From Criminology to LHL Bootcamp

The completion of my criminology degree in 2020 re-awakened my interest in becoming a software developer. Considering this is my first attempt at coding, I took some online classes, then applied for the SheCodes Bootcamp. The Bootcamp introduced me to the rudiments of different coding languages and how to read other programmers' lines of code.

I completed the SheCodes BootCamp in April 2021; since then, I have applied for many entry-level jobs but did not get any positive response. I am confident I have the required skill to excel in these jobs, but somehow it is not coming forth. During this time, I joined Black People in Tech Network (BPTN), a Toronto-based tech team. BPTN helped me discover a BootCamp called Lighthouse Labs(LHL), which the Ontario government provides scholarships for learning opportunities. After some research into LHL, I realized that graduating from their BootCamp would help me master so much about programming, transition me fully into the tech community, and accelerate my chances of getting a job as a software developer. So, I applied to the BootCamp through Ontario WebDevelopers Network (OWN) scholarship. Achēv (one of the charitable organizations working with LHL) helped process my application, and through them, I was able to get an interview and subsequently, I sat for an entrance test. Unfortunately, I failed the test, which made me feel inadequate despite all the skills I gained through the months.

I could not watch myself lose such a great opportunity, so I contacted the person who interviewed me at Achēv to see if she had other options. Fortunately, she told me that I could re-apply for LHL in a few months. In the meantime, she encouraged me to apply for the IDRF women's coding class. I took a chance at applying, and this time, I got accepted into IDRF. At the end of the coding program, IDRF offered an LHL scholarship, so I applied and passed through all of the screening stages. After waiting a whole week for LHL, I contacted the IDRF facilitator asking if he had heard anything; he said LHL told him I failed the test and could not offer me a position with their scholarship. I was genuinely hurt; how could I have failed again? I knew what I did in that test, and I was confident I aced every stage. Maybe there is a complication somewhere, I told myself.

So, I contacted LHL, and their admissions team confirmed that I passed, but their policy was that applicants needed to for six months to re-apply. During my interview, the interviewer noted this and confirmed it was okay since I was applying for the January cohort. After several email conversations, my chances of getting the scholarship proved futile. Although they had said
that if I had my funding, I could join without waiting for six months, that does not solve my problem since I do not have money. At this point, I was frustrated because I felt my dream was failing, and my plans were unproductive. I wanted to give up, but more than anything, I wanted this scholarship. So, that night I called a friend of mine explaining the situation, and she said I should try contacting the woman from Achēv; maybe she could offer a solution.

The following day, I called the woman, and she remembered me immediately I introduced myself. I explained things to her, and she said I should forward her the emails I exchanged with LHL. After going through the emails, she explained that she could do nothing because I did not apply through the Achēv scholarship. However, she would help me ask around and get back to
me if she had a solution. When she did get back to me, it was with the news that I had been accepted into the program. However, not for the January cohort that I applied for but the November cohort. She had done the undoable, and I was excited I got what I wanted.

It was two weeks before the start of the November Bootcamp; Achēv explained that I had to do the LHL prep work due for submission a week before the BootCamp. 80-hour prep work in a week was a lot, with the condition that if I did not finish, they could rescind the offer. I felt
drained, pressured and overwhelmed, but I wanted the scholarship. So, I doubled down for the love of technology and coding, dropped everything I had to do for that week, and started working on the assignment at hand. I was stuck on one coding task after another, pressured, sleepless, and exhausted during this time. I contacted LHL again asking for an extension, and they said,
getting the admissions a week before prep work was due does not make me eligible for an extension.

I felt helpless and alone that I had to cry out my pain. I needed some technical assistance, but none of my family and friends had the technological know-how. I tried posting on the LHL online question and answer forum, but still, nobody responded. So, I had to figure it all out on my own, and fortunately, I did. With the amount of time I had left, everyone, including myself, was
surprised I was able to finish the prep work. I finished earlier than I thought I would, and I could not have been much prouder of whom I became to finish that prep work.

One thing that kept me pushing was my dream and passion for becoming a developer. Also, this scholarship was an outstanding achievement that I did not want to lose. Google search engine and the LHL forum helped solve the problems encountered. Employing prioritization, research and patience
with myself got me through the most challenging weeks of 2021. Resilient communication has helped me gain this scholarship which would help me move steps further to my career goals in programming. So, fellow humans, when the work gets too complex and life gets too complicated, remember to release the frustration (cry, scream, take a walk, etc.), prioritize the things you need to do, research then solve problems. Never at any point remain stagnant due to any denial you may have experienced. You can beat all odds with determination in place.