Mikaila's transformative journey from marketing student to Freelance Web Developer with SheCodes.
๐โโ๏ธ Before SheCodes
Mikaila, originally from Brooklyn, New York ๐บ๐ธ, brings a vibrant energy to everything she does! Her life in the bustling city is complemented by her hobbies, which range from gaming and creating coding tutorials for YouTube to spending quality time reading. However, it's her conversations and laughter with friends and family that she treasures most ๐.ย
Before finding her path in coding, Mikaila was a marketing student. Her days were filled with lengthy lectures and a heavy load of assignments, and she just didnโt like this career path. This is when she decided she needed a change, and looked for something that would make her happier.ย
โI was always intrigued by code. However, I never thought I was smart enough to actually pursue it. โย
Up until then, Mikaila had been intrigued by coding but doubted her ability to pursue it. However, after stumbling over a SheCodes ad, she decided to give our Free 60-minute coding class a try! ๐ฉโ๐ป The decision to explore coding marked a significant turn in her life, opening her eyes to her potential and igniting a passion for the field.ย
โI was intrigued because I never knew what coding actually entailed, so I signed up for the free coding class, and the rest is history!โย
๐ฉโ๐ป Her SheCodes Experience
Mikaila's experience with SheCodes was a very positive adventure. From the start, the program stood out for its supportive environment and flexible nature, perfectly accommodating the reality that students have lives outside their lessons. The SheCodes team, alongside instructor Matt, created a learning space that was both encouraging and understanding, allowing Mikaila to thrive even when life got complicated.ย
The self-paced structure of SheCodes was a highlight for Mikaila, offering her the flexibility to learn on her own terms. This aspect was crucial for her, as it acknowledged her need to balance learning with other commitments, something she felt might not have been possible in a different course.ย
โI think what sets SheCodes apart from other bootcamps is the fact that itโs self-paced, which I personally loved. If I was enrolled in any other bootcamp I would have probably dropped out because they donโt consider students have a life outside of learning.โย
When it came to the curriculum, Mikaila was impressed with how the material was presented. Lessons were designed to be engaging and accessible, making even the most daunting coding concepts easy to digest. Matt's teaching style was particularly impactful, simplifying complex ideas in a way that was not only understandable but also fun. For Mikaila, the combination of a supportive community, flexible learning, and an engaging curriculum turned her SheCodes experience into a truly rewarding journey.ย
โMatt Delac, our instructor, could make rocket science become easy.โย
๐ How SheCodes has Helped to Change Her Life
Through SheCodes, Mikaila found not just a career she loves but also a newfound confidence in herself. SheCodes reshaped her perspective, showing her that barriers like race, gender, or academic background can't limit her potential. Now, she enjoys the flexibility of working remotely, which has drastically improved her work-life balance ๐งโโ๏ธ.ย
โLearning how to code made me believe that I could achieve anything regardless of my race, gender, academic background, or misconceptions that the world perpetuates.โย
Currently, Mikaila is thriving as a freelance web developer ๐ฉโ๐ป. Since completing the SheCodes workshop last year, she's created numerous websites, taking on a range of tasks from designing wireframes to writing custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. She's not only optimizing websites for search engines but also crafting HTML email templates. Her journey doesn't stop here; Mikaila is furthering her education with a bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, aiming to fulfill her dream of becoming a mobile app developer.ย
Her story is a testament to the transformative power of coding and the doors it can open.ย
๐ฉโ๐ผ Advice to Future SheCodes Student
Mikaila has some golden advice for anyone embarking on their coding journey with SheCodes. She emphasizes that in the tech world, it's impossible to know everything right off the bat. Mikaila learned this firsthand when she initially tried to juggle multiple coding languages as a beginner. Her advice? โก๏ธย Start by focusing on mastering one language before diving into others. This approach helps build a solid foundation without overwhelming yourself.ย
Moreover, Mikaila highlights the tech industry's ever-evolving nature, urging future students to stay curious and embrace continuous learning. The field is always advancing, so being adaptable and eager to learn new skills is key. In her words, "As developers, we're lifelong learners!" This mindset is not just about keeping up with trends; it's about thriving in a dynamic environment and continuously pushing the boundaries of your knowledge and abilities ๐.ย
Weโre proud of you, Mikaila, and we canโt wait to see where coding takes you next! ๐ฉโ๐ปย
๐ Mikailaโs SheCodes Basics Testimonial:ย
โAfter stumbling across this coding workshop by accident, I've fallen in love with Coding. I'm currently studying Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology; however, this workshop was so fun that I will be transferring to Web Development completely. I highly recommend these classes. I can't wait to move on to SheCodes Plus!โย
๐ Mikailaโs SheCodes Plus Testimonial:ย
โThis workshop was very challenging for me but I learned a lot and I'm excited to continue on to the next SheCodes Workshop, to learn how to build responsive websites. I definitely recommend it!โย
๐ Mikailaโs SheCodes Responsive Testimonial:ย
โThis workshop was very fun and I would highly recommend SheCodes because of the instructor's teaching style and the awesome technical assistants who were able to give me extra extensions on deadlines.โย
๐ Mikailaโs SheCodes React Add-On Testimonial:ย
โI went through many hardships this year, and the SheCodes community and this workshop have helped me so much! I love coding, and I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a challenging yet loving community to learn code.โย
