Dimitri's experience with our coding bootcamp online

Dimitri's Story: From a mechanic to a Frontend Developer

Cohort

EU December 2021

Country

Germany

First Job

Freelance Project

Learn web development in 6 months

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What's your background?

Hallo! I’m Dimitri and I’m currently living in Germany. Since my childhood, I have been fascinated by machines and mechanical objects, but also by computers and the digital world. I am currently working full time as a mechanic for a large automotive company, but in the future I would like to work as a front end developer.

What inspired you to learn to code?

My interest in programming was actually awakened at an early age. Back in the programming course at school, we wrote programs for everyday life, such as a calculator or a to-do app. The course lasted a year and I forgot about programming a bit. (Some things were more important back then.) But about a year ago, I was talking to an old friend about our professions. He works as a full stack developer and told me about his everyday work that was very challenging and never boring. I miss that a lot in my current job.

How did Mimo Dev fit into your coding journey?

Before Mimo Dev, I did a few tutorials at freeCodeCamp and was also active on the Mimo app. But I also wanted to exchange ideas with other students and have a contact person I could talk to. On top of that, I was working full time in a difficult shift system. So Mimo Dev was perfect for me, because I could learn when I had the time and I had a contact person who could help me. When I had time, I also joined the group sessions. The Mimo Dev program is very well balanced in terms of projects and guided tasks. I can advise everyone to do as many projects as possible, as this is how you learn the most.

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Mimo Dev was perfect for me, because I could learn when I had the time and I had a contact person who could help me.

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Dimitri's Web Development Journey visualized

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How has Mimo Dev impacted your life?

Mimo Dev inspired me to take the path of a frontend developer. The most fun part was working in a group with other students (programmers). It was an extraordinary experience because it was important to work in a team, solve the problems and present a working product at the end.

How did the job search go for you?

While I was in the Mimo Dev program, I wasn’t looking for a job. I focused on the learning and that worked well for me. After the program I applied to about 20-25 job postings. Most of them rejected my application immediately. About 5 companies invited me to an interview, but working remotely wasn’t possible and relocating was not an option for me. Two companies invited me to a technical interview. At one of them (working with the frontend of Shopify environment called Liquid) I failed because I couldn’t figure out how to work with the new environment. With the other company the interview went well, but they decided to proceed with another candidate. I will not give up and will continue to look for a job that suits me.

I found my first freelance assignment for a facility management company near my town. I plan, design, code and publish their new website. I found the job through my network and besides having my first “real“ project that I can show in my portfolio, experience is what I am hoping to get.

What did Mimo Dev help you accomplish?

At Mimo Dev I was able to code and collaborate in a team and also learned how to code in different languages. The biggest milestones were the team project and my first own React application. Learning to code is about learning to solve problems from different perspectives. It also helped me to approach problems at my current work, where I’m more patient now.

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At Mimo Dev I was able to code and collaborate in a team and also learned how to code in different languages.

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

Do some programming every day. Whether reading, programming or watching instructional videos.
In my opinion, the best way to learn is to code your own projects. As many as you can. It’s hard and frustrating sometimes, but worth every minute.
Don’t pay attention to the learning pace of others. Every person is different and some get a job after a short time, others take longer. But it's important to stay consistent.
Don't listen to too many opinions about programming. It can easily confuse you and the IT industry is very fast-paced.

When you’re not coding, what do you do for fun?

In my free time I love doing sports, especially kickboxing and football are my passions.

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Ready to take the next step in your career?

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Frequently asked

How will my typical week look like?

Every week, you will get a new study plan from your personal instructor, which will consist of different skills, projects and coding challenges you can complete on your own time. In addition, you'll have weekly live session where your instructor will talk through a coding project, explain new concepts and answer questions.

You can pick 1 out of 4 live call options each week. The options are spread out on different days and times to fit your schedule.
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Each week, you'll also have multiple short calls with the rest of the study group to check in on each others progress and discuss potential roadblocks. In addition to the regularly scheduled sessions, you'll set up Bi-weekly 1:1 calls with your personal coach, where you can discuss concepts in-depth and talk about your weekly study plan.
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Each month, we'll also host special community events, like Q&A sessions with famous developers or group hackathons.

Can I complete the program from anywhere?

Yes. You'll only need a computer with a microphone and a webcam as well as a fast and reliable internet connection. Ideally, you're in a European/African/US time zone to make sure you can attend live sessions and office hours.

Do I need coding skills to apply?

No, you don't. What's essential is that you're very motivated and have a strong interest in coding. While we'll work hard to get every student to the same level, the program has to keep moving, so your dedication is what matters.

Will the live sessions be mandatory?

No, they're not mandatory, however we highly encourage you to join them each week. There are 4 different time slots each week to choose from, so it will be easy to find a time that fits. We'll make sure to record all live sessions so you can watch them afterwards in case you can't make it.

Will you help me with hiring?

Yes. We provide career coaching and interview preparation. We'll do mock interviews with you and help you polish your online resume and portfolio, and facilitate introductions through our network.

How big will the cohorts be?

We're purposefully trying to keep our cohorts to around 40 people so we can fully support each student. Live sessions will have 10 people on average in one call.

Why does this program focus on web development?

Web development continues to be the most in-demand area for junior developer roles. It also suits itself perfectly to our teaching methods and tools.

What if I already know how to code?

Great, you'll have a head start! Unless you already consider yourself a developer, you'll still get a lot of value from the program. You’ll still learn state-of-the-art technologies, best practices, development principles and workflows, and get help landing a job.

Can I really become an employable developer within 6 months?

Yes! As long as you stay motivated and spend around 20 hours per week, you'll be able to master the skills necessary to find your first software development job.

How much time do I need?

You should dedicate around 20 hours per week.

What kind of jobs will I be able to land after completing the program?

The typical job profile is frontend developer. Any website you visit and anything you see, click on, or otherwise interact with on it is the work of a frontend developer. As a junior frontend developer, you'll create the visible part of websites and web apps. You'll code the frontend and take care of debugging, too.

Do I need Mimo Pro to start Mimo Dev?

No, you don't. Mimo Dev is designed to be completed without using the Mimo mobile app, however, we think it's a great additional tool to practice when you're on the go. If you sign up for Mimo Dev, we'll give you free access to Mimo Pro as well.