We’re so proud of our alumni. They’re the thinkers and doers who don’t wait for some imagined future, but put real skills to work building the future they want and need. They’re dedicated and motivated to charge up from the inside out, so change never stops them in their tracks.
Like Software Engineering Bootcamp (then known as our Web Development Immersive) grad Danesh Madarbakus. He’s yet another shining example of how you can shift career gears and find success in ways you may not think possible.
We recently connected with Danesh to get his unique insights on his own GA experience, along with his advice for anyone considering a career change. Check out some of the highlights…
Tell us a little about your background and how you came to GA.
“Like many other GA students, my background had absolutely nothing to do with coding. I actually graduated in psychology and started my career in tech recruitment (which I would find later on to come in very handy). Tech recruitment is where I was first introduced to the digital world and gave me a really good insight on what a career in tech would be all about. I began to get a bit tired of recruitment as I felt very much like a hamster in a wheel and I found all of the innovative startups I was trying to recruit for were doing really exciting work, so I decided I wanted to explore the idea of getting into tech myself. That’s when I found GA and your program to get you up to a junior engineer standard by the end of the three-month course. I decided to leave my career in recruitment and jump into the world of coding, and seven-plus years later, I haven’t looked back since.”
What do you do now, and what have been some of your career highlights since graduating GA?
“I’ve had the opportunity to relocate to Dubai where I’m currently a tech team lead for an e-commerce company. I’ve also had the opportunity to work at major corporations like Sky, as well as unicorn startups like Cazoo in the seven-plus years I’ve been in tech.”
What are some of the skills you learned in your bootcamp that you use now?
“Everything. What you learn in a GA course is directly applicable to the real world and work environment.”
Any technical or general interview tips you’d like to share?
“Smile and be confident. It’s ok if you don’t know everything—what matters is a positive attitude and your passion.”
What are some of the top skills you look for now as a hiring manager?
“From a technical skill perspective, NextJS, React, and basic understanding of system design are all key. And from a soft skill perspective, I cannot stress enough good communication skills and a positive attitude.”
Any final thoughts to share?
“I do a lot of mentoring in my free time and I find that my background in recruitment has helped me again and again in finding new roles and also helping to mentor others in finding their first jobs too. I’m constantly trying to give back to the tech community and what better way than sharing my experiences with the GA community where it all started for me. I hope my story helps inspire others to pursue the career they want.”
Make it real like Danesh did
From free tech skill classes to two-day workshops, flexible short courses to full-time and part-time career-changing bootcamps, we’re here to help make your career evolution real with courses and resources proven to fire up forward-thinking and shift personal ambition into in-demand skills.