How did you find your time on the bootcamp?

A great, well-structured course, that is hard and does require a lot of effort but so it should do! You come out of it confident to begin your new life as an entry level dev and will have learned things you didn't realise they were even teaching you, like self reliance and problem solving, as well as the actual coding.

What were you doing before the bootcamp and what made you apply?

I worked as a software tester and travelled the country as a contractor but with the kids leaving home, I wanted a new challenge and one that would lead to a job that was permanent, local and there was demand for the skills, so the course fitted the bill, as I tried and loved the Introduction to Programming course that Northcoders ran.

What was the support like on the course?

The tutors were fantastic and always helpful and when I hit a low point during the back-end module and nothing was sinking into my brain, they showed me simple steps for me to try to solve my coding problems and even stayed behind after hours to convince me I could do it and I have never forgotten. The next day I came in and did what they said and I was back up and running, I count it as a positive, because nothing ever felt quite as hard afterwards.

How much support did you receive from Northcoders with your job search after the course?

I was given good support in finding a job and had 2 tech tests, which I passed, as I had followed the advice about how to do my CV and how to take tech tests and had practised after the course had finished. Also I read and watched everything they sent me including a 1 hour video of a mock tech test, which I recommend everybody watches to the end, it was exactly like that test for me.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying?

I wanted to take a classroom-based course and there is so much more you can pick up that coding at home doesn't give you. The little things you learn from the tutors, as well as the big ideas and the discipline of attending and completing tutor marked assignments and projects was exactly what I needed for myself and for any future employer to see.

Anything else that you would like to add?

It really is a great course and although intensive learning for 3 months is tough, you just learn to get on with it and complete the work and before you know it you are on Project Phase, writing a working app you would never believe you could do at the start and looking back at how much you have learnt.