Thirteen weeks ago, I made the leap into a brand-new world, trading my stable and rewarding career as a physiotherapist for the unpredictable challenge of learning to code. I wasn’t just apprehensive, I was terrified. Could I really succeed in a completely different field? Would I even keep up with the pace? It felt like a big risk, but I was craving something new, a challenge that would push me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. 

Now, looking back at this whirlwind journey, I can hardly believe how far I’ve come. I went from knowing almost nothing about coding to building a fully functioning app with a team of amazing people. While I’m thrilled with what I’ve achieved, there’s also a bittersweet feeling knowing my time at Northcoders has come to an end.

Finding My Footing

The first few weeks were a steep learning curve. I was completely new to coding, and getting to grips with JavaScript fundamentals felt like learning a new language, because, well, it was! There were moments when my brain felt overloaded, but the structure of the course and the support I received made all the difference. 

Every day brought new challenges, but as I worked through katas, pair programming sessions, and sprints, I started to see real progress. Concepts that initially seemed impossible slowly began to click. I learned to embrace the “aha” moments when things finally made sense, and to accept that it’s okay to struggle before getting there.

The Power of Collaboration

If I’m honest, one of my biggest fears coming into the bootcamp was working with others. Although I was used to working with others during my career as a physiotherapist, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about pair programming or group projects. Would I slow my partner down? What if I didn’t have anything to contribute? 

But when the team project phase arrived, all my worries melted away. Collaborating with others turned out to be one of the best parts of the experience. There’s something incredible about bouncing ideas around, troubleshooting problems together, and watching as everyone’s strengths come together to create something meaningful.

Building a fully functioning app as a team was a highlight of the bootcamp. It wasn’t just about writing code, it was about communication, problem-solving, and putting what we’d learned into real-world practice. It gave me a glimpse of what working in tech could look like, and I left that experience feeling confident in my ability to thrive in a team setting.

Lessons I’ll Take Forward

As I reflect on these 13 weeks, there are a few key lessons that stand out:

1. Support makes all the difference - The Northcoders community created a safe space to learn, make mistakes, and grow. Whether it was a tutor patiently explaining a concept for the third time or a peer helping me debug a tricky bit of code, the support network was invaluable.
2. Show up, even when it’s hard - Some days, the material felt overwhelming, and I left thinking, “I’ll never get this”. But I kept showing up, and little by little, things started to fall into place. Persistence is the key to progress.
3. You don’t need to know everything. At first, I thought coding meant memorising everything. But I quickly realised it’s more about problem-solving and knowing where to look for answers. The bootcamp gave me the tools to approach challenges with confidence, even when I didn’t know the solution right away.

Advice for Future Bootcampers

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge, here’s my advice:

1. Don’t do it alone - Connecting with your peers makes a huge difference. Coding can feel overwhelming at times, but sharing your wins, struggles, and even frustrations with others makes it so much easier. You don’t have to know everyone, but finding a few people to lean on will transform your experience.
2. Master the basics - It’s tempting to jump into advanced topics, but a solid foundation will take you further. Spend time understanding JavaScript fundamentals, they’ll serve you well throughout the course and beyond.
3. Be patient with yourself - It’s normal to struggle, to feel lost, and to doubt yourself at times. Imposter syndrome is very normal within the tech world! Progress doesn’t happen all at once, but if you keep showing up, it will happen. Trust the process and celebrate every little victory along the way.

Reflecting on My Achievements

The transformation I’ve undergone in just 13 weeks still feels surreal. From struggling with basic concepts like loops and functions to building a fully-fledged app with a team, I’ve grown in ways I never thought possible.

One of my proudest moments was seeing our team project come to life. It wasn’t just about the technical skills, we overcame challenges together, adapted to each other’s working styles, and created something we were all proud of. That experience solidified my confidence in working within a team, and I’m excited to bring that into my future career.

Closing Thoughts

The Northcoders Bootcamp has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged me in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and given me the skills and confidence to pursue a career in tech. To anyone considering a coding bootcamp: take the leap. It won’t always be easy, but it will absolutely be worth it. You’ll learn more than you ever thought possible, not just about coding, but about yourself.