Q&A with Sayer Lase: Coding Dojo’s Gap year after High School

High school seniors spend their senior year planning their next steps in life. This could be through traditional routes like applying to colleges or a non-traditional route that narrows down a specific field and then entering the workforce. It’s a time when there is great opportunity. This is where you can link together the building blocks that you have acquired through your life-long education. It can be very difficult to focus on your true identity and what you want.
It is important to use this time wisely. Practical experience can help ease some of the uncertainty about the future in terms of job opportunities and salary potential. The Gap Year Program at Coding Dojo is designed to provide a hands-on experience to youth interested in a career as a programmer and set them up for success. On a national scale, 94%* alumni land a job within 180 days of graduating. The average salary is $76,000 per annum.
Our award-winning bootcamp can help you get ahead by increasing your job opportunities immediately after graduation. You can also improve your skills before a rigorous 4-year education. It takes only 14 weeks to set yourself up for success. We spoke with Sayer Lagase (a Gap Year student who recently graduated) about her experiences. Although it might not be the norm for high school students to take a year off to figure this out it is clear that it should be an option for all high school graduates.
Here’s what Lagase has to say about the Gap Year Program and where it takes her.
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Why did you choose to take part in the Coding Dojo Gap Year program?
Lagase: Technology has been all around me my entire life. I was not sure what path to take after I graduated high school. It is difficult to choose a career path.
I wanted to explore all options and get the most from what I was learning. Coding Dojo was the perfect solution for me. I didn’t have to go to college to get it. It covered everything I needed.
I like to understand how the pieces fit together and why. Full-stack web development has given my insight into programming and what each part can bring.
What was your experience in the Dojo?
Lagase: It’s intimidating to look at code for the first-time, especially for someone who has never coded in their lives. It takes time, dedication, and frustration to get the hang of it all. Although the course is hard work, it will be worth it in the end.
The on-site program helped me to see what I could learn from others, to get out of my comfort zone and to work with my classmates to find a solution.
Would you recommend this experience for others who are considering Coding Dojo bootcamp as a Gap Year option?
Lagase: I spent 60-70 hours a week at the Dojo. It can be easy to get distracted and lose track of what you’re doing. Spending so much time with your fellow classmates, you are constantly being challenged. We all feel the same, and all of us came here to learn.
It was a great motivator. I learned more than I ever imagined in just 14 weeks from my class. It makes me proud of all I can do if I want to.
—— In just a few months, Lagase was capable of taking her high school education and turning it into a Coding Dojo Full-Stack Developer certification. She can choose to go to a 4-year university to get a Computer Science degree or to immediately start job hunting. With practical knowledge in web development, software engineering, and three full stacks, she will be a top-notch player in any field. She’s barely out of high school and is a full-stack programmer with a promising career in tech. Maybe you are looking for a career and want to learn how to build programs, platforms, websites, and applications. Even if you don’t have the time yet to decide “who” or “what you want,” a bootcamp like Coding Dojo’s might help you refine your idea. Click here to learn more about Coding Dojo’s Gap Year program.
*This report was compiled from a survey sent to alumni who graduated between October 2017 and January 2015. 94% of respondents are employed full-time in the field. 75% of alumni find work within three months.