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Coding Dojo Alumni Success | Eric Somogyi

How Online Alumni Eric Somogyi Went From Admin to Engineer

Pre-Dojo:

  • Worked as a Windows System Administrator
  • Felt his job was a dead end
  • Desired learning how to develop automation, processes, and tools

After Dojo:

  • Associate Network Engineer
  • Driving digital transformation for companies
  • Bright future & potential new DevNet role

Program: Online Full-Time Coding Bootcamp
Testimonial:

The best part was that it was it’s own product, with its own method of instruction. Creating my own functions instead of calling a pre-made function was a fundamental knowledge that I’m excited I received.

Tell us a little about yourself. Age, hobbies, passions, and what you were doing (professionally) before the bootcamp.

I am 32 and I have a lot of hobbies like skateboarding, music, golf, biking, technology, and games. I’m constantly searching for new experiences and education. Prior to the bootcamp I worked as a Windows System Administrator, where I mainly was patching Microsoft’s mistakes and fixing workstations, servers, inventory management, help desk, etc.

Beyond the desire of learning to code, why did you decide to enroll in a coding bootcamp? 

With little experience in tech, besides Windows administration, I was sick of having to read through dozens of KB articles and picking what patches might affect the environment in a negative way. It felt like a dead end and I wanted to do more with automation, creating processes, and developing tools to make things easier.

What fears or doubts were holding you back from enrolling? How did you get over them?

What kept me from applying originally was not being financially prepared. I had been scoping out coding bootcamps for over a year prior to my enrollment. In time, I had created a budget for some future education and classes. Then, I put in a 4 week notice to my employer, and took some time to myself to plan my next steps.

What sealed the deal on Coding Dojo? Why did you choose us over other programs?

A friend had referred me and explained that it was worth the experience. The setup of the pre-bootcamp was clean and I felt good knowing that the online courses would be paired with instructors, contain class mates, and have consistency. 
The best part was that it was it’s own product, with its own method of instruction. Creating my own functions instead of calling a pre-made function was a fundamental knowledge that I’m excited I received.

What was it like getting ready for the bootcamp? How did you prepare?

After being hit with buyer’s remorse, it faded away pretty quickly once I focused on the pre-bootcamp material. In addition to the pre-bootcamp course, I was using free coding apps on the side to fill in any holes.

Walk us through your first few weeks in the program. What were parts you liked? Parts you struggled with?

The first few weeks were great. There were a lot of challenges but the initial instructor was fantastic in providing different explanations and solutions.

How did you overcome the obstacles or struggles you faced?

Searching for the answer, trial and error, and asking for help.

Beyond the coding expertise, did the bootcamp give you anything else?

Seeing the TCP/IP & OSI model full circle was unique.

How did the job hunt go? Where did you land a job?

After about 3 months of searching I had finally landed a job as an Associate Network Engineer. It was for AHEAD, a national IT consulting and solution provider. Strong partnerships with AWS, Azure, Dell, VMware, Cisco, and ServiceNow allow us to deliver digital transformation that drives businesses forward and keeps them relevant. Despite my initial work not involving any coding, my future looks like Cisco’s appealing DevNet role that is heavy on python and REST API.

What advice do you have for others who are interested in coding bootcamps or who are just starting one?

Have the time cleared and scheduled set, let your family and friends know that you’ll be very busy, and what you put in is what you get back. Lastly, be communicative with the instructors – if you don’t, it can be frustrating for both of you!

What are your goals or dreams for the future, say 5 or 10 years from now?

Working on infrastructure automation in network and security remotely while sitting on a beach 🏖🏝

If you are interested in learning how to code so you can make your dreams a reality, Coding Dojo offers accelerated learning programs that can transform your life. We offer both part-time and full-time online courses, as well as onsite (post COVID-19) programs. We also offer financing options, scholarships, and other tuition assistance programs to help you with financial barriers. 
Whether you’re unsatisfied with your career, or just want to invest in yourself and your future, there is no better time than the present! If you’re interested, use this link to schedule a 15-minute exploratory session with one of our Admissions representatives today.