Amy Liamelo

The stack we learned had an acronym: NERD. The “N” was for Node, used for building server-side functions, so JavaScript was key. “E” stood for Express, a framework for routing and APIs. We dabbled in basic HTML to render pages but quickly switched to React, which made building front-end UIs much faster. We also learned Redux, which works closely with React. Some might argue the acronym should have been NERRD, but one “R” was enough to cover both. Finally, “D” was for Database. We started with PostgreSQL, a relational database, but later explored NoSQL options too.

Each day began with a 9-10 a.m. Q&A session. Teaching assistants ran algorithm exercises or data structure refreshers. Lessons ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a one-hour lunch break. From 2-5 p.m., we applied what we'd learned by building examples, often pairing with classmates to talk through problems.

The course had two phases: junior (first two months) and senior (last two months). During junior phase, we had two unit testing exams. Poor performance on the first put you on a watch list; poor performance on the second could mean repeating the phase or leaving the program. (The bootcamp doesn't charge tuition if you don't land a job within a year, so this system ensured we succeeded… and yes, they'd get paid eventually!)

Needless to say, I did not want to fail. I studied extra hours and booked weekend study sessions with classmates. The pressure was intense, but it lit a fire under me to make sure I succeeded.

Senior phase was a game-changer. Morning lessons disappeared. Instead, we formed teams to develop our first software program. Some teams build games, other teams build tools and my team built a web app. Twice a week, we met with career coaches and mentors, while also doubling down on algorithm practice for technical interviews. This period was invigorating. I loved having the technical skills to build a project while also practicing problem-solving. I was thrilled to add software development to my resume and officially start my journey in tech.

With focus and effort, I passed all the exams and completed the course on time. In the final weeks, Grace Hopper (the program, not the person!) helped us prepare for careers: revamping resumes, practicing algorithms, and connecting with prospective employers. I was lucky enough to interview with AMC Networks at the job fair, which eventually helped me land my first technical job!