Q: Can you share a little about your background?

Before I dove into the world of coding, my career was in property management. Daily, I dealt with issues concerning property repairs and maintenance, coordinating with engineers, handling invoices, and managing customer interactions. To be honest, it wasn’t fulfilling, and I yearned for a change. Computers have always been a natural fit for me; friends and family would often seek my help for tech issues. I spent part of my 20s exploring different career paths, but nothing really stuck until I stumbled upon coding—it's been a quest to find what really clicks for me.

Q: What sparked your interest in learning to code?

It started with a curiosity that gradually developed over time. Sometimes, I’d spend time exploring the 'Inspect Element' feature on web pages, attempting to make sense of the chaos of HTML and CSS that I saw. Through trial and error and a lot of Googling, I began to pick up bits of knowledge. My desire for a more technical understanding of computers and my enjoyment in manipulating them to do what I wanted solidified my interest in coding.

Q: Why did you choose Altcademy, and how has your learning experience been?

The turning point came when I realized I needed structured learning to understand coding from the ground up, which was something I felt free courses weren’t effectively providing. I discovered Altcademy through a top-rated online bootcamp list and decided that a more formal and paid program would benefit me. Altcademy suited my needs as it provided a comprehensive curriculum starting right from the basics.

Q: How do you plan to apply your new coding skills?

I have set a goal for myself to complete Altcademy's full-stack web development program within a year. Once I complete the program and build a solid online presence with a technical portfolio, I'll start looking for job opportunities. Initially, my plan involves remaining flexible about location, applying for positions across the UK, and moving where the work takes me. Long-term, after gaining about five years of industry experience, I'm aiming to start freelancing on the side.

Q: Can you tell us about a project you’re currently excited about?

I'm currently working on creating a skills tracker for myself. While learning JavaScript, I needed a way to keep my HTML and CSS skills sharp. So, the idea is to develop a program that will take inputs like skill descriptions, my confidence level, and how fundamental they are, then it suggests which skills I need to revisit on a given day. It's going to be a personal project, but one that will immensely help me reinforce my learning while practicing real-world programming.

Q: What advice would you give to others considering a career in coding?

From my perspective, learning to code is not just about remembering syntax; it's about understanding concepts and learning how to solve problems. Sometimes it feels daunting, and there are days when a quiz question can take hours to solve. But each hurdle crossed brings a new level of understanding and satisfaction. My advice is to be patient, stay committed, and don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance when you need it.