Alumni Interview with Bradley A. Duffy

"It can be really intimidating to think about starting all over, Ask any developer and they will tell you it is 100% worth the leap." - Bradley A. Duffy | VS Alumni

One of our favorite things is to catch up with our graduates to fully understand their journeys across landing a job in the tech space. This time we had the chance to speak to Bradley, who was recently hired as a front-end developer at Gathr.

VS: What does this role mean to you?

Bradley: Everything. Now I can provide for my family all while doing what I love.

VS:W hat was your absolute biggest challenge prior to enrolling in V School?

Bradley: Making the leap! Having so much experience in an unrelated field, it can be really intimidating to think about starting all over.

VS: How did that challenge make you feel?

Bradley: Before: Terrified After: Absolutely unstoppable

VS: What has changed after enrolling?

Bradley:  I’ve become accustomed to remote work, and I’ve learned how to manage both my expectations, and the ones of those around me.

VS: What specific results can you share?

Bradley: I went from knowing absolutely nothing about code, to having the CEO of a successful startup commend me on my keen eye for detail. So much so that they hired me.

I went through a lot (personally) while going through V School. Regardless of the circumstance everyone was more than willing to accommodate for my situation.- Bradley A. Duffy | VS Alumni

VS: What would you say to somebody on the fence about enrolling?

Bradley:  Ask any developer and they will tell you it is 100% worth the leap. In the worst-case scenario, you now have an extremely valuable skill under your belt!

VS: Anything else to add?

Bradley: I could not have asked for a better Mentor than Laney Kawaguchi. She has been my rock through this process and V School is absolutely blessed to have her on their team.

VS: What did it take for you to make it to this point?

Bradley: I had to fight tooth and nail to get here. Maintaining a steady work schedule all while having to work and be a parent is no joke.

VS: How did V School help you get here?

Bradley:  V School in general is an amazing resource for all facets of developing. Stuck on a problem? Ask a channel on Slack. Looking for more work? Check a channel on Slack. Having trouble on your resume? You have an EXPERT Student Success Mentor who’d love nothing better than to see you flourish.

VS: What was the best part of V School for you personally?

Bradley: Flexibility and understanding. I went through a lot (personally) while going through V School. Regardless of the circumstance everyone was more than willing to accommodate for my situation.

I went from knowing absolutely nothing about code, to having the CEO of a successful startup commend me on my keen eye for detail. Now I can provide for my family all while doing what I love.- Bradley A. Duffy | VS Alumni

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