How did you find your time on the bootcamp?

Writing on the distinction between pleasure and joy, Zadie Smith describes pleasure as predictable and achievable like our bodies response to eating a slice of cake. Joy however comes unbidden, It's not predictable and it's stranger than pleasure. Two months into the course I was sweaty, busy and surrounded by the brightest buttons, all of us trying to solve complex coding problems. I was also Joyful. I couldn't tell you exactly why, but it crept up, just as I was trying to get my UI to optimistically render.

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

I was illustrating, designing and helping local libraries with there IT support and promotion. I got well into softwares place within municipal services and wanted to do more than just the jpegs.

What was the support like on the course?

All the teachers are Indie heart-throbs with big soulful eyes. Much like Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs they gently coax a greater understanding out of you. During one lecture I brought in a Casio MT-70, one of the 80's grandest technological achievements. The tutor was so skilled that he swept us through the lesson using minor and major keys to illustrate the code, dissonance to punctuate error and a solemn march to soundtrack our exit from the classroom.

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

My personal careers channel was pinging at 160 BPM with advice, offers, interview prep and support. Before each interview I felt like a star athlete being given a rousing speech by his steely coach.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying?

Life is fleeting. Each day we're thrown into this confusing world and we just have to make the best of it. Northcoders is making the best of it.