Learn about the CodeClan team – their career journey so far, their passions and interests, as well as their day to day work life.
Meet Jennifer, a Software Development senior instructor in our Glasgow campus. We recently had a chat with her about why she joined CodeClan, her advice for those looking to change their career, and what she gets up to in her free time…
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Tell us a bit about your role and why you wanted to join the CodeClan team
I was actually headhunted by the Delivery Manager a few years ago, through LinkedIn, CodeClan just sounded like a great place where I could make a difference. I’m currently part of the instructor team in Glasgow, teaching the Professional Software Development course.
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What did you do before joining CodeClan?
I worked for the NHS, in greater Glasgow and Clyde. I was part of the finance department, I did data analysis basically, I checked the hours and made sure everyone was getting paid correctly and processing the wages. I helped to create an app, SSTS, and I helped to implement the AI to create automated rotas along with training staff and how to use the systems.
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What’s your favourite part of the job?
Being able to help people! I also really love the ‘lightbulb moment’. When you’re helping a student with a concept or an exercise, and they are stuck and you can tell that they are confused and frustrated. But then, they have the lightbulb moment, they start understanding the concepts and you can see it in their faces. It’s very rewarding.
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What advice do you have for someone who is thinking of studying at CodeClan?
Honestly, it’s the most supportive place that you could go to learn and grow, it’s not like university or college. So people should definitely take the leap and do it because they won’t regret it when they do.
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What is the best advice for someone starting a career in tech?
I think everyone suffers from impostor syndrome, obviously for some people it’s worse. But it’s because the tech industry is intimidating at first, people think it’s out of reach because their previous job had nothing to do with tech, but you know what? You can pick it up and learn, practice always makes progress!
And we’re all constantly learning in the tech industry anyway, you don’t need to know everything.
Imposter Syndrome: Shutting out the “noise” when it’s in your own head.
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What do you get up to in your free time?
I like to make web applications, games, 3D modelling, and I also love any good sci-fi programme or film. When I’m not doing that I like to go to Take That concerts, I travel around the world doing that, and I got to meet the group!
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Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I like to play pranks on my friends and family, usually in the form of sending anonymous gifts through the post. So the gifts can range from something that they’ve maybe been tagged on Facebook, or something they’ve said joking with friends. If they say they really love something, I will keep an eye and send it to them anonymously.
Last year, a family member passed away, and obviously everybody was really upset, so I decided to just start sending random teddy bears to my family. They had no idea where they kept coming from!
