Graduating from a coding is a huge accomplishment! You've invested some serious time and effort into learning the skills to launch your tech career and now you might be wondering 'What next?', but fear not, we've got your back.
Find Your Developer Niche
Your coding bootcamp exposed you to various coding paths. Take some time to reflect and figure out what truly interests you. Did you enjoy the visual aspects of front-end development, or were you more intrigued by the logic of back-end programming? Consider the projects you excelled at and the areas that sparked your curiosity. This will help guide you towards a role that feels fulfilling.
Sharpen Your Coding Tools
Remember the thrill of conquering coding challenges? Don't let it slip away! Consistent practice is key. Dedicate time each day, even if it's just for a short coding challenge on Codewars or Leetcode. Tackle your personal projects or explore new technologies. This ongoing practice will embed your knowledge and build a portfolio that impresses potential employers.
Build Your Tech Network
No developer thrives in a vacuum, nothing does really so get connected with your tech community! Follow industry leaders on social media, join coding forums and attend meetups or workshops. These interactions will expand your network, expose you to different perspectives and provide valuable learning opportunities.
Craft a Strategic Job Search
Ready to put your skills to the test? Don't just blast out your CV everywhere. Tailor your applications to each role and company. Highlight bootcamp projects and skills that directly address the job requirements. Consider creating a separate "coding portfolio" on platforms like GitHub to showcase your projects. Remember, quality over quantity. Focus on a handful of well-crafted applications and personalize each one for maximum impact. A job search can be a marathon, not a sprint. Be persistent and learn from each rejection. Every application is a step closer to landing your dream tech job.
Explore Your Tech Career Path
The beauty of coding bootcamp? It unlocks a variety of career options. Here are just a few:
- Front-End Developer: Build stunning user-friendly web applications.
- Mobile App Developer: Make it native by creating mobile apps.
- Data Analyst: Find insights hidden within data to create informed decisions.
The possibilities are endless, from software engineering to game development or even Dev Ops the tech industry offers a long list of exciting and rewarding career paths.
Your coding bootcamp was your foot in the door, now it's time to leverage your newfound skills and confidently navigate your exciting tech career journey.
About the Author
James has 8 years with Fortune 200 US firm ITW, experience of managing projects in China, USA, and throughout Europe. James has worked with companies such as Tesco, Vauxhall, ITW, Serco, McDonalds. James has experience in supporting start-up and scale up companies such as Readingmate, Gorilla Juice and Harvest London. James completed his MBA at the University of East Anglia in 2018.
