Practical skills are a critical part of finding a rewarding and fulfilling job. This simple fact is especially true in the world of modern work, where skills that are needed to work with digital technology, software, and highly complex platforms are key to keep operations running smoothly.
Bongani Maila knew that developing these skills would be a crucial part of securing future job opportunities in a high-paying and stable career. So he signed up for a full-time online HyperionDev Full Stack Web Developer bootcamp. On this intensive, mentor-led bootcamp, Bongani was able to learn job-ready skills to build working web and software applications, and start working as a professional full stack developer.
Just a month after graduating from his HyperionDev Full Stack Web Developer bootcamp, Bongani landed a job as a Data Analyst, before eventually finding his new role as a Full Stack PHP developer at The MCG group.
We asked him a few questions about his journey in learning to code, why he decided to learn the skill set to change his career path, and what it was like to learn web development on a HyperionDev coding bootcamp.
Was taking a bootcamp about upskilling and improving your current job prospects or about making a drastic career change?
It was more of improving the skill set I currently have. I’m always looking to hone these skills; at the moment I’m still doing my IT diploma as well.
Why did you decide to sign up for a coding bootcamp and learn to code?
I wanted to develop skills for an in-demand job, because I know that most companies need programmers. For me it was all about solidifying what I currently know, and HyperionDev looked like a great place to start. It was a no-brainer, really.
Where do you currently work and what is your role?
I work for The MCG group and I’m a full stack PHP developer. It’s a permanent position, which I landed after being approached by a recruiter.
What were you doing or where did you work before your HyperionDev Full Stack Web Developer bootcamp?
Before I started my bootcamp I was working as a general foreman for my younger brother’s company, GTP Holding. Fortunately for me, a month after graduating from HyperionDev I got a job as a data analyst, then 10 months later I got my current job as a developer.
Tell us more about your decision to change careers. What made you want to switch over to a new job?
It was more about breaking into the industry as a developer and building a solid foundation. I’m still building but getting closer to where I want to be.
Tell us about your experience of the 1:1 mentorship at HyperionDev.
Imraan Meyer was my personal mentor. He is probably the coolest mentor you could have: he always made time for me, and would help me whenever I got stuck. We’d have calls for hours even! Without him it would’ve been really difficult.
Tell us about your new job. What are your new responsibilities, and how do you use what you learned on your coding bootcamp?
My role is more of maintaining the systems which are currently in place. My typical work involves adding small features, maintaining the database, and completing requests made by our clients.
What was the interview process like?
It was quite a lengthy process that included 3 interviews and 2 tests. It took quite some time and energy, as you can imagine.
What did you learn at HyperionDev that helped you in your current job as a PHP Developer?
I still use the same methods and coding structure my mentor (Imraan Meyer) taught me. By far the most useful things I learnt were JavaScript and databases. Although I don’t use MongoDB, it gave me an idea of how databases work.
Which tech stack(s) do you mostly use in your work and what is the coolest thing you learned in your new role?
For most of my work I use the LAMP stack. I’m still in the learning process as a PHP Developer, however, everything about the job has been great so far!
What part of your coding bootcamp did you enjoy the most?
The code reviewing process was great, because it showed me alternative ways of solving programming challenges. However, I really enjoyed the hands-on capstone projects where you have to build programs yourself. They were hard, but they were really nice to do.
What was the most challenging part of your HyperionDev Full Stack Web Developer bootcamp, and how did you overcome it?
It was probably the last project. Trying to figure out how to make everything work. My mentor would give me ideas on ways I could get solutions to the challenges I was facing. He talked me through it and then gave me a chance to do it by myself, which was a great way to learn without feeling alone.
What are your hopes and goals for your tech career in the future?
I wish to grow into a senior developer someday, and to become a mentor to junior developers coming along. I went through the same process so it would be nice for me to give back some day.
What advice would you give to people who are thinking about learning to code or changing careers to become developers?
Try it! It’s hard at first but once you get it you’ll fly. I live by the quote “Begin as you wish to go on”.
Thinking about your own change of career, or been dreaming of entering the tech sector to earn an amazing salary doing challenging, fulfilling work? Our online and on-site coding bootcamps are the best place for you. Our mentor-led bootcamps focus on teaching you practical, job-ready skills to make working programs and projects in web development, software engineering, or data science in as little as 3 months.
The flexible learning options mean you can balance your life, work, and coding education – and graduate ready to work. Best of all, you don’t need any prior coding experience whatsoever; and our new 90-day Graduate Program will support you as you land your own tech job after your bootcamp, just like Bongani did.
Find out more about our affordable, accessible coding bootcamps by clicking here.
