Enrolling in software development and coding bootcamps is a popular way to break into tech. And with the market size of coding bootcamps at $1.6 billion in 2022 — with an expected growth rate of 17 percent according to a report from Expert Market Research — bootcamps will only get more and more popular.
Bootcamps also provide professionals with the opportunity to make a meaningful career change. This was the case for Kristy Hisaw when she enrolled in a coding bootcamp.
“Before I enrolled in a bootcamp, I already had a career, but I was hitting a professional growth dead end. I felt like I had run out of exciting things to learn in my field,” Hisaw said. “I had also had a certain amount of success learning coding on my own for fun and personal projects. An accelerated bootcamp environment was really the best-case scenario for me to make a change quickly with minimal downtime.”
Despite their popularity and benefits, not all companies and teams look for professionals with coding bootcamp experience; some prefer engineers with more traditional backgrounds. Luckily, this narrative is shifting. As bootcamps become more popular, so too will the companies that hire bootcamp alumni.
One such company is Ookla, a software company that provides insights on network connectivity testing and research on consumer experiences. Ookla recognizes the need for innovative developers but is also aware that not everyone’s career path looks the same.
We spoke with a software engineer from Ookla that broke into tech through a coding bootcamp and hasn’t looked back since.
Ookla is a software company that provides connectivity and customer network experience solutions through data analysis and market research.
What appealed to you about enrolling in a coding bootcamp and breaking into a tech career?
Ultimately, enrolling in a coding bootcamp and breaking into tech presented an opportunity to turn my passion for puzzles and problem solving into a fulfilling and purposeful profession. It allowed me to pivot from my old career quickly and embark on a new journey where I was working on challenging projects that I felt passionate about.
I think what surprised me most (but totally shouldn’t have) is that other folks in tech are just as passionate about things as I am. It’s so refreshing to work in a field where everyone is excited about what they’re doing. I would make the change again in a heartbeat. It’s so refreshing to work in a field where everyone is excited about what they’re doing.”
It’s so refreshing to work in a field where everyone is excited about what they’re doing.”
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when entering the job market after finishing bootcamp? How did you overcome those?
I entered the job market in July of 2020, when few companies had lifted their pandemic-induced hiring freezes. There weren’t a lot of available positions for junior engineers. I was in the middle of a promising interview round with a company who suddenly no longer had the budget for that role. It was really tough.
I found it really important to stay positive, remain persistent and continue improving my skills and knowledge. I leaned heavily on my network for information about opportunities and my classmates for interview and algorithm practice. I also sought out alternative opportunities to practice my skills. I was able to work as an intern for a couple of months at a great company until their hiring opened up to offer me a full-time position. Several of my classmates also pursued internships or apprenticeships to keep their coding skills sharp while they job hunted, and it really paid off for all of us.
What advice would you give to current or prospective bootcamp students about landing their first job after graduating their program?
Network, network, network! I think folks who are enrolled in a bootcamp hear that so often that it can become a cliché, but it's common advice for a reason. Any interview I've landed or opportunity that I've been able to pursue has come to me through my network.
Lean on classmates to help practice interviewing skills. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel going into any interview.
Choose quality over quantity in your job applications. It can be tempting to build one resume and throw it at every application, but taking a few minutes to tailor your standard resume to the specific job can go a long way.
I also think it's really important — especially in a tough job market —to be diligent about your search, but give yourself a break sometimes. Applying for jobs can feel like a full-time job itself, so try to take a step back for a day or two when you can.
