#189 - Brooke Sweedar’s Front-Line Report: Surviving and Thriving After a Coding Bootcamp
Nov 18, 2024
auto_awesome
Brooke Sweedar, a recent coding bootcamp grad and job seeker, shares her journey from executive recruitment to tech. She offers invaluable insights on thriving in coding bootcamps, balancing learning with a busy life, and standing out in a competitive job market. Brooke discusses the vital mindset for success in tech education, the struggles women face in the industry, and the significance of mastering programming languages like JavaScript and TypeScript. Her tips for leveraging LinkedIn and community support are enlightening for anyone looking to navigate the transition into tech.
Maintaining a positive mindset and setting specific goals are crucial strategies for navigating the challenges of a coding bootcamp.
Leveraging LinkedIn for accountability and community building can significantly enhance networking and learning opportunities during a career transition.
Deep dives
Mindset for Success in Bootcamp
A crucial aspect of succeeding in a coding bootcamp is maintaining a positive and determined mindset throughout the process. Brooke Sweetar emphasizes the importance of recognizing the challenges that come with the fast-paced learning environment of bootcamps and the necessity of commitment to the journey. She highlights that even though she had some experience with coding before starting, the depth of knowledge required quickly overwhelmed her, illustrating that prior familiarity does not guarantee an easy experience. Maintaining focus through trial and error, setting specific goals, and sticking to a schedule were key strategies she employed to navigate the difficulties of her bootcamp experience.
Choosing the Right Bootcamp
Selecting a suitable coding bootcamp is essential for anyone considering a career transition into tech. Brooke discusses her decision-making process, which involved thorough research on different programs to ensure she found one that fit her learning style and offered real value. She cautions potential students against programs that guarantee job placements, emphasizing that such promises are often unrealistic and can lead to disappointment. Additionally, she recognizes that bootcamp experiences can vary widely, with some people succeeding while others may feel they wasted time and money; thus, individuals must consciously choose environments that align with their goals.
Leveraging LinkedIn for Accountability
Brooke elaborates on the role that LinkedIn played in her personal and professional development as she transitioned into tech. Initially using the platform for accountability, she began sharing her coding journey, which not only provided her with external motivation but also fostered connections with other professionals in the industry. By openly discussing her experiences, challenges, and victories, she cultivated a community that offered support and guidance, which significantly contributed to her success. This strategy exemplifies how creating a public narrative around one’s progress can enhance both learning and networking opportunities in the tech field.
The Importance of Skills Beyond Coding
The discussion highlights that having technical skills alone is often not sufficient in the tech industry; soft skills also play a crucial role in career growth. Brooke emphasizes her background in recruitment, which has equipped her with essential communication and interpersonal skills that are often in high demand in tech roles. As she seeks job opportunities, she is focused on both her coding abilities and the value she brings through effective collaboration and communication. This recognition of the importance of soft skills sets her apart in a competitive job market, showcasing a balanced approach to personal branding and career development.
Brooke Sweedar is a recent coding bootcamp grad currently on the job hunt.
She gets real about what it actually takes to make a coding bootcamp work for you (especially if you're a busy professional), her meteoric rise on LinkedIn, how she's standing out in a crowded market and the reality of career change.
Plus some hawttttt takes.
You can connect with here here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-sweedar/
Shameless Plugs
(NEW)The Inner Circle - a highly customized program to take you from 0 to hired
🧠 Parsity - a coding program for career changers (limited to 15 people per quarter)
🚀 dev30 - learn JS in 2025 and get a massive discount to Parsity