We know you probably have some questions about the courses we offer and that you can’t always make it along to our regular info sessions.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve pulled together some of the most frequently asked questions we receive into one handy list. We’ve gathered the answers from our 2022 Open Week events with our graduates and industry partners:
- Who are CodeClan courses for?
Our immersive courses are for anyone who wants to equip themselves with the digital skills for a career in Scotland’s growing tech industry. That could be anyone from recent graduates, career switchers looking to use their experience in the digital sector, or coding hobbyists looking to turn their interest into a profession.
CodeClan is not restricted by age or background but acceptance will be based upon the student passing our application process.
- Do you need to have any coding experience for applying? How do you prepare for the course?
Ann, Data Analysis graduate: I tried a couple of online free courses but to be honest, I always felt like I could code after these courses and then I would completely forget.
In terms of preparing for the course, two weeks before the course starts you get the pre-course work, which really helps you to get ready for the course and get the ground running.
Michael, Software Development graduate: I did some coding at high school back in the day-and when I was teaching I did a lot of online courses to get a flavour for certain languages. I would recommend checking out HTML & CSS, a little bit of JavaScript to help you get familiar. Having said that, there is no need to worry, the pre-course work really helps to get started with the course.
- How does the Admissions process work?
First you fill out the application form on the website and you’ll receive a call from our Admissions team to discuss some of the basics. Then, there’s a short task to do before you get the interview. For example, the task for the Professional Software Development course is an entry level code in JavaScript. If you’re successful you then get an interview with our Admissions team, approximately 30-45 minutes, to talk about why you want to do the course, what you hope to get out of the course, and discuss the task. The Professional Data Analysis course admissions process is similar, an entry level task and then an interview.
- What kind of skills are you looking for potential applicants to have?
We find that those with transferable skills do well on and after the course. So whether you’re a midwife, engineer, magician, pub landlord, journalist or poker player, you’ll fit in here and be attractive to employers, as long as you can demonstrate that you’re someone who likes solving problems. It’s all about seeing patterns, logic and creativity.
Finally, you have to be passionate about tech and motivated to learn. The course is enjoyable but challenging, so having the drive to continually improve is a must.
Find out why your current skills might make you perfect for coding.
- How do you help students to secure employment?
Although specific jobs with particular organisations are not guaranteed, we have developed partnerships with over 160 employers in Scotland.
Throughout the course we help students figure out what the best first step into employment is for them. Our careers team will have regular catch-ups with each student to talk about what technologies they’re enjoying the most, and what features they’re looking for in their new career which helps to point students in the right direction for them. They help students develop their CV, prepare for interviews, and practice the technical tests that are common across the sector.
The help we offer to students extends six months beyond graduation.
- What sorts of roles have your students gone into after the course?
The roles that our students go into are as varied as the students themselves. Most commonly, our graduates are in junior level development roles across a range of sectors, from finance to agriculture. Many have found ways to combine the skills they’ve developed in their previous career with the new knowledge they’ve gained at CodeClan to enter jobs that they’re uniquely suited to.
From project managers, UX analysts, software consultants and testers, careers in digital are vast and varied. Read some graduate stories to find out more.
- When do students start applying for jobs?
Morag, Head of Student Services at CodeClan: We wouldn’t recommend applying for jobs very early, simply because you might still not know what you enjoy the most! We start encouraging students to start applying for jobs after careers week, which sits in Week 11 for the Professional Software Development course and Week 9 for the Professional Data Analysis course.
The immersive courses are intense and to apply for jobs at the same time it’s a lot of work. We always advise focusing on the learning first and finding out what you enjoy and applying for jobs towards the end.
TJ, Software Development graduate: I didn’t start applying for jobs until we finished our final project, but it’s just because I was very nervous! I know people in my cohort that applied for jobs early and got jobs even before the course finished. I think it depends on the person, depends on where you are and if you feel ready.
- What support do students that are on a remote cohort receive if they don’t live in Scotland?
Morag: Most of our partners are based in Scotland, where our headquarters are, but we are getting more and more partnerships from outside Scotland and many positions nowadays are remote, especially for developers and analysts.
The career support that our students receive is the same nonetheless, we’ll help you with your CV, 1:1 career coaching, we review cover letters with you, it doesn’t matter what company it is, it doesn’t necessarily need to be one of our partners for us to help you get your dream job after CodeClan.
- How many graduates get jobs in tech after the course?
It depends on the cohort, but training at CodeClan definitely is a life-changing decision.
Our outcomes report will give you all the information you need and will help you make an informed decision about your training by understanding the scale of the impact that CodeClan’s Professional Software Development and Professional Data Analysis courses have had on our students’ careers.
Michael, Software Development graduate: We were 21, quite a big cohort. I think they cannot be this big anymore because of Covid19. But out of those 21 students only two of them are not working in tech at the moment.
John, Software Development graduate: Basically the same here, there’s only two people.
- Any tips for career changers?
TJ, Software Development graduate: It’s normal to feel nervous about it, but my tip is to remind yourself of all of the achievements so far, look at everything that you’ve done and realise that you can do this and more! I look at what I do now, and it’s something I had no clue about a couple of years ago.
