Making a career change into tech can feel daunting, especially when you’ve built your career in a completely different field. For Tobias Morrissey-Valler, a finance analyst based in London, the decision to enrol in the HyperionDev Software Engineering Bootcamp was the bold step he needed to move into the fast-growing world of analytics.
Why Tobias Chose Tech – and HyperionDev
Drawn to data and problem-solving, Tobias knew he needed stronger technical skills to take his career forward. Working in finance had given him a taste of data-focused tasks, but not the tools to delve deeper into the industry.
“I’d already started working more with data at work and wanted to learn programming to take my career in that direction.”
HyperionDev’s bootcamps stood out for their hands-on, project-based learning, flexible online format, and personalised 1-1 mentorship – designed to get learners job-ready in months. The ability to build practical coding skills while continuing to work made his decision an easy one.
From Finance to Python: Building the Skills to Pivot
Before starting the bootcamp, Tobias’ coding experience was minimal. “I knew I needed a solid foundation in programming to get into analytics,” he said. The bootcamp’s practical, hands-on format gave him exactly that, covering everything from Python fundamentals and algorithms to working with databases and SQL.
A standout project for Tobias was building Minesweeper in Python. “It was insanely hard,” he laughed. “I wrote out the pseudocode in a notebook with a pen first, which really helped. When I finally got it working, I was so proud. My solution was completely different from everyone else’s, and it taught me to think pragmatically and find my own path through challenges.”
Support That Keeps You Moving Forward
Tobias credits his mentor for creating a positive and proactive learning environment. “He was motivational and helpful, and responded to everyone. When we were stuck, we’d book an appointment with someone who would push us in the right direction.”
While the bootcamp wasn’t without challenges, Tobias also learnt to embrace self-research and leverage resources like Google to find alternative solutions.
“The tasks get hard quickly, so staying ahead early on is key”
Near the end of his course, AI tools like ChatGPT started to emerge. “If you use these tools in the right way, they can guide you and give you different approaches, instead of replacing your own effort,” he says.
The Career Shift: From Finance Analyst to Analytics Specialist
The skills Tobias gained quickly started paying off at work. Beyond these technical skills, Tobias says the bootcamp boosted his confidence.
“”By showing I’d been learning SQL and Python, I was able to request access to them at work. That led to an internal promotion from Finance Analyst to Analytics Specialist. Before, I wouldn’t have joined technical conversations with my colleagues. Now, I can understand and contribute. It’s a huge change.”
Tobias Morrissey-Valler
His career transformation happened while he was still working full-time, proving that bootcamp skills can create opportunities for internal growth as well as external job offers.
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The Power of Community
The learning didn’t end at graduation. Tobias and his cohort set up a Discord group that’s still active more than a year later.
“We share jobs, help each other, and even have more experienced students guiding those with less experience. That support network is amazing.”
This peer community became an extension of the bootcamp experience, providing ongoing career support and technical guidance long after graduation.
Advice For Future Bootcamp Students
Tobias’ advice is clear:
- Stay ahead early. The tasks get harder, so build a strong foundation from the start.
- Use Google to see how others approach problems. Learning multiple solutions strengthens your problem-solving skills.
- Work on personal projects to strengthen your portfolio and reinforce what you’ve learnt.
- And most importantly: “If you’re stuck on whether or not to do it, just do it. You won’t regret it.”
Ready To Make Your Career Move?
Tobias’ journey shows how quickly you can pivot into a tech-focused role with the right training and support. In as little as 3 to 6 months, a HyperionDev online bootcamp can give you the skills, confidence, and career support to make your own bold move into tech.
Whether you’re looking to transition from finance, marketing, hospitality, or any other field, our software engineering and data science bootcamps are designed for career changers with no prior coding experience.
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