By Jenna Wilson – Admissions Manager
Do you have what it takes?
Believe it or not, your qualifications, technical knowledge and coding skills don’t come into play while we’re assessing your suitability for the _nology course. That’s because your potential to become an awesome developer isn’t defined by how much you already know. As corny as it sounds, we’re looking for people who have fire in their belly!
Here are some of the key qualities and traits that make a successful developer. If you’ve got these, then you’re already well on your way!
- Commitment
- Courage
- Curiosity
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
- Resilience
- Good communicator
How much coding should I do before I apply?
While you don’t need any prior coding experience to apply for the _nology course, it’s very important that you have done enough research into what a career in coding involves and that it’s something you’ll enjoy. We would recommend that you dabble in some basic coding before you make the commitment to full-time learning.
We regularly run Free Coding Taster Sessions, which are the perfect introduction to some of the coding concepts we delve into on the course. These sessions are a jam-packed couple of hours of hands-on coding with our talented team of Software Developer Coaches and will give you a real insight into what it’s like to learn to code with us.
There are also so many fantastic free resources online that you should be making good use of. freeCodeCamp is a great place to start to get to grips with the basics of HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
The _nology Admissions Process
Ok, so you’ve given some coding a go and loved it. Now, you can’t wait to get stuck into doing it full-time and launch a new career. It’s time to apply to the _nology course…
Step 1: Online Application
To get the ball rolling, fill in the application form on our website. We want to know a bit more about you and why you’re pursuing a new career in coding. Don’t forget to upload your CV in PDF format. Make sure to submit your application no later than 4 weeks before the course is due to start, to allow ample time for the admissions process and pre-course work.
Once you have submitted your online application, you will receive an email from us inviting you to schedule a phone interview. If you don’t see this come through, please check in your junk folder.
Step 2: Phone Interview
Use the link in the email we sent you to schedule a 30 minute Phone Interview with myself (Jenna Wilson, Admissions Manager). I want to dig a bit deeper into your background and your reasons for applying. Be ready to tell me why you’re excited by starting a career in coding and what you’ve been doing so far to start this new journey. This is a two-way conversation, so please come prepared with questions so that you can quiz me on how _nology will accelerate your career.
Step 3: Technical Coaching Assessment
If I think your motivations are on point and you’re still excited about becoming a _nologist after our chat, we will want to see how you engage with our unique approach to learning. You’ll be invited to take part in a 90 minute one-on-one Technical Coaching Assessment with one of the _nology Software Development Coaches. You don’t need to prep anything in advance, but if you do want to do some pre-learning, focus on understanding the basics of HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
During the session, the Coach will introduce you to some code and you will build a simple web application together. You will then be set some challenges to work through to put your problem-solving skills to the test. At the end of this session, you might be set a homework task to showcase your ability to work through problems independently.
Remember, the Coaches won’t be assessing your technical skills or knowledge, but instead how you are learning and interacting. We love to engage in positive problem solving so please come with an open mind and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Once you’ve worked through all the assigned coding challenges, the Coach will confirm whether they think that you possess the skills and qualities needed to thrive in our fast-paced learning environment.
Step 4: Secure Your Place on the Course
Once both our Admissions and Coaching Teams are confident that you’ll make an awesome developer, you will be offered a spot on the _nology course. It’s then down to you to decide if our course is a good fit for you! If you choose to accept your place, you can secure it by signing a training contract and paying a non-refundable deposit.
And that’s a wrap! If there’s anything else you’d like to know before going ahead with your application, you can contact me on 0330 128 1580 or jenna@nology.io. A career change takes a great deal of courage and I’m here to support you along the way. If you have any questions, no matter how big or small, please get in touch.