From Struggling University Comp Sci Grad to Employed Coder - Tony Edmonds

03/28/24 • 63 min

To reach out and connect with Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmonds-tony/

Takeaways - Negotiate your salary and consider the market conditions in your area. - Remote work opportunities are available, but starting with a hybrid role can provide valuable experience. - Working in an office and collaborating with experienced developers can accelerate your learning and career growth. - Having mentors and leveraging their expertise can help you progress quickly in your career. - Bootcamp graduates can pivot to different roles within a company and apply their skills in various domains. - Don't be discouraged by negative news and focus on your own journey and progress. - When starting a new job, be resourceful, spend time learning on your own, and ask for help when needed.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:23 Becoming a Digital Nomad 03:42 Fascination with Latin America and the Digital Nomad Lifestyle 06:33 Choosing the University Path 09:20 Transitioning to a Bootcamp 13:03 The Benefits and Limitations of University Education 20:05 The Job Search Process 23:43 The Importance of a Structured Job Search 28:03 Seeking Remote Job Opportunities 30:50 The Interview Process 31:48 Job Offer and Salary 33:15 Remote Work Opportunities 34:39 The Value of Working in an Office 35:03 Transitioning to Remote Work 37:24 The Importance of Mentors 38:18 Opportunities for Development within a Company 39:39 Pivoting to Different Roles 40:36 Enjoying the Data Role 41:32 The Reality of Getting a Job 42:31 The Influence of News and Media 44:30 Advice for Bootcamp Students 48:16 Tony's Advice for Himself 49:41 Tony's Final Project 53:52 Connecting with Tony on LinkedIn 54:22 Questions for Trevor

To reach out and connect with Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmonds-tony/

Previous Episode

From Backpacking Instructor to Coder in 5 Months - Jeff Podmayer

Summary If you want to connect/reach out to Jeff, here's his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpodmayer/ In this episode, Trevor interviews Jeff, who made a transition from being an outdoor guide to pursuing a career in tech. Jeff shares his experiences working as a guide in the mountains and his journey into the tech industry. He discusses his interest in coding and how he researched different bootcamp options before choosing Coders Campus. Jeff also talks about his learning experience at the bootcamp and provides feedback for improvement. In this conversation, Jeff and Trevor discuss various aspects of the bootcamp experience and the job search journey. They talk about the importance of exercises and assignments in solidifying learning, as well as the need for more exercises in the later stages of the bootcamp. They also discuss the challenges of covering advanced topics and the length of the videos. Jeff shares his preparation for the job search and the support he has received from the career services team. Trevor emphasizes the importance of networking and finding a support system during the career transition. They conclude the conversation by discussing the value of honesty and support in the bootcamp experience. Takeaways

Transitioning from one career to another requires thorough research and exploration of different options.
Choosing a bootcamp with experienced instructors who have worked in the industry can provide valuable insights and guidance.
Learning to code is a skill that can be compared to learning a trade, and it requires practice and hands-on experience.
The struggle and frustration are part of the learning process, and it's important to learn how to respond to challenges in a calm and focused manner.
Completing a bootcamp program can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the tech industry. Exercises and assignments are crucial for reinforcing learning and should be included throughout the bootcamp.
More exercises should be included in the later stages of the bootcamp to solidify knowledge.
Covering advanced topics in the bootcamp can be challenging, and there should be a balance between depth and length of videos.
Preparation for the job search is essential, and networking is a valuable strategy for finding opportunities.
Having a support system during the career transition can provide encouragement and guidance.
Honesty and support are important in the bootcamp experience, both from instructors and fellow students.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:58 Transition from Outdoor Guide to Tech Career 05:47 Love for Nature and Outdoor Activities 10:00 Exploring Coding as an Option 26:09 Choosing Coders Campus 31:49 Learning Experience at Coders Campus 39:08 Feedback and Improvements 39:38 Exercises and Assignments 40:56 Topics Covered Towards the End 42:25 Revamping the Videos 46:43 Preparing for the Job Search 47:42 Networking and Support 53:54 Advice to the Younger Self 01:08:12 The Importance of Support 01:16:29 Rejection and Selectivity 01:17:26 Connecting with Jeff

Next Episode

Alex almost quit coding forever while in this Bootcamp

Summary

To reach out and connect with Alex, here's her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mamolo-2a1b57222/

In this episode, Trevor interviews Alex, who shares her journey from being a musician to transitioning into the tech industry. Alex talks about her background in music, playing drums in a band, and the challenges she faced in her musical career. She then discusses her experience working in data entry and her decision to pursue a career in technology. Alex explains how she discovered coding and her decision to join a coding bootcamp. She shares her struggles with understanding methods and functions and the support she received from her instructors. Alex emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamentals of coding and how it has impacted her personal growth and progress. In this conversation, Alex discusses her experience in the coding bootcamp and the challenges she faced. She shares how she overcame those challenges and gained confidence in her coding abilities. The conversation also explores the difficulty curve in learning programming and the importance of perseverance. Alex talks about her job search process and the need for relentless follow-up. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to connect with Alex and seek advice on their own coding journey.

Takeaways

Transitioning from a non-technical career to the tech industry is possible with the right support and guidance.
Learning HTML and CSS is a great starting point for beginners in coding.
Struggling with certain concepts is common in coding, and seeking help from instructors is crucial for overcoming challenges.
Understanding the fundamentals of coding, such as methods and functions, is essential for building a strong foundation. Overcoming challenges in the bootcamp can lead to significant growth and improved coding skills.
The difficulty curve in learning programming often means that the second half of the bootcamp is easier than the first half.
Struggling on the job is different from struggling in the bootcamp, but both experiences can be valuable learning opportunities.
Relentless follow-up in the job search process can significantly increase the chances of getting an interview.
Revisiting assignments and focusing on mastering core skills can help improve coding abilities.
Networking and interpersonal skills are just as important as coding skills in the job search process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:09 Interest in Technology and Music

05:31 Transition from Music to Data Entry

06:26 Exploring Tech Education Options

08:23 Choosing a Coding Bootcamp

09:52 Learning HTML and CSS

12:43 Struggles with Methods and Functions

15:35 Support and Guidance from Instructors

23:00 Importance of Understanding Fundamentals

24:25 Personal Growth and Progress

24:54 Overcoming Challenges in the Bootcamp