Student Stories
Learn How They Did IT
Coding Bootcamp Student Stories
Jack’s Story
Jack recently started his professional career in sales after his college graduation. He enrolled in our coding bootcamp once he realized sales was not the career for him. Today, Jack works for Key Bank as a Credit Risk Analyst. Check out his story here!
Jonelle’s Story
Jonelle, one of the Graduate Speakers for our Friday Spotlights, was a cosmetology instructor when she realized it was time to switch up her career. Click here to learn how Jonelle matched her career to fit her interests.
Pedro’s Story
Pedro was moving towards a medical trajectory while working as a Professional Opera Singer when he became sick with COVID. During isolation, he started coding. Because he enjoyed coding so much, he decided to change his career path and attend our coding bootcamp. Read his story here.
Dallas’s Story
Dallas Baldwin has always been fascinated by the way certain technologies work together. As a young boy, he would frequently frustrate his family members by taking apart the VCR. Little did they know, Dallas was in the works of developing a new lifelong passion.
Lyzz’s Story
Lyzz Hans isn’t your run-of-the-mill technophile. She has a master's degree in adult education, and she taught GED prep in a men’s correctional facility before attending We Can Code IT. She found the job extremely rewarding but always had an interest in technology. Read her story here!
Emmanuel’s Story
After taking advice from his military chief, Emmanuel decided to pursue his interest in computer science through attending a coding bootcamp. WCCI accepts GI Bills and Chapter 31 or 33 benefits. Read about how Emmanuel started out in military bootcamp then worked his way to coding bootcamp!
Tyrique’s Story
Tyrique was never fond of school. He discovered the concept of a coding bootcamp through a friend, but wanted to make sure he was in a suitable learning environment. He attended our PreSkill program for basic tech training, then realized his calling for coding. Read his story here!
Dawna Natale’s Story
After getting her Bachelors in Chemistry, Dawna decided she wanted to re-explore an education in tech despite losing touch with her passion after high school. Read how Dawna efficiently balanced bootcamp with daily life.
Jennifer Jones’s Story
Jennifer realized it was time for a career change after she returned from her study abroad experience in Africa. With the help of her friend's recommendation, she decided to attend We Can Code IT. Find out how Jennifer got the first job in tech that she interviewed for!
Five Women To Watch
Read about how five professional women found their footing and led their team to success during We Can Code IT's part-time coding bootcamp!
Brandon Terry’s Story
Brandon was a supervisor at the Cleveland Museum of Art when he started searching for ways to get involved in tech. Although he didn’t have any education in computers, he wanted to make a serious career change to the tech industry that would improve his quality of life.
Krystyna Ewing’s Story
Krystyna had a job in creative design before bootcamp, but wanted to expand their tech knowledge in new ways. They attended a different coding bootcamp before We Can Code IT, but the program was not the right fit. However, the second time was a charm for Krystyna.
Jordan Easter’s Story
Jordan was a carpenter before he decided to attend our coding bootcamp. He was able to pursue a new career because of a grant from Ohio Means Jobs. Jordan was hired quickly after following instructions perfectly from our Career Advancement team. Read his story here!
Nina Payne’s Story
Nina Payne was a year into a bachelor's program for computer science when she discovered We Can Code IT's coding program. She quickly transitioned out of the bachelors program and into bootcamp. then landed a job before she graduated from her 14 week program.
Richard Montgomery’s PreSkill Story
Richard Montgomery was a college dean taking around-the-clock care of his son and mother when he realized he needed to make a career switch that was more fitting to his busy schedule. Find out how Richard made the switch to a career in tech!
Nana Yirenkyi’s Story
Nana Yirenkyi had a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in black studies. After completing his undergrad, he began to review the job market and realized that he wanted to change direction to align his skill set with a desire to land a high paying job in the exploding tech market. Read his story here!
Dasmine Wright’s Story
Dasmine Wright spent around three years in IT until she decided she wanted to advance her tech knowledge. By attending We Can Code IT, she made valuable connections, studied various interview tactics, and learned how to program. Read her story here!
Kendyl and Sam’s Story
Couples That Code Together Stay Together:! Engaged We Can Code IT Bootcamp Alumni Become Software Developers. Read their story here!
Hugh McGee’s Student Story
Before bootcamp, Hugh McGee spent 12 years of his life as a night watch guard at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Read his story here!
Ricardo Gutierrez’s Story
Ricardo Gutierrez was working as a project manager with a bachelor’s degree in business administration until COVID-19 hit and forced him into unemployment. He started working as an Amazon delivery driver. However, Ricardo knew he would not want to deliver for Amazon forever, so he decided to go back to school and further his education. Read his story here!
Linda Martinez Davis’s Story
Linda Martinez-Davis had a devastating 2020. She had lost both of her parents and was furloughed from her job during Covid-19. However, after attending We Can Code IT, Linda felt that the tides had turned in her favor. Read her story here!
Jeffery Salisbury’s Student Story
Jeff realized We Can Code IT was the right move for him when he started watching his friends code.. Read his story here!
Alex Gochenour’s Student Story
After getting his undergraduate degree in Chinese Studies and moving to China for 10 years to pursue a career as a linguist, Alex Gorchenour woke up one day and realized that coding may be the right career for him. Read his story here!
Douglas Pennington’s Student Story
Douglas Pennington started out as a warehouse manager for a mattress company. He went to college and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Previous Amazon IT Technician Becomes A Developer For The Cleveland Cavaliers Prior to Bootcamp Graduation
Previous Amazon IT Technician Gives Props To His Cohort and Becomes A Developer For The Cleveland Cavaliers Prior to Bootcamp Graduation. Jovahnn Tucker always knew he belonged in the tech field, it just took him a moment to find his way into the world of coding
Coding Bootcamp Grad Falls in Love With His New Career (and JavaScript)
Jon was searching for more knowledge about coding languages, and he came to the right place! Today, he has a new career he loves.
Stephanie Stone Student Story
After many years of teaching secondary school, Stephanie Stone decided she wanted to start a career in tech. Read her story here!
Bootcamp Grad Lands a Career in Software Development Despite the Pandemic
Daniel unlocks a new life in tech, advances his career, and gains lifelong skills after attending We Can Code IT's 14 week bootcamp!
Nationwide Remote Student Graduates From Bootcamp and Becomes Software Engineer
After attending our bootcamp, Dylon advanced his career, gained skills in tech, and overcame imposter syndrome. Enroll in our bootcamp and you can too!
Cleveland Coding Bootcamp Graduate Shifts from Cooking to Coding
A successful chef for 10 years, Brian Yuhas was ready for a change from the stress and long hours of restaurant work. He had zero background in coding or software development...After attending We Can Code IT’s 14-week remote course on full-stack C# development, Brian was immediately hired by PNC Bank.
Full-Time Coding Bootcamp Graduate Sees the Big Picture in “How Things Work”
Stella Law entered We Can Code IT from an unusual trajectory. With her master’s degree in Art Policy and Administration from The Ohio State University, she had been working in nonprofit fundraising for 12 years. Stella was certified at the professional level in Raiser’s Edge fundraising software and always interested in understanding it on a deeper level. Losing her job due to COVID-19 cutbacks, she took the leap and enrolled in the 14-week Full Stack Java course.
Coding Bootcamp Graduate Lands Job and Works Her Way Up To Senior Developer
Austen started WCCI Coding Bootcamp, and quickly realized that WCCI was the right place for her. “Everyone had really good energy. There were a lot of women in the room which was really encouraging. I felt very comfortable, and I wasn’t intimidated.”
Cleveland Coding Bootcamp Graduate Happy to Break into Tech Field
Rhonda Smith had previous education in web and digital media skills but had never received the support she needed to launch a new career. Attracted to the We Can Code IT focus on welcoming and encouraging women and people of color in the tech field, she signed on for the 16-week full-stack Java development course. Even before finishing, she was hired by one of Cleveland’s leading software development companies.
Cleveland Coding Bootcamp Graduate Starts New Career at The Cleveland Orchestra
Coding bootcamp graduate Kelli Valverde was determined to evolve in her career and manifest the success she wanted. She had a budding interest in software development and web design after a ten-year career as a graphic designer. Kelli decided We Can Code IT was the place to find the support she needed in taking her career to the next level. Her decision would pay off when just months after graduating, she would achieve her goal by landing a full-time UX/QA Designer position with The Cleveland Orchestra. Learn more about her journey to achievement, and how our program helped prepare her for her new role.
Cleveland Bootcamp Graduate Finds His Niche in Software Development
We Can Code IT graduate Josh Yang was working his first adult job as a Client Services Representative when his boss pointed out his capabilities in software development. After attending our coding bootcamp Josh has gained confidence in his coding and interpersonal skills. Using the networking strategies he learned at our bootcamp, Josh was able to secure a fulfilling role. Learn more about Josh’s journey from an apprehensive student to a confident software developer.
Cleveland Coding Bootcamp Graduate Starts New Career at Progressive
Unsatisfied with her previous work experience, the recommendation of an associate would lead her to seek a start in software development at We Can Code IT. With support from Mayor Frank G. Jackon's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, Angel was able to fund half of her tuition cost through their grant. The risk she took would prove to pay off as just months after graduating Angel would achieve her goal in landing a full-time software development position at Progressive.
Bootcamp Graduate Takes A Leap to Change His Career
Coding bootcamp graduate, Brian Bross was seeking a career change that would provide him with the opportunity to spend more time with his family. He had secured a degree in culinary arts but was tired of spending nights and holidays away from his two young girls. With the encouragement of a good friend and after hearing rave reviews about our program he had decided to give We Can Code IT a shot.
Coding Bootcamp Graduate Is Prepared for the Real World
Since a teenager bootcamp graduate Nick Hergatt had a gift for IT and computers, though life had somehow gotten in the way of him pursuing a career. After listening to suggestions from family and he friends he decided to give We Can Code IT a try. "We Can Code IT works miracles with people."
Coding Was the Answer for this Bootcamp Grad
Former student, Isaac Canonico had worked several different jobs in many different industries, yet still couldn't find his niche. After using his initiative to seek out the right career path for himself, Issac made the decision to take a risk in software development and he chose We Can Code IT as a starting point.
Bootcamp Graduate Jon Cunicella Follows His Passions
After attending our coding bootcamp Jon was able to use our career service tips to land a job as a developer with Chase. Learn more about Jon's journey from an apprehensive student of coding to a professional working developer.
Student Becomes First Woman Developer at Scriptdrop
After attending an Admissions Open House and meeting the We Can Code IT staff, Izzy decided that We Can Code IT would the perfect place to provide her with what she needed to take the leap into learning code. Learn more about Izzy's journey and how the learning environment impacted her experience by preparing her to become the FIRST woman developer at her new job with Scriptdrop.
Mallory Bush Cleveland Coding Bootcamp Student Story
Mallory was working in retail when she made her decision to join We Can Code IT. Unsatisfied with the work she had been doing she was determined to find a path that would leave her feeling fulfilled. She found her passion at We Can Code IT.
From Bicycle Mechanic to Developer: Brad’s Success After Coding Bootcamp
From Bicycle Mechanic to Developer: Brad's Success After Coding Bootcamp After working in the bicycle industry for 10 years, Brad knew he needed to make a big career change. He decided to attend We [...]
Brian Lands New Career at the #1 Company on His Interview Bucket List
Brian first sparked interest in working at Progressive after they showcased their company to his cohort. Just a few weeks after graduating from We Can Code IT, Brian started a new career at Progressive!
Emmanuel Goes from Customer Service Representative to Systems Engineer
Before We Can Code IT, Emmanuel worked as a customer service representative. After attending We Can Code IT, Emmanuel landed a systems engineer position at Nationwide Insurance!
Jamie’s future is looking bright after attending We Can Code IT’s software development bootcamp
Before We Can Code IT, Jamie worked as a customer service representative, now she has a software development position at Chase!
Stay-at-home mom and graphic designer to UX developer
Before attending We Can Code IT, Meaghan was a stay-at-home mom and graphic designer. Now, she's in UX development, her dream job.
Kaitie Leaves the Financially Uncertain Field of Substitute Teaching to Begin her Tech Career
Before attending We Can Code IT, Kaitie was a substitute teacher and dance instructor. Now, she's a Software Developer at Splash Financial.
Sharon Combines her Social Sciences and Art Background with Tech to Become a Front-end Developer
Coding Bootcamp Grad Combines Social Sciences and Art Background with Tech to Become a Front-end Developer Sharon was working several small jobs and in graduate school when she found out about We Can Code IT. [...]
Meaghan Goes from Stay at Home Mom to Senior UX Designer
Columbus Coding Bootcamp Grad Goes from Stay at Home Mom to Senior UX Designer Meaghan was burnt out on NYC and her job, so she moved to Columbus, OH to be closer to her family. With [...]
Evening Coding Bootcamp Carrie Ryan Alumni Spotlight Update
Evening Coding Bootcamp Carrie Ryan Alumni Spotlight Update We Can Code IT graduate, Carrie Ryan, was featured in an Alumni Spotlight interview with Course Report back in July 2017. Since then, she has been promoted from [...]
Veteran, Pete Fittante, reboots his career after the military
"When people come out of the military they are used to structure. Coding is all about structure. All about challenges. All about teamwork. Those 3 things are what you learn in the military."
Jamie Starts New Career Earning 3x Her Previous Salary
Jamie Starts New Career Earning 3x Her Previous Salary After leaving college and being told she’d never make it, Jamie was hired before graduating We Can Code IT's bootcamp. Jamie states that We Can Code [...]
Coding Boot Camp: The Face of Success
In just three months, the change in my outlook and happiness is amazing. In college, I learned a lot of marketing theory but not practical skills. I got hired in sales and customer service for a large national bank and was miserable. My skills were underutilized and I kept applying for jobs where I needed tech skills. My dad is a software developer and I remember talking to him . . .
Darín utilizes networking to land competing job offers
Coding Bootcamp Student Utilizes Networking to Land Competing Job Offers I graduated from Oberlin College as a Comparative American Studies major. I was a Bonner Scholar, for which I did a variety of volunteer service and [...]
Jason lands a software engineer position
After a conversation with a friend about the benefits of coding bootcamps, Jason found We Can Code IT in Cleveland, OH. He now has a new career as a software engineer at AmTrust.
Cierra Starts a New Career as a Mobile Developer
Cierra Starts a New Career as a Mobile Developer After a search of coding bootcamps across the country, Cierra decided to attend We Can Code IT in Cleveland, OH. A collaborative learning environment helped her [...]
Olay Lands a Spot at Microsoft
Olay Lands a Spot at Microsoft Olay attended We Can Code IT coding bootcamp after initially earning a computer science degree in New Jersey. While researching different coding bootcamps, he found that We Can Code [...]
Juan Starts New Career at Progressive and Achieves Work-Life Balance
Juan Starts New Career at Progressive and Achieves Work-Life Balance Juan came to the United States to pursue an education in music. While working two jobs in the music field he realized he wanted [...]
Kyle Makes the Switch from Politics to Programming
After working in politics in Washington DC, Kyle returned to Ohio. He began to research coding bootcamps after reading about their rising popularity. He found We Can Code IT and attended the full-time cohort in [...]
Mary’s Path to We Can Code IT is Paved with Diverse Interests
Mary has studied everything from Illustration and Printmaking to Math and Art History. While earning her degree in Philosophy, she took a class in Database Systems and was surprised by how much she enjoyed it. [...]
Rachel Gets Back in the Game!
Rachel found herself in a dead-end tech career and knew it was time to re-skill herself in order to keep pace with great job prospects. She found We Can Code IT and attended our full-time [...]
Dear Future Coding Bootcamp Student: Reflection from Tori
Tori shares her reflections on her coding bootcamp experience at We Can Code IT. "You will probably feel incredibly unprepared and as though you have no idea what is going on. This is a completely normal state for any human being at any given time, and it is a totally valid emotion to feel when attempting something new. Try not to let it get to you. Take a deep breath and throw yourself into it..."
Lexus lands job at JP Morgan Chase During Coding Bootcamp!
Lexus Davis studied engineering management at Ohio University, but found out after graduating that getting a job without having coding skills is very difficult. Employers wanted her to have real skills to bring to the [...]
Ashley Shows Them What She’s Made Of!
Ashley hated her college experience, not because she wasn't bright, but because it dragged on and became difficult to manage. After a bad marriage, and an unfulfilling job, Ashley felt hopeless. That's when her friend, [...]
Katherine Lands Her Dream Job at Hyland!
When Katherine graduated from college, her business administration degree helped her land a job as a content marketing specialist, but she aspired to much more. After attending a coding school in Miami, she decided she needed more. [...]
Coding Bootcamp Teaches Computer Science Student Real Skills
Coding Bootcamp Teaches Computer Science Student Real Skills After earning an undergraduate degree in computer science, Dee felt like an impostor. She didn’t have the mentorship or support to pursue her dream job in software, [...]
Dear Future Coding Bootcamp Student: Reflection from Marilee
Dear Future Coding Bootcamp Student: Reflection from Marilee Recent We Can Code IT graduate, Marilee, gives a reflection on the course and also three pieces of advice to anyone considering a coding bootcamp. [...]
Coding Bootcamp Alumni Spotlight: Indira Quadrupled her Salary in only 6 months
Indira Samuels attended We Can Code IT’s part-time coding bootcamp. After graduating from the coding bootcamp, Indira landed a software engineering job with TMW, and more than tripled her pre-bootcamp earnings. In this interview, we’ll ask Indira about her coding journey and how attending We Can Code IT Coding Bootcamp changed her life.
