Tag: Alumni stories

Travon Bryant: Amazon Career Choice 2022

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Travon Bryant, an October 2022 graduate of the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Engineering program, chose to change careers to improve his financial prospects. 

He shares his student journey from Pharmacy Tech to Cybersecurity professional below.

Pharmaceutical Background

Travon began his career by earning an Associate of Science degree and spent the next 11 years as a pharmacy technician. But, a decade in, Travon’s priorities had changed, and he decided it was time to pivot. 

“I chose to make the switch because the pharmacy wasn’t paying the bills,” he explained. “I wanted to get a good-paying job to be able to take care of my family.” 

It was while working for Pillpack – a pharmaceutical management service acquired by Amazon in 2018 – that Travon learned about the Amazon Career Choice program. The program allows Amazon employees to receive technical training from partner institutions to pursue higher-paying career paths. While exploring the program, Travon settled on applying for the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Bootcamp taught by Flatiron School. 

“I was always interested in securing networks and the tools that were involved,” he said.  “I needed a change, so when presented with the opportunity [to change careers], I took it.” 

Bootcamp Experience

Travon was accepted into the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity program and enrolled with a cohort of fellow students from Amazon. The program ran for 32 weeks from February through October with the curriculum delivered online via live lectures. Students completed about 15 hours a week of classwork while continuing to work full-time, a logistical challenge for any new student. Despite the heavy workload, Travon found his coursework engaging. 

“My favorite part [of the program] was the SIEM part,” he recalled. “It amazed me how the information could give us so much insight, which came in handy, as my current role utilizes Splunk for every case.”

Working In Cybersecurity

Upon graduating in October 2022 with a brand new Cybersecurity skillset, Travon quickly secured his first opportunity. 

“My job search was brief. I had 3 interviews before getting a job at a bank in a rotational program where I rotate every 8 months to a new cybersecurity team.”

When we spoke with him in June 2023, he had only good things to say about working in his industry. 

“I love my new field, it definitely lives up to my dream. I’m proud I’m in the field at a good company.”

As for his advice for other students, Travon recommends holding onto everything you learn while in class. 

“Take lots of notes, you never know what you’ll learn in this bootcamp that your future cybersecurity job will utilize.”

Flatiron School Retraining Programs

Amazon’s Career Choice offers eligible Amazon employees like Travon Bryant the opportunity to pivot careers into higher-paying jobs through retraining. The program was created as a way to attract top talent as well as improve employee engagement and retention. 

Following the initial cohort’s success, Amazon again selected Flatiron School to deliver Career Choice programs in 2023. 

Contact us to learn how a Flatiron School retraining program can attract and retain top talent at your organization.

Jon Brundage Jr.: TV Production to Software Engineering

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Jon Brundage Jr., a June 2021 Software Engineering graduate from Flatiron School, rethought his initial career choice during the COVID pandemic.

He shares his journey from TV Production to Software Engineering below.

Pre-Pandemic Career Path

Jon Brundage Jr. began his career with a degree in Media Studies and spent more than a decade in the field. But, like many others in the media, the 2020 pandemic threw a wrench in his plans. 

“I came from a twelve-year career in freelance television production working as a director of photography and camera operator,” Jon said when we interviewed him earlier this year. “When the pandemic hit, I had a lot of downtime to reassess what I was contributing to the world.”

While the world stood still, Jon used his time to take a tally of his current occupation. Through that contemplation, he came to the conclusion that it was time to pivot paths.

“[TV] Production is fun, but it is very physically demanding and requires a lot of time on the road. My wife was also pregnant with our son, and I knew I did not want to be a parent who was always away,” he explained. “So, between wanting to be more meaningful and intentional with my career and wanting more balance between life and work, I decided to make a change.”

Pivoting To Tech

Having decided to make a switch, Jon quickly settled on Software Engineering, citing the field’s versatility and demand. 

“I knew that software engineering would open a lot of doors to explore my next role,” he said.
“There are so many different types of companies and organizations that [need Software Engineers] and I was very attracted to the idea that my skills could be transferable to a wide swath of industries and employers.”

But, as a husband and soon-to-be father, Jon didn’t want to take the traditional 4-year degree route. To get to his goals faster, he started looking into bootcamps. 

“I asked some friends and family who worked in tech where I should go. Flatiron School [was mentioned by] my best friend who has been a software engineer for years, as well as my brother who is an accomplished graphic designer,” he said. “After some initial research, I knew it was the right choice for me to have a solid foundation to start a new career.”

Bootcamp Experience

Jon enrolled in Flatiron School’s Software Engineering Live program in March 2021, an accelerated, intensive course. Students in the program study full-time – 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday – for 15 weeks. Learning new Software Engineering skills at the break-neck pace, Jon said, was difficult to adjust to at first.  

“The most challenging part of the program was the gear switching,” he explained. “You spend two weeks learning something new, practice and test on it for another week, and then start all over. By the third phase I was used to it, but it’s overwhelming for the first few weeks.” 

What pulled Jon through the beginning difficulties of the course was the phase one instructor that helped him adapt to the material. 

“My favorite part of the program was my phase one instructor, who completely laid the foundation for my success in the program,” he said. “[He] explained this new world of Javascript in a way that was very accessible and had so much patience for all of my questions. He took this very big, intimidating process and gave me the tools to feel empowered from day one and I will be forever grateful for all his tutorage.”

Job Search

Jon graduated from Flatiron School in June 2021 and jumped straight into the job search, focusing primarily on making connections.  

“I put a lot of energy into networking. I asked friends and friends of friends if they knew any Software Engineers and if they’d have time to chat over coffee or Zoom,” he recalled. “I’ve always thought face-to-face networking is the biggest bang for your buck in job hunting, to this day.”

His original perception of Software Engineering being an in-demand skillset ultimately turned out to be true when a recruiter reached out to him with an opportunity. 

“I was extremely lucky in my job hunt. My current company actually found me and, after a few interviews, they brought me on as a part-time contractor. After a few months, I became full-time staff.”

Working In The Field

When we spoke with Jon in June 2023, he’d been working as a Creative Technologist at Schema Design for just under two years. His experience working in the field, he said, has been overwhelmingly positive. 

“I am thoroughly enjoying my new career. I work for a design firm and my role is fairly client-facing, which has a good amount of overlap of soft skills from my previous career,” he said. “My projects and stacks change every few weeks or months, so I’ve gotten my hands on a ton of technologies in the last year and a half. I’m learning new skills every day and constantly asking myself ‘How can I do this better?’.”

His position has also allowed him to expand his development skillset – building on the foundation he developed while at Flatiron School. 

“My company specializes in data visualizations so from the start of my job, I’ve learned some really cool frameworks and libraries. I’ve built sites in React, Vue, and Svelte, and some pretty cool interactive experiences with d3 and Three.js. [I rebuilt] the company website from scratch a few months back in NUXT3, which I find to be an amazing framework. It offers universal rendering so you get the flexibility of single-page applications, while also the performance and SEO of a static site. You can check it out at SchemaDesign.com.”

Reflecting On His Journey

Looking back on where he began three years ago, Jon emphasizes the importance of believing that you can actually make a change. 

“My biggest takeaway from Flatiron School was that I am capable of learning new tricks. I’d been in my former career for over a decade and worried that I wouldn’t be able to adapt to a new setting,” he recalled. “It took a while to believe in myself and get over impostor syndrome, but eventually, you do eventually feel like a real Software Engineer.”

His advice for current and future Software Engineering students is to lean into the uncomfortable nature of change. 

“Learn to be comfortable with not knowing. So much of software engineering is getting a problem or task you haven’t solved before and figuring out how to tackle it. Be confident in your ability to learn new skills, and know that this feeling of not knowing exactly what you’re doing means you’re on the right track. It isn’t forever and you will see tangible growth in even a few months from where you’re at right now.”

Ready For A Change, Just Like Jon Brundage Jr.?

Apply Now to join other career changers like Jon Brundage Jr. 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 and can help launch you into a new and fulfilling career.Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.

Maxwell Wolfe: DJ to Cybersecurity

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Maxwell Wolfe, a May 2021 Cybersecurity graduate, says that he could easily fill the pages of a book to explain the winding career path he’s taken to get where he is today. 

He shares his journey to becoming a Cybersecurity business owner below, and all of the winding turns along the way.

Blue-Collar Background

Maxwell describes his background as “diverse.” A college dropout, he remembers having difficulty in the traditional education system. 

“My best learning occurs through doing and tinkering; I’ve never been one for memorization or traditional testing,” he said. “Grasping complex information requires a hands-on approach for me. In summary, I’m a kinesthetic learner.” 

This educational tendency led him to hold a string of unrelated jobs that all had one thing in common – he was able to work with his hands. 

“My career trajectory has been anything but conventional. I’ve worked in kitchens, bars, construction, and even nightclubs as a DJ and tech support.” 

In early 2020, Maxwell was working in nightclubs in the DC area as tech support and an opening DJ for headliners. But, due to his eclectic collection of hands-on job experiences, the declaration of the pandemic struck a death blow to his occupation. 

“When COVID-19 arrived, social life came to a standstill, and work dried up. I lost everything and was forced to start anew,” he explained. “It was then that I decided to pivot towards something sustainable, never wanting to find myself in such a precarious situation again.”

Pivoting Into Tech

In his search for a new career, Maxwell didn’t have to go far. He went back to his early curiosity in “gadgets,” renewing his interest in a tech career he’d long ago discounted as unrealistic. 

“Tech and video games always intrigued me,” he recalled. “But I never thought I was cut out for a career in tech until I stumbled upon some free online resources.” 

His decision to pursue Cybersecurity specifically, however, was driven by a more recent experience.  

“The TV show Mr. Robot was a significant catalyst, inspiring me to dive into tech and, more specifically, ethical hacking. The idea of protecting individuals or non-profit organizations sparked my desire to contribute positively to society and prompted me to embark on this new career path.”

His Bootcamp Experience

Having settled on a career in Cybersecurity, Maxwell cast about looking for ways to acquire the necessary skills to enter the field – a search that eventually led him to apply to Flatiron School. 

“My decision to join Flatiron School was primarily based on the school’s reputation,” he recalled. “And the fact that its instructors have real-world industry experience.”

Maxwell enrolled in Flatiron School’s full-time Cybersecurity program, an intensive, accelerated course designed to equip students with the foundational skills needed to break into the Cybersecurity industry in just 15 weeks. He began his learning on a rigorous schedule – 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday – a time-commitment that he said took time to adjust to.

“Balancing this program with three other jobs was undoubtedly challenging. However, the toughest part was realizing that in tech, you’re often your own support system. The transition from an outsider to the go-to tech person can be overwhelming at first.”

Despite the oftentimes grueling task of balancing education and work, Maxwell thrived in the communal environment fostered by the course. 

“I appreciated the collaborative environment of the program, where we were encouraged to work in teams, brainstorm, and devise solutions for our projects.”

As for what brought him the most pride from his time at Flatiron School, Maxwell told us about how he used his new skills to help a friend.

“I managed to track down a cyberstalker for one of my friends. This experience was incredibly fulfilling and demonstrated the real-world impact of my new skills.”

Working In The Field

Maxwell Wolfe graduated from Flatiron School in May 2021. Coming from a career of hands-on roles where a handshake landed a position, executing a purely-online search for a white-collar job (while the pandemic slowly petered out) presented some initial difficulties. 

“The job search was challenging, but my coach was instrumental in keeping me motivated,” Maxwell recalled. “She guided me in finding job platforms, writing blogs, and understanding LinkedIn. Even now, she remains a strong pillar of support, cheering me on whenever possible. Thanks, Sarah 🙂.”

Ultimately, his efforts paid off, and he worked as a SOC Analyst at a technology company for over a year. When we spoke with him in July 2023, he’d taken time between contracts to earn additional certifications, enhance his skills, open his own company, and – most importantly of all – recuperate from burnout. 

“The transition [to tech] in less than six months was undoubtedly tough. The initial stages were overwhelming, and I won’t deny that I experienced burnout,” he said. “But things are much better now, and I’ve even launched my own freelance work and registered an LLC. I also joined the HackerOne platform as an ethical hacker, hunting for bug bounties to build my experience across various legal hacker platforms.”

Maxwell opened Wolfhart IT, an IT service provider and consulting firm, in mid-2023. In early July he shared on LinkedIn that his company had signed its first contract.

Reflecting On His Journey

Looking back on the long road he took to Cybersecurity and his time at Flatiron School, Maxwell’s main takeaway is the necessity of adopting a learner’s growth mindset – especially in a rapidly evolving field like tech.

“Learning never ends in the tech industry. To stay relevant, one must commit to being a lifelong learner in this ever-evolving field.”

His advice for current students follows the same vein – encouraging learning while maintaining healthy habits and realistic expectations of exactly how much you can take on. 

“Before committing to a bootcamp, do extensive research. Ensure you balance your work with relaxation to avoid burnout. Don’t try to cram all the information at once.”

Post-Flatiron School, he has some practical career advice as well – keep learning and attaining qualifications!

“Consider following the CompTIA career path, and don’t limit yourself to just the Security+ certification. The A+ and Network+ certifications are also beneficial. Additionally, consider Google’s Security and Support Specialist programs for their certifications.”

Ready For A Change, Just Like Maxwell Wolfe?

Apply Now to join other career changers like Maxwell Wolfe in a program that’ll give you the tech skills you need to land your first job in tech.

Not ready to apply? Try out our Free Cybersecurity Prep Work and test-run the material we teach in the course. Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.

Neda Jabbari, Ph.D.: Academic To Data Scientist

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Neda Jabbari, Ph.D., spent more than a decade in academia building a data science skillset before transitioning into a private-sector biotech role. 

She shares her journey from academic to Data Scientist below. 

A Background in Academia

Neda Jabbari spent the first decade of her career in academia doing what academics do – namely, acquiring degrees and research experience. Accumulating a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Neda followed all that school up with three years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Systems Biology. 15 years in, however, she decided to transition into the private sector by way of Flatiron School.

“I built a career in data science [in academic],” Neda said. “After completing my postdoctoral research, I [wanted to join] the data science bootcamp to explore broader topics.”

Despite leaving academia behind, Neda brought her acquired scientist’s skillset with her and planned to put it to use. 

“I wanted to apply my skills in experimentation and problem-solving to broader tech.” 

Her Bootcamp Experience

Regarding her decision to join Flatiron School, Neda cites word-of-mouth and the program’s transparency as being primary drivers. 

“I had heard about the campus in New York and its reputation,” she explained. “I liked that it provided statistics on student success outcomes.” 

But, going from learning in years and semesters to days and weeks presented different challenges in approaching material. Where academia allows researchers to go deep into a single problem, the accelerated bootcamp experience demands that students learn a new skill and then move on to the next phase.

“It was a very compact program, as expected,” she recalled. “This made it challenging at times to fully explore the course material.”

Despite the expedited learning schedule, Neda, like many students, found support and camaraderie in her instructors and classmates.

“Interacting with other students in my cohort and instructors with different backgrounds was my favorite part [of the bootcamp].”

Working In Tech

Neda graduated from the Flatiron School Data Science program in October 2019, later accepting a Data Scientist position at Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. Working in the private sector, she said, has been enjoyable. 

“I perform analytics and data pipeline development to support product and operations,” she explained when we spoke with her in March 2023. “I have always liked working with data and optimizing processes.”

Advice For Current Students

Neda’s advice for current Flatiron School Data Science students is two-pronged. The first is purely practical. 

“Track your code. Practice using Github.”

Her second bit of advice is more foundational to the career change journey, delivered in a numbered, methodical way that marks her as still being an academic at heart. 

“1. plan, 2. try, 3. look back at your progress, 4. evaluate and modify if needed, 5. repeat this cycle as many times as you need while enjoying the process and learning from others who made it work. You will get there.”

Ready To Dig Deeper Into Data, Just Like Neda Jabbari, Ph.D.?

Apply Now to join other students like Neda Jabbari, Ph.D. in a program that sets you apart from the competition. 

Not ready to apply? Try out our Free Data Science Prep Work and test-run the material we teach in the course. Or, review the Data Science Course Syllabus that will set you up for success and help launch your new career.

Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.

Chuck Utterback: Diving Deeper Into Data

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Chuck Utterback, a June 2021 Data Science graduate from Flatiron School, came to his program with decades of professional experience. 

He shares why he chose to attend Flatiron School to upskill in data analytics below. 

Background in Business

Chuck Utterback began his 30-year career with an MBA in finance. While he initially followed the traditional path by working as a Financial Analyst, he soon transitioned toward data. 

“I derive intense satisfaction in developing business insights through data engineering and analytics. Today’s technology, such as cloud computing, advanced data visualization tools, and analytics programming languages, enable iterative and rapid time to insight.”

In the subsequent years, he held a string of data-focused leadership roles in prominent companies and founded his own analytic consulting company.

“Within years of starting my career, I migrated into cross-functional business analytics. [But] to answer complex business questions, I found the data sources insufficient,” he said. “To remedy this, I began building data warehouses, leading to 15 years of consulting projects in data warehousing, data visualization, and process improvement.” 

Bootcamp Experience

After 15 years, however, technology had changed. To keep up with evolving capabilities, Chuck determined it was time to go back to school and update his skillset. 

“I decided to pause client work and invest in developing more profound data science and machine learning skills,” he said. “I aimed to bring more robust statistics and machine learning techniques into my existing analytics practice. ” 

Choosing Flatiron School, Chuck said, was the result of an analysis combining several factors and features of its programs.

“Flatiron [School] had the best combination of course materials, commitment length, and remote flexibility. I chose the full-time data science bootcamp and focused all my energy there for six months.” 

Even before the program began, Chuck’s skillset quickly began to expand. 

“The onboarding assignment was to use Python to code gradient descent calculus equations,” he explained. “The project stretched me from the start but was foundational to getting comfortable with Python functions.” 

The coursework, he said, had relevancy to his practice throughout the program.

“I liked learning classification models due to their relevance to solving business problems like customer segmentation/churn and predicting various outcomes across any business process.” 

Working With Data

Unlike most Flatiron School students, after graduating in June 2021, Chuck returned to where he began – using data to reduce his customer’s friction, find revenue opportunities, and expose process inefficiencies. The transition back into using data to meet clients’ needs – as opposed to creating projects for a grade – has been a fluid one. 

“I love [what I do]. I target to keep at least 80% of my time heads-down (versus meetings), solving problems using data.” 

As for his new skills, he’s already putting them into practice. 

“I use Python to extract customer data from Salesforce into Google Big Query and automate data quality applications and customer insights. Overcoming poor data quality is a considerable impediment to advanced techniques.”

Reflecting On His Journey

Looking back on his time at Flatiron School, Chuck’s main takeaway is to always bet on oneself, and never stop learning.

“Embracing continuous learning by investing in myself – upskilling within analytics through Flatiron – drives a positive return on investment.” 

His advice for other data science students is to remember that Flatiron School is just one piece of the puzzle, it’s critical to prioritize being a well-rounded applicant. 

“Formalize daily habits in data science coding and reading that go beyond the Flatiron curriculum so you can sustain momentum after graduating.”

Connect with Chuck on Medium or LinkedIn. 

Ready To Dig Deeper Into Data, Just Like Chuck Utterback?

Apply Now to join other students like Chuck Utterback in a program that sets you apart from the competition. 

Not ready to apply? Try out our Free Data Science Prep Work and test-run the material we teach in the course. Or, review the Data Science Course Syllabus that will set you up for success and help launch your new career.

Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.

Tyson Mills: Firefighter to Software Engineer

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Tyson Mills, a September 2022 Software Engineering graduate from Flatiron School, spent more than a decade chasing adrenaline as a firefighter. Now, he puts his quick-thinking and problem-solving skills to work as a Software Engineer.

He shares his journey from fighting fires to writing code below.

Background

As a child, Tyson Mills remembers being drawn to exciting, high-speed activities like sports and motorcycle racing. This adrenaline-seeking tendency, paired with a strong desire to work on a team and help others, initially drew him to a career in firefighting. 

“I served with the City of Forest Park, GA Fire Department for almost ten years, where I rose to the rank of Sergeant. During that time I met my wife, and we moved several times before finally settling in Athens, GA. I spent three years with the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department and rose to Corporal.” 

But, when his wife’s career offered them an opportunity they couldn’t refuse, Tyson left firefighting behind to “spearhead” the family’s move in a different direction. 

“While looking back on my time as a firefighter brings back fond memories of the incredible people I worked with, I knew it was time for a new challenge,” he recalled. “I left firefighting behind to support my family, pursue new opportunities, and make a positive impact in a new way.”

Pivoting Into Tech

While strategizing his next career move, Tyson doubled down on something he’d dabbled in on the side for years – Software Engineering. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by science and technology. Even as a firefighter, I took online coding courses on sites like freecodecamp, Codecademy, and Udemy and did web development on my days off to earn some extra ‘walking around money,’ as my mom used to say.” 

Tyson said that what he’d enjoyed most about working as a firefighter was the inherent unpredictability of arriving at an ongoing event and having to problem-solve quickly. Software engineering, he said, requires the same quick-thinking ability. 

“[With software engineering] you get immediate feedback. You write some code, and you can instantly see whether it works. The component either renders or doesn’t. You can make minor tweaks and adjustments, and suddenly, everything falls into place. That feeling of success, that ‘boom,’ is what I’m always chasing. Solving problems and seeing the results of my work makes software engineering rewarding for me.”

Deciding On Flatiron School

Having settled on pursuing a tech career, Tyson started researching avenues to acquire the skills he’d need to enter the field. 

“I recognized that I needed formal training to hone my skills and build a solid foundation,” he explained. “After looking into numerous schools and programs, I decided to apply to Flatiron School’s Software Engineering program in July 2021.”

As for why he selected Flatiron School, Tyson reported having two main reasons. The first was the program’s flexibility for students to attend part-time and online. 

“[Flatiron School] recorded lectures, which was critical for me as I was still working as a firefighter,” he said. “Unlike other schools that required in-person attendance, Flatiron’s recorded lectures allowed me to watch them independently and fit my studies around my work schedule.” 

Tyson’s second reason for applying was the school’s reputation. 

“Flatiron’s great reviews […] were a major selling point. I was eager to learn as much as possible and gain the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully transition into a new software engineering career. Flatiron School provided the perfect platform for me to do so.”

Bootcamp Experience

Tyson enrolled in Flatiron School’s online, part-time Software Engineering Flex program. The program combined the flexibility he needed to continue working with a structured curriculum to teach material efficiently and keep him moving forward in his learning.

“The course was broken down into clear phases and modules. This streamlined approach was a refreshing change from the scattered and disorganized process I was employing while trying to learn independently,” he said. “With Flatiron’s well-planned curriculum and access to valuable materials, I quickly absorbed the information and built my skills as a software engineer. It was a great feeling to see my progress and know that I was learning and growing every day.”

Despite the structure provided by the course, Tyson admitted it still took him time to adapt to online learning. 

“My biggest challenge was [not having] the traditional classroom experience. While I had access to various resources, such as office hours and the supportive Slack community, it was different from being in a physical classroom with the opportunity to raise your hand and ask a question in real-time.”

But, by pulling on his problem-solving skills, he persevered and learned to take advantage of the resources available to him. 

“The program helped me become incredibly resourceful and self-sufficient, which are essential skills in software engineering. I learned to seek out answers and find solutions independently, which has proven invaluable. Overall, Flatiron’s program pushed me to become a more independent learner, which has helped me to succeed in my career.”

Working In Tech

Tyson graduated from Flatiron School in September 2022, first working as a Freelance Web Developer and later accepting a full-time role as an Enterprise Software Developer at Mississippi State University. The reality of working in the field, he said, has been a positive experience. 

“Working as a software engineer has been a dream come true. I love constantly learning and growing, and I find the work incredibly rewarding. Every day, I apply my problem-solving skills and creativity to real-world challenges. I’m constantly discovering new and exciting ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in such a dynamic and fast-paced industry, and I’m excited to see where this career will take me.”

To see some of Tyson’s work, check out his portfolio site at TMillsDev.

Reflecting On His Journey

Looking back on where he began, Tyson’s main takeaway is the importance of hard work and persistence when it comes to pursuing additional education – especially if it’s online and self-paced. 

“If you have the drive and determination, you can learn anything. The program was intensive, but I learned that it’s okay not to know everything immediately and that it’s essential to keep pushing yourself to learn more daily.”

As for Tyson’s advice for current and future Flatiron School Software Engineering students, it’s to stay the course, even when things get hard. 

“When the material seems daunting or overwhelming, break it into small, manageable chunks, and keep working at it daily. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, whether from instructors or your peers in the program. And remember that there’s no such thing as a stupid question – if you’re struggling with something, chances are someone else is too.”

He also advises them to expect to fail, and to lean into the experience. 

“Failing is part of the process. The only way to learn is to keep making mistakes and fail upwards. If you’re not failing, you’re not growing or learning from your mistakes. Don’t be afraid to fail. That’s the easy part.”

Ready For A Change, Just Like Tyson Mills?

Apply Now to join other career changers like Tyson Mills 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 and can help launch you into a new and fulfilling career.

Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.

Fabien Cartal: Sales to Product Design

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Fabien Cartal, a May 2020 graduate of Flatiron School’s UX / UI Design program, selected his initial career based on his love of socializing. In his next career, he chose to pursue his creativity. 

He shares his journey from Sales to Product Design below.

Background

Fabien grew up in France, earning a degree in Business and Sales. He cited his social nature as the primary reason for choosing the field, driven by the desire to interact with others regularly for his work. But, a few years in, he was no longer satisfied with his choice of profession.

“I knew something was missing, and that something was an outlet for my creativity,” Fabien explained. 

In the mid-2010s, Fabien moved to Palo Alto, California. It was while living there, surrounded by a thriving tech community, that he began to consider a career change. 

“[It was a] tech Mecca, where you could see that everywhere around you,” he recalled. “I was inspired by what I was seeing around me and admired the people working in design and tech.”

Transitioning Into Tech

Another move later – this time to Austin, Texas – Fabien had resolved to switch to design. He credits admiring others in the field, as well as his natural creativity, as his reasons for choosing the field. 

“I had always been inspired by my cousin who is a Product Designer. He would share projects he was working on at work and it really interested me,” he said. “Product Design really spoke to me because I wanted a creative job. It was an added bonus that it also has a collaborative aspect.”

This desire for a change of careers, he said, is what ultimately led him to Flatiron School.

“I started looking into bootcamps and I saw Flatiron School and that it offered UX / UI. I was instantly interested,” Fabien explained. “I also saw that Flatiron School’s reputation was one of the best ones in the country, so I jumped on it very quickly!”

Bootcamp Experience

Fabien enrolled in Flatiron School’s full-time UX / UI Design program* in early 2020, committing 40 hours a week to his studies. The workload, he said, could be challenging at times. 

“On my third project, we were a team of 2 instead of 4 with a heavy workload. It was very challenging but we were very proud to complete our project at the end.”

Despite the grueling pace of accelerated learning – or perhaps because of it – Fabien and his classmates forged a deep bond that carried them through the course. 

“The people [were my favorite part]! My UX classes gave me the chance to meet amazing people that now 2 years later I still talk with almost every week. Collaborating with my teammates on fun projects was my favorite part of the program.”

Job Search

Fabien graduated from the Flatiron School UX / UI Design program in May 2020, just two months into the COVID-19 pandemic and global market shutdowns. To say that it made his job search difficult would be an understatement. 

“My job search experience [during covid] was very challenging,” he said. “It was a difficult period for me.”

But, throughout the ordeal, Fabien’s dedicated Career Coach kept him moving forward. 

“My career coach was great and very motivating. She taught me how to create an edge against other candidates when I interviewed [by] continuing to evolve as a designer and to constantly renew my portfolio.”

When we spoke with him in early 2020, Fabien was working as an Associate Product Designer at Red Hat and thriving in his new field. 

“I love this career. I feel incredibly lucky to have pursued this field and it was what I had hoped for.”

Reflecting On His Journey

A continent and career change later, Fabien has come a long way from where he began as a business student in France. Looking back at the journey, his main takeaway is the importance of endurance. 

“Persistence when looking for a job [is key]. And when you feel overwhelmed, just try to do your best each day.”

Fabien’s advice for current Flatiron School students centers on his ideas of persistence. 

“It’s very important to stay with the program! Don’t stop after one phase – I learned that even if one was hard, you could miss something great later.”

Ready For A Change, Just Like Fabien Cartal?

Apply Now to join other career changers like Fabien Cartal in a program that’ll teach you the design skills you need to land your first job in tech.

Not quite ready to apply? Try out our Free Product Design Prep Work and test-run the material we teach in the course. 

Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.

*UX/UI Design course is no longer available. For prospective students interested in this course of study, visit the Product Design course page to learn more.

Roger Brown: Amazon Career Choice 2021

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Roger Brown, an October 2021 graduate of the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Engineering program, transitioned into tech by way of Amazon’s Career Choice program. 

He shares his bootcamp experience and journey toward tech below.

Background

Roger began his career in hospitality. He worked in the field for several years before transitioning into tech.

“I was drawn to the constantly evolving nature of the tech industry and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.” 

In early 2021, he’d been working as an Inbound Problem Solver at Amazon for two years when he learned about the Amazon Career Choice program. The program allows Amazon employees to receive technical training from partner institutions to pursue higher-paying career paths. 

“I decided to apply because I wanted to receive a high-quality education in a short amount of time,” he explained. “I hoped to gain the skills and knowledge needed to break into the tech industry and start a new career.”

Bootcamp Experience

Roger was accepted into the Amazon Career Choice program and enrolled with a cohort of fellow students from Amazon. The program ran for 32 weeks from February through October with the curriculum delivered online via live lectures. Students completed about 15 hours a week of classwork while continuing to work full-time, a logistical challenge for any new student. 

“Balancing the intense coursework with my other responsibilities was challenging,” Roger recalled. “But, my favorite part of the program was the hands-on projects, which allowed me to apply what I had learned and see the results firsthand.”

Job Search

Eight months after deciding to embark on his education journey, Roger graduated from the program with a brand new set of Cybersecurity skills. Like many of his classmates, he jumped right into the job search supported by his dedicated Career Coach. 

“My job search experience was made much easier by my career coach, who provided valuable guidance and support throughout the process.”

Ultimately, his efforts paid off. When we chatted with Roger in early 2023 he reported that he was “working as a Cybersecurity Specialist at a top tech company.”

Reflecting On His Journey

Looking back on where he began, Roger emphasized the perseverance needed to change one’s life and switch careers. 

“The biggest takeaway from my time at [Flatiron School’s Amazon Career Choice program] is the importance of hard work and perseverance,” he said. “No matter how challenging the program may seem, it is possible to succeed with dedication and determination.”

As for his advice for other students walking the same path, he recommends sticking with it when things get hard. 

“Stay focused and make the most of every opportunity. It can be difficult at times, but the effort will pay off in the end.”

Flatiron School Retraining Programs

Amazon’s Career Choice offers eligible Amazon employees like Roger Brown the opportunity to pivot careers into higher-paying jobs through retraining. 

The program was created as a way to attract top talent as well as improve employee engagement and retention. 

Following the initial cohort’s success, Amazon again selected Flatiron School to deliver Career Choice programs in 2023. 

Contact us to learn how a Flatiron School retraining program can attract and retain top talent at your organization.

Pride in Tech 2023 Panel Discussion

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

At Flatiron School, we know that meaningful things happen when people from diverse backgrounds work together. That’s why, each Pride month, we host a panel highlighting members of the LGBTQ+ community thriving in tech.

Last Year’s Pride in Tech 2022 Panel:

In 2022, our “Pride in Tech” panel participants shared how diversity and inclusion impact the LGBTQIA+ community working in tech and how companies can support LGBTQIA+ equality. Panelists featured were: 

August Rowe (They/Them), Data and Impact Director at Southwest Youth and Family Services.

Louis Casanave (He/Him), a former Data Science student. He went on to graduate from Flatiron School in November 2022 and is now an Analytics Consultant at Wells Fargo.

Brandon Tomecsko (He/They), a former Software Engineering student. He went on to graduate from Flatiron School in April 2023 and is now a Software Developer at Cook Systems. 

Em Kramm (She/They), a former Software Engineering student. She went on to graduate from Flatiron School in August 2022. 

Reito Serizawa (He/Him), a former Software Engineering student. He went on to graduate from Flatiron School in July 2022 and is now a Software Engineer at Skift.

Wael Gomaa (He/Him), a former Software Engineering student. He went on to graduate from Flatiron School in June 2022 and is now a Data Analyst at SDG Group.

Brittany (Ritta) Kelly (She/Her), a former Software Engineering student. She went on to graduate from Flatiron School in August 2022 and is now a Membership Director & Head of Influencer Relations at Parlor Social Club.

Throughout the event, panelists discussed what tech does to support the community, what it could do better, and their own experiences in the field. Watch last year’s full panel below:

This Year’s Pride in Tech 2023 Panel:

This year, Flatiron School will host another thought-provoking panel conversation on the challenges and triumphs of being LGBTQIA+ in the tech industry. Our panelists will share their personal stories and insights on how to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture for the LGBTQIA+ community in tech.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an aspiring LGBTQIA+ professional, or simply someone who wants to learn more about this incredible intersection, this is the perfect opportunity to expand your horizons and join the conversation.

Whether you’re hoping to get into tech, currently pursuing an education, or are looking for your next opportunity, this panel is for everyone. Bring all of your questions and get ready to be inspired by our panelist’s stories!

RSVP for the panel

Eric Saber: Professional Organizer to Product Designer

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Eric Saber, a March 2020 UX/UI* graduate from Flatiron School, followed a self-defined winding road to get to Design. But, by following his need for a change throughout his career, he’s now thriving in tech.

He shares his journey from professional organizing to product design below.

Beginning In Business

The route Eric Saber took to becoming a Product Designer was, in his words, a “winding journey”. Eric began his career in sales as an Account Executive working with non-profit arts organizations. But, a decade into his first profession, he was ready for a change.  

“I felt an itch to strike out on my own. So, I made a bit of a left-turn and started my own professional organizing company (a la Marie Kondo). I’ve always been an organized person and I love creating order and efficiency,” he explained, “so it was a natural fit for me.”

Eric had his organizing business, Outer Calm, for just under 3 years. But eventually, the itch came back that told him he needed something different.

“While I loved organizing and helping my clients, I preferred a more structured work life vs. being a freelancer.”

Pivoting Into Product Design

As he contemplated his next move, a chance encounter with a family member put him on the path toward tech.

“I was talking with my father-in-law who was redesigning an app he built. He was asking my opinion on the interface since he knew I was pretty well-versed in tech, and that was the lightbulb moment when I knew I wanted to be a designer. Shortly thereafter I found Flatiron School.”

Looking back, Eric’s eventual decision to pursue a career in Product Design was a long time coming. 

“I’ve always been a bit of a tech nerd, but I’m also a guitarist and songwriter, so for the longest time I was looking to have some form of creativity be a part of my work life,” he said. “I thought that that ship might have sailed until I learned more about product design as a career.”

His decision to apply to Flatiron School’s UX/UI Design program was informed by the testimonials of peers who’d previously attended the Software Engineering program and had a positive experience.

“All the alumni I spoke with said that it was a really difficult program but worth it if you put in the hard work […] Flatiron had one of the more robust design programs and I also got the impression that, of all the bootcamps out there, Flatiron had some name recognition that was respected (which would help with the eventual job search).”

Bootcamp Experience

Eric enrolled in Flatiron School’s UX/UI Design program on the NYC Campus in late 2019. Eric, like many students, initially struggled with the accelerated pace of learning. 

“Soaking everything in and putting it into practice at such a breakneck pace to meet deadlines was not easy. As a brand new designer and student, it felt like learning to build a plane while flying it,” he recalled. “That said, in hindsight, it was super valuable to learn that way because it mimics the real-world deadlines designers face on the job.” 

What’s more, after spending over a decade in careers where he worked independently, learning to work cooperatively with the other students in his cohort presented a learning curve that he appreciates looking back.

“The group work was invaluable since so much of the work you do in the real world is going to be collaborative and cross-functional.”

Even with the demanding schedule and rapid learning, Eric found that he thoroughly enjoyed his coursework.

“My favorite part of the program was the initial education around design thinking and the overall process that goes into solving some of these big problems. It takes so much work to make things work. When you’re using a great website or app, it’s easy to forget that a lot of people did a lot of hard work to make that experience a good one for you.”

Job Search Journey

Eric graduated from Flatiron School’s UX/UI Design program in March 2020, right into the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

“As you might imagine, the job search was tricky, though I’m sure it would have been even without a pandemic. It was hard getting my foot in the door and convincing hiring managers to give me a phone screen, having no prior design experience,” he explained. “Even though I knew all my other experiences and soft skills were extremely valuable to the work, many hiring managers just wanted to see your past work in design.”

Despite the rough launch post-graduation, Eric’s dedicated Career Coach supported him throughout the job search.

“[My Career Coach] helped to focus me and frame my applications in a way that allowed me to stand out not despite my unconventional background, but because of it.”

Working In Tech

When we talked with Eric in early 2023, he’d been working as a Product Designer at FCB Health in New York City for almost 2 years.

“I love being a designer and I am so grateful for my experience at Flatiron. I really feel like I have found my calling and I owe so much of that to you guys. The reality is even better than the dream, and I think the way that the program is set up allows for designers to be well-prepared for real-world work.”

The overlap between his previous and current work, he says, is more than one might expect. 

“It has been a perfect marriage of my skills and experience in sales (where I learned how to present work and help clients) and the time I spent running my own company (where I had a direct impact on people’s lives by creating order out of chaos). Add in the creative aspect and you couldn’t draw a better Venn diagram of the things I’m passionate about.”

Reflecting On His Journey

Eric’s advice for other Product Design students is to lean into the hard work required to thrive in the course. 

“You really do get from the program whatever you put into it. If you’re willing to hit the ground running and realize that it won’t be easy, that there might be some nights where you don’t get much sleep, you will get so much in return. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the structure and support of Flatiron. I feel very lucky to be an alumn!”

Looking back on where he started, Eric’s biggest takeaway is that hard work pays off.

“If you have the right mindset, a good eye, and a strong desire to learn, you can make your design dreams come true. I pinch myself every day that I get to do this for a living!”

Itching For A Change, Just Like Eric Saber?

Apply Now to join other career changers like Eric in a program that’ll teach you the design skills you need to land your first job in tech.

Not quite ready to apply? Try out our Free Product Design Prep Work and test-run the material we teach in the course. 

Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog.

*UI/UX Design course is no longer available. For students interested in this course of study, visit the Product Design course page to learn more.