What's your background?

My name is Wilhelm. I am a 26 years old German, who lived for the past years in Cologne. There, I studied Sociology and Politics. I finished several internships in the fields of journalism, marketing and public relations.

What sparked your interest in coding?

While I was doing the aforementioned internships, I had never felt that I achieved something lasting. Fulfilment rarely occurred at the end of the day. At the same time, an interesting application was promoted on my phone’s application store: Mimo. The app promised to teach beginners the basics of coding. I followed my curiosity and I obtained some simple programming skills. Finally, I felt the joy of creating something lasting – something that other could use for their advantage. I guess, it is the same fervour that drives architects and craftsmen – with the big difference, that as a programmer you create digital buildings and tools.

"Finally, I felt the joy of creating something lasting – something that other could use for their advantage."

How did Mimo Bootcamp fit into your coding journey?

I would not have got ready for a web developer position if I had not attended the Mimo Bootcamp courses. Especially in times of remote work, it is crucial to be part of a familial community of beginners striving towards the same goal. The regular calls with my classmates, and the careful supervision of my instructor encouraged me to stick to the curriculum. With the help of Mimo Bootcamp, I have never lost sight of my objective to become a web developer.

"With the help of Mimo Bootcamp, I have never lost sight of my objective to become a web developer."

How did the job search go for you?

I started to apply for frontend developer positions after I had finished the Mimo Bootcamp courses. Before I sent the first application, I had focused on two goals: 1. Brushing up on my LinkedIn profile 2. Creating a unique project to showcase I put a lot of effort into my LinkedIn profile, since it is an important place where the recruiter’s impression on the applicant is formed. First and foremost, it means to present your projects in a good light. Projects are necessary to show potential recruiters skills exceeding basic tutorial-led projects, e.g. a to-do list. It is an advantage if the project has a personal background story, e.g. a tool to help your friend’s business. I submitted dozens of applications, of which most had been rejected. I know, it sounds cheesy: But, do not give up! Keep submitting the damn applications! After a few weeks, I had my first invitations to job interviews. In the end, I was even accepted for two different positions.

"After a few weeks, I had my first invitations to job interviews. In the end, I was even accepted for two different positions."

Where do you work now?

Now, I work as Junior Frontend Developer Trainee at the German IT service provider adesso.

What did Mimo Bootcamp help you accomplish?

Through Mimo Bootcamp, I got in touch with the React library. This library is now the main skill I use in my everyday work. It is the one which got me the job, so I am glad React was part of Mimo Bootcamp’s curriculum. Besides, I have broadened my horizon by glancing at  backend programming during the Mimo Bootcamp course, apart from being mostly focused on learning frontend skills. I appreciate the wide range of skills and technologies the courses covered.

How has learning to code changed your life?

Personally, coding helped me to structure my thinking, to believe in the infallibility of computers, and – utterly essential – to expect and accept that you will run into errors anyway. It is your job as a developer to keep calm, drink coffee, and check the code for potential errors. Since humans are not perfect, neither is their code. This is nothing amiss, as long as the issue gets solved – better sooner than later.

"It is your job as a developer to keep calm, drink coffee, and check the code for potential errors."

Any advice for those who are just starting to learn to code?

Learning to code can be tough. But, you are tougher. Do not lose hope, though it may get complicated. Especially, if you are learning on your own, you will hit on something so hard to wrap your head around that you will have to leave it for a later day. That is fine. Just keep swimming, as one famous Hippo Tang once said.