For years, Mitch figured a coding career was somebody else's dream — interesting to watch from the outside, but out of reach. Today he's a Java Developer at one of the big five banks in South Africa, building the RESTful APIs and data-intensive systems that power the bank's products, after completing Code College's Full Stack Web Development / Java Developer Bootcamp.
Key result: Mitch went from believing coding was "an unattainable dream" to working as a Java Developer at one of South Africa's big five banks, using Spring Boot, REST APIs and SQL on the job every day — skills his employer specifically valued from day one.
A Dream That Felt Out of Reach
"I was always interested in coding, but thought it was an unattainable dream until I heard about Code College," Mitch says of his pre-bootcamp days. It's a feeling a lot of career changers share — curiosity without a clear way in.
What Inspired Him to Study Software Development
Mitch has always been fascinated by how technology solves real-world problems. Growing up, he loved breaking down how things worked — a game, an app, even a simple website — and wanted to understand the logic behind it. Over time that curiosity turned into something bigger.
"I realized that software development isn't just about writing code; it's about creating solutions that can impact people's lives. The idea that I could build something from scratch and see it come to life motivated me to pursue this path."
For Mitch, coding combined creativity, problem-solving, and continuous learning — three things he values deeply.
Why Code College?
Mitch chose Code College for one main reason: how well it prepares graduates to be noticed and hired in the real job market. "It wasn't just about learning the technical skills, it was about ensuring that those skills translate into real opportunities in the industry," he explains. He points to the combination of hands-on training and strong industry connections as what set Code College apart — along with the career readiness, mentorship, and access to a network of recruiters that gave him confidence he'd be prepared to step into the job market.
No Coding Experience? No Problem
Mitch didn't need any prior coding knowledge to apply — Code College's bootcamp is built for complete beginners.
A Typical Day in the Bootcamp
Mornings started with lectures introducing new concepts and frameworks, followed by hands-on coding sessions applying what he'd just learned through exercises and small projects. Afternoons were usually spent on pair programming or group work, building collaboration and problem-solving skills alongside classmates.
How Many Hours a Week?
"There isn't a fixed number of hours required to succeed," Mitch says. "The results truly depend on the effort you put in. If you are willing to work hard, challenge yourself, and dedicate enough time to both practical exercises and theoretical concepts, you will build the skills you need and achieve success."
Hands-On Teaching, Real Mentorship
The teaching style was practical from day one — instructors emphasized applying concepts immediately through coding exercises, projects, and real-world scenarios, rather than sitting through theory alone. Pair programming and group work meant students learned from each other as much as from instructors, who Mitch describes as approachable, supportive, and focused on making sure students understood why an approach works, not just how to type it.
Staying Connected — Fully Online
Mitch completed the bootcamp online, and stayed connected through dedicated Discord channels for discussions, group projects, and quick questions, plus regular live sessions with instructors for real-time feedback. "I never felt isolated — the online setup actually taught me how to communicate effectively in a remote environment, which is a valuable skill for modern workplaces," he says.
What He Learned
Mitch built a solid foundation across the full stack:
- Frontend: JavaScript, React, and Angular for interactive user interfaces
- Backend: Node.js and Java, including Spring Boot, for designing scalable applications
- Databases: MongoDB and PostgreSQL
- APIs: Designing and consuming REST APIs
Projects He Built
The bootcamp's project work spanned both ends of the stack — interactive web apps built with JavaScript, React, and Angular, and RESTful APIs built with Node.js and Java Spring Boot, connected to MongoDB and PostgreSQL. Full-stack projects included e-commerce platforms, task management apps, and social media-style applications, giving Mitch practical experience designing, coding, testing, and deploying real applications.
Getting Job-Ready
By graduation, Mitch felt confident applying for junior software developer, full-stack developer, and web developer roles — as well as backend-focused positions like API developer or junior Java developer, thanks to the REST API and full-stack project work. "The combination of frontend, backend, and database skills meant I could pursue a wide range of entry-level positions in software development with a strong foundation," he says.
Life as a Java Developer Today
In his current role at one of the big five banks in South Africa, Mitch works extensively with APIs and data-intensive system design — building and maintaining RESTful APIs that let different applications communicate efficiently, while focusing on performance and scalability. "It's rewarding because I get to apply the backend skills I developed at Code College — like Java, Spring Boot, and SQL — directly to real-world projects," he says. "The work is challenging, but it keeps me learning and growing, and I enjoy seeing how my contributions improve the systems we build."
His employer noticed the training too. "They valued the fact that I had hands-on training with in-demand technologies like Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, SQL, and full-stack development tools such as JavaScript, React, and Node.js," Mitch says. "That combination of technical skills and applied learning reassured them that I could contribute from day one."
"I use many of the skills I gained at Code College every day... I also apply the problem-solving mindset and full-stack perspective I developed there, since my work often involves designing data-intensive systems and integrating APIs. The practical, job-ready training I received has translated directly into the responsibilities I handle in my role."
Inspired by Mitch's story? Learn about Code College's Java Bootcamp → or read our career change guide →