Top tips for bootcamp graduates in the workplace
Coding bootcamps are intensive.
If you’re currently doing a bootcamp or have graduated from one, you’ll know this already. In as little as twelve weeks, you learn lots — and at an unrelenting pace.
You’ll learn new technologies, how to solve problems, and how to build full-stack applications. Impressive, given that many bootcamp students start the process with little-to-no coding experience.
And after all that hard work, most bootcamp graduates will land an exciting new job in the tech industry. But doing an intensive three-month course is very different from working as a full-time software engineer. So how can bootcamp graduates make sure they are successful in their first tech job?
I caught up with some of my Credera colleagues, who are also bootcamp graduates, to find out their top tips for success in your first job after bootcamp.
Julia Jablonska
Julia Jablonska is a senior DevOps engineer. She did a bootcamp as part of a career change from the world of art conservation into tech.
Julia’s top tips
1. Don’t forget the skills you already have
If you’ve had a career in a different industry before coming into tech, be proud of your background and the journey you’ve been on to get here. Think about how you can transfer skills from your previous career into your new role.
2. Take notes
When I started working in tech, I found making notes of what I’d done each day incredibly useful. It’s good to have a record of what you’ve achieved and it can help you if you face a similar problem in the future.
3. Brush up on the fundamentals
Bootcamps teach you a lot of practical skills in a short period of time, but it’s worth putting effort into gaining a deeper understanding of the technologies you’ve been learning. With a better knowledge of the fundamentals, you’ll then be able to pick up any new tool.
Ayub Mohamud
Ayub Mohamud is a DevOps engineer. He previously did a degree in Economics before doing a three-month bootcamp.
Ayub’s Top Tips
1. Be prepared for the differences between bootcamp and the workplace
One key difference is that on your bootcamp, you probably built most of your projects from scratch. However, in the workplace, you’re more likely to be joining a project that is already up and running. Take the time to try and understand the code base you’re working with. If possible, reach out to whoever originally wrote the code you are now working on.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
People understand that you might need extra support in your first role. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help - be proactive and reach out if you have a question. Bootcamp graduates are often keen to learn independently, but it’s also okay to get advice from your experienced colleagues.
Hamad Ali
Hamad Ali is a software engineer with a love of front-end development. He joined Credera in 2019, straight after graduating from a coding bootcamp.
Hamad’s top tips
1. Share what you’re passionate about
Have a think about what kind of projects and tech you want to work with. Always be open-minded, but if there is something you are really interested in, make sure to let people know. That way, you’ll increase your chances of getting to work on a project that you are passionate about.
2. Ask lots of questions
A successful software engineer is always keen to learn new things, and asking lots of good questions really helps you to do this. It’s also a great way of connecting with your colleagues.
Sophia Bell
Sophia Bell is a senior engineer who specialises in front end. She previously worked as a digital content manager before moving into tech via a coding bootcamp.
Sophia’s top tips
1. Focus on quality
On a bootcamp, you quickly learn new technologies and use them to build something. And that’s an essential skill. However, when you’re working on client projects, you also need to focus on building a quality solution. You need to think about writing code that is robust and reusable. This is something you will learn how to do when you start to work on real production code.
2. Think about your work-life balance
It’s easy to get addicted to solving ‘just one more problem’ and then lose track of time. Remember there will always be more problems to solve, so make sure to maintain a healthy work-life balance — sometimes you’ve just got to close that laptop!
Closing thoughts
Whether you’re a bootcamp student or a graduate, be proud of your journey into tech and all that you have learnt so far. I hope these tips will help you make a positive impact in your first role in the tech industry.
A big thank you to all of my colleagues for taking the time to speak to me and share their top tips. Credera hires people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including bootcamp graduates, so why not check out our current vacancies?
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