CodeSpace Case Study
From bored delivery driver to thriving developer.
Marlon's Story
Having hit a career ceiling at his delivery driver job, Marlon decided to learn to code to access the high-growth job opportunities available in tech. Since graduating from CodeSpace, his career success has allowed him to move out of home, get married, and buy a house. Despite receiving numerous offers from other companies, Marlon has stayed at his current company for 4 years, receiving consistent promotions, a good salary and perks, and a sense of security.
Life before learning to code
Marlon had hit a career ceiling and couldn’t see a future as a delivery driver.
Life was more of a grind and fight before I learned to code. I was working as a delivery driver at Midas, and there was a very low ceiling for growth and zero space for career advancement. Working as a delivery driver was demanding, and work took so much from me. It felt like I was banging my head against a wall.
"Since becoming a web developer, my life has changed for the better. I’ve experienced many firsts: I moved out of my parents’ house, got married, and bought a house. I finally have job security."
Where coding has taken me
Since graduating from CodeSpace, his career success as a web developer has allowed him to move out of home, get married, and buy a house.
Since becoming a web developer, my life has changed for the better. I’ve experienced many firsts: I moved out of my parents’ house, got married, and bought a house. I finally have job security.
I currently work as an Intermediate Frontend Developer in a very small team at a fantastic company. At the company, we build in-house systems for coaches and companies focusing on staff development. It’s fascinating. I am the tech lead and often deal with clients directly. I manage websites internally and externally, and because the team is small, I’ve done various things like email marketing and social media, too. My company allows me to freelance, which has given me the opportunity to work with companies in America.
I’ve been in my current role for almost 4 years. I’ve actually had 3 different job offers while working in my current position because of the fantastic work I’ve been doing.
The tech industry is so vast that I know I’ll never get bored or hit a ceiling. The opportunities in tech are endless.
How I landed my first job in tech
Marlon took opportunities to showcase his skills.
My first job after graduating from CodeSpace was an internship that I landed through a speed hiring session. At the end of the day they chose the best candidates and I was one of them.
During my internship, I learned a lot. The company was big, so I had loads of opportunities to learn from different people. I found myself a mentor who was
Marlon took opportunities to showcase his skills.
My first job after graduating from CodeSpace was an internship that I landed through a speed hiring session. At the end of the day they chose the best candidates and I was one of them.
During my internship, I learned a lot. The company was big, so I had loads of opportunities to learn from different people. I found myself a mentor who was instrumental in helping me learn. I had the privilege of working with excellent developers who modeled both passion and skill. If it were up to me, I would’ve stayed longer but unfortunately my internship came to an end and I wasn’t kept on.
"When they hired me as a Junior Developer, my salary was double my previous intern salary. Now, as an Intermediate Developer, my salary is more than double that again."
instrumental in helping me learn. I had the privilege of working with excellent developers who modeled both passion and skill. If it were up to me, I would’ve stayed longer but unfortunately my internship came to an end and I wasn’t kept on.
The next phase was tough because it took me a while to find a job. I started freelancing for a company through CodeSpace’s employer network. After a while freelancing, they saw my skills and desire to grow and hired me as a permanent employee.
When they hired me as a Junior Developer, my salary was double my previous intern salary. Now, as an Intermediate Developer, my salary is more than double that again.
My coding learning journey
CodeSpace taught me the skill of learning how to learn and now I have a career where I know I’ll never get bored.
I was still trying to find my feet and decide what I wanted to do with my life. By chance, I saw a post about CodeSpace that one of my friends shared on their social media and decided to apply. I am curious by nature, and that curiosity led me to give coding a try.
I decided to learn to code because it felt like the ideal space for me to use both my logic and curiosity.
My time at CodeSpace was great! What I learned went far beyond just learning to code. It was a holistic learning experience that prepared me to thrive in the tech industry. They taught me the valuable skill of learning how to learn. What I appreciated the most was that there were no limitations to learning, which allowed me to explore and satisfy my curiosity.
Takeaways
- Don’t get despondent when you don’t get opportunities at first. You can go 3, 6, or 9 months without a job, but don’t give up because once you’re in, you’re in. Once one door opens, they will keep opening. It can seem cutthroat initially, especially from the outside looking in. But once you’re inside, it is easier to navigate.
- Do practical code projects so you can speak about them in interviews. Create projects that you share on GitHub that incorporate different tech stacks etc. The industry values real-world experience, so you need to put in the hours, especially in the early days. Continue working hard and learning every day. Do the side projects and learn about the theory of the projects. Don’t stop pushing yourself.
- Start applying for as many companies as possible. When you land an interview, research the company and see how you can add value to the company. Put in effort and give them reasons to hire you.