Before starting coding bootcamp, Marilee was working at a non-profit. In college, she studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. She was planning to attend graduate school and was about to start an MA program, but after some reflection decided that she wanted a new career path. Now she is working as a Microsoft!
How did you decide to pursue a career in coding?
“I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in coding after talking to some software developer friends who seemed happy and fulfilled in their careers. I thought their work seemed genuinely exciting and creative, and I envied the freedom and flexibility that they had. We Can Code IT turned out to be a better alternative to graduate school and saved me from a ton of student loan debt.”
What was your coding experience before the program?
“I had very little experience in coding but learned a small amount of CSS and JavaScript in high school and worked with some Content Management Systems at my job. I was a complete beginner to Object-Oriented Programming and databases when starting the bootcamp.”
What do you like about We Can Code IT?
“Mel has a strong vision for the program, and We Can Code IT gave me a lot more career options than I would have had if I had not attended. In the course itself, I enjoyed the comradery, the exposure to .NET, and the projects.”
Tell me about your job search, and your eventual choice? How long did the process take?
“About 10 days after graduating coding bootcamp I landed my first role at OEC, then in February 2018 I got accepted into the LEAP internship program at Microsoft and I have been working full-time at Microsoft since July 2018. We Can Code IT exposed me to a lot of opportunities that I would not have otherwise known about. Microsoft likely would not have been on my radar if they had not introduced me to the LEAP program. I am thankful to WCCI for opening my eyes to possibilities that I would not have considered before.”
What did you find most surprising on your journey to become a coder?
“My journey has had extreme highs and extreme lows. In a short period of time, I went from working as a software contractor to having job offers from Microsoft and NASA. Although this career requires extreme persistence and continuous learning, I find it surprising how quickly the opportunities have come.”
