Apprenticeship through the eyes of Cohort 5
The technology industry requires innovation, problem-solving skills, and continuous learning. However, getting into this industry can be challenging for many people who have the skillset but limited professional experience. Apprenticeships have become an effective way to bridge the gap. These programs offer hands-on experience and structured education that provide valuable skills while working on actual projects.
If you are interested in knowing what it feels like to be a tech apprentice, you're in luck! We have gathered a collection of blog posts written by apprentices in our fifth cohort. They share their experiences and give you a peek into the challenges and triumphs of daily coding tasks, as well as the critical lessons they've learned along the way.
The following blogs from Cohort 5 offer valuable insights into the journey of tech apprentices, whether you are an aspiring apprentice or an employer seeking to host one:
The importance of receiving feedback in the workplace cannot be overstated. It serves as a catalyst for growth, fosters collaboration and trust, and empowers individuals to reach their full potential. So, embrace feedback as a gift and learn from it.
My story is one among many of those born-female. Whether it’s a lack of access to, lack of representation in or lack of confidence to pursue STEM, the exclusionary narrative to female-born people and, especially to people of color, is a detriment to not only for STEM occupations, but to society as a whole. Leveraging diversity in the workforce has proven time and time again to increase innovation and creativity, not stilt it… We were, and are, always enough for STEM.
My non-technical skills. They are where I currently hold most of my confidence as a software engineering apprentice. As I have now wrapped up two weeks of work at my host company and collaborating with my Develop Carolina full-stack project team, I am definitely noticing how these skills are easily transferable to this line of work.
The overarching lesson gleaned from this experience is clear: instead of fruitlessly circling a problem, it’s essential to set boundaries and be prepared to embrace a fresh start when necessary.
I am grateful for all of these awesome lessons learned, for the amazing mentors and developers I have around me to learn from and with, as well as the pscyhological safety on my team to be vulnerable and communicate where I am at on ticket challenges and progress. I am also excited to see how I have improved my knowledge of Typescript and Next.js in the past week just by digging in and spending more time with the language and framework. I love being in a career path that is constantly challenging me and where there is infinite opportunity to learn and grow. :)
Learnings and reflections from 2024-4-29 (updated weekly)
The company that hired me is a coworking space, and they have been graceful enough to give me my own desk (and a second monitor! YES!) On top of that I have my own desk now, I no longer have to fight my brain to go to bed every night. The coworking space also has sound-proof rooms for people to take calls, which is exceptionally ideal for my morning classes. I could go on and on about this coworking space, but I will save it for later. It is truly a wonderful place and I am so, so grateful to be here.
PS: Check out the posts featuring conversations with professionals in Val’s co-working space called “Atlas Local Conversations”.
In my journey as a software engineer, I sense that I’m navigating this last 10%. After years of self-study, securing a mentor, attending a bootcamp, and landing an apprenticeship, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. However, this final push seems disproportionately difficult. While my bootcamp group project was challenging, my partner and I managed to stay aligned throughout. The current project, however, is proving to be a tougher challenge, with the team struggling to unify and progress in a single direction. Additionally, working at the host company, despite being a fantastic opportunity, brings its own set of pressures, including the urgency to excel and quickly adapt to the new codebase.
The last 10% is not intended to be easy. If it were, attaining significant success would be commonplace. Despite the hardships associated with this final phase of becoming a software engineer, I am committed to overcoming these obstacles.
We are grateful to Cohort 5 for sharing their Develop Carolina experiences with the world. We are proud of their eagerness to learn and their openness to sharing their accomplishments and struggles with others.
If you would like more information about:
becoming an apprentice, apply today. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
hosting an apprentice, fill out this company interest form, and our team will be in touch with you.
