Bootcamp Learning Plan
What is your long term goal or career pathway?
My initial comments haven't changed much, i still feel the same in that sense. I do like to help people out so getting into something that has to do with mental health or an area like that would be great, i think that is a huge thing that needs more care. If you read some of my other blogs you'll see how that kind of thing made me feel for the majority of my life and how much of an impact it can make so maybe that sort of avenue.
I would also love to be able to travel, i'm not much of a materialistic sort of person and would rather be happy than consumed by money (although i'm not ignorant to suggest that you don't need some money to be able to do the things that make you happy) but living a little more comfortably and experiencing new things would be great.
I'm sort of a go with the flow & not have a definite position in mind kind of person. Keep my options open and try various avenues, i want a balance to keep myself grounded and not be run down with just work. Before i can think any further of what i would like to become, i need to out my foot down and pass the bootcamp, because i won't be going anywhere if i can't get through that.
What do you think your biggest strengths and limitations will be in Bootcamp?
Reflecting on what i had previously wrote, i think it will be along the same lines for both my strengths & limitations. I have the desire to learn and get better but at the same time i could feel myself comparing to others at various points and had to quickly track back on that and remind myself that it only matters what i am doing. I got stuck and i still feel stuck on JavaScript, so i have been nervous for the bootcamp because of this. If i continue to not get it and not progress then i don't know if the 'old me' will resurface, i don't know.. only time will tell i suppose. I won't give up though and i know that this time has got to be different. I felt a tendency to procrastinate at times when it came to some of the JavaScript content because i wasn't understanding it and i know i can't continue down that path.
What do you think your biggest non-technical challenge at Bootcamp will be?
Avoiding burnout and keeping a balance to maintain healthy standards. If i can't keep my health right, my standards will slip. Asking questions & letting people know if i don't understand, i won't be a help to anyone if i suffer in silence. Also communicating idea's in a clear and concise way to people, this is something that will be a challenge. I have never studied before (apart from high school and i wouldn't really consider that as learning as i didn't really care) so the whole concept is foreign and unknown territory. This is another chapter to add to the book of putting myself out there & trying fearful things. I just hope my positivity remains and the work i have been putting in to find myself isn't a facade.
What non-technical skills - human skills - would you like to see developed in yourself while at Dev Academy?
I think it's pretty similar to my first answer, communication is something i have been working on want to continue to work on. Especially when it comes to explaining things in a clear way and not repeating myself. I want to become an even better listener, back myself and continue to believe in myself and generally improve in all area's.
What are your expectations from the Bootcamp team?
Again, along the lines of the first answer i had. If i'm struggling, i hope to get some help and prompts in directions so i can better understand where i'm going wrong and why i'm not getting it. I wouldn't want to be just given answers because you don't learn anything from that and keep the accountability in check.
What are your expectations of yourself on Bootcamp
I expect myself to give my all, put myself out there and continue to learn. I expect to show up everyday and be the best person i can be for myself and for everyone around me. I want to obviously get better at the tech side because that is definitely lacking right now, but i want to continue to improve on the core side and continue to learn about myself more importantly. I'll continue to give my all, learn, ask questions, grow and embrace the course for the short time we are involved with it!
I expect myself to continue with my routine/discipline so i can remain healthy and in the best possible mindframe, continue to practice mindfulness, be kind to myself and remain self-aware and aware of the people around me.
Foundations Learning Plan
What is your long term goal or career pathway?
In the first instance i would love to help friends/family by building websites for their first time business adventures or being able to update their current sites if they have one. I've always loved Tech and beileve it's going to only get bigger as the years go by, it seems like an exciting space to be in with amazing opportunities everywhere!
I don't really have a focused career pathway as such, i like to keep my options open and be able to give various areas a go and not get so consumed by one avenue that i may not be passionate about. Becoming a Junior Developer and gaining the skills, critical-thinking, mindset, and being around like-minded individuals is what i'm looking at - but before i get there, i need to pass Foundations and then the Bootcamp; these four months are all i'm focused on at this stage!
A description of your strengths and limitations when it comes to learning:
My strengths include; honesty, trustworty, accountability, communication, organised, positivity, and helping others. While i'm already strong in most of these areas naturally, i'm still working on them whenever i can as well. I'm persistant and have the ability to go after things i want to do without any encouragement or validation from anyone, i try new things and i had the curiosity to self-teach myself how to code and look where i am now. My limitations include; sometimes getting stuck on concepts for a bit longer than necessary because i think i'm not 'getting it', not being happy with something i've done and continuously tweaking it towards something that seems 'more perfect', need to develop a better use for the timebox method, and frustration can come out if a concept isn't making sense to me.
What skills (non-technical core/human skills) would you like to see developed in yourself while at Dev Academy?
A commitment to how you will manage your workload in this programme:
Conduct myself the way i always do; look for the positives or the meaning in something, especially if it's not going in the right direction. Be compassionate, listen and speak to people when they are down or need help. Keep up with my daily discipline to keep myself, my mind, and body in the right way. Otherwise, you're no help to anyone, not even yourself.
My focus is directly on this course for four months, it's one of the best decisions i've made and i'm very grateful for, and i won't be wasting my time or anyone else's. It's only four months in the grand scheme of things and showing up for myself and my cohort peers on each of these days is what i'll give, especially on the darkest of days. Because after the darkest of days there is always light. I'll do what needs to be done when the time comes!
A commitment as to how and where you will seek help in a timely way:
If i need help, and i can't help myself in the first instance, i will reach out to my facilitator or the team through discord. Communication is essential in all areas so i will not be afraid to do so if necessary! Seeking help isn't a weakness and assuming someone knows more than me in any area can only benefit me by reaching out!
A description of what you expect from the Facilitation team:
Keeping me accountable for what i'm working towards, if i'm going off track or taking to long in areas to get me back into line. If there's something i'm not understanding, not force feed the information but prompt me. Regular weekly catchups and helping with any questions is appreciated!
Any scheduling information such as block-out times when you are committed to other things. It's important to plan these in:
I'm all in, i have a routine that i generally keep on a daily basis and it works well. If it changes, i'll adapt and work at different times. If anything comes up, i'll find a work around and either do the work before the committment or after. It's four months and i can handle it!