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.
Key result: Hadiyo went from a Biomedical Science graduate with zero coding experience to employed full-stack web developer in 6 months.
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 Honours 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 bootcamps 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. 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 realised 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 a cooking school booking system and a 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, practised coding challenges, and prepared for technical interviews. Got noticed by an international software company before even finishing the bootcamp!
Do You Need Coding Experience to Start a Bootcamp?
Not at all. I started at the bottom with the Intro to Programming module and after that, I was hooked.
What Was the Teaching Style Like?
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.
What Technologies and Skills Did You Learn?
The bootcamp covered everything a full-stack web developer needs. Apart from the core technologies, I gained both technical and professional skills:
Frontend Development
- 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
- 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 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
What Real-World Projects Did You Build?
1. Portfolio Website
Built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — this site showcased my growing skills and became a key talking point in interviews.
2. Cooking School Booking System (Node.js MVC)
A full-stack application where users could register and book cooking classes. This taught me the MVC pattern using Node.js and Express.
3. Book Store E-Commerce Application
A complete CRUD application consuming a books API — users could browse books and manage their cart.
4. Blog Publishing Platform
A full-featured blog with user authentication — taught me session management and data security.
5. Movie Reviews Website (MERN Stack — Capstone)
My final project — consumed a movie API, allowed users to create accounts, rate movies, write reviews, and interact with other users' content. Proof I could handle complex full-stack applications end-to-end.
How Did You Land the Job?
Before Code College even sent my CV to their usual clients, I was noticed by an international software company in Europe with offices in South Africa. Code College mentored me to be prepared — psychologically and practically — for my interviews.
My first interview was with the HR team in Europe — a video panel with 6 people. My second interview was with the local South African team, who gave me a full-stack development assignment to complete. Every project I built in the bootcamp prepared me for exactly those questions.
"The interviewers specifically mentioned that my portfolio projects stood out. They could see I had hands-on experience with the MERN stack and could explain my code decisions clearly."
Advice for Anyone Considering a Career Change to Web Developer
- Build projects immediately — don't just follow tutorials, build real applications you can show employers
- Embrace the community — pair programming taught me as much as formal lessons
- Document your journey — keep your portfolio updated and maintain a good GitHub profile
- Don't compare yourself to CS graduates — you bring different strengths
- Practise technical interviews — be able to explain your code and walk through your projects
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. Learn more about Code College's bootcamp for beginners →