For Lindsey Zicker, a natural problem-solver with a growing interest in coding, enrolling in a coding bootcamp was a big step toward an exciting new career in software engineering. Today, she works as a Full-Stack Engineer at MatchPoint, a patented matching algorithm designed to transform events.
In this Q&A, Lindsey shares how her “simple curiosity quickly snowballed” into a new career, what she’s working on at MatchPoint, and her advice for anyone thinking about making the same leap into tech through a coding bootcamp.
Q&A with Lindsey Zicker, Full-Stack Software Engineer
What drew you to software engineering?
I’ve always been a natural problem-solver, driven by the satisfaction of seeing tangible results. While exploring new career paths, I started teaching myself HTML and CSS, and what began as a simple curiosity quickly snowballed. The moment I started coding, I was hooked by the immediate feedback and the ability to bring ideas to life. This hands-on experience made it clear to me that software engineering was more than just a job; it was a way to combine my logical and creative skills to build something truly impactful.
What’s your role at MatchPoint like? What kind of projects do you work on?
My role at MatchPoint has been an incredible learning experience and a perfect start to my career right out of the bootcamp. It has provided me with invaluable, real-world coding knowledge, and I’ve been fortunate to work on projects with significant impact. Primarily, I’ve focused on frontend UI/UX projects, which have allowed me to apply my skills to create intuitive and effective user experiences. A highlight of my work has been creating an analytics dashboard for event organizers and vendors, a project that has given me ownership of a feature from conception to completion and allowed me to see how my work directly helps users in the field.
What do you like about your role?
I like the level of trust and flexibility I’ve been given. My team has empowered me to take ownership of UI/UX designs, giving me the creative freedom and space to build them out. This autonomy has made the work not only enjoyable but also incredibly impactful.
What challenges have you faced?
Like any first role, the initial challenge was getting up to speed with the existing codebase and the team’s workflow. It took some time to learn the specific patterns they used and understand their development process. I also had to quickly pick up React Native, which was new to me, and learn how to set up and manage simulators to test my work. It was a great challenge that allowed me to grow a lot in a short amount of time.
How was the post-bootcamp job search for you?
The post-bootcamp job search was a significant challenge, lasting about nine months. During that time, I applied to nearly 400 roles, and despite the high volume of applications, I only had a handful of coding challenges and just one phone interview. To stay sharp and continue growing my skills, I dedicated my time to practicing code through Coursera courses and building out my resume with personal projects. That single interview ultimately led to three more rounds and, thankfully, to my current role at MatchPoint. The entire experience was a testament to the importance of perseverance and staying focused on my goals.
Do you have any advice for someone considering enrolling in a coding bootcamp?
My advice is to go for it. It was one of the biggest and best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s completely normal to have doubts. A lot of us in my cohort even had them a month into the program. The biggest challenge for any developer is overcoming imposter syndrome, but Hack Reactor did an amazing job preparing us. They made sure we felt confident and equipped to tackle challenges by working together and building a supportive community.
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Lindsey’s story shows that while the tech journey comes with challenges, it’s also filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and build a meaningful career.
If you’re ready to start your own journey, our Beginner Coding Bootcamp will help you gain the skills, confidence, and career support you need to succeed.
Apply Now to take the first step, or Join an Info Session to learn more about how our programs can help you achieve your goals.
