I’m guessing a lot of us are quietly thanking the virus, mixed blessings of course. While the rest of my work went into a kind of deep freeze, and picking up contracts and new business sporadically, it was time to learn a new skill and potentially claim a new career. As a company founder in media and content production, this was not an easy decision.
I researched, considered design as this is a world I know well but ultimately wanted to know the insides of the internet and how shit gets built. A short search led me to freeCodeCamp and I started quickly, much like most I imagine. The first month or so was relatively easy and the novelty of easy wins boosted my desire to keep at it, spend more time and get disciplined.
No different to running a business or perfecting your front crawl in the pool, in terms of focus, and much like doing crosswords - thinking laterally and methodically rewards you.
4/5 months in and a couple of certifications, plus the first slew of interviews for various junior dev roles, a couple of final ones with technical tests and plenty of encouragement.
The world starting to normalise, lockdown two came and went and the world opened up for late spring and early summer. A significant job came up in my normal career lane so I went for it. First interview nailed, second interview successful, invited to HQ for a final.
My confidence surged, but with that a newfound foundation of base skills inside digital, an ability to think with reasoning and patience. Ordered thinking, my brain like a file system, fluid and precise.
The final interviews went well, close but no cigar. Gutted but poured my soul into it and left nothing behind, no regrets. A week later, an offer to start immediately on a project also very close to my heart and able to pick things back up with my now resurgent current company with the world becoming more confident.
Present day and my brain is alive with possibility, despite the challenges this new world seems to face with the long tail of covid and the latest tyrant to flex their muscles. Perhaps this is the last of them? We can hope.
As for coding, it dragged my brain into the here and now. Forced it to reboot and build a system capable of dealing with modern challenges. I haven’t gone into a tech job but my skills are infinitely more enhanced and my ability to assimilate information, apply it efficiently and ensure all loose ends are tied up are verging on ocd.
Thank you guys, you have built something really special and so simple in delivery. My support will remain and my recommendations will continue to anyone who retains an interest.
Happy coding!
Steph