Alumni Spotlights

When Nick Driver decided to pivot into AI and data science, he didn’t want to just learn theory – he wanted real experience. That’s what drew him to Flatiron School’s Work-Integrated Immersive, where students split their time between coursework and a paid apprenticeship. In this interview, Nick walks us through what it’s actually like to “earn while you learn,” from working on an education app t...

As AI reshapes what it means to be a software engineer, staying current requires more than just keeping up with the news – it requires deliberate, hands-on learning. Nishal Pattan is a Senior Software Engineer at Oracle's OCI Enterprise Engineering org, where he's building AI agents to power enterprise-wide knowledge search and IT troubleshooting. He's also been an...

WBS CODING SCHOOL has been training data professionals through its comprehensive Data Science and AI program. We recently spoke with graduate Sahand Azizi, who, after a decade in foreign trade and supply chain management, leveraged t...

After six years working in HR and talent acquisition, Evan Rorie hit a career ceiling and began exploring opportunities in tech. He enrolled in TripleTen’s Business Intelligence Analytics Bootcamp (now Data Analytics) in 2024, where he built foundational skills in Excel, SQL, and data visualization...

After more than a decade in quality assurance, Malcolm McGhie wanted to work in software QA and pursue a path to remote work. He enrolled in Careerist’s 10-week Manual QA Bootcamp to translate his background into a career in software testing and successfu...

After serving as an active-duty Army Apache mechanic and managing IT systems in the military, Ryan Oaks was ready for his next mission: breaking into cybersecurity. He enrolled in RapidAscent’s New Career Entry program, earned his CompTIA Security+ certification, and within months, he transitioned directly in...

Breaking into tech doesn’t hinge on a single moment of inspiration or a perfectly timed career move. More often, it’s the result of sustained effort and building a real portfolio, then networking with intention. Two Flatiron School...

After a decade in financial services, Spencer Polans found himself at a crossroads. His mortgage lending career was stable, but it wasn't fulfilling, and he knew he wanted to be at the forefront of the AI and technology revolution, reshaping industries. Spencer decided to take the leap, enrolling full-time in ...

After leaving her job at a veterinary clinic in 2023, Char Burton knew she wanted a career that offered long-term growth and impact. Inspired by her boyfriend’s success in a coding bootcamp, she began researching tech careers – and after comparing dozens of programs, she landed on Fullstack Academy....

After years of working as a dietitian in healthcare and food service, David hit a career ceiling – and with a young family at home, returning to school for four more years wasn’t an option. In this Q&A, David shares how he made the leap into Software QA with...

Mai Vang is a Flatiron School graduate who made the leap from political science and finance to software engineering. After graduating from Flatiron School in 2022, she faced a tough job market and treated the job search like a...

Ippolito Ricca is a WBS CODING SCHOOL graduate who enhanced his career in music and entertainment by adding AI expertise to his toolkit. Since completing WBS CODING SCHOOL's AI for Business Bootcamp in 2025, Ippolito has leveraged his new skills to consult music tech softwar...

In 2017, Tim was working in finance and feeling the familiar mix of fear and uncertainty that comes with a major career pivot. But after enrolling in General Assembly’s Web Development Immersive, he made the leap into tech. Today, Tim is the Manager of Solutions Engineering at Quantum Metric. In this Q&A, he shares how the network...

After 15 years in education and school administration, Miriam Chait was ready to return to her original passion: technology. With a Computer Science degree but a long gap in technical work, she turned to Springboard’s Software Engineering Career Track to refresh her skills and re-enter the workforce. Miriam landed a full...

Julie Liu already had an impressive foundation in UX design – a double major from UC Berkeley, the Google UX Design Certificate, and real-world product experience. But when the job market got tough in 2023, she turned to Springboard’s UX Career Track bootcamp to sharpen her skills,...

When Kiffany Scammell was furloughed in 2020, she used the unexpected pause to reflect on her career path and take action. After discovering a newfound interest in analytics, Kiffany embarked on many Udacity courses that helped transform her career. Now a Senior Product Man...

After working in property management, Valerie Rodriguez was ready for a new challenge and set her sights on the tech industry. Drawn to the problem-solving side of coding and inspired by her small projects with Python, she enrolled in ...

When Isaac Lewin enrolled in Careerist’s Tech Sales Bootcamp, he already had a solid foundation in sales. But Isaac wanted more than experience — he wanted credibility and a better understanding of tech sales. Isaac saw Careerist as a way to level...

Danielle Cook’s journey into tech began with a desire for change sparked during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a manager and essential worker, she realized she wanted the flexibility and opportunity a remote tech career could offer. With support from friends already in the tech industry, Danielle began researching programs that could help her pivot, eventually landing on...

Running his own website-building business gave him a broad skillset, but Josh Kleckner found the operational demands overwhelming and wanted to focus on what he enjoyed most: improving systems and finding bugs. That desire led him to enroll in the QA Testing Bootcamp at TripleTen....