Gayle (left) still attends community meetups and keeps in touch with friends from her course
Before joining CodeYourFuture (CYF), Gayle found herself in a job with no room for growth or development. But she had a clear goal in mind when she began her journey with CYF: “I wanted to acquire new skills and give myself a chance to find better jobs and improve the quality of life for me and my family.”
Initially, Gayle had doubts about whether she would be a good fit for coding. “I thought it would only be for science-minded people. I never studied science or maths, so I assumed I wouldn’t be successful or that it would be especially difficult for me to pass the course.”
However, with the support of CYF’s volunteers, she soon realised that no challenge was too great.
“EVERYONE at CYF helped me in so many ways. CYF provided buddies, mentors, volunteer lecturers, extra evening study sessions, and Saturday classes. I was loaned a laptop because I didn’t have one, and also provided lunch. This allowed me to focus entirely on my course, and I did far better than I ever expected.”
“I just wanted to prove to myself that I could tackle this hard course and succeed. When I did, I couldn’t believe I had achieved it,” she reflects proudly.
“Now I’m winning awards at work”
Aside from the technical knowledge she has gained, it’s a change in attitude which has really shifted things for Gayle. “I now have a powerful ‘I can do anything’ attitude since this course with CYF, and I prove it every day: smashing goals, winning awards at work, accepting new challenges and acing them.”
For Gayle, trusting the process has been key. “Coding and software development are tough, especially for someone with no prior experience. It was challenging, but I knew the volunteers were there to help me solve problems in a way that made me feel empowered and capable.”
Her advice for future trainees? “Cultivate a habit of studying every single day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. It may seem small, but every bit of practice makes you better.”
It wasn’t just technical skills that Gayle developed…
“Along with coding and software development, I learned a lot about collaboration, empathy and teamwork, which I find extremely valuable in my current job.”
Even after completing the program, CYF continues to support Gayle. “I still have my weekly buddy meet-up, I’m invited to community events, and I keep in touch with friends from my course. This has been so important for my emotional and mental well-being.”
Gayle’s final advice for potential trainees?
“Just do it! What have you got to lose? You need to do it for the right reasons. Know your ‘WHY’ and stick to it, because some days will be hard, but if you have reasons (your ‘Why?’), clearly mapped out, you will succeed.”
If you’d like to explore a career in tech, but you don’t yet have the necessary skills, click here to check out your eligibility and register.