Friday 14th of June marked the graduation of CodeClan’s 29th cohort of Edinburgh students (or E29 as they’re affectionately known).
Every CodeClan cohort is different and every graduation is special. We never know quite what to expect. In the past we’ve had tears, cheers, music, stand-up comedy, even an epic rap battle.
E29 decided to keep things classy. Suits, ties and posh frocks were the order of the day, giving the Edinburgh campus a sense of style and occasion, outside our normal laid-back atmosphere.
Alumni Speakers
This graduation marked a number of anniversaries, key dates and pleasing synchronicities. Our keynote speakers for the graduation, Jaime Lopez (now with QikServe) and Claire Connachan (working with CareSourcer) graduated almost exactly a year ago to the day, from Cohort E20. Jaime and Claire came back in to enthuse and excite their fellow graduates with tales, tips and tricks to help them as they move into new roles within in Scotland’s digital industries.
Showered With Flowers
As part of every graduation, our instructors talk to the students for the last time, summing up their journey through the course, highlighting the key strengths of the Cohort and helping them take that next step forward. It’s always quite moving. E29 took things a step further however and showered their lead instructor, Jared with pink roses when he finished speaking. Before splitting the blooms between all three instructors, Jarrod, Colin and Juan who’ve been with them throughout the whole course.
Quiz Masters
As is tradition, the students have the final words, before diplomas (and cake). E29’s speakers, Pim and David spoke eloquently about their time at CodeClan, not least about the cohort’s determination to win each and every weekly quiz at the nearby pub. They created a kitty for their winnings and drilled seriously to make sure they covered every conceivable topic.
Showing the empty kitty and lamenting the fact that they lost, well, every quiz, E29 took heart from the fact that they’re now graduates and are already building up their new skills with CodeClan’s Client Xperience programme and finding new roles and careers with some of the country’s leading companies.
We asked Cohort E29 Graduates, Kanokwan ‘Pim’ Sritawan and David Boyle for their thoughts about CodeClan.
Pim told us: “Coming to CodeClan was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. CodeClan gave me the skills required to start a career as a Software Developer, through the structure and quality of teaching.
“One of the highlights of the course, is that the strangers you start the course with, end up becoming family. I loved every moment of it, and if I could, I’d do it all again.”
David, agreed: “CodeClan was a chance to completely redirect my career while gaining a deeper understanding of the coding world.
“The support and instruction on the course is beyond compare. I’m excited to say I’m not just leaving here with a certificate but also a group of friends wanting to see me succeed in the big bad working world.”
Cohort E29 Graduates
Congratulations and our very best wishes to: David, Katharina, Mark, Miryam, Becky, Ben, Jon, Robert, Jennifer, Mateusz, Annabel, Charlie, Rory, Stephen, Lidia, Maria, Amy, Kanokwan (Pim), Eric, Grant, Alasdair and our very own Emily (Student Journey Manager, who isn’t leaving us). We can’t wait to welcome you back to tell future cohorts about your amazing adventures and new careers.
