Coding Diary
Author’s Note

Welcome aboard, mate! :)
Greetings, curious one. Welcome to Jaz’s Actualize Coding Diary. Here you will sail the ship with me to experience what it’s like to learn coding from Actualize bootcamp online to become a software developer.
What is Actualize?
Actualize is a rigorous, part-time full-stack web development bootcamp with cohorts located in Chicago’s Technology & Entrepreneurship Center, 1871, and just recently opened their first online cohort (which I am in!). They are proud to have teaching professionals who have experience in both education and software engineer. I chose Actualize for their mentorship style of teaching and apprenticeship experience.
Curriculum calendar:
Weeks 1–4: Prework. Individuals build their coding foundation by practicing coding exercises through video tutorials, narrated by Actualize founder Jay Wengrow himself!
Weeks 5–17: In-class. Students and instructor meet online full day Sunday 9am-5pm (CT) and Monday to Thursday 6pm-9:30pm (CT).
Weeks 18+: Apprenticeship. Students will work in teams to gain hands-on workplace experience through apprenticing at Actualize. This can be done online, and can span from weeks to months, it’s up to you.
Get to know me
Who am I?
I am a millenial girl from Des Moines, IA actively practicing Mahayana Buddhism. I have been a vegetarian for life, and am also a fluent bilingual.
The loves of my life:
- Taiwan: aka Formosa, “the beautiful island”, where I was born. It is a food haven.
- Interior design: Painting, decorating, renovating, moving furniture…I love it all!
- Plants: From choosing the right ones to growing and learning their names and personalities.
- Instruments: I’ve learned the Chinese violin “erhu” professionally, and like to play on the piano for fun.
- Family: My world.
- Charity: My purpose.
Author’s Note
You and I have more in common than you’d think. We eat, we sleep, we get tired and we have good days (and bad days). Furthermore, we have beliefs, feelings, and responsibilities.
I am pointing out our commonalities because I used to think people who go through bootcamps are, well…superhumans. Seventeen weeks of hardcore training to go from zero to mastery didn’t seem humanely possible to me. From my lack of computer background, I wasn’t the least bit motivated to apply to coding bootcamps.
…until I met Jay Wengrow at a coding info session. He told me that at Actualize, anyone can learn to code. Anyone. It was a bold statement and one that got me applying, even though I still thought someone like me wasn’t good enough to be in the program.
At the time I am writing this to you, I am in the ninth week of the program and going strong. Mind you, it is by no means a breeze to get by. As someone like me, you will have to work twice as hard and spend your free time reviewing class notes and videos. But with hardwork, a positive outlook and a growth mindset, you can sail the coding world with courage and determination.
In this diary, I will be blogging about things I learned from Actualize bootcamp, and sharing reflections on my growth as an individual. If you want to get a taste of what it’s like in an online coding bootcamp, click the follow button! :)
To learn more about Actualize, visit their website Anyone Can Learn To Code. You can also see raving reviews of the program at SwitchUp.
