Despite having a rewarding career as a programmer in finance, Jonation knew something was missing, He felt a pull to give back to society and develop himself further. “I wanted to atone for my hedge fund sins… and also expand my horizons!” he says with a smile.
His search for meaningful work led Jonathan to CodeYourFuture (CYF), where he now supports people facing barriers to entering the tech industry.
Making a difference
As a volunteer, Jonathan wears many hats. He holds midweek drop-in sessions for trainees to ask questions and attends Saturday classes as a teaching assistant. Occasionally, he leads workshops on specific software topics.
“We support the trainees on their learning journey, by giving them a hand to climb over the various obstacles that would be difficult to overcome on their own,” Jonathan explains. “This ranges from the obvious technical blockers they encounter to helping them with motivation and career direction.”
Jonathan (left) helping a trainee.
Learning while teaching
Jonathan’s CYF experience has been transformative, both personally and professionally. “I did not know React before teaching it on the course and am very happy to say that I have been able to use it professionally,” he shares. “It is indeed true that teaching is the best way to learn.”
His growth also extends beyond technical skills. “Meeting people from different parts of society has also expanded my world view which I believe has made me a more well-rounded and amicable individual at work and beyond.”
For Jonathan, CYF is more than just a volunteer opportunity – it’s also a community. One of his fondest memories is celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year. “We had an amazing feast and great music! It really opened my eyes to other cultures,” he recalls.
Another highlight is the final project presentation day. He says, “It is always a beautiful moment to see trainees present the fruits of their work to see how far they’ve come.”
Challenges, growth and rewards
Volunteering at CYF has taught Jonathan valuable lessons about empathy and patience. While many people who complete the Software Development programme find good jobs in tech, not everyone does.
“I’ve learned to accept that not everybody will maintain the momentum to reach the end of their learning journey,” he reflects. “At the end of the day, we can only provide the tools for the trainees to learn.”
Despite the challenges, Jonathan finds his CYF experience incredibly rewarding. “It really feels like a community, and I feel good knowing that I can use my programming skills for a good cause rather than making rich people richer,” he says.
An experience you won’t regret
To those considering volunteering with CYF, Jonathan offers these words of encouragement: “In my time with CYF, I have met amazing people, expanded my horizons, and even benefitted professionally from learning React and chatting with the other volunteers. The cherry on top is the real sense of community and giving back to society. I am honestly so happy I decided to take that first step as a volunteer, and I am sure you will not regret it either.”
Jonathan’s journey shows how volunteering with CYF can be an impactful experience, offering personal growth, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact in someone’s life.
Jonathan (left) is part of a learning community of volunteers and trainees.