From Sports Field to Software Developer: How Tom Landed a Job Within a Month of Finishing His Bootcamp

A Code College Graduate Success Story

What does it take to go from zero coding experience to landing your first software development job in under a month? For Tom, a recent Code College graduate, the answer was commitment, practical learning, and a willingness to step outside his comfort zone.

We sat down with Tom shortly after he received his job offer to find out what his journey looked like — from his school days all the way to his first panel interview.

Life Before Code College

Tom wasn't always destined for a career in tech. Growing up, his world revolved around sports, and coding was never really on his radar. It wasn't until after high school that he started seriously thinking about what skills would make him employable in the modern world.

"I thought it was too farfetched in the beginning and too difficult," Tom admits. "But from there I decided, let me give it a go."

That decision would change his life.

Why He Chose Code College

When Tom started researching coding education options, Code College stood out for one key reason: its emphasis on practical, workplace-ready skills.

"Code College offers a wide range of practical experience and skills. They teach you coding from the beginning phases all the way to the point where you can build your own full stack and backend systems," he explains. "They also teach you team collaboration skills and presentation skills — mainly practical skills that are needed in the workplace."

And the best part? He didn't need any prior coding experience to apply. Code College starts from the very basics of syntax and progressively builds students up to building real-world projects.

A Day in the Life of the Bootcamp

For anyone wondering what a typical bootcamp day looks like, Tom paints a clear picture.

Classes run from 9:00 a.m. to around 2:00–3:00 p.m., starting with registration and a Q&A session reviewing the previous day's work. From there, students dive straight into their IDE and begin building projects, working through chapters and adding new features and functionalities as they go. Team collaboration activities are woven throughout the day, where students build mini projects and systems together.

After the main class sessions, students participate in pair programming sessions — partnering with a fellow student to record YouTube videos recapping what they learned, walking through coding exercises, and explaining concepts to each other to deepen understanding. These sessions can run until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.

In total, Tom estimates a commitment of 30 to 40 hours per week when you factor in classes, pair programming, and evening study.

"It's a normal 8-hour work day," he says. "Similar to the workplace."

The Teaching Style: Collaborative and Practical

Coming from a traditional school background, Tom noticed a significant difference in how learning happens at Code College.

Rather than passive instruction, students are constantly building. Teachers create a space where the class works through projects together, adds new features, debugs problems, and researches theory as a group. Coverage of one to three chapters per day keeps momentum up, while collaborative exercises ensure no one gets left behind.

"You collaborate with your classmates as if you're in the workplace," Tom says.

For Tom, who studied online due to living far from campus, connection happened primarily through Discord (where the class remained active throughout the day) and Google Groups, which functioned as a kind of internal Stack Overflow — log your problem, and a classmate or instructor jumps in to help.

What He Learned

By the end of the bootcamp, Tom had built competence across a broad technology stack:

• Frontend: JavaScript, React
• Backend: Python, Django, Node.js
• Software Engineering: Java, Spring Boot, SQL
• Core Concepts: API development, HTTP requests, server creation, UI design

"So many things," he laughs.

His standout project was a Supply Chain Backend System built with Java and Spring Boot — a fully functional application designed for logistics companies, complete with four distinct user roles (Supplier, Admin, Warehouse Manager, and Customer) and the ability to order and ship products across the chain.

Job Hunting Starts in the Bootcamp

Tom's job preparation didn't begin after graduation — it was built into the bootcamp from day one. Code College helped students:

• Build a portfolio website to showcase projects and skills
• Set up a professional LinkedIn profile and presence on platforms like Upwork
• Prepare for technical interviews, including coding challenges and behavioural questions

When Tom sat down for his panel interview — facing both a line manager and an HR manager — he was ready. They asked him to walk through the projects he built, explain the skills he acquired, describe a typical day at Code College, and demonstrate his team collaboration experience.

His bootcamp had prepared him for every single question.

From Zero to Employed in Under a Month

Tom's story is proof that you don't need a traditional four-year degree, prior experience, or a background in tech to build a career in software development. What you do need is the right environment, the right guidance, and the willingness to put in the hours.

One month after finishing his bootcamp, Tom had his first job offer in hand.

Are you thinking about making the switch to software development? Find out more about Code College's bootcamp programmes at www.codecollege.co.za

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need coding experience to join Code College?

No prior coding experience is needed. Code College teaches programming from the very basics of syntax all the way to building full stack and backend systems. If you're willing to put in the work, you can start from absolute zero.

How long is the Code College bootcamp?

The bootcamp runs full days from 9:00 a.m. to around 2:00–3:00 p.m., with additional pair programming sessions in the afternoon. Students typically commit between 30 to 40 hours per week — similar to a normal working day.

What will I learn at Code College?

Students learn frontend development with JavaScript and React, backend development with Python, Django, and Node.js, and software engineering with Java, Spring Boot, and SQL. The curriculum also covers API development, HTTP requests, server creation, UI design, team collaboration, and presentation skills.

Does Code College help with job placement?

Yes. Code College helps students build a portfolio website, set up a professional LinkedIn profile, and prepare for technical interviews including coding challenges. Some graduates, like Tom, have landed jobs within a month of completing the bootcamp.

Can I study at Code College online?

Yes. Code College supports online students through Discord for daily class interaction and Google Groups for logging and resolving coding issues with instructors and classmates — making it easy to stay connected no matter where you are.