We’re launching a series of texts where CodeGym University students and graduates share their learning experiences and goals.
This story is about Lauren Millyard, who would like to become a mobile app developer. She completed the Java Fundamentals and Android App development for beginners courses. Read it to get inspiration for your learning journey!
I’ve always joked that I’m not that good; I just know how to use Google
I am a stay-at-home mom from South West England. Professionally I’ve done quite a lot – a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Until spring 2022, I lived in New Zealand and worked as a forklift driver, but I’ve also had a side hustle – fixing people’s computers.
I’ve always been pretty good with computers but joked that I’m not that good; I just know how to use Google.
Before training with CodeGym, I had experience in programming. Bat at uni, when I was 18, I did C and C++ programming, which I enjoyed.
Why I’ve decided to learn to program again? My partner really pushed me and encouraged me. He persuaded me to go for it, despite my hesitations (what if I’m not going to make it?..)
I returned to learning to code because I’m hoping to make it my career and profession
My decision was driven by the idea of making money from my career. This is what I feel I’m naturally quite good at.
So, back in New Zealand, I tried to learn Python, but I didn’t enjoy it really much – I don’t know why. And then, I tried CodeGym and enjoyed Java. I’m the kind of person that’s really into having an app for everything, so I thought: why not focus on making apps myself?
I needed something to push me to learn and progress every week
I was drawn to the “Java Fundamentals” course because I had live mentorship sessions set week by week. I believed this would pin me down to learning, as I was expected to attend every lesson. Actually, since I have a child, I’m quite forgetful (laughs). So I needed something to push me to learn every week. And, of course, I needed to have feedback on my progress.
What I liked about the Java Fundamentals course was the layout of the program on the CodeGym website. The course is broken down into step-by-step, small, bite-sized learning. I enjoyed how we had a set of tasks after the lesson, which covered the topics from the live lecture. That really helped solidify the knowledge. And I had a feeling I need to complete those tasks, which was very useful.
For me, at the beginning of the course and at certain points, some “jumps” were hard to get over. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed, but mostly, it was fine. Now (after the course completion), it seems to be a small thing, but it’s more difficult to understand as a beginner.
I was interested in developing apps, so I enrolled in an Android app development course
Due to personal circumstances, I couldn’t study as regularly as I did previously on the Java Fundamentals course, so I have to catch up with training. Personally, I would like to have more defined tasks regarding our ongoing practical project and the time to complete them. There was a lot of work after live classes.
Also, debugging tasks are essential for me. This is my weakness – I find it hard to debug sometimes.
I think it won’t take long for me to pursue a training position
Right now, I have to complete my final project, which I later plan to use as a portfolio piece. I feel that I need some more research and a bit of learning and practice. I will later try to create something else and probably watch some YouTube tutorials.
I don’t feel that I need too much more information and knowledge. I’m not a job-ready specialist yet, but I think it won’t take long for me to pursue a training position. Before I started working on the final project, I thought I didn’t know much, but actually, I was surprised by how much I could do myself.
