What’s your role and which company do you work for?
I’m a Junior Software Engineer for Bally’s Interactive, based in Manchester.
Are you enjoying your role?
Yeah. It’s my 2nd job since graduating Northcoders and despite the 2 hour commute home it’s worth it!
How did you find your time on the bootcamp?
Really enjoyed the bootcamp. I learned a lot and helped me realise this was the right career change for me, as well as having the chance to meet and work with a lot of different people.
What were you doing before the bootcamp?
Before the bootcamp, I was a transport manager, transport planner and a credit controller for a transport company near Crewe for 6 years. And then solely a transport planner for 6 months, which involved moving sugar around the country for some big, well known companies.
What made you interested in moving into tech?
I wanted a role that was continually challenging me, but also one that didn’t involve me being on call 24/7. I have several friends in software development and they suggested I gave a few online training sites a go. After about a month I knew it would be good for me, especially since I enjoyed creating profile pages on MySpace many years ago.
What made you choose Northcoders?
Recommended by a close friend who did the course 12 months before me.
What was the support like on the course?
There was always support if you asked for it. Sometimes you had to wait a little while as the tutors were helping others out. Don’t expect the answer to be given to you, as that’s not the nature of the job and they want to prepare you for it, but you got enough hints and tips from the tutors to solve the problems. And sometimes those I had been pair programming with, were always on hand to help and vice versa.
How much support did you receive from Northcoders with your job search after the course?
Mal and Keeley helped me a lot. Not just to get my CV looking nice, but suggesting jobs that I would be most suited to. I started my first tech role 2 months after graduating and it was down to my CV and emphasising what I had done at Northcoders.
Do you think that Northcoders prepared you well for your role?
Without doubt.What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying?
It can be tough and will be tough. Even in my jobs since, I’ve had imposter syndrome, but with each month that passes, it’s been less and less. I had the same feeling at the start of Northcoders, but in both scenarios there comes a moment when it just clicks and away you go. It’s just a matter of keeping with it. People pick things up at different rates, and Kev always told me to not compare yourself to anyone else, except for you a month ago, or 6 months ago.