A non-traditional pathway to becoming a developer

Let me start by saying – I was not the kid who always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. When it was time to figure out a career path in college, I thought back to what all the adults in my life had always said to me, “You can be anything you want to be.” So, I reached for the stars. I was initially accepted into a biology program on a pre-medical track at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Well let’s just say my college experience was full of trials and tribulations, and like most twenty-somethings, I changed my mind a lot and switched majors several times.

After four years of self-discovery and personal growth, I was set to graduate. I was on track to receive my bachelor’s degree in communication studies. During this time, I applied to what seemed like a hundred jobs, yet none of these opportunities felt like “the one.” Then one day, a close family member suggested I look into a software development bootcamp. So, I did. I had always wanted to major in computer science but was held down by my own limited beliefs – a fear of being inadequate, or not “smart” enough. For once, I decided to set those fears aside and apply for the bootcamp. I didn’t want to look back on life and say that I let myself fail without even taking the first step.

Just a few months after graduating, I joined Charlotte’s Full-Stack Coding Bootcamp. While this decision was a gamble and not to mention a large investment – it was pivotal for me to see it through. This program offered me the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to pursue a career as a developer. As I continued through the bootcamp, the more I touched code, the more I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. For the first time in my life, I could see myself in a career that would fulfill me personally, challenge me every day, and inspire me to learn. I took a chance on myself, and it was the best investment I could have ever made.

After three months of eating, sleeping, and breathing code – I graduated. While the bootcamp was intense to say the least, I’d recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing a career in tech. The bootcamp was also full of people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life including chefs, marketing professionals, truck drivers, and even mothers who were looking to transition back to work.

I was introduced to Vanguard through a friend from the bootcamp’s previous cohort. He always praised the company culture and often shared how much he enjoyed working with kind, genuine people. I decided to apply for an Application Developer role. During my interview process, I met with so many wonderful crew members. With each interaction, I grew fonder of Vanguard’s culture and could visualize the career I’d one day build for myself. Ultimately, I received an offer and was thrilled to begin my career at Vanguard.

As a novice in the tech space, it can be easy to be burdened by imposter syndrome, or the feeling of being unqualified. I always expected to feel this way at some point, but I never have. Within my team, I can make mistakes and my peers help me learn from them, challenge myself, and freely ask questions. I understand this may not be everyone’s experience, but this is the culture that Vanguard has worked intentionally to foster, and I am excited to be a part of it.

As I reflect on the past year, I am overwhelmed by feelings of awe and gratitude. A year ago, I was learning how to code for the first time. I pushed past my own self-doubt and took a chance. A risk that while I wasn’t sure would pay off in the end, it absolutely did. I couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to this chapter of my career.

-Alyssa J.

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