Learn about the CodeClan team – their career journey so far, their passions and interests, as well as their day to day work life.
Meet Anna, an Assistant Instructor at CodeClan. We had a chat with her about why she wanted to work at CodeClan, her advice for those looking to change their career, and what she gets up to in her free time…
Tell us a bit about your role and why you wanted to join the CodeClan team
I’m on the instructor team in Glasgow, teaching on the Professional Software Development course. It’s an amazing team of the loveliest colleagues you could ever meet and I knew as soon as I finished the course (I’m also alumni!) that I would love to work here. I love meeting new students and every cohort has its own culture which keeps everything engaging and interesting.
What did you do before joining CodeClan?
I worked in marketing, the arts, and childcare.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I love introducing students to the world of tech and getting to know them over the 16 weeks they’re with us. I hope they think of us as knowledgeable friends, here to help and encourage. Another big plus is working with great people and having so many colleagues to learn from.
What advice do you have for someone who is thinking of studying at CodeClan?
Try it out first! Do a little bit of coding beforehand, and use some of the many free resources online to see if you like it. If you found it fun, then go for it! I loved doing the course and have no regrets. You will learn so much and gain a great community in tech to boot.
If you have a lot of logistical issues, perhaps with caring responsibilities, then maybe consider one of CodeClan’s remote offerings. You get all the teaching and quality you’d get on the in-person course, and still have the flexibility to be at home, where ever that might be! We’ve had people from Greece, Russia, the States and now from all over the UK do our courses since the start of the pandemic.
What do you get up to in your free time?
It’s pretty tame, but I really do love reading, walking and playing board games. I’m also really into languages, my current obsessions are French and Bahasa.
What’s your favourite book?
This is a bit like choosing a favourite child! There are too many, so I’m going to have to just say that my favourite recent crime novel was The Lost Man by Jane Harper and I’m only just recovering from American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?
I’m not funny or witty, but I wish I was. Before lockdown, I went to see Flo & Joan (Rosie and Nicola Dempsey) and they were both so funny and talented, so I think I’d happily be either one of them for a day & enjoy people laughing at my jokes.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself!
I’m not sure if it’s that interesting, but when I was 8 or 9 I decided I wanted to be a croupier (I have no idea where the idea came from!) and I taught myself how to shuffle cards like a pro. Nothing ever came of it, but it impresses children.
