Q: Tell us about yourself! Which city do you live in?

My name is Kris, and I live in Boston, Massachusetts. I have been in sales for over 10 years, with the past five years spent in technical sales. I work in a fortune 500 software company and have always been interested in the technical aspect of things and love engaging in critical thinking.

Q: Is this your first time learning to code?

I am familiar with HTML, CSS, and a bit of JavaScript. I am excited to dive deeper into JavaScript, Ruby, and other programming languages with Altcademy.

Q: Why did you decide to learn coding?

I have been in sales for a long time and was looking for a career change. One of my coworkers transitioned into software engineering after completing a bootcamp, and now he is a lead software engineer. He became my mentor, encouraging me to pursue a career in software engineering. I love the critical thinking aspect of coding and believe it's the perfect fit for me.

Q: How do you like coding so far?

Coding can be challenging, but I genuinely enjoy it. I love the critical thinking aspect and the opportunity to learn new skills. HTML and CSS were a bit tough, but I am looking forward to diving deeper into JavaScript and exploring other programming languages. I particularly like Altcademy's approach to teaching, which includes a mix of practical exercises and tests to reinforce my learning.

Q: How are you doing so far in the program?

I am currently working on the JavaScript section of Altcademy's program and moving at a steady pace. Their curriculum is well-structured, and I appreciate the support from mentors like David. I plan to finish the program by June and start applying for software engineering positions.

Q: What are your goals?

My short-term goal is to complete Altcademy's program within the next three months. After that, I plan to work on real-life coding projects to gain hands-on experience. My mentor has suggested working on projects in GraphQL, which I'm excited to explore. Ultimately, I aim to land a job as a software engineer and continue learning and growing in the field.

Kris's journey from sales to coding shows that it's never too late to make a career change. With dedication, hard work, and the right guidance from programs like Altcademy, anyone can learn to code and pursue a fulfilling career in software engineering. As Kris continues his journey, we look forward to seeing him excel and make his mark in the tech world.