Tech Talent South Blog

Tech Talent South provides beginner-focused programs teaching web development and coding to adults and children.

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Why marketers need Web Development Skills

Guest post by Alec Cole, New Orleans

Dear Fellow Marketers: Yep, You Do Need to Know HTML/CSS

Embarking on a career as a digital marketer is, in part, a commitment to self-education. This industry moves quick, and woe betide anyone who doesn’t keep up with the latest from Google, Moz, Facebook, and any number of industry players who shape the way we work.

Looking back over my career in the sector, I can pretty easily point out both successful and unsuccessful attempts to learn new things. Begging my way into an internship with a PR veteran? Awesome. Signing up for three Coursera courses, then completely failing to finish them? Not so much.

Taking the plunge and going through a TTS Web Development program?

Necessary.

Completely necessary, in fact. I can’t claim that I graduated the course as an HTML/CSS maestro, but even the shaky first steps I’ve taken toward that goal have made a huge impact on the way I work as a marketer. While I’ve always believed that these skills would come in handy, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that they’re a must-have for anyone who wants to rise above a certain level in this field.

Why is that? Well...

Efficiency and Speed

As digital marketers, the web is the world we live in. It’s how we connect. It’s where our campaigns soar to victory or stumble their way towards cancellation. Now, if the web is our world, HTML/CSS is our language. Those that don’t speak it need a translator - either a web developer or a CMS - and that’s a recipe for trouble.

Both translators come with drawbacks. Devs might be able to make changes at speed, but their time is expensive and marketing tasks are rarely a priority. I’m lucky to work in an office full of incredibly talented developers, but pulling them off more important tasks to make minor fixes (like inserting a logo into a landing page) distracts them and throws a wrench into my own plans while I wait for them to become available.

Using a CMS removes the developer roadblock, but introduces others. Anyone who’s worked with a Wordpress site knows that - as powerful and diverse as plugins and themes are - there’s a point at which they simply won’t do exactly what you want them to... unless you can start digging into the language behind each page.

In either case, understanding even a tiny amount of HTML/CSS is crucial. For my own work at LookFar (we’re a New Orleans startup studio, if you’re curious), my knowledge gained at TTS has allowed me to make minor fixes that would have otherwise sat in limbo for hours waiting on a busy developer. I have also been able to tweak our CMS (Hubspot) into far better shape than would have been possible if I were stuck using pre-made themes. The result: A much more capable, independent marketing operation, and one that should become more so as I continue to learn.

Growing and Future-Proofing

As great as the benefits listed in the above two sections are, I actually had something completely different in mind when I signed up for a TTS course. My original intention was (and still is) to get the educations I needed to progress as a Search Engine Optimization expert. Despite the gains made by various marketing SaaS companies - understanding the fundamentals of building and running websites still remains a highly technical endeavor after a certain point. My rude awakening to this happened while looking through a checklist posted on Moz that outlined the necessities for someone to work in SEO. Take a look.

Yeah, and that’s just for a junior position.

In short, it was obvious that I needed a level of technical skill magnitudes beyond what my experience as a marketer and (sigh) English Literature degree had provided. By working with TTS, then applying that knowledge, I’ve picked up the chops to at least start clearing roughly half the items on that list. Given that I was only able to address two of them (optimistic estimation) before my TTS course, I’m feeling pretty happy about my progress.

And this isn’t just the case for SEO. Let’s say you want to develop your role toward that of a Growth Hacker (an actual one, not just someone who likes the buzzword) - you’ll need web dev chops and more. Want to eventually manage your own digital marketing team? You’d better at least understand how to identify, hire, and effectively utilize developers. Want to hop aboard a hot startup? Welp, there’s no room for personnel bloat in the early days, so you can bet they’ll be looking for someone who can tweet, build a landing page, and implement site analytics.

In short, our professions are becoming ever more intertwined with the technical aspects of the internet. If you want to remain in it and progress beyond where you’re at, it’s time to build your skillset to match.

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Shout-out to our Alumni, Alec Cole, for sharing his experience and be sure to check out Lookfar's blog for the latest happenings in the New Orleans startup scene!"

Are you a marketer interested in learning HTML/CSS? Check out these courses! 

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Justin & Tracy Morris - 2016 Startup Primer - Charlotte

What were your goals before learning with Tech Talent South?

We wanted to build a business and bring a concept to reality.

What are you up to now?

We’re very busy… Actually running the business that was originally just a concept!

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

TTS Startup Primer was exactly what we needed to jumpstart us to ACTION!  In the program, you are able to really build on your idea and learn in a positive environment, where everyone is there to help each other live out a dream! It’s pretty awesome to be a part of.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

The PITCH! The difficult part was not so much coming up with what to say, but being able to actually deliver it. This is an important step in the business building process that is sometimes overlooked or underestimated. Pitches be crazy, as they say!

What is the name of your company?

My Food Prepper

What is your product/service?

My Food Prepper offers nutritious, fully cooked, chef-prepared and pre-portioned meals. We also offer catering and customized meal plans.

What is your mission?

Our mission is to make sure that a nutritious fully prepared meal be not only accessible but also delicious!

How has TTS shaped the evolution of this project?

I will try my best to give you the abbreviated version. Working with TTS helped us save time, avoid mistakes, and make connections with a new family of entrepreneurs and visionaries. Our confidence increased and we sharpened our skills. We were able to put our business strategy in motion and we had the approval of our peers. You are equipped with the next steps to launch your business.

What are your goals moving forward?

We want to use My Food Prepper as a platform to serve our community and beyond. Our passion is to make eating healthy, easy, and affordable for everyone!

Learn more about My Food Prepper on their website!

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Ashley Jones - Full Time Code Immersion - Charlotte - Winter '15

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

My goal before Tech Talent South was to brush up on my programming skills and eventually strengthen them to be able to get a job as a full-stack or front-end developer. I majored in Computer Science for my undergraduate degree. However, I had worked for about a year and a half in support upon my graduation, and was completely unfulfilled in that position. I knew that I liked to code, but never felt strong enough to land a job as a developer.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

Tech Talent South was a very rewarding opportunity for me. Not only did I brush up on previous skills, but I also gained more clarity on concepts that I had never quite grasped in my undergraduate years. The lessons and assignments were so cohesive that it was easy to follow. These lessons gave me more confidence when speaking to others about technology and helped me to more quickly learn and understand other languages, such as Java.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take-aways?

I believe the most challenging part of the course was when we introduced Rails to create an application. There were a lot of steps that we went through where I did not necessarily understand the “why” behind it. This made it a bit difficult to recollect different steps, but unfortunately there was not enough time left in the course to delve deeply into these topics. I would have loved to spend a few more weeks on this topic to get a better understanding.

What are you up to now?

I am currently an entry-level Java UI Developer at Vanguard. I have been in this position about five months now, and I am loving it! Though I am not programming in Ruby, I am getting the chance to create and use the skills that I gained in TTS daily.

What kind of projects are you working on?

Most of my projects recently have revolved around work. We are currently working on renovating a very old desktop application from VB6 to Java. However, I am also in the process of designing a new social media app that I would like to develop in the near future.

What are your goals moving forward?

My goals moving forward are to continue learning in all capacities. I am learning new things daily in my current role, which is extremely satisfying. However, I would also like to get involved in some coding communities in the area. Also, as previously stated, I plan on building an app of my own in the near future, which will be the ultimate learning experience, which I am tremendously excited about!

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Jacob Boudreau - Full Time Code Immersion - Atlanta - Fall '15

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South? 

When I started at Tech Talent South, I was really looking to gain a comprehensive beginning into software development so that I could build out more complex sites and web applications. 

What are you up to now?

I’m co-founder and CTO of Stord. 

How did you experience with TTS shape your journey?

Tech Talent South greatly shaped my journey in entrepreneurship and tech. Before TTS I did web design through my web agency, however, I wanted to learn more about actual software development to pursue more complex entrepreneurial ideas. Tech Talent South was the perfect community to become a part of - they’re heavily invested in making sure their students succeed - and I was able to learn a ton of technical knowledge as well as become more deeply invested in ATL’s startup scene. In great part to TTS I’ve been involved in teaching coding, meeting other entrepreneurs and developers, and growing as an entrepreneur to the role I’m in now. 

What were your big take aways from the course? 

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from the course is somewhat obvious, but often overlooked: practice. The only real way for improvement in any area, especially software development, is through consistent practice and intense curiosity. TTS did a great job of providing a guided path into this in their Code Immersion course; they walk every student through several apps to practice different concepts and pique curiosity. 

What is the name of your company? 

Stord 

What is your product/service? 

Stord is a premium, full-service storage company — we pickup, store, manage, and return your belongings. Beyond providing flexible on-demand storage, we are working to solve the inherent pain of self storage: figuring out what to do with your belongings once they are stored. Drawing from existing customer feedback, we are implementing management tools that help customers sell, donate, discard, and retrieve their items. Stord eliminates the need to find a storage facility, rent a truck, pack belongings, move boxes, and decide what to do with your stuff once it's in storage. We implement an extremely asset-light model to provide full service storage at a reasonable cost. 

What is your mission? 

To solve the pains of self-storage through providing top-quality convenience at every step of the storage process. 

How has TTS shaped the evolution of this project? 

TTS provided me a base of rails software dev. knowledge from which I was able to grow to fit the role I’m in today. If it weren’t for TTS, I probably wouldn’t have gotten the guided start into software development that led to me being where I am today. 

What are your goals moving forward? 

To disrupt and revolutionize the antiquated storage industry through Stord

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Fletcher Upchurch - Full Time Code Immersion - Raleigh - Spring '16

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

My goals before starting the course were to dive deeper into the true understanding of a developer's role and skill sets. I had previous experience in front-end website content management before the cohort and worked with code languages on that platform. Tech Talent South exposed me to full stack immersion web application concepts that added value to my core skill set.

What are you up to now?

I have had the opportunity to audit the course and help in the teaching assistant role through the summer months and am heavily networking in my Raleigh-Durham area to pursue a full-time career as a developer.

How did you experience with TTS shape your journey?

My journey has allowed me to work on open source projects that gave back to the community. The people in the Ruby/Rails network are very viable to helping and giving advice for future roles and opportunities. Plus, where the cohort was taught in HQ Raleigh, has led me to valuable connects from the start-up community.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

The most challenging part was the projects and more importantly the final project as team members. You have to rely on each others background talents and out-of-the-box thinking or ideas for problem solving. Also, your innate knowledge and research ultimately completed the project.

What is your current title?

Junior Web Developer

What kind of projects are you working on?

I am studying Angular and React for more of a Front-End balance. As time goes on, I will start working on open source projects with networking friends through Github.

What are your goals moving forward?

To continue my code immersion, understand more application concepts and help with start-up projects.

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Raymahl Sutton - Part Time Code Immersion - Raleigh - Fall '15

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

Before starting TTS, I was in the early stages of building a startup, BlindedHR. I had worked on the business plan, spoke to local investors and gotten feedback. I had even started wire framing a little, but was really hoping TTS would give me the skills to code it myself.

What are you up to now?

At this time, i’m still working my full time job, but the startup I was working on last year, BlindedHR, is starting our private beta. 2 TTS graduates Lukas Barry & Brian McDonald are helping with back end development. They’ve been awesome and the platform is coming together nicely.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

TTS gave me the confidence to want to learn more, but more importantly believe that I could achieve whatever I wanted. Imposter syndrome hits me often, but as long as I can restart my server, pull down from github and try again, I feel I’ll be alright. TTS has also instilled in me the fact that learning is ongoing, this makes the development process overall easier.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

The most challenging part of the part time TTS cohort was the content and timeframe. At times there were a lot I wanted to practice and get better at before moving on, but luckily I could use the weekends to practice the week’s lessons.

What is the name of your company?

The company I’m building is BlindedHR.

What is your product/service?

BlindedHR is a platform to apply to jobs anonymously, mitigating bias in hiring from recruiters and allowing companies a data first view into their hiring metrics.

What is your mission?

BlindedHR is dedicated to creating the candidate review process of the future. Referral hiring works statistically, but I believe viewing all candidates equally allows the best candidates to rise to the top, all without trying to filter some out early.

How has TTS shaped the evolution of this project?

TTS has helped me learn and speak the language of development. Without it, I’d be trying to understand development, possibly work with developers to help build the platform but not knowing how to adequately speak to them. TTS has also given me great content to study, helping me start my project much faster and show people sooner.

What are your goals moving forward?

Moving forward, I’m looking to launch over the next few weeks and continue to pick up steam. I hope to be working full time on BlindedHR by Jan 01 2017 and helping Raleigh solidify hiring strategies for companies all over the triangle.

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Josh Hnath - Full Time Code Immersion - Charlotte - Summer '15

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

My goals before TTS were to learn enough to break into the development field. I dabbled in coding for maybe a year or so before applying to TTS. I went through Codecademy’s HTML/CSS courses in their entirety and a bit of their JavaScript course, I also went through a few tracks on Treehouse that all pertained to the front end trifecta. My skills were moot once we hit Bootstrap, I had made a better looking website in 4 days at TTS than I had in one year by myself.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

My experience with TTS was definitely the boost I needed to really gain some momentum. First off TTS showed me what I didn’t know and where to go to find what I needed to know. Honestly the HTML/CSS section was mostly a refresher for me, what I was interested in was getting into an actual back end language and seeing what that was all about. TTS gave me a group of like minded individuals to see on a daily basis and to work with which was exactly what I needed, making those connections was a key point in landing a job. TTS class time is relatively short so making it a point to meet with your classmates on weeknights and on the weekends is huge, it made all the difference for me. I’d say when the actual class time is over then that’s when your day of coding should start, you need to take what information was given to you that day and then go apply it until you go to sleep, don’t just leave and then not do anything until the next class, you’re going to have a bad time. I’d say I spent on average ~8 hours per day coding from day one of TTS, sure I took some days off here and there, maybe 1 per week. After the camp ended I continued to code for ~8 hours per day and sent probably 15-20 resumes per day until I landed something, it took me 2 months on the dot.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big takeaways?

The most challenging thing about TTS was quitting my job and just making the leap to being 100% committed to being a developer, it was either that or crawl back to sales which I did not want to do. Learning Rails was the hardest to wrap my head around in my opinion. Ruby was tough to learn as any first language is bound to be hard. Rails is a whole different beast.

What are you up to now?

Right now I’m a software engineer at Technekes. I’ve been there for 3 weeks at this point and it’s hands down the best job I’ve ever had. I go in early just to be there, I love it. Prior to getting hired on at Technekes I worked as a software engineer at Orasi software for 9 months. It is in Greensboro and I commuted from Pineville, about a 212 mile round trip, everyday. You have to do what you have to do. I wanted to be a developer and I wasn’t going to let the 3.5 hour round trip get in my way. I’d say being thrown into the lion's den at your first job is definitely where you’re going to hone your skills. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever had happen to me and the best thing I could have had happen to me. To this day I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. It's normal though and I’ve come to find out that no one really knows what they’re doing.

What kind of projects are you working on?

I worked on an employee management application during my time at Orasi. I was on a team of 2 developers, a senior and myself, which eventually was pretty much just myself after about 5-6 months. I worked full stack on the application so HTML, CSS, CoffeeScript, Ruby, backend framework was Rails and the database was PostgreSQL. It handled people's vacation time, what projects they were on and what they billed to those projects and also their pay. You learn so much when you have to work on every piece of the application like that, it was insane, but it was awesome at the same time. Right now I’m working on an application for sales reps to get quotes for customers in real time while they are on a customer's job site. The current application I’m working with is still Ruby on Rails but there are a lot of other technologies, which makes it even better because I love learning new technologies.

What are your goals moving forward?

My goals moving forward are to keep learning everyday. I make it a point to still get in about 3 hours of self teaching after work whether it be reading a book or doing online tutorials. I work as a backend dev but I dabble in all of it. I love all aspects of the development cycle from backend to frontend to design. I have the most respect for designers/UX/UI, it's tough! Working on the back end you have data, you manipulate it and display it. Designing, you have to make something from nothing, think about that. I honestly just can’t get enough of anything development related and it’s bordering on obsession at this point. I’m cool with it.

Josh also wanted to extend an offer to any future students/current students/current graduates that ever want to meet up to do work, learn something, get help with something, eat pizza, whatever, he’s down.

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Brandy James - Full-time Code Immersion - Spring 2016

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

My goal before learning to code with Tech Talent South was to get into a career that I really loved. I felt like I was floating through life and I really wanted to do something I was proud of every day.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

My experience with TTS taught me that nothing worth doing is going to be easy. It takes a lot of work, dedication and sacrifice.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your biggest take-aways?

The most challenging thing about the course, for me, was that it was challenging! It took a while for the whole logic thing to click but when it did I felt really good. That would be my biggest take-away: confidence in myself even if I'm struggling.

What are you up to now?

What am I up to now? I am an Android App Developer! I work for a mobile app company in Charlotte called Socialtopias. I always saw myself doing more design but after teaching myself the IDE, I fell in love with it.

What kind of projects are you working on?

Since joining the company, I have started writing the unit tests for the existing features, the tracking code for Google Analytics and helping fix bugs for the various app updates we push to Google Play.  New features will get added to the app and I will write the TDD (test driven development) code for those features and help implement the new features.

What are your goals moving forward?

My goals moving forward are to never stop learning and become a Java pro! No one in this business knows everything so it's very important to be self motivating and know how to find the right answers on your own. I feel very lucky everyday and proud of how far I've come in such a short amount of time. I could have never done it without the knowledge and support that I received from TTS!

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Matthew Postel - Full-time Code Immersion-Summer 2015

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

I wanted a career change. After I graduated college, I went into the chemical field thinking that I would love it because it was my major. But I hated it, so after some soul searching I realized that my real passion is technology. This is where Tech Talent South came in. Learning to code solidified my passion for tech, and helped me realize I was on the right career path.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

TTS not only helped fuel my passion for technology, they also helped me land a job. Lots of technology companies overlooked me because of my chemistry degree. I contacted TTS to see if they could help me get my foot in the door, and just like that my dream job gave me a chance to interview and show them what I can do.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

The biggest challenge for me was learning all the information in a short amount of time. My biggest take away is not to be afraid to ask for help, whether from the instructor, TTS staff, or a classmate.

What are you up to now?

I'm a Client Support Agent at a local startup called SalesLoft. I am also working with one of the Software Engineers to learn more programming languages, so I can help debug and write code.

What is your product/service?

The main product of SalesLoft is a software called Cadence. It is a software for modern sales development teams and modern sales organizations. It helps increase sales and allows team to track progress.

The mission of SalesLoft is to enable salespeople to sell with true intent and sincerity with a goal of converting data into qualified opportunities and healthy contribution to pipeline.

What are your goals moving forward?

My goals is to help out my company anyway I can. The skills I learned and connections I made at TTS helped me get here.

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Sabeel Siddiqi - Code Immersion - Spring 2015, Atlanta

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

Before coming to Tech Talent South, I had gained an interest in web development through building Wordpress projects. After learning about Ruby on Rails and the wonderful projects you could create, I knew I had to learn Ruby on Rails, and learn it well. After doing research on many different coding schools in the Atlanta area. I picked Tech Talent South because of their mission and curriculum, as well as their wonderful classroom space at Strongbox West.

What are you up to now?

I’m currently finishing up my work as a contractor for Accord-ACA.com where I am responsible for writing tests for RSpec, as well as Capybara. At the moment, I am working on some of my personal projects as well as searching full-time opportunities that fit my interests.

How did you experience with TTS shape your journey?

TTS made me feel very comfortable with transitioning into becoming a developer. This was because the TTS team themselves are extremely friendly and make you feel at home. They take great interest in you as an individual and help with career growth. In fact, because of TTS I had an internship lined up before I even finished the course! Also, when you are part of TTS with great classmates, you don’t feel as if you’re going on this new journey alone. You feel as if you are a part of something bigger than just a school. You become part of the TTS network! I owe TTS for inspiring me to jumpstart my career as a developer.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

I believe the most challenging part of the course was making sure I studied after class and doing research on my own time about the various concepts covered.

What I took away is that, the code immersion program is just a way to get your foot in the door. I recommend reading through Ruby on Rails Tutorial by Michael Hartl as a supplement to the course, as well as working through any online modules you can find such as CodeAcademy.com. Working through these helps connect any dots that you may have missed in class. Spend some time on the weekends covering material and learning on your own, come to class prepared with any questions.

What kind of projects are you working on Accord - ACA?

I’m mainly working with RSpec and Capybara to test the application out and get it ready for the reporting season. I’ve also made edits to various forms as well as helped with some front-end redesign.

How prepared did you feel starting your new job?

At first I did feel nervous, because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be up to par. But after I started working through some of the tasks, I saw how much I actually knew and could accomplish. The best part is that the developer I was working with, about a year senior to me, was a TTS Grad as well!

What are your goals moving forward?

My goals moving forward are to wrap up my contract with Accord-ACA.com find a full-time position as a Ruby on Rails developer and build out some the personal projects that I have going on.

[techtalentsouth]

TTS to Ticketwin! - A Marketer’s Journey to becoming a Software Entrepreneur

Thomas Weld Code Immersion Winter 2015, Atlanta

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

I had a basic understanding of web development coming into the program. My main goal was to learn software development. I worked in digital marketing and wanted to transition into a more technical role.

What are you up to now?

Currently, I work full time as the Webmaster at ACT!ON, a full service advertising and marketing agency. I build, edit and update client websites, develop HTML emails and maintain legacy business applications.

I'm also working on a startup with a few other developers called Ticketwin. We released an minimum viable product that was well received and are currently working on the beta version for release in early 2016.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

I guess the big take away for me was that software development is not so much about memorizing a certain language as it is about continual education and problem solving.

The biggest challenge by far was the final project. Following tutorials and building apps is one thing, but designing and developing a custom application was a real learning experience.

I started my company as our final project. I’ve met a ton of great folks through the program. I was able to transition from a marketing role to a webmaster role and I continue to learn more about programming every day.

Tell us more about Ticketwin!

The Ticketwin MVP (live right now) is a simple, user-friendly, online ticket sales solution. Our next release, the beta version, will be far more robust and have innovative features that will help promoters as well as ticket buyers.

What is your mission?

We want promoters to be more successful, customers to pay less in fees and for the whole process to be more enjoyable for all parties involved.  

How has TTS shaped the evolution of this project?

I started Ticketwin as my final project for Tech Talent South and continued it afterwards as an educational exercise with a mentor. I saw an opportunity to sell tickets to Moonshine Music Festival so I convinced my mentor to become my business partner and we went to work. The rest is history.

What are your goals moving forward?

The main goals for Ticketwin in 2016 are to integrate with a few venues and festivals, show people how we can help them sell more tickets and make the experience more enjoyable for the fans. We’re also developing a partnership with a big player in the streaming music business so we’re excited to see what develops out of that relationship.

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Code on the Road with Extended Stay 

Why the heck are Tech Talent South and Extended Stay America always talking about startups, learning to code and building MVPs, together? Well, good question. We’re letting our team answer that one for ya’...

Laura, Director of Branding & Pop up Code, TTS: First things first, it’d probably be most fitting to tell you why I’m the gal who can best answer that question; I’m Laura White, Director of Brand Strategy and Pop up Code here at TTS. In the beginnings of launching Pop up Code, we knew we had a long road ahead, quite literally. We needed a partner-in-crime. A ‘travel buddy’ of sorts as we popped-up from city to city teaching this intensive 2-week program all while connecting with the community. We’d be tired, excited, wired, and full of energy from connecting with awesome students who’d be beginning the not-always-so-easy first step of learning to code. Sound like an emotional checklist for startups? It was, and well, still is (but in the best of ways)! At the end of the day we realized we needed a home away from home to make this program all it could be. After all, having a ‘home’ vs. a place to stay makes a world of difference.

Insert: the awesome team over at Extended Stay America who wanted to help fuel local startup communities around the country. By supporting the program’s foundation- our talented team of instructors- Extended Stay has gone above and beyond making sure that their stay isn’t just a place to crash, but a home-away-from-home. Now that’s support! Nowadays when our instructors are makin’ moves and getting settled into a new city they know they’re in good hands with an awesome crew of people making their stay in the community just as awesome as them helping fuel its tech scene!

Zack, Director of Product and Curriculum, TTS:

Pop Up Code is an amazing program to teach, mainly because it gives me the ability to teach students from all over the country. Tech Talent South was started because we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to learn how to code, not just the residents of the bigger markets/tech hubs. Even as TTS expands across the country, we realize some people still have to travel to attend our courses. So we asked ourselves “Why not go to them?!” This is why I love Pop Up Code so much. It’s because I do get to introduce the world of code to people that we normally wouldn’t be able to reach. The residents of Myrtle Beach or Lubbock, TX deserve to have these skills just as much as those of Chicago or San Francisco.

Melissa, Director of Community Operations, TTS:

Not many people can proudly and confidently say they have a go-to, mom-and-pop type coffee shop that they love in nine different cities. Well, I can.

Hi, I’m Melissa Nemec - Director of Community Operations for Tech Talent South. My title pretty much says it all, but I’ll give you a bit more to chew on. In my role, I am able to coordinate with, chat with, and learn from the best of the best in tech and entrepreneurship in all of our markets. With the creation of Pop Up Code, came the added challenge of coordinating with the movers and shakers in even more amazing cities.  But if you know anything about the team here at TTS, you know that “challenge” directly translates to “fun” for us. And it certainly has been just that! Pop Up Code and all the planning around it has allowed me to broaden my mental Rolodex by getting my hands dirty in lots of different locations.

But even better, Pop Up Code and our partnership with ESA (hey, hey - we all need a roof over our heads, right?!) has allowed for our instructors, alumni, and other TTS “family members” to mesh with bright-eyed, hungry, and curious folks in cities across the nation. Yes, instructors have a home-away-from-home while teaching a two-week course, but now they’ve also got a meeting room to host brainstorming sessions and a free coffee to *ahem* chug while staying up late and mapping out their next BIG idea.

Pop Up Code has introduced us to incredible talent outside of our core locations and, of course, the awesome folks of ESA too!

Amanda (Extended Stay America, Social Media Specialist): Extended Stay America is proud to be TTS’s long-term stay partner. We like what TTS is doing and we’re hoping that this partnership will really help you build on your Pop Up Code program. Surviving, let alone thriving, can be challenging as a startup. We know, we were a start up once, too… granted, it was a while back, but we haven’t forgotten how rough it can be.

Having a “home away from home” when you’re on the road is important and that’s where we come in. By offering your instructors all of the comforts of home, for instance, you’re giving them the opportunity to focus on their work, rather than their stay.

[techtalentsouth]

Kim Bell Spring 2015 Charlotte, Full-Time Code Immersion

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

I wanted to learn enough about coding to get a job.

What are you up to now?

I am an Apprentice Software Developer at Tax Management Associates. I am working on maintenance and QA for their programs. I am taking the Web Design TTS class, as well. I want to take the Javascript class in the future and learn as much front end development as I can.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

It boosted my resume, gave me a solid applications to show off.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

Cramming so much new info into two months was difficult, but the only experience I had with Ruby prior to the course the was the book. On the last day of class, I created an app from scratch (almost) by myself. I love the classroom learning environment when everyone is trying to learn together and helping each other.

What are your goals moving forward?

I plan to concentrate more on front-end and get solid with Javascript. Also, we are is going to try out React at work.

[techtalentsouth]

Becoming a Front-End Developer

Cristina Veale

Summer 2015 – Charlotte, NC

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

To become a frontend developer.

What are you up to now?

I’m a front-end UI developer at Cardinal Solutions Group. I work on a range of IT Solutions - from producing web pages to building pattern libraries.

How did you experience with TTS shape your journey?

After six or so months of self-study, I hit a peak with my studies. I needed an extra bit of motivation to truly understand frontend concepts. I enrolled in the Intro to Web Development course with TTS part-time and studied my butt off, as well as networked through various meetups in Charlotte. I found an opening through the TTS job portal for an apprenticeship job with Cardinal Solutions. With the combination of networking and TTS, I was able to land the job with Cardinal Solutions as a UI Developer and have been working here ever since.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

As for challenges, tts was a part-time course on Mondays, so the bulk of learning was through consuming a lot of information in a short period of time. Then having to apply that knowledge for the week ahead.

My major takeaways were, meeting a great group of like-minded individuals and the final push into understanding web development concepts. And of course, getting a ballin’ job!

How prepared did you feel starting your new job?

TTS was a great stepping stone into the role I have now. Great networking opportunities. TTS actually connected me to the role I have now.

What are your goals moving forward?

Become a great FED. Then eventually taking a leadership type of position within the tech field. Whether that be a technical PM, tech lead, scrum master, etc. But I definitely see myself in a leadership position one day.

[techtalentsouth]

Benjamin J Norton Winter, 2015, Atlanta

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

I wanted to make a radical career change. After returning from the military, the corporate shuffle lost it's appeal; I needed a more challenging occupation - one that could keep me interested and provide the type of satisfaction you only get from doing something important. Software seemed like a good way to go.

What are you up to now?

I work for a lean consultancy called Polar Notion (www.polarnotion.com) as a Web Developer. Most of the clients I work on are start-ups, so the majority of my time is spent on back-end application development. A typical MVP turns around in 10 days, which keeps things exciting and fresh. When I'm not working on Application Development, I help out with design and layouts for static sites and splash pages.

What kind of projects are you working on?

Aggregate Law: A job board for Project Attorneys Pop Plate: Product site for tailgating hardware ENDIT 2016: Site for a movement combatting human trafficking

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

Tech Talent South provided an environment where I could focus 100% on learning a trade. The web is teeming with free resources to help aspiring programmers learn any language imaginable. With enough time, effort, and discipline, I'm sure I could have taught myself web development. But I saw a lot of value in attending code school over being self taught. The structure of an established program gave me the benefit of participating in a refined process, and student collaboration added an element I would have missed in being self taught. Also, having a human being to ask questions to when you get stuck is a huge advantage.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

The things I struggled with in code school seem so basic now. I remember having a hard time modeling a database with nested attributes, polymorphic associations, routing with subdomains, and managing the information flow along the MVP framework.

My biggest takeaway from code school is that the more you know, the more you realize how much more there is out there that you don't know. Mastering the web isn't possible - no one knows it all - but it's still worth striving for.

How prepared did you feel starting your new job?

TTS gave me the baseline that made me an option as a junior programmer at Polar Notion. I was fortunate to find an employer willing to take a chance on developing an emerging software rockstar, but without the basics I learned in code school, I wouldn't have been a viable candidate.

What are your goals moving forward?

I feel like I've gotten a solid grasp on writing methods in Ruby and getting them to cooperate with the database and user interface. I'd like to sharpen my skills on bringing APIs into the mix.

I've played around with Vim some, but haven't taken the plunge. I'd love to get comfortable enough with it to ditch my text editor.

Let's see what else...I'd like to get the house paid off in the next five years, fix my motorcycle, maybe get married, and finally have room in my life for a dog.

[techtalentsouth]

From TTS to a Full-Stack Developer at a Tech Startup

Megan Tiu

Full-time Code Immersion – Summer 2015, Atlanta

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

I went into the class explicitly looking for a career change. I was introduced to programming through a Computer Science elective while in college at Georgia State and completely fell in love with building things and writing code. Unhappy working as a cook, I decided to make a big change via a coding bootcamp. As it turned out, Tech Talent South was exactly the right place for me!

What are you up to now?

I’m a Software Engineer with a local Atlanta startup, Fittery. When I’m not there, I try to spend my time learning as much as possible and teaching others what I know. In practice, I’m a full-stack web developer specializing in Ruby and Rails.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

I don’t know where I’d be without TTS. The low price point and scholarship program allowed me to access a rigorous technical learning program and network of people and resources that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Aside from the great curriculum, being able to sit in a classroom with my peers and ask someone questions for guidance proved to be invaluable in learning such a large skillset so quickly.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

Going through such an accelerated learning program allowed me to learn some truly valuable lessons very quickly, like how crucial it is to know when to ask for help when learning. A seemingly endless stream of confusing error messages can be rough when you’re starting out, which makes troubleshooting one of the most useful skills a budding developer can have. Recognizing once you’ve reached your own limits is difficult yet crucial, making asking for help one of the most valuable skills I learned at Tech Talent South.

Tell us about Fittery!

We help people find clothes that fit through our innovative QuickSize tool that calculates the dimensions of your body through just a few questions and our Fit Match algorithm that matches your body to the shirts and brands that fit you best.

What kind of projects are you working on?

Day-to-day, I maintain and develop new features for the Fittery site as a whole. The best part of working for such an early-stage startup is that I can get my hands dirty with so many different types of work. In a given day, I often handle our front-end development, back-end development, design, and even devops. I especially love that I get to play with big data on a daily basis.

How prepared did you feel starting your new job?

Being my first development job, I was certainly a bit nervous on my first day. That said, I was lucky in that everything in the Tech Talent South curriculum was part of our tech stack at the time. So, all things considered, I was very well prepared in terms of the languages and tools I would come to use at work and in the field.

What are your goals moving forward?

Learning as much as possible. I’m happy in this field and I absolutely love what I do each and every day, so all I want is to become better. I want to write cleaner, more efficient code and curate more pleasant user experiences, and the only way to get there is through practice. To the side projects!

[techtalentsouth]

Mat Banbury Fall 2014, Charlotte, NC

What were your goals before learning to code with Tech Talent South?

My primary goal was a career transition which I really began while working as an English teacher in South Korea. I started with Codecademy in summer 2013, then branched out to other courses on Udacity, edX, and Coursera. I took these online courses in programming and web development for about a year and a half. But once I found out about TTS, I headed back home to enroll, and that's where all my knowledge really came together. TTS enabled me to fulfill my goals of synthesizing what I'd learned by working on projects in a team-based environment. This gave me the confidence to start applying for development jobs in companies around Charlotte.

What are you up to now?

Now, I'm working as a software developer for Levvel, a digital consulting company based in Charlotte. I've been here four months and now I'm working on my third project.

How did your experience with TTS shape your journey?

TTS opened my eyes to much of the reality of being a developer. At times, it's a very heads-down, experimental, and individual experience. But for complex problems/projects, it must become a disciplined and collaborative exercise. TTS introduced me to the importance of that and taught me to always be open to other ways of achieving solutions. You'll find there can be endless ways to tackle tough problems, but the right group of people will find the best way that fits their team's skill set. Understanding this has helped me through TTS, through my internship afterward, and in my job now.

What did you find most challenging about the course and what were your big take aways?

Personally, I found keeping focused on the task at hand to more difficult than you might imagine. It's not that I'm easily distracted, it's just that any given problem, properly researched, will open so many doorways to potential solutions, and even new problems you might not have known you had. I had to learn to recognize what's immediately relevant, sift through what's not, and still keep room for what may be useful later. Going through the motions enough eventually gave me a kind of confidence to pinpoint just what I needed so I could save time for actually applying solutions.

What kind of projects are you working on?

I've worked on a financial analysis website which helps people create retirement plans, a business gifting website which supports subscribers by white-labeling the gifting process to their custom brands, and an "excel on steroids" app that helps a franchised business track vendor data. The first two projects are Ruby on Rails applications and the last is an AngularJS app.

How prepared did you feel starting your new job (TTS’ influence on this preparation)?

Honestly, I felt fairly confident going into it. The whole journey that TTS started, from the classes and projects, to my internship, and the connections I made along the way were what cemented that feeling. I started talking to recruiters with a week remaining at TTS with the sole purpose of practicing phone interviews and I held off from applying to my top choice companies until later. When I finished my internship feeling I performed well, I set my sights higher and reached out to Levvel. I was able to hit the ground running which I think showed my directors that I could move on to more complex projects. TTS certainly prepared me in a lot of ways, but when you continue preparing a lot on your own time, you'll stand out.

What are your goals moving forward?

In the short term, I'd like to continue sharpening my "TTS stack" skills (Ruby on Rails, HTML / CSS / JS), while building up my Angular knowledge. As I get the opportunity to work on more projects, I'd hope to get involved in Dev-Ops so I could become a more well-rounded (and more valuable) consultant. Software is always changing though, so that enough will keep me busy for the foreseeable future as I manage keeping up with new languages and technologies.