In 2023, Eric Roth worked as a writer and administrator in Los Angeles. He enjoyed it, but when the entertainment industry’s writer strike hit, his workload, and income, dropped significantly. His wife, also a writer and pregnant at the time, faced the same challenges.
It was time for a change.
Determined to “get one egg out of the basket,” he set his sights on technology. He needed a fast, cost-effective way to build software engineering skills, and after researching options, he chose Hack Reactor.
Recently, Eric joined two other Hack Reactor graduates to share their experiences on an Intermediate Coding Bootcamp Alumni Panel. The three offered valuable insights into the intermediate program’s structure, the skills it builds, and how it helps graduates land jobs in tech.
Watch the Full Panel Discussion Here and read on for a summary of what they covered.
The Hack Reactor Experience: Intermediate Coding Bootcamp
The Panelists:
- Eric Roth: Global Support Engineer at CodeSignal
- Jason Wesson: Software Engineer II at 2U
- Robert Potter: Freelance Software Engineer
During the hour-long discussion, the panelists discussed the program’s structure, which is divided into four phases:
- Precourse
- Before diving into the core curriculum, students complete 90 to 120 hours of foundational coursework in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
- Junior Phase (Weeks 1-6)
- This phase helps students master full-stack JavaScript through hands-on coding sprints. Students tackle real-world problems while sharpening their communication and problem-solving skills.
- Senior Phase (Weeks 6-12)
- Students build full applications using industry-standard practices. The capstone project provides real-world experience and a portfolio-ready project.
- Job Search
- Career support is built into the program. Students receive resume guidance, interview prep, networking help, and personalized coaching from career experts during and after the program.
Robert, Jason, and Eric also discussed how the Intermediate program involved a lot of scheduled and unscheduled study time with a strong emphasis on foundational learning. They noted that the program was intense, but overcoming the challenges prepared them for high-demand roles and responsibilities after graduation.
A typical day included:
Lectures: Covering fundamental and advanced coding concepts
Retrospectives: Reviewing and reinforcing key lessons
Project Work: Hands-on development of real applications
Pair Programming: An industry-standard practice that enhances collaboration and problem-solving skills
From Coding Training to Tech Careers
Preparing for a tech job is a big part of the program. Eric talked about meeting with his career advisor weekly. They worked together to craft a roadmap for post-graduation success.
Hack Reactor’s Career Services team provides:
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization: Helping graduates stand out to recruiters
Technical Interview Coaching: Mock interviews and other job-training workshops
Personalized Career Support: One-on-one coaching and job search planning
AI in Software Engineering: A Tool, Not a Threat
With AI reshaping the tech landscape, the panelists were asked about their experiences using AI on the job. They emphasized that software engineers should use AI as a supplement to enhance their work. That’s exactly how we teach the AI productivity tool, GitHub Copilot, in our coding bootcamps — as an enhancement—not a replacement—for foundational coding skills.
Interested in Software Engineering?
Our Intermediate Coding Bootcamp offers a structured, immersive path into software engineering, one that has helped countless students, including our panelists, launch successful careers.
If you’re ready, get your applications started today! (We also offer a Beginner Coding Bootcamp, no coding experience required.)