Do you have a dream but not the support to make it a reality? That was Anthony at the start of his journey to become a software developer.
Living in Cape Town, he had a clear aim but lacked the funds to pursue further studies. “I was seeking a learning opportunity in software development. After carefully considering my next career move, my goal was to become a full-stack developer,” Anthony recalls.
Embracing the challenge
Anthony Mogotlane loves being in tech!
Anthony’s search led him to CodeYourFuture (CYF). The course provided the support he was looking for, and after exploring some fundamentals in programming to help him prepare, Anthony felt ready to take the next step. “I think the course is great, one doesn’t really need to know anything much before the course”
Despite the course not requiring any coding knowledge, it proved challenging at times.
Anthony needed to improve his time management to achieve his tasks – learning, in his words “you can’t do all in one day.”.
He faced this challenge head-on, using holidays and weekends to catch up and do extra exercises. Throughout his journey, Anthony also found invaluable support from the CYF community. “The peers and volunteers were available to assist throughout the week, which made the journey smoother,” he says. “They were always available on Slack to reach out, and during and after classes on Saturdays. That helped in most blockages.”
Realising his potential
As Anthony progressed through the course, his confidence grew. A breakthrough moment came when he was able to put together a web application. “That felt great,” he remembers, realising he was achieving his goals.
He also gained an understanding of the various roles and skill sets used in the tech industry. “CYF exposed me to different technologies and helped me improve my personal development skills,” he explains. “I’m now familiar with front-end and back-end development, which gave me confidence when hunting for a job.”
Anthony’s growth also extended beyond technical skills. He developed crucial employability skills that would serve him well in his future career. “Teamwork, communication, problem-solving, agile methodologies, learning, tech skills and time management,” he lists, recognising their importance in the tech industry.
A new chapter
After completing the CYF course, Anthony’s hard work paid off. He secured a job at a global technology services business, marking the beginning of his professional journey in tech.
Looking back, Anthony offers this advice to potential CYF applicants: “You will learn a lot and gain valuable skills that are currently needed as a software developer in the industry. You will also receive support in finding a job through the CYF employable programme.”
Anthony’s story is a testament to the transformative power of determination, having support, and finding the right opportunity. From an aspiring developer to a tech professional, his journey with CodeYourFuture shows what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.
Ready to turn your dreams into reality? If you want to apply to the CodeYourFuture programme, click here to check eligibility and register.