Making a career change to web developer seemed impossible for Hadiyo, a biotechnology graduate struggling to find fulfilling work after completing her BSc in Biomedical Science at Wits. The theoretical nature of her degree left her wanting more practical, hands-on experience. Just six months after enrolling in Code College’s Web Developer Bootcamp, she landed her first role as a junior full-stack web developer at an international software company with offices in South Africa.
Her story proves that a career change to web developer is not only possible—it’s achievable in months, not years. Here’s how this biotech graduate transformed into a full-stack developer through Code College’s intensive coding bootcamp program.
We sat down with Hadiyo to learn about her journey via Code College to become a full-stack web developer.
Your Journey Before Becoming a Web Developer
I studied Biomedical Science at Wits and got my BSc. degree but I was not interested enough in it to pursue a career in it. It was quite a theoretical subject, so I decided I could not continue to do Hons and started looking for other options in tech careers.
What Inspired Your Career Change to Web Developer?
I had a friend who was a software engineer at university. I googled coding boot camps and came across Code College. Due to my degree, I could apply for financing in the form of the ISA agreement which I fortunately obtained. This alternative to traditional university made my career change financially possible.
Why Choose Code College for Web Developer Training?
What I liked about Code College was you could work remotely. The testimonials confirmed that it was quite practical and straight to the core of the subject, which was what I was looking for.
The 6-Month Timeline: From Biotech Graduate to Web Developer
My journey from biotechnology to full-stack web development happened faster than I imagined. Here’s how those six transformative months unfolded:
Month 1: Introduction to Programming
Started with the fundamentals through Code College’s Intro to Programming module. Learned HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript. Built my first simple websites and discovered I loved the instant feedback coding provided—so different from the slow, theoretical work in biotechnology.
Months 2-3: JavaScript and Frontend Development
Dove deep into JavaScript ES6, learned React.js, and built interactive web applications. This is when I realized I could actually become a web developer. The concepts clicked, and I started thinking like a programmer. Created my portfolio website and several JavaScript animation projects.
Months 4-5: Backend Development and MERN Stack
Learned Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. Understanding how to build APIs and connect frontend to backend was challenging but incredibly rewarding. Built the cooking school booking system and blog platform, which taught me full-stack development principles.
Month 6: Capstone Project and Job Hunting
Completed my MERN stack movie reviews application while simultaneously starting to apply for jobs. Updated my portfolio, practiced coding challenges, and prepared for technical interviews. Got noticed by an international software company before even finishing the bootcamp!
Looking back, the six months felt intensive but achievable. The hands-on approach meant I was building real applications from week one, which kept me motivated throughout my career change to web developer.
Do You Need Coding Experience to Start a Bootcamp?
Not even, I started at the bottom with the Intro to Programming module and after that, I was hooked
Did you have to juggle working while completing the Bootcamp?
No, I was not employed anywhere else – I put all my focus on the Bootcamp
What was a typical day like in the Code College Java Bootcamp?
At the start of a module, the classes were full-day for at least one week and then the projects were done in a teamwork and pair programming fashion. We also had turns to be the team leader and do reporting and other team skills like peer support and error logging.
What was the teaching style like at Code College?
I liked it a lot because it is practical with regular check-ups to ensure we remain on pace and collaborative. The teacher involves the students in the training process and deliberately encourages knowledge sharing between peers.
Since this was for you an Online Bootcamp, how did you connect with your fellow students and instructors?
We had chat groups, a learning portal which supported collaborative working and, support groups. We were connected 24/7.
What Technologies and Skills Did You Learn in the Web Developer Bootcamp?
The bootcamp covered everything a full-stack web developer needs to succeed in today’s tech industry. Apart from the core technologies like JavaScript, Node.js, React, and MongoDB (the MERN stack), I gained both technical and professional skills:
Frontend Development Technologies:
- HTML5 and CSS3 – Semantic markup and modern styling techniques
- JavaScript ES6+ – Modern JavaScript including arrow functions, promises, and async/await
- React.js – Component-based architecture, hooks, and state management
- Responsive Design – Mobile-first development principles
Backend Development Technologies:
- Node.js – Server-side JavaScript runtime
- Express.js – RESTful API development and routing
- MongoDB – NoSQL database management with Mongoose
- SQL – Relational database queries and management
Professional Development Skills:
- Git and GitHub – Version control and collaborative coding
- Agile Methodology – Daily stand-ups and sprint planning
- Team Leadership – Rotating team lead responsibilities
- Code Reviews – Peer programming and quality assurance
- Technical Communication – Presenting work and explaining code decisions
These skills made me job-ready as a full-stack developer and gave me confidence during technical interviews.
What Real-World Projects Did You Build During the Bootcamp?
The Web Developer Bootcamp focused heavily on building real applications that I could showcase to employers. Each project taught different full-stack development skills:
Portfolio Projects I Built:
1. Self-Hosted CV Portfolio Website
My first project became my digital presence throughout my career change to web developer. Built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, this site showcased my growing skills and projects. I updated it continuously throughout the bootcamp, and it became a key talking point in interviews.
2. JavaScript Animation Applications
Created interactive animations using vanilla JavaScript to master DOM manipulation, event listeners, and dynamic content rendering.
3. Cooking School Booking System (Node.js MVC)
A full-stack application where users could register their interests and book various cooking classes. This project taught me the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern using Node.js and Express, plus database integration for storing user registrations.
4. Book Store E-Commerce Application
Built a complete CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) application that consumed a books API. Users could browse books, manage their cart, and perform all basic e-commerce operations. This project strengthened my API integration skills.
5. Blog Publishing Platform
Developed a full-featured blog where authenticated users could log in, write articles, edit posts, update content, and delete their work. This taught me user authentication, session management, and data security.
6. Movie Reviews Website (MERN Stack)
My capstone project combined everything I learned. It consumed a movie API, allowed users to create accounts, rate movies, write reviews, and interact with other users’ content. Building this full-stack MERN application (MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js) proved I could handle complex web applications from database to front-end.
Every project went into my portfolio and gave me concrete examples to discuss during technical interviews for web developer positions.
How Did the Bootcamp Prepare You for Web Developer Interviews?
Adding my profile to sites I was noticed by an international software company in Europe with offices in South Africa, before Code College even sent my CV to their usual clients. Code College mentored me to be prepared (psychologically and practically) for my interviews. My first interview was done by the HR team in Europe and my second interview was with the local team in South Africa
My portfolio which I built in the first module, grew with me and highlighted my projects and experience. It was an integral part of my CV and was showcased to employers and recruiters
I was placed in the open job market with a new employer to Compuways existing client base
The Job Search Process: From Applications to Employment
My career change to web developer culminated in landing a full-stack developer position at an international software company. Here’s how it happened:
Building a Strong Portfolio
My self-hosted portfolio website, which I created in the first module, became my most powerful tool. I continuously updated it with new projects, adding the cooking school app, book store, blog platform, and finally my MERN stack movie reviews site. Each project demonstrated different skills that employers wanted to see.
Getting Noticed
Before Code College even sent my CV to their usual clients, I was discovered through my online presence. The international software company found me, likely through my portfolio or GitHub profile. This proved that having visible, quality projects is crucial for web developer job seekers. For more on how employers can hire bootcamp graduates, companies can connect with Code College directly. This proved that having visible, quality projects is crucial for web developer job seekers.
The Interview Process
My interviews happened in two stages:
First Interview (HR Team in Europe):
A video panel interview lasting over an hour with 6 people—technical staff, managers, and HR. They asked about my background, my career change from biotechnology, and what motivated me to become a web developer. They were impressed by my dedication and the ISA financing path I took.
Second Interview (Local Technical Team):
The South African team asked detailed technical questions about JavaScript, Node.js, React, and my projects. They gave me a full-stack development assignment to complete—essentially building a small application to demonstrate my skills. All my bootcamp projects prepared me perfectly for this.
What Made the Difference
The interviewers specifically mentioned that my portfolio projects stood out. They could see I had hands-on experience with the MERN stack, understood full-stack architecture, and could explain my code decisions clearly. Code College’s emphasis on practical skills over theory paid off enormously.
Within weeks of completing the bootcamp, I started my role as a junior full-stack web developer—proof that a career change to web developer in six months is absolutely achievable with the right training and dedication.
What Web Developer Roles Were You Qualified For After Graduation?
- Full-Stack Web Developer (MERN Stack) related roles
Do Employers Value Bootcamp Graduates’ Skills?
Yes, they asked me in detail about my Intro, Javascript, Node js, React, and projects completed. I was given a Full-Stack assignment as an interview test.
Advice for Others Considering a Career Change to Web Developer
If you’re a biotechnology graduate, business professional, or anyone from a non-tech background considering becoming a web developer, here’s what I learned:
Is a Bootcamp Right for You?
A coding bootcamp works best if you:
- Want practical, job-ready skills quickly (3-6 months vs. 3-4 years for a degree)
- Are willing to commit fully—bootcamps are intensive and require dedication
- Learn better by doing rather than pure theory
- Need to change careers without spending years out of the workforce
- Value having a portfolio of real projects over a traditional degree certificate
The Time and Financial Commitment
Be realistic about what’s required:
- Time: Expect to dedicate 40+ hours per week for full-time bootcamps. I focused entirely on Code College without other work commitments, which allowed me to absorb the material fully.
- Finances: Explore all financing options including the ISA (Income Share Agreement), which lets you study now and pay later after employment. This made my career change possible.
- Mental commitment: There will be challenging moments. The jump from biomedical science to web development felt overwhelming at times, but the daily progress kept me motivated.
Success Tips from My Experience
1. Build Projects Immediately: Don’t just follow tutorials—build real applications you can show employers. Each project in my portfolio was mentioned in my interviews.
2. Embrace the Community: Work with your classmates. Pair programming and code reviews taught me as much as the formal lessons. The collaborative environment at Code College prepared me for real development teams.
3. Document Your Journey: Keep your portfolio updated, maintain a good GitHub profile, and even blog about what you’re learning. Employers want to see your thought process and progression.
4. Don’t Compare Yourself to CS Graduates: You bring different strengths. My biotechnology background gave me strong analytical skills and attention to detail that I now apply to debugging and problem-solving in code.
5. Practice Technical Interviews: Code College’s interview preparation was invaluable. Practice explaining your code, whiteboarding algorithms, and discussing your project decisions clearly.
Why Coding is Worth It
Beyond the career prospects, coding offers something biotechnology didn’t give me: immediate problem-solving satisfaction. When you write code and see it work, you get instant feedback. You’re creating functional solutions that people can use. Plus, the tech industry offers:
- Remote work flexibility
- Continuous learning and growth
- Global job opportunities
- Strong earning potential
- Creative and analytical work combined
If I could make a successful career change from biotechnology to full-stack web development in six months, anyone with dedication and the right training can do it too.</p
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
Inspired by Hadiyo’s story? Code College’s Web Developer Bootcamp could be your path to a rewarding tech career. Whether you’re coming from biotechnology, business, or any other field, our practical, hands-on training prepares you for real developer roles in just 6 months.
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