Read on to learn about Cressida’s transition into tech, thanks to TechSwitch’s intensive coding bootcamp.
For some, entering into a career in tech is a no-brainer. It’s the path they’ve always wanted to take, a dream that started when they first discovered the excitement and potential that tech brings.
But for others, the idea that their future lies in the technology industry is a realisation – a lightbulb moment that illuminates their path to career contentment.
Speaking of which, meet our TechSwitch sensation, Cressida.
Fresh out of university, Cressida was searching for the right career path, but couldn’t quite put her finger on exactly what industry she wanted to make her mark in.
So sit back and buckle up as we take you through her journey from uncertainty to contentment.
When Cressida left university, the biggest question of all loomed over her: “So…what do I do now?”
Cressida had an array of jobs before she discovered her passion for tech. From tending bars to doing administrative work.
Then, realising she needed to make a change, Cressida shared her worries with a friend, who proposed the idea of trying out programming:
“One day, one of my friends said, ‘Oh, I think you might really like tech.’ I studied linguistics at uni and we did some modules in logic, which I remembered enjoying. So my friend who worked in the industry said, ‘Oh well if you like that, then programming is kind of similar – why don't you try it?’ I did some free online tech courses initially, and that felt good to me, so I decided to pursue it.”
Drawn by the logic and problem-solving aspects of software development, she decided to venture into this exciting field. Cressida's exploration eventually led her to TechSwitch. And it wasn’t long before she was fully immersed in her coding bootcamp, carving her path into the tech industry.
Cressida was initially attracted to the TechSwitch course due to the numerous opportunities for women:
“I heard about TechSwitch on a website that was encouraging women to work in tech. I then had a couple of interviews and understood what their mission was - and it all sounded really good to me.”TechSwitch’s intensive bootcamp didn't just equip Cressida with the fundamentals of tech, it also offered her practical experience that closely mirrored real-world challenges.
“You are given challenges that you would get in a developer role. So you actually build things, and you come across really, really annoying bugs and have to spend hours debugging…. But by the end, you’ve built something that works and is usable. It’s really satisfying!”
After completing the challenging three-month course, Cressida felt she was well prepared for a career in tech:
“I'm really, really glad I did it, and I think it is great training.… When I left, I very quickly got a job, and even in just three months, the course had taught me enough to prepare me for it.”
Just before the course ended, Cressida found her first job in tech at TechSwitch's parent company, Softwire.
“I was lucky because at the time the parent company of TechSwitch was recruiting junior developers and hired me directly out of the bootcamp.”
TechSwitch's influence in her career doesn’t end there. Its training style nurtured her ability to tackle unfamiliar challenges and comfortably settle into her developer role:
“The course teaches you how to learn, and I think that is probably the most important thing it does. It makes you feel okay with not knowing the answer immediately…. You need to work through the problems, break them down, research things you don’t understand and have the confidence to know you’ll find the answer. I think that was the biggest lesson I had to learn.”
Cressida’s journey with TechSwitch highlights the value of its bootcamp, which goes beyond just coding. The course gives its students the necessary skillsets and confidence to thrive in the tech world.
Her story proves that TechSwitch is the perfect choice for anyone eager to switch to the tech industry, as well as for employers who are seeking versatile, self-driven, and resilient candidates with diverse backgrounds.
As Cressida puts it:
“It's really valuable training. I found it difficult at the time...it was a struggle for sure…. But that's what TechSwitch does - it challenges you, and then it lets you see how far you can grow. There’s a great sense of achievement as well. The training opens up new doors.”