📚 Education

Upon completing high school, my career path wasn’t crystal clear, but my interest in general business led me to pursue a two-year Accounting program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. Following this, I transitioned to York University for three years to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree, specializing in Accounting, with the goal of obtaining my CPA License.

Internships and Extracurricular activities

Throughout my university years, I actively participated in the accounting association and served as one of the Board of Ambassadors of CPA. In this role, I led a team dedicated to promoting CPA Ontario within our university through organizing accounting events and meetups.

Additionally, I was fortunate to secure internships in accounting and finance during my university tenure. These experiences not only provided me with valuable insights into professional settings but also honed my skills in time management, utilizing tools like calendars, lookup functions in MS Excel, effective communication with colleagues, and asking the right questions.

👨‍💻 How I started coding

My interest in programming had always lingered, and during my final year at university, I contemplated pursuing Computer Science. However, I initially felt it was too late to make the transition. Despite following online tutorials in my spare time, I found myself struggling to excel. It wasn’t until I realized the importance of programming something to work on a personal need that I began to make progress.

When I was working as an accountant at Environics Analytics in 2019, I had a recurring task of generating reports using MS Excel, which consumed a significant amount of time. In an effort to streamline this process, I tried automating this task with Python. While my understanding of Python was rudimentary, I successfully leveraged VBA to automate the task, ultimately saving approximately five hours per week.

Web development

Although the automation of tasks within the accounting team was impactful, I was motivated to develop solutions that could benefit a broader audience. This is when I delved into learning web development. Opting to enroll in a Udemy course, specifically Angela Yu’s course The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp, proved to be a pivotal decision. After completing the course, I was more committed to transitioning into a developer role, prompting me to explore coding schools.

Coding school

While exploring coding bootcamps in Toronto, I discovered that most were front-end focused. However, my interest lay in full-stack development, leading me to Hack Reactor. The admission process included a rigorous coding assessment, which, despite initial setbacks, I successfully navigated on my second attempt. Enrolling in their full-time remote program marked a significant milestone in my journey.

When I submitted my two weeks' notice to commit full-time to the coding bootcamp, I was pleasantly surprised when my employer expressed willingness to transition me to the software development team, acknowledging my proactive approach in acquiring programming skills to automate accounting tasks.

During the first six weeks at Hack Reactor, we immersed ourselves in intense twelve-hour days, Monday - Saturday, a challenge surpassing my university experience. The latter half of the bootcamp focused on three substantial projects, intended to bolster our portfolios for prospective employment opportunities. With a job offer already secured, I opted to withdraw from the program midway, dedicating my time to familiarizing myself with the tech stack relevant to my upcoming role. This decision not only alleviated financial strain but also allowed me to focus on practical applications of my newfound skills.

Conclusion

I firmly believe that with the plethora of resources available online, anyone can learn programming. However, attending a coding school accelerated my journey towards becoming a software developer, primarily due to the following factors:

  • Mastery of data structures and algorithms through daily Leetcode-style problem-solving sessions.
  • Emphasis on collaboration, utilizing a driver-navigator approach in programming, fostering effective communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Access to mentors for timely assistance, ensuring swift resolution of challenges encountered during projects.

Reflecting on my experience in the industry thus far, I continue to prioritize learning, whether through on-the-job experiences or personal projects. This ongoing pursuit of knowledge has not only propelled my career but also contributed significantly to my personal growth. As I continue to evolve in my role as a software developer, I remain excited about the opportunities for learning, innovation and growth that lie ahead.

Thank you for taking the time to read my journey! 👋