Winning the Battle Against Imposter Syndrome by Trusting the Process

This Instructor's teaching philosophy aims to replicate positive learning experiences and to "Teach the way I wanted to be taught."

"You're going to feel like you're not going to make it, that you're not comprehending the content of this course. Trust the process..."

When Luis Hernandez first arrived in the United States at age six, he couldn't have predicted his future career path would lead him to become both a software development supervisor and a passionate coding instructor. But his journey from liberal arts graduate to tech leader shows the importance of pursuing one's true calling—even when it means taking an unexpected turn.

"Reality is I went to college and I really didn't know what I was going to major in," Luis shares. "I picked up a liberal arts major and a minor in business. Obviously, reality is that doesn't open a lot of opportunities."

It wasn't until graduate school that Luis discovered his true passion: programming. This revelation led to a bold decision—leaving his stable position as an associate director of admissions to pursue a career in technology through a coding bootcamp.

"I quit my full-time job... and I said, you know what? I'm going to go full on into programming," Luis recalls. The risk paid off. Today, Luis leads a team of developers at the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, where he's been for nearly a decade, building and maintaining crucial pension administration systems.

But Luis wanted to do more than just succeed in tech—he wanted to help others find their path too. This desire led him to become an instructor at Nucamp, where he brings his wealth of experience and unique teaching philosophy to aspiring developers.

"I get this often from people that I've taught—that I communicate to students in a way that they understand," Luis explains. "I don't get bogged down with the technical. I explain it to them in a way that they can understand, simplifying it and removing the technical complexities."

What makes Luis particularly effective as an instructor is his ability to relate to his students' experiences.

"A lot of students enjoy the fact that someone's teaching them that went through a similar journey," he says. "I went to college for Liberal Arts and Graduate School for business. I'm not doing any of that because I realized that wasn't for me. And it's never too late to pivot and go see what you want to pursue."

This understanding of career transitions isn't just theoretical—Luis lived it. He paid nearly $15,000 for his own bootcamp experience, which required him to quit his job for 11 weeks of intensive study. This experience makes him especially appreciative of Nucamp's accessible approach.

"The flexibility that Nucamp allows permits individuals to do something on their own time," Luis emphasizes. "It allows you that flexibility, not to just quit your job, put family aside for two months, or three months. It's also much more accessible in terms of financials."

For those considering a similar career change, Luis offers vital advice about dealing with imposter syndrome: "You're going to feel like you're not going to make it, that you're not comprehending the content of this course. Trust the process. The curriculum is built with the intent of getting students to an end goal."

He adds a crucial reminder:

"If you feel like you're falling behind or not understanding things, reflect on where you were before you started this journey. I guarantee you that you're always going to be a lot further ahead than when you started."

Beyond his role as an instructor, Luis continues to expand his own expertise, particularly in emerging areas like AI and cybersecurity. "It's all about thinking ahead and seeing what the possibilities and opportunities may be coming up for individuals in the sector," he explains.

His final piece of advice for prospective students?

"Take advantage of the connections and the individuals that you meet along the way because they will be great resources for you, both your colleagues and your instructors. Don't just assume that showing up and completing your work is enough. Get involved."

Luis's journey from liberal arts graduate to tech leader and instructor demonstrates that with determination, the right support, and a willingness to embrace change, anyone can successfully transition into a tech career. Through Nucamp, he's helping others make that same transformative journey, but with greater flexibility and accessibility than he had available to him.

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Ready to start your own journey in tech? Learn from experienced instructors like Luis Hernandez at Nucamp Coding Bootcamp. Sign up today to take the first step toward your new career.