| | Karlee Wright | I attended the Full Stack/Full Time Web Dev Bootcamp at the Draper Helio Campus in the Fall of 2018.
About Me:
Before we begin, you need to know a just a few things about me.
In a bootcamp setting like Helio, every student joins with different levels of understanding in regards to Computer Science and Web Development. I had none- of either. My background was in people management, sales and marketing. I was a basic ‘user’ with no prior exposure to the complex world of Computer Science or technical trades. I chose to attend a web dev bootcamp not because I absolutely knew I wanted to be a programmer but because I knew I needed to upskill myself in an environment of accountability with someone being a ‘sherpa’ to me in this big new world. I also knew this would be a challenge and having an in person resource 45 hours a week would give me ZERO excuses to fail.
My learning can be broken down into two basic components. What I learned about myself and what I learned about Web Development.
What I learned about Web Dev:
Helio will teach you (if you trust the process) Javascript, HTML, CSS and how to interact with your terminal like a real programmer. To make it a full stack you will learn about APIs, Database Schemas and basic CRUD operations. They will teach you how the languages are used within libraries and frameworks and the unique elements around each framework. Also you will learn about the Software Development Lifecycle and many, many, many more things not mentioned here.
What I learned about myself:
I can do hard things. Attending Helio has given me credibility with myself and the confidence I need to continually progress as a person who values technical skill sets. During the bootcamp, I was always totally out of my element. This is GOOD NEWS! Growth only happens in the pain and the constant feeling of never really being sure about what I was doing and sorta just rolling with it is good for anyone to experience. Lastly, I walked away with a deep sense of pride in what I had accomplished. I was more proud of myself for finishing Helio with proficiency than a 4 year degree and many other professional experiences that I had previously held on high. Also, my problem solving skills significantly improved.
Advice to Future Students:
Watch CS05 Lectures on YouTube for context about what you are doing.
Do the pre-work they assign, multiple times.
Take time to prepare yourself. While I do not suggest online training as a replacement for the bootcamp experience, it will serve as good context for what to expect when you do enter the bootcamp so you can ask better questions for clarity.
Learn how to learn.
Learn how to read documentation.
You likely will want to give up many times- don’t do it. If you are open, you will NEVER regret this experience for many reasons listed above.
This will be challenging. Breakdowns and freakouts are expected. Just when you think you understand something, a new element and level to understanding that thing will make you feel completely inadequate again. This is normal learn to enjoy it. In a sick way, I actually crave this now that I am graduated...time to upskill!!!!
Advice to Helio:
Questions? My least favorite part. Questions? Huh… of course I have questions. About pretty much everything..where to even start?!?!?
Advice: Instead of waiting for the class to ask questions, it would be nice to have instructors check for knowledge to expose those black holes.
Continue the lectures, and afternoon coding sessions. Also continue to review content multiple times for understanding.
Continue to be supportive of your students! I cannot thank you all enough for your patience and support. The personal connection I had with everyone (instructors, career services and even the president of Helio) will not be forgotten. Special shout out to Wes and Tanner in Draper. Yall are Tops and I appreciate you so much!
Make sure that students are aware of all the different career paths in tech. Programming might not be for everyone but being technically literate surely is!
Keep the class sizes small. So great for 1:1 understanding and attention. |
