Backend Coding Bootcamp Student Got a Job in Tech Before Graduating

From Shipping Specialist to Support Engineer, Seldin Company

"I always made sure to attend my instructor’s office hours, even around my job and busy life. My instructor was very proactive and was a great mentor to me. Remember to find what you want to do and put in the time and effort. You’ll get there!”

This is Clint Richards, a Nucamp Back End Bootcamp graduate and now a Support Engineer at Seldin Company.

Clint had been working in a factory setting 2016.

His most recent position had been a shipping specialist with decent pay, didn’t mind the type of work, and enjoyed who he worked with.

But, when Clint became a father in 2017 he started to look for a job that would give him the freedom to work from home and earn more to support his growing family.

Clint was inspired to learn coding by his father-in-law who is a software developer.

In 2019 Clint joined a coding bootcamp, but that particular bootcamp wasn’t a great fit for him, and didn’t feel it prepared him to learn the material; it was very open-ended and he had to hold himself accountable.

Then in 2021 Clint and his brother found Nucamp and they both decided to register for the Web Development Fundamentals bootcamp at the end of 2021.

They both really enjoyed how the Nucamp bootcamp was structured.

After graduating from the introductory bootcamp, Clint joined the Back End Bootcamp.

During this bootcamp, Clint came across a job opening on LinkedIn that he was interested in.

He wasn’t actively looking for a job just yet, but took a chance and applied.

Clint’s efforts paid off and he now is a help desk Support Engineer at Seldin Company.

In his current position, Clint helps people with both software and hardware issues.

“My job is really fun and I excel at the hardware side. On the software side, I have had to put the time and effort into learning. When I interviewed for this job I liked everyone I met and got a sense of how great of a company it was. I knew I didn’t want to do factory work anymore so I jumped on the opportunity even though I hadn’t even finished my coding bootcamp and wasn’t actively looking for jobs yet. Getting the first job in a new career is the hardest, so it's important to get your foot in the door”

Do you use your coding bootcamp skills in your job?

“Not yet necessarily, but I do work on automation projects in my free time. My current supervisor knows this is an entry-level position and a stepping stone in my new career. By working on my coding skills I can apply them to automate and improve the efficiency of my current role and potentially move up the ladder.”

What advice do you have for people who are thinking about attending a bootcamp or about to graduate?

“When applying for jobs focus on the requirements that you can do vs over how long you have been doing them. My boss has told me 90% of it is personality and 10% of it is confidence; that’s what will get you in the door. Then you can always learn what else is expected of you. Also, try your best to connect with your classmates and people in the industry on LinkedIn, ect.”

Is the backend bootcamp a realistic path to get that first job in tech?

“Yes. It does depend on what you do outside of class and how much work you put into your bootcamp. Take full advantage of having an instructor; turn on your camera, engage with your instructor and peers, and apply your knowledge by building projects.”

What would you recommend someone study or brush up on before taking the Back End Bootcamp?

“I cannot recommend the Web Development Fundamentals Bootcamp enough. It got me used to IDE and all the essentials you absolutely have to know how to use before you get into the back end material. For me, I completed and then redid the week’s coursework. If I felt I wasn’t getting it or if I felt like I got to the test and I didn’t understand something enough, I would redo that section, or even the whole thing, to drive it home until I actually understood it. If you go through the work and it feels easy, but you didn't truly understand it in the end, you need to hold yourself accountable and work through it more. Take every minute you can with the instructor during the workshops.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

“I see my career path moving toward a full-time software development job focusing on automation. Spending 6 years on a production floor wired my brain to think of ways to make things more efficient, so I would like to dive into automation as much as possible.”

Watch Clint's live Campfire interview with Nucamp's CEO, Ludo: