“I didn’t know much when I started but Northcoders were really good at teaching you the fundamentals and building up to more advanced code.”
1. When did you graduate from Northcoders?
I graduated September 2024
2. What’s your role and which company do you work for?
I’m a graduate software engineer at Northrop Grumman
3. Are you enjoying your role?
I absolutely love my role! It’s the best company I’ve ever worked for with a great working environment, a strong work life balance, and the work is really interesting.
4. How did you find your time on the bootcamp?
The bootcamp was great, the mentors were very helpful and always more than happy to help and to reassure you that imposter syndrome is real and everyone gets it!
5. What were you doing before the bootcamp?
I was a cyber insurance broker
6. What made you interested in moving into tech?
In my previous role, I learnt about cybersecurity, which piqued my interested in tech. Alongside this, a friend of mine had gone through a bootcamp and secured a good job at the end of it. So it was a combination of my own interest and word of mouth.
7. What made you choose Northcoders?
Recommended by a friend who worked with someone that went through Northcoders.
8. What was the support like on the course?
Excellent, all the mentors were very friendly, went at a good pace and always encouraged us to keep asking questions and to let them know if we were ever stuck. Having a mentor to always go to was also very helpful. Not only the support from the technical side but also with the careers team helping build up the perfect cv was invaluable.
9. How much support did you receive from Northcoders with your job search after the course?
Darren always checked up on me and encouraged me. They were always there if you needed them.
10. Do you think that Northcoders prepared you well for your role?
Yes definitely, it taught me the necessary skills to understand JavaScript, sql, git and apis.
11. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying?
Just do it! It might seem scary to take the leap of faith and leave your current role but I’m so happy I did it! I would try free coding sites first and play around with katas etc and see if it’s something you enjoy and if you do then go for it! Don’t be let down by lack of skill as I didn’t know much when I started but Northcoders were really good at teaching you the fundamentals and building up to more advanced code. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful and you even learn a lot through pair programming with other students on your cohort.