Graduate Stories

From Consumer Product Licensing to Software Engineer

RickPreview: Rick

How did you find your time on the bootcamp?

Northcoders was one of the most challenging and fun experiences of my life. I knew I enjoyed coding before starting Northcoders but I was worried that I'd get half way through the course and not like coding anymore! Safe to the say the opposite is true, thanks to the excellent curriculum and wonderful tutors I'm even more excited to embark on my journey as a software engineer.

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

I was working in consumer product licensing prior to Northcoders. While I did enjoy the job I can't say it was ever my passion, I just happened to land an internship in the industry and stayed in it for 7 years. After working on some great projects I had to start thinking about my future, I looked at those around me and I knew I wasn't particularly driven to work hard enough to take that next step in my career. I had been coding on and off in my spare time and once I found out there was an opportunity to turn it into a career I applied to Northcoders and the rest is history.

What was the support like on the course?

The tutors on the course are fantastic. They've all completed the course so they're aware of the challenges that are faced along the way. They were always there to lend an ear whether it was about coding or life in general. I did remote course so even though I've never physically met any of them I've no doubt I've made some friends for life.

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

The careers team are excellent. My main concern was that I'd be competing for jobs with Comp Sci grads and I'd have no chance. The careers team work with an array of employers who all know about the quality of the graduates coming out of Northcoders and value their life experience over someone fresh out of university. Thanks to a job recommended by the careers team I had a job offer before I had finished the course.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying?

Just start coding. If you've never done any before then there's countless free resources that will teach you the very basics and if you find yourself enjoying it and coming back to learn more then definitely look to Northcoders as a way to accelerate your career into coding

Anything else you'd like to add?

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.