Like many, I never envisioned myself in the tech world. My background was firmly rooted in public health. After graduating with a Public Health Sciences degree in 2017, I took a job as an environmental technician. Spending my days on construction sites, collecting air samples, quickly revealed this wasn’t my passion. Seeking more fulfilling work, I transitioned to a community coordinator role, assisting residents in Section-8 housing. While I valued the work, I felt burnt out, uninspired, and financially strained in expensive Boston. A quarter-life crisis was looming, and a career change felt inevitable.
My boyfriend, a software engineer at Google, planted the seed of coding after I attended the 2019 PAX East conference. The intersection of health and gaming sparked an unexpected interest. Coding seemed daunting, something for geniuses, not me. However, after trying free online coding tutorials on freecodecamp.org, I discovered a surprising enjoyment in building web pages and learning JavaScript. It wasn’t as intimidating as I imagined.
Researching bootcamps in Boston led me to General Assembly’s (GA) 12-week Software Engineering Immersive. The location was convenient, and the program boasted strong employment prospects. The cost was a concern, but the potential salary increase in a software engineering career justified the investment. After visiting the campus and speaking with an admissions counselor, I decided to enroll. With newly dyed purple hair, symbolizing my leap into the unknown, I embarked on my Coding Bootcamp Career Change journey.
My Immersive Coding Bootcamp Experience
The three months at the coding bootcamp were intense and transformative. It was a whirlwind of projects, long study nights, and a newfound obsession with Stardew Valley – a perfect escape from coding stress! While the specific curriculum details are readily available online, the key takeaways were profound.
GA provided a foundational understanding of HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Node, Ruby on Rails, Express, MongoDB, and React. While syntax details may fade, the core skills remain sharp. I learned how to approach complex problems, break them down into manageable steps, and utilize resources effectively. Crucially, the bootcamp instilled essential software development practices like git, version control, and agile methodologies. It also addressed the ever-present imposter syndrome, fostering a supportive learning environment. In essence, GA equipped me with a robust problem-solving framework applicable far beyond specific coding languages.
Our initial project, building a tic-tac-toe game connected to a Ruby backend, was designed to be challenging. Despite tic-tac-toe’s apparent simplicity, completing it within five days became a pivotal “make or break” moment for many in the cohort. After a strong start, I hit a roadblock and nearly gave up. However, the instructors at GA were exceptional. They provided targeted guidance, simulating real-world manager support, just enough to help me overcome the hurdle and regain momentum. This initial challenge, and the support received, built resilience that made subsequent projects feel less daunting, especially with the collective discovery of StackOverflow!
A critical component of the GA bootcamp was the career coaching, known as Outcomes. Weekly sessions covered resume and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview skills (both behavioral and technical), job search strategies, and even salary negotiation. Homework assignments reinforced these skills, and completion was essential for continued career support post-graduation. This career-focused curriculum proved invaluable in navigating the tech job market.
Overall, my experience at General Assembly Boston was overwhelmingly positive. The supportive and encouraging environment fostered a genuine sense of community. Instructors and staff were invested in my success, offering both technical guidance and personal encouragement. Enrolling in the bootcamp was a pivotal decision in my coding bootcamp career change, and I wholeheartedly recommend the Boston program.
Navigating the Tech Job Search Post-Bootcamp
Graduation on December 9th, 2019, marked the start of a challenging job search. Having been employed since 17, unemployment felt heavy, compounded by the financial debt to my mother and boyfriend. Motivation fluctuated. Some days were spent diligently job searching at the GA campus; others were lost to sleeping in and aimlessly applying online. Graduating in early December was also poorly timed, as hiring typically slows during the holiday season.
However, at the new year, I resolved to intensify my efforts. Job applications became more focused, and daily coding interview practice became routine. Committing to daily GitHub contributions provided a sense of accomplishment, and I resumed exercising. Networking also became a priority, leading me to sign up for numerous MeetUp events.
One standout MeetUp event was TechTogether Boston, a free 3-day hackathon for women and non-binary individuals at BU’s Agganis Arena in late January. Hackathons were new to me, but the networking opportunities and seminars were appealing, along with the promise of free food and swag. Despite feeling like a novice coder, I joined a team of first-timers and we began planning a project.
Around this time, a full-time opportunity at Grubhub in Boston emerged. A college connection provided a referral, leading to a phone interview, a virtual coding challenge, and finally, an on-site interview. However, I learned another bootcamp classmate was also a finalist. Recognizing her stronger coding skills, I felt the opportunity slipping away, and the rejection email confirmed my fears. It felt like starting over.
TechTogether Boston Hackathon: A Turning Point
Just after the Grubhub rejection, walking into the TechTogether Boston hackathon felt surreal. Surrounded by driven individuals and recruiters from major tech companies, I felt fragile. However, I was determined to make the most of it, even if just for the swag.
My first stop was the Red Hat booth. Frankly, I knew little about them at the time. A kind recruiter engaged with me, unconcerned about my bootcamp background. Although they were primarily recruiting summer interns, and I sought immediate employment, I submitted my resume. Her positive interaction boosted my spirits and motivated me to participate fully in the hackathon. I spent two days coding intensely with my team, culminating in a demo of our project: an app to send a discreet text message to escape uncomfortable dates.
Late night coding at the end of Day 2 of the TechTogether Boston hackathon (aka before delirium set in).
Landing the Internship: The Interview Process
Weeks later, an unexpected email arrived from Red Hat Early Talent Acquisition, inviting me to video interviews for two internship positions. I was ecstatic and cautiously optimistic, managing expectations by focusing on the interview experience itself.
The interviews were scheduled for Friday and the following Monday. The first interview, with my current manager, was exceptional. Her friendly and engaging demeanor made it feel less like an interrogation and more like a conversation. We discussed my projects and bootcamp experience, and she explained Red Hat and OpenShift. No technical coding questions were asked. The second interview, with a different manager, was equally positive, focusing on problem-solving approaches with a non-programming question.
Afterward, I continued my job search, even reaching the final on-site interview stage at a smaller web consulting firm. They extended an offer, which, while not ideal in salary or commute, felt like a welcome end to the job search. I requested a few days to consider.
Career Change Success!
The very next day, Red Hat offered me an internship on the OpenShift Engineering team. Having two offers was dreamlike. The decision wasn’t easy financially, as the internship start date was further out, but the long-term career potential at Red Hat was clear. My boyfriend generously agreed to continue supporting me financially. I accepted the Red Hat offer and respectfully declined the other.
In total, I applied to around 80 jobs between December 16th and February 20th, receiving responses from only 9. Of those 9, 4 led to on-site interviews, and 2 resulted in job offers.
Landing the Red Hat internship felt incredibly fortunate. I attribute it to following the advice of my career coaches and persistent effort. While hoping for a full-time position at Red Hat post-internship, I remain committed to continuous learning and skill development. Sharing my story is intended to inspire and encourage those considering a coding bootcamp career change or struggling in their tech job search. I am not a prodigy, just a determined individual who put in the work. If I can achieve this career change, so can you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coding Bootcamp Career Changes
“What’s your top advice for tech job seekers?”
Start with the basics: Google it! Beyond that, ensure you have a strong resume and cover letter – get them reviewed by friends, family, or career professionals. Then, consider these four key tips to elevate your job search:
Do you recommend General Assembly?
Absolutely, especially the Boston location.
My experience is specific to GA Boston. Curriculum, instructors, and staff can vary across locations. If considering a different GA campus, visit, assess the space and curriculum firsthand, and inquire about GA’s reputation in that local job market. However, my positive experience in Boston leads me to believe other locations likely maintain high standards.
The instructors and staff at GA Boston were instrumental in my successful career transition. While a career change might have happened eventually, GA significantly accelerated the process, making it achievable in under a year.
Is a coding bootcamp the right path for a career change?
Choosing a coding bootcamp requires careful consideration. Finances are a major factor. Evaluate the bootcamp cost and potential salary increase to determine if the investment is justified. For me, the projected salary growth within a year outweighed the bootcamp expenses. Also, explore if your current employer offers bootcamp sponsorship or would consider you for a tech role post-bootcamp.
Passion is equally crucial. Reflect on your motivations for pursuing tech. Is it genuine interest, or solely salary and perks? Coding involves problem-solving and continuous learning. If you dislike debugging or constant learning, reconsider. If you have a technical background, like mechanical engineering, the transition to software engineering might be smoother. If you’re from a non-technical background, like myself, explore free online coding resources extensively before committing to a bootcamp. Ensure you genuinely enjoy or can tolerate coding as a career.
Can I break into software engineering without a bootcamp?
Certainly! Many succeed without bootcamps. However, it demands significant self-discipline, time, and patience. Coding offers abundant free online learning resources, making it exceptionally accessible. It can be a valuable hobby or skill enhancement even if a career change isn’t the immediate goal.
Am I smart enough for software engineering?
Most likely, yes. My bootcamp cohort of roughly 30 individuals, with diverse backgrounds, all successfully completed challenging projects. Traditional “smartness” isn’t the sole predictor of success. I don’t consider myself inherently “smart” in instantly grasping concepts, but I am dedicated and passionate about learning.
Women particularly question their aptitude in tech, a sentiment I initially shared. Societal conditioning often leads girls to believe they should be effortlessly proficient, causing discouragement when facing initial challenges. This contributes to the underrepresentation of women in technical fields. A crucial realization in my coding career change was embracing mistakes. Error codes are learning opportunities. Debugging involves experimentation and iterative problem-solving.
How should I structure my job search time?
Time allocation depends on individual circumstances. However, treating the job search as a full-time job was effective for me.
Dedicate around 8 hours daily, 40 hours weekly, to your job search.
Job search stalled? What to do differently? Should I give up?
Job search plateaus are common and discouraging. It’s rare to secure a job immediately after a bootcamp. Our career coaches at GA indicated an average job search duration of about 4 months. Prepare for potentially longer periods, especially given current economic uncertainties. The job search is a marathon, requiring sustained effort. If progress is slow, research alternative job search strategies and adapt your approach.
If financial strain becomes pressing during a prolonged job search, consider a part-time job for income and structure. The added responsibility can increase focus and time efficiency. However, be mindful that diverting time from a full-time job search might extend the overall timeline.
What’s the tech interview process like?
Interview processes vary by company. My Red Hat internship interviews were video-based, focusing on behavioral and project-based questions, without live coding. Most other companies involved coding challenges, either take-home or whiteboard-based for in-person interviews. Coding questions were generally “easy” level LeetCode problems.
Typical interview stages included a phone screening, followed by a coding challenge, and then an on-site interview, although variations exist.
How to prepare for tech interviews?
Practice coding challenges daily. LeetCode and Codewars were my preferred platforms. Master fundamental algorithms like palindrome checking.
YouTube interview practice videos can be helpful, but hands-on practice is more effective. I sometimes used YouTube by identifying the problem, attempting it myself, and then consulting the video for guidance only when stuck. After solving it, I’d review the video’s approach for comparison.
Beyond “hard” technical questions, prepare for “soft” technical questions (e.g., “explain what happens when you Google something?”) and crucially, behavioral interview questions. Develop stories illustrating teamwork, conflict resolution, and handling disagreements. Practice these to ensure confident and articulate responses during interviews.
Do I need a portfolio?
A portfolio is highly recommended, especially for career changers without a computer science degree. Even with a CS degree, it strengthens your application. As a career changer, a portfolio (like mine) is essential to showcase your projects and skills.
Unless you have strong UX/UI design skills, consider using a portfolio template. Affordable and free templates are readily available and professionally designed.
Thank you for reading my career change story. I hope it inspires you to consider a coding bootcamp and provides encouragement during your job search. I plan to write a follow-up article on my bootcamp’s preparedness for real-world software engineering work. Follow me on social media for updates. So far, so good in my tech career change journey!
About Me
Beyond coding, I’m a video game enthusiast and self-proclaimed nerd, deeply immersed in fandoms, especially Star Wars. I also enjoy makeup artistry, anime, and running. Sadly, no pets due to landlord restrictions, but I live with my cool boyfriend and many plants.
