Embarking on a journey in the world of programming and tech feels like stepping into a vast and ever-evolving landscape. This post will take you through my personal exploration, from my, still, evolving career aspirations to the strengths and challenges that shape my learning experience. I'll share how I plan to manage the demands of a tech bootcamp, what support I expect from the facilitation team, all while balancing the responsibilities of parenthood. This is the story of my journey as an aspiring coder, eager to navigate the intricate world of technology, one step at a time.
My Bootcamp Learning Plan
What is your long term goal and/or career pathway?
I'm still quite uncertain about exactly what it is I want to go into. There is also an ongoing uncertainty surrounding my family's future in New Zealand (possibly relocating in early 2024) that also hinders my thought process in terms of what opportunities are available, and maybe what company I would potentially like to work for, or what industry, since I we don't know exactly where we will go. I think right now, I'm quite excited about becoming an actual software developer in general, maybe developing apps. I've got a couple of personal project ideas that I'd love to work on short term to also keep up my skills, especially if we do end up moving and it takes a lot longer for me to actually settle and find a job.
I have a drive to create things, as there is this sort of "artist" living inside me. But I haven't seemed to find the right pathway in terms of creation for me yet. And I'm starting to think, maybe development is it. My overarching aspiration is to create something meaningful, like an app that positively impacts others' lives. If something I created was able to help someone else, that would be so freaking amazing.
On a more general level, the impact I want to make personally and to my family is that I get a job that allows me to work remotely. That isn't dependent on a location, and that allows us to have a bit more flexibility in our lives. I'd love to make money so that I feel personally financially stable, and that I feel like I can contribute equally to the household income. I know it's not necessary (and I'm lucky to be in such a position), but it would be awesome if I felt like I was contributing equally in a financial way.
A dream of mine is also to develop a video game with my brother. We've discussed this often, and would love to make this a reality. However, I don't think for either of us it would be a full time job, rather a passion project.
What do you think your biggest strengths and limitations will be in Bootcamp?
My biggest strengths will be curiosity/desire to learn, hard work ethic, and a desire to assist others. However, as I have learned throughout Foundations, the desire to assist others might also be a limitation, where in a negative way I compare myself to others and their journey and skills. Comparison and self doubt will be my biggest limitation.
What do you think your biggest non-technical challenge at Bootcamp will be?
I think my biggest non-technical challenge will be not burning out. I'm not going to lie, I had a few moments (at the end of Sprint 4 and 5) that I felt like I was done. There was just nothing that I could produce anymore, my brain felt full, and I literally told my brother "I wish there was someone here to take care of me..." Don't get me wrong, I am supported here, my partner is doing a great job picking up the slack with the toddler, but...I am still the caretaker. It's part of my personality (my ennegream is type 2, i'm an INFJ...it's built into me to help and take care of others...sometimes at the expense of myself). I still am doing just as much as I was before I started this program, to keep up the household, keep everyone fed, etc. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding a potential move in 2024 has been mentally taxing. I often start the week strongly but feel depleted by Thursday or Friday. I recognize the need to prioritize sleep, but I struggle with it as I use video games as a form of self-care, sometimes staying up late and accumulating sleep debt (which significantly affects my resiliency and ability to focus).
What non-technical skills - human skills - would you like to see developed in yourself while at Dev Academy?
I would love to develop my skills in giving and receiving feedback, and developing some leadership skills. I think both of these will be really helpful in also me moving away from self-doubt and comparison. I believe to be an effective leader, you must be confident in yourself but also confident in others. And you can't be confident if you're doubting yourself and comparing yourself to others.
What are your expectations from the Bootcamp team?
My expectations from the Bootcamp team are the same as the ones I had from the Foundations team. I expect the team to monitor students' progress and intervene if they notice someone falling behind significantly. I anticipate a supportive learning environment with clear guidance and constructive feedback.
What are your expectations of yourself on Bootcamp
I'm really happy to know that we have a weekly 1:1 with the Human Skills facilitator and the Tech Ins, and will use this time to address any concerns. I feel like I'm pretty good at reaching out for help when necessary, and when I feel overwhelmed I'll reach out for guidance and support. My commitments during Bootcamp remain largely the same as they did during Foundations:
- I commit to attending daily sessions and will use time-tracking tools like Toggl and the Pomodoro technique to stay focused.
- I'll maintain self-awareness and set clear goals to manage distractions effectively.
- I pledge to actively engage with facilitators, peers, and community members, assuming positive intent in feedback and collaboration.
- To prevent issues from building up, I'll seek help proactively when needed, recognizing that the bootcamp's success depends on my active participation.
My Foundations Learning Plan
Originally published on September 8th 2023
Strengths and Limitations in Learning:
I possess strengths like curiosity, passion, creativity, and a love for learning new things. However, my weaknesses include a tendency towards perfectionism, which can lead to burnout, sensitivity to criticism when it feels like my ideas aren't understood, and being easily distracted when fatigued.
Skills Development:
During my time at Dev Academy, I aspire to build my confidence and reduce self-criticism and self-doubt.
Workload Management Commitment:
- I commit to attending daily sessions and will use time-tracking tools like Toggl and the Pomodoro technique to stay focused.
- I'll maintain self-awareness and set clear goals to manage distractions effectively.
- I pledge to actively engage with facilitators, peers, and community members, assuming positive intent in feedback and collaboration.
- To prevent issues from building up, I'll seek help proactively when needed, recognizing that the bootcamp's success depends on my active participation.
Seeking Help:
When facing challenges or feeling overwhelmed, I will reach out to a facilitator for guidance and support. I understand the importance of countering my tendency to create negative scenarios in my mind with factual information and appreciate positive reinforcement to combat perfectionism and potential burnout.
Expectations from Facilitation Team:
I expect the facilitation team to monitor students' progress and intervene if they notice someone falling behind significantly. I anticipate a supportive learning environment with clear guidance and constructive feedback.
Scheduling Information:
I have family commitments, including caring for my toddler. My block-out times are from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM for evening routines and family time, as well as mornings until around 8:30 AM for household responsibilities. My partner will handle drop-offs and pickups for daycare, but if my toddler becomes sick and demands attention, I will work from the nearby library to maintain focus and productivity. I'm also prepared to work on projects after my son goes to bed, and before he wakes up, when necessary.