Disclaimer: this post is not meant to be educational but more of a therapeutic release. It is meant to be informative to some degree and hopefully give you some light-hearted laughs. If I made you smile, I succeeded at my goal.
So.
No, this is not a throwback to Staind lyrics (if you know this band, two things. 1: I'm feeling old already in my early thirties. 2: let's be friends?). This is going to be a simple blog about how I'm feeling post-Flatiron School. It has only been about 3 weeks and I meant to write this shortly after graduating, but things happen. This thing called life sometimes creeps up and smacks you with all its might, presenting things in front of you that one may not have been ready for or even expecting. Life...
But overall, I must say I am content with where I am now. For one, I definitely need to start practicing my coding. I already feel it getting incredibly rusty especially after going the last 3 weeks without doing any of it. Bad me. But I will not reflect on that, I will only focus on my feelings post-graduation, in the event there may be others like me or have similar feelings.
The bootcamp experience was tough. Personally, it was an experience like no other. It was challenging and complex, but when you solve that code challenge, there is this release of dopamine that is inexplicable. I am aware that the release of dopamine is a natural human phenomenon, but I truly believe there is something unique to software engineers when that dopamine hits. Because it hits different. The level of satisfaction can sometimes make you feel like you can dunk over anything.
The code challenges themselves were tough, but that was expected. The projects we had to produce at the end of every phase was also challenging. I can honestly say I am grateful for all the individuals I was partnered with because they helped me along the way. I was learning on my own and also through them. Watching others work, trying to pick their brain as to why they did something a certain way, is so helpful. I found it incredibly beneficial to how I code. Also, it's inspiring to me.
I believe completing the in-person bootcamp was the right choice. I honestly was not sure at first, but having completed it, I can safely say it is. The people you meet and the friendships you can create are invaluable. I still chat with some of my cohort-mates via slack. The guidance you can receive on-the-fly is also such a huge benefit form the on-site instructors.
Now let me just say this. Can you learn all of this on your own and save yourself money? Simply, yes. What you get from Flatiron and their approach to teaching is structure, and this is probably the big plus for many. I cannot tell you how many people I encountered that mentioned procrastination as a huge stumbling block if they were to teach themselves at home. As I mentioned before, a sense of community and camaraderie. It is 15 weeks after all, people, so you might as well chat with the person next to you. And who knows, this person could become a lifelong friend even after the program.
Overall, depending what your views on bootcamps are or what you're trying to achieve and how you achieve it, Flatiron School was worth it. I now have a better understanding of JavaScript, React, Ruby, Ruby on Rails, CSS, some HTML, and it's all because of Flatiron and their rigorous program. And for that, I am, as DJ Khaled would say, grateful. Software engineering may seem daunting at first, but do NOT let anyone stop you, because anyone can do it. Just remember what DJ Khaled said to you:
So go out there and prove not only yourself wrong, but any of the doubters out there as well.
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