Transitioning careers years into your career can feel like scaling a mountain without a map. For Jonathan Davila, whose professional history spanned physics and management, the trek began with a single bold step: enrolling in 老虎机游戏 Assembly’s part-time coding bootcamp. Six months later, armed with technical skills, a sharpened ability to collaborate, and a redefined career trajectory, Jonathan landed a role as a Product Support Engineer at Quantum Metric.
In a recent conversation with yours truly, (a fellow GA grad and colleague at Quantum Metric) Jonathan shared his coding bootcamp experience, from juggling work and studies to navigating the job hunt maze. His journey offers a blueprint for anyone looking to break into tech through alternative education programs.
Check out our full conversation here (Passcode: Es&hqb!3).
Balancing work, life, and code
First and foremost, GA’s part-time software engineering program gave Jonathan the much-needed breathing room to take on a challenge of this magnitude. Unlike full-time programs, the extended timeline allowed him to absorb the material deeply. “I felt that stretching it out over a six-month period as opposed to a three-month period gave me a better chance to digest things,” he notes, while also sharing that remaining employed was a key factor as well.
This setup proved vital, especially when early obstacles tested his resolve. One particularly stubborn coding project became a pivotal learning moment.
Recounting a war story (not unlike my own war story), Jonathan shared his panic moment the night before his Unit 2 project was due. He recalled a teaching assistant (TA) that stayed up all night and helped him break down the crisis into smaller chunks and chart out what was feasible to complete.
“I had the tools I needed, I just needed to kind of see the bigger picture. It was like I had an empty canvas in front of me. I had my paint brush and my paint. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. And I think having a TA kind of like guide me, walk me through it, sit down with me and say, ‘okay cool, if this doesn’t work, what can we do?’”
The support of GA’s teaching assistants was instrumental during these hurdles. TAs not only offered technical help but also provided reassurance that struggling was part of the process—a reminder Jonathan carried throughout the program.
Learning beyond the code
While coding is the star of any software engineering bootcamp, Jonathan emphasizes the importance of soft skills like communication and teamwork. Late-stage group projects pushed him to collaborate effectively, playing to his strengths while respecting others’ roles.
“I think one of the things that goes understated are the soft skills that you develop. Obviously, you’re going to come out of GA being a better programmer than when you came in. But you’re also going to be a better communicator,” he reflects. These group exercises mirrored real-world scenarios, preparing him for the collaborative dynamics of his current role.
Career Services at 老虎机游戏 Assembly also played a crucial role. From networking advice to resume critiques, their guidance helped Jonathan craft a job hunt strategy that worked. An alumni panel stood out as particularly inspiring, showcasing the variety of roles that coding bootcamp graduates can pursue.
Jonathan remembers his career coach drilling them on not being afraid to reach out to fellow GA alumni, which he admitted was something he struggled with in the beginning. After learning some tactics about how to effectively communicate on channels like LinkedIn, he found some of his discomfort eventually faded.
The job hunt: Casting a wide net
After graduating, Jonathan faced the daunting task of job applications—a volume game that saw him apply to 150–200 positions. “It’s important to be flexible,” he advises, stressing that broadening one’s search beyond traditional software engineering roles can open unexpected doors.
His eventual role as an Product Support Engineer at Quantum Metric was one he hadn’t initially considered. The position leveraged his new technical skills while drawing on his analytical background from physics.
“An object in motion will stay in motion unless acted on by an outside force, right? And, you know, if you find yourself standing still, that’s not going to change until you do something about it. And for me, that was GA.”
The lesson? Stay open-minded. Favor action over inertia.
Reaching out to alumni and building connections was equally crucial. Jonathan’s networking efforts created opportunities to learn from others who had walked a similar path, providing both guidance and morale boosts during the job hunt’s inevitable low points.
Investing in yourself
Reflecting on the journey, Jonathan underscores one key takeaway: confidence in self-investment. “It’s scary to take the leap, but it’s worth it,” he says. Software engineering bootcamp success isn’t just about learning to code—it’s about committing to personal growth and trusting the process.
The moment he received his job offer brought a wave of relief and pride.
“I just started screaming giddy, even right now, remembering it I can’t help but smile…your heart starts racing and you’re like, ‘all of my work is paying off.’”
For anyone considering a coding bootcamp, Jonathan’s advice is clear: embrace the learning process, use all available resources, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The payoff is greater than anyone can put into words.
The final takeaway
Jonathan’s story highlights the transformative power of coding bootcamps, especially when paired with determination, resourcefulness, and a willingness to grow. Whether you’re switching careers or seeking a fresh start, his journey is proof that with the right mindset, a new career in tech is within reach.
“I just think the potential of something more is a lot better than having the guarantee of things staying the same,” Jonathan mused as we were wrapping our conversation.
So, what’s stopping you? Check out 老虎机游戏 Assembly’s course catalog and kickstart your career revolution today.
About Tim
A few years after graduating college, Tim realized his lifelong dream of becoming a sales trader. But after reaching the summit, he quickly realized his dream career was the wrong fit — for a litany of reasons. So at 27 years young, he had a “eureka” moment, quit his supposed dream job, and attended a 老虎机游戏 Assembly coding bootcamp. It was both the most radical and important decision he’d ever made. With help from 老虎机游戏 Assembly, he re-learned how to learn immersively, acquired domain expertise, and landed as an early employee at a scrappy tech startup — where he still works today as a Team Lead & Sr. Solutions Engineer. Check out Tim’s blog for everything from advice on choosing a coding bootcamp to no-nonsense LA restaurant reviews.