engineers were working through solving some of the issues that could arise as a result of people using tools or interfaces in ways that maybe they didn’t expect.

I was interested in that whole process of problem-solving, debugging, and understanding more about how things were being built. That got me interested in enrolling in a coding bootcamp, because I was just trying to figure out what was the best way to learn what I needed to know in the time frame I was looking to learn it. There was somebody at Walmart.com who went to Hack Reactor and became a software engineer, so I was really interested in his journey.

Did receiving a scholarship to the bootcamp impact your overall learning experience?

Financially, because I had the scholarship, I felt a positive impact, especially coming from the world of higher education and student loans. I didn’t have to worry about adding more debt. I didn’t have to worry, coming out of the bootcamp, about how I was going to pay back loans. All I really had to do was graduate and then find a job.

You utilized resources provided through our Telegraph Track. How was that experience for you?

I learned about Telegraph Track once I’d started the bootcamp. At the time, I utilized it to find a mentor within the track, as well as took advantage of an opportunity to shadow a company. I also attended some of their talks and events.

It was a really good opportunity for me to learn from other engineers who were already in the space, trying to figure out where I fit in, based on what interested me. For me, the main benefit of Telegraph Track was that it was a way to get connected to engineers that I wouldn’t normally run into as a bootcamp student or new graduate.

What’s your role at Blend? And what kinds of projects do you work on?

I’m a Software Engineer at Blend. The team I work on is primarily focused on the backend. Currently, I’m working on features within the service to enhance our customer experience, because traditionally, the service that I work on was very regulated.

So there were only certain things customers could do, but now we want to make it more flexible for them to pick and choose what they want to do, but we still have to have some regulations in mind.

You come from a business and finance background. Is there anything from that previous experience that you’ve been able to carry over into software engineering?

I think mainly communication skills. From that experience, I know how to communicate ideas and get people on the same page about something, especially since, within business, numbers are important, but it’s also about how you tell the story and how you can connect the data.

It helps a lot in software engineering because, if I’m building something, I can communicate what I’m building as concisely as possible. And I can help people make important connections about what I’m building and how it’ll impact the project or business.

How was the job search process for you? Were you able to use any strategies that you learned from Career Services?

Career Services definitely helped me in terms of resume review and figuring out how to find opportunities. Once I finished the program, I stayed on for three months as a Galvanize Software Engineering Immersive Resident (SEIR). Then immediately after that, I ended up getting a job as an apprentice at Blend.

After the bootcamp, I was mainly looking for apprenticeship roles, and Blend was one of the first ones I applied to. I think for me, the strategy I used was targeting roles that I felt very comfortable jumping into. I wanted an environment in which the company knew I was there to learn, as opposed to coming in as an engineer. Regardless, if you’re new, they expect you to learn on the job, of course, but I wanted to come in as an apprentice. That was my preference.

Since being at Blend, I’ve gone from apprentice to Software Engineer II to now, Software Engineer III. I’m going on a journey within the company, which is what I wanted. I’ve been given added responsibilities with added knowledge and skills as I go, and I’m always learning.

Do you have any advice for incoming students who are about to start the bootcamp? How can they get the most out of their time?

Be ready to jump in a hundred percent to what you’re doing. Keep your goals in mind, and continue to do the work, even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re getting to where you need to be.

And definitely take time, especially during the bootcamp, to recharge, and carry that through your career, too. Figure out how to build recharging into your life, because that will definitely help you to avoid burning out.

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Adjoa graduated from our Intermediate Coding Bootcamp. To read about a graduate of our Beginner Coding Bootcamp, check out Cise Babatasi’s story to learn how she transitioned from the art world to software engineering.

The post From working with software engineers to becoming a software engineer appeared first on Galvanize.

How did you become interested in software engineering?

I actually come from a background in art and museum management. However, when I was working as a Project Manager for cultural and artistic projects, I became increasingly curious about content management systems like Wix and WordPress, and I started experimenting with creating websites for exhibitions as a fun side project.

During that time, I also noticed that digital art was becoming increasingly popular, and I became more and more interested in exploring the intersection between art and technology. I realized that I wanted to take my interests to the next level and gain the technical skills to create more sophisticated and interactive digital art projects.

That’s what drew me to software engineering. I’m fascinated by the problem-solving aspect of it and the ability to create functional and efficient software solutions. But more than that, I’m excited about the creative possibilities that software engineering offers and the ways it can be used to bring art and technology together in new and innovative ways.

What led you to the Hack Reactor program, and what did you get out of your time in the program?

I decided to enroll in the Hack Reactor program for several reasons. Firstly, the program has an excellent reputation and is well-known for producing top-notch software engineers. This reputation helped me feel confident in my decision to enroll in the program.

Secondly, I was drawn to the program’s syllabus, which was very well-designed and covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time. I knew that the program would provide me with the technical skills I needed to succeed as a software engineer.

During my time in the program, I learned a lot about how to think like a programmer and how to approach complex problems in a logical and systematic way. I also gained a lot of experience working in a team environment and collaborating with others to solve problems.

Perhaps most importantly, the program helped me to discover the problem-solver inside of me. I became more confident in my ability to tackle difficult challenges and learned to enjoy the process of finding solutions to complex problems.

Overall, my time in the Hack Reactor program was an incredibly valuable experience, and I feel that it has prepared me well for a successful career in software engineering.

Congrats on your new role at Thryv! What kinds of projects are you working on?

I recently started working at Thryv as a Software Developer, and it’s been about 2 months now. It’s my first job in the software engineering field, and I feel incredibly lucky to have landed at Thryv.

Since I started, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of different tasks and with different people, which has been really exciting. I love the dynamic of our team and the collaborative nature of our work. It’s great to be able to bounce ideas off of my colleagues and learn from their experiences.

One of the things that’s been really cool about working at Thryv is the number of Hack Reactor alums on staff. It’s been awesome to connect with them and share our experiences from the program.

Overall, I feel like I’m learning something new every day at Thryv, and I’m excited to continue growing and developing as a software engineer here.

What do you like about your role? And what challenges have you faced so far?

What I really like about my role as a Software Developer at Thryv is that it’s both challenging and rewarding. Every day and every task is a new challenge for me, especially as a new starter, and I always have the opportunity to learn something new and improve my skills.

One of the things that I’m particularly excited about is the chance to work on a lot of front-end tasks. This is an area that I’ve always been interested in, and I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work on it and learn more about it.

Of course, with any new job, there are always challenges to face. One of the biggest challenges for me has been learning to navigate the company’s codebase and workflow. There’s a lot to learn, and it can be overwhelming at times, but I’m fortunate to have a supportive team that’s always willing to help and answer my questions. Overall, I’m really enjoying my role at Thryv and I feel like I’m growing and improving as a software developer every day.

What’s your work environment like? On-site, remote?

I work remotely, which has been a great experience for me so far. I’ve been working remotely since my time in the Hack Reactor bootcamp, so I’ve had some experience with it already.

I find that I’m really productive working remotely. I can create a comfortable work environment that suits my needs and allows me to focus on my tasks without distractions. Plus, I don’t have to worry about commuting or getting stuck in traffic, which is a big plus.

Of course, there are some challenges to working remotely as well. Communication can sometimes be a bit more difficult when you’re not working in the same physical space as your colleagues. However, I find that regular check-ins and using tools like Slack and Zoom help to keep everyone on the same page.

Overall, I’m really enjoying working remotely and I feel like I’ve been able to settle into a routine that works well for me.

How was the post-program job search process for you?

The post-program job search process was challenging, but I felt that the training I received from Career Services during my time at Hack Reactor really helped me prepare for it. They provided me with the tools and resources I needed to make all of my materials, including my resume, cover letter, and outreach messages, really stand out.

One of the most helpful things I learned from Career Services was the importance of consistency in applying and reaching out to people. They emphasized the need to be persistent and not to get discouraged by rejections or silence from potential employers. I took this advice to heart and made sure to consistently apply and outreach to people, even when it felt discouraging.

I also found it really helpful to connect with other Hack Reactor alums during the job search process. We were able to share tips and advice with each other and offer support when things got tough. Overall, I can’t say enough about how helpful Career Services was during the job search process. Their advice and guidance were invaluable, and I feel really fortunate to have had their support as I navigated the post-program job market.

Is there anything from your former career or studies that you’ve been able to carry into your new career in software engineering?

Absolutely! I’ve found that my background in art and design has been surprisingly applicable to my new career in software engineering. One of the things that I’ve been able to carry over from my former career is my ability to think creatively and outside the box when it comes to problem-solving. I think this has been especially helpful when it comes to designing user interfaces and thinking about how users will interact with software products.

I’ve also found that my background in design has given me an eye for detail that’s been really useful in my new career. Whether it’s debugging code or building new features, I’m always looking for ways to improve the functionality and user experience of the software products I work on.

Overall, I feel that my background in art and design has given me a unique perspective on software engineering and has helped me to approach problems in a more creative and innovative way. I’m excited to see how I can continue to apply these skills in my new career.

Do you have any advice for incoming students who are about to start the bootcamp?

My advice to incoming students would be to approach the program with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The bootcamp is an intensive experience, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed at times, but it’s important to stay focused and keep pushing forward.

One thing that I found really helpful during my time in the bootcamp was building a strong support network. This could be your fellow classmates, instructors, or alumni of the program. It’s important to have people who you can turn to when you’re struggling or feeling stuck.

Another piece of advice would be to make the most of the resources that are available to you. Whether it’s the instructors, Career Services, or other support staff, there are a lot of people who are there to help you succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Finally, I would encourage incoming students to take advantage of every opportunity to practice and apply what they’re learning. The more you can immerse yourself in the material and put it into practice, the better prepared you’ll be for a career in software engineering.

Overall, the bootcamp is an incredible experience, and I have no doubt that incoming students will get a lot out of it if they approach it with the right mindset and take advantage of the resources available to them.

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Interested in more Beginner Coding Bootcamp stories? Read about Amanda Kiehm and Jessica Dyer, both of who now work as software engineers in the renewable energy field. 

The post At the intersection of art and technology, this grad found software engineering appeared first on Galvanize.