Kayla Noronha

Where are you currently working and what is it that you do there?

I am currently working at Cyferd as a Software Developer, mainly on the backend, but I still get to see how the front end works. I am working on developing a no-code/low-code SaaS platform, which is an exciting new challenge.

Before this I had opportunities to work as a Full-Stack Developer working with end-to-end projects on both websites and mobile applications.

Can you tell us a bit more about your education and career background?

I initially got my degree in medical physics, but it took me a while to figure out exactly what I wanted to do. I decided to enroll in BrainStation’s Web Development Bootcamp and I've continued down that journey ever since.

Why did you choose to study at BrainStation?

I had taken some programming courses in university, but at that time, I didn’t know what to do with it. They teach you the content and how to code, but they didn’t really show us how it’s being put to use in the real world. I was trying to find a way to get into the tech industry and BrainStation seemed like a good option. They had a holistic approach to development and that’s something I was really looking for.

How did you find the transition from one field to another?

Given that it was still pretty soon after having completed my degree in medical physics, I never really got into the field and was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do. I decided to take a bit of a break and I was looking at alternative career paths. It was during this time that I came across BrainStation. BrainStation seemed like a great option because they taught you everything that you need to know to enter tech as well as prepare you to get out there and present yourself in a professional manner. They have a great network and they give you access to a variety of different networking events that help with the transition.

I really liked my learning experience because they really prepared us for the industry. Not only did they give us technical tools and interview skills that we needed, but we also had the opportunity to work in group settings, with students in the other disciplines, similar to the way you’d be collaborating in a real work setting.

How would you describe the learning experience at BrainStation?

I really liked my learning experience because they really prepared us for the industry. Not only did they give us technical tools and interview skills that we needed, but we also had the opportunity to work in group settings, with students in the other disciplines, similar to the way you’d be collaborating in a real work setting. They gave us that real world experience and that’s something that I really liked about it.

What would you say were the most valuable skills that you learned during the program?

Learning how to build my network and to navigate the industry was extremely valuable. I completed the program about two years ago and I still keep in touch with my peers. We continue to support one another and as well as continue to share different resources. Trying to enter a new industry can be tough, especially if you don't know anyone in it. Getting access to that community and the support that they provide really helped me.

How did you find the Demo Day experience?

Demo Day was really good. It was a great way to learn how to present yourself and properly explain the work that you've done, which is something that you need to learn how to do for the real world.

How did you find the job search process after completing the bootcamp?

The job hunt can be tough. You're competing with a lot of different people with similar skill sets and the industry is just looking for small things to pick on. I was initially living in Canada but I’m now located in the UK, where I found it significantly easier to land a job with my skill set. I posted my resume on several job boards and I got an overwhelming amount of feedback from Hiring Managers. They really seemed to like the skills that I had.

BrainStation is able to teach you the latest technological standards, whereas I found that I was learning really outdated tools in a traditional school environment. Even though those old tools are good for a foundation, most companies are looking for candidates that know how to use the latest pieces of technology.

What advice would you give to professionals considering a BrainStation Bootcamp Program?

Even though the bootcamp experience can be tough at times, you have a great community and supportive network that you can lean on. If you believe you can't do it, take it one step at a time, because you can!