Life after Boot Camp

Congratulations on completing your coding boot camp! You've spent numerous hours on your final project and are now in the process of figuring out your next steps with the ultimate goal of landing a job. However, you may find yourself feeling lost and overwhelmed with the plethora of advice on what to do next. Do you start by building a portfolio or focus on fixing bugs in your project? Do you prioritize learning new concepts or mastering the fundamentals? Should you start mass-applying to jobs or first improve your resume? It's easy to feel jumbled and confused when trying to navigate the post-bootcamp phase. After some reflection, I've come up with a game plan that can help you make sense of it all.

Take a break
The first thing you should do is take a break. After all the hard work you've put in, you need some time to recharge. Take a few days or a week to rest and disconnect from the critical thinking required during boot camp.

Create a list of goals
Once you've rested, it's time to create specific goals and steps to achieve them. Start by identifying a goal, such as fixing a bug in your project, even if you're not sure how to do it yet. Then, break down the goal into smaller steps, such as researching the issue or seeking help from a mentor. Write these steps down and store them somewhere that is easily accessible, I use Notion.

Create a schedule
Now that you have your goals and steps in place, it's time to create a schedule. Decide how much time you want to allocate to each task on a daily or weekly basis. For example, you could spend two hours a day working on LeetCode questions or one hour a day applying to jobs. Alternatively, you could designate specific days of the week to work on certain tasks. It's important to set realistic expectations and stick to the schedule as much as possible.

Stick to the schedule
Sticking to the schedule you've created is crucial to building the habits you need to achieve your goals. Adjust the schedule as needed to fit your work flow, but be sure to remain consistent. Even if you don't accomplish everything you set out to do, record your progress and pick up where you left off. As you complete tasks and cross them off your list, you'll gain momentum and see progress.

Navigating life after coding boot camp can be daunting, but with a clear plan in place, you can achieve your goals and find success. Remember to take breaks, create specific goals and steps, and stick to a schedule. With hard work and dedication, you'll be well on your way to landing your dream job. Best of luck!