On finding Code the Dream:
“I came to the United States two years ago from Colombia, where I studied IndustrialEngineering for six years in college. When I first moved to the US, I had tried to study coding by myself, but I felt I needed more structure and guidance. So when I heard about Code the Dream through [the San Francisco-based outreach organization] Code Tenderloin, I applied and was accepted into a class in 2020.”
On the student experience:
“I really liked CTD’s class structure. The combination of videos (which I could rewatch until I was confident that I had learned the information) and mentor sessions were great. The mentors, in particular, made a strong impression on me as they were always so willing to help and speak with me any time.”
On the apprenticeship experience:
“[At CTD Labs] we had a good team and it was a good experience to put everything together that we had learned, so we could see how it works in the real world — assigning tasks, doing real work, etc.”
Favorite thing about Code the Dream:
“I want them to know that Code the Dream is a wonderful organization, that they really care about people, that they believe that giving opportunities really can make the difference to make a better society, that they appreciate you for who you are, and that no matter your background, the color of your skin or your beliefs, you are always welcome and loved.”
How has your life changed since Code the Dream?
“Being at Code the Dream has been a wonderful experience. I learned how to make front-end and back-end applications. I made many friends and had the opportunity to improve my English and bring out my leadership skills. Before Code the Dream I used to be a delivery guy, now I’m a Software Engineer at Airbnb. Being a student, apprentice and part of the Code the Dream family totally changed my life and I will always be grateful for so much that they do so that people like me can code their dreams.”
