How Matthew Became A Full Stack Developer Without A Degree

Matthew's Blue-Collar Beginnings Transform Into A Coding Career

In the scorching heat of Arizona, a determined soul sought a way to escape the sweltering sun and find a new direction for his life.

Meet Matthew Linsley, a former pool technician with a passion for video games and a knack for problem-solving.

As a natural problem solver, Matthew leveraged his skills as a handyman: holding a range of jobs in security, maintenance, truck diving, landscaping, and as previously mentioned a pool technician.

Matthew started cleaning pools after he and his wife found out their first baby was on its way.

With a little one on the way, they moved to Arizona to be closer to family. While the heat of Arizona meant there was a high demand for pools to be cleaned, it also meant Matthew had to endure the elements regularly.

It was time to embark on a new chapter of his life.

With the idea of starting a new career that could offer him both shade and an opportunity to spend as much time as possible with his growing family, Matthew began his job search.

The uncertainty of childcare and the need for a reliable income, also loomed over him.

At first, he tried his hand at day trading—it was a big craze at the time—but it didn't quite fit the bill.

Surprisingly, the sound of a dentist's waiting room was a catalyst for his destiny.

While waiting for an appointment, Matthew stumbled upon the world of coding bootcamps while job searching on his phone.

His eyes widened with curiosity.

Memories of his high school robotics class and basic programming resurfaced, reigniting a spark of passion for coding that had been waiting there all along.

Knowing that he needed guidance and structure to master a complete career transformation and with a young family to support, Matthew sought a coding bootcamp that aligned with his career goals and budget.

He was drawn to Nucamp for its affordability, clear path to follow, and the Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Path—a comprehensive curriculum that explored both front-end and back-end development.

Matthew approached his bootcamp experience with an all-in attitude, savoring each morsel of knowledge as he devoured the material.

The structured curriculum, small class sizes, the individual attention from instructors, and the ability to track his progress like checking off items on a list became a fulfilling feast for his learning appetite.

As he navigated through the bootcamp, Matthew appreciated the well-timed breaks between sessions.

Each bootcamp he completed was followed by a week or two off before starting again—something a full-time college degree program doesn’t afford.

Balancing the workload while raising a family required strategic planning and dedication, but he knew that this journey was his pathway to success.

With newfound coding skills under his belt, Matthew stepped into the job market with confidence.

Before graduating from the Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Path program, a job opportunity presented itself to Matthew.

Matthew was troubleshooting a problem with his Sazmining bitcoin account, and in turn got to know their senior developer in the process.

The interaction ended up providing a relationship that gave Matthew the opportunity to get his foot in the door for an interview.

Now that same senior developer and Matthew work together at Sazmining with Matthew now officially a Jr. Full Stack Developer.

Matthew has some advice for aspiring developers and coding bootcamp students:

“You need to be a self-starter. No one is going to hold your hand, so plan things out. Be ready to put your nose to the grindstone and to put in the hard work and dedication required for success.” - Matthew Linsley, Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Graduate

Matthew also emphasized the need for taking regular breaks to unwind.

When things get especially tough, get away from your screen for 10-30 minutes and go for a walk.

Also, don’t forget to ask questions.

Ask for help when you get stuck.

Seeking guidance when needed is the secret ingredient to thrive in the coding bootcamp experience.

Matthew's story is a testament to the transformative power of coding bootcamps.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of uncertainty, he soared to new heights in the tech industry.

His journey from a pool technician to a tech trailblazer is a testament to the possibilities that await those willing to take the leap and embrace change.

So, are you ready to embrace your own coding adventure and unlock a world of opportunities?

The path is yours to pave.

Register today: www.nucamp.co/community/near/you