Oscar Oré, a Software Engineering Flatiron School graduate, started his career as a sales rep. After working in several different industries, a job at an IT firm sent him on a new path in life.
He shares his journey from sales rep to solutions engineer below.
What is your background and why did you choose to attend Flatiron?
Before I attended Flatiron, I was a Sales rep. I was involved in many industries from manufacturing to tech, but I always had an interest in tech.
When I was working for an IT reseller it really sparked my curiosity to learn how to code.
I did a ton of research before I joined Flatiron. After a ton of positive reviews and outcomes, I decided to enroll in the program and try to land a programming role in Tech!
How does the reality of working as a software engineer contrast to what you thought it would be like?
It has been a dream come true!
One thing that has really stood out to me is how the soft skills that I have learned in my previous career have helped me in my current role. Communication is key when you are working on a team.
Have you worked on any cool projects?
Since my time at Rocket Software, I have been assigned to two ongoing projects for one of our clients involving their mainframes and process automation.
The experience has been great and I have gained a ton of knowledge from these projects!
Walk me through a “day in the life” of your job.
I typically start my day by completing customer requirements to build process automation requests. These process automation requests or “robots” navigate through the mainframe and complete a task based on the customer’s needs.
Besides coding, I am also in meetings with analysts to discuss the upcoming processes, deadlines that need to happen, and what projects will be deployed for the week.
What do you wish you’d known before getting started in your field post-Flatiron School?
Remain curious about your new role! You can always learn new technical skills. Embrace the challenge!
Any advice for current students?
Network as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Believe in yourself and remember to keep learning. Reach out to Flatiron Alumni to see how they are liking their role, and how they approached their job hunt.
Inspired by Oscar Oré’s story?
Ready to take charge of your future? Apply Now to join other career changers like Oscar Oré in a program that sets you apart from the competition.
Not ready to apply? Try out our Free Software Engineering Prep. Or, review the Software Engineering Course Syllabus that will set you up for success in a new and fulfilling career.
Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.
