From Art Gallery all-rounder to Software Developer
Hannah’s journey from Art Gallery all-rounder to Software Developer at Trade Me.
When I look back on why I decided to study coding-and why I chose Dev Academy specifically-it all started with a surprising twist in my previous career. I was working as a gallery coordinator at an art gallery in Auckland, juggling everything from exhibition installations to logistics to maintaining the website. One day they gave me the opportunity to build a new website. They said, “have a go-see what you can come up with.” I dove in, rebuilt the site. The more I worked on the website, the more I realised how much I enjoyed solving problems and figuring things out. That curiosity led me to dabble in online courses, learning the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript-and I loved it.
Why Dev Academy?
The real turning point came when a friend who had transitioned from the arts to tech recommended Dev Academy. She’d gone through the program and raved about her experience. Hearing her story gave me the confidence to take the leap myself.
The Dev Academy experience
At Dev Academy, I thrived in the hands-on, practical learning environment. The focus on “learning how to learn” was invaluable-it gave me the foundation and confidence to tackle new projects and languages, even after graduation. The group projects, especially the intense final week-long sprint, taught me resilience, teamwork, and the importance of clear communication. Debugging under pressure became less intimidating, and I learned to persevere through challenges.
One of the most valuable aspects was the emphasis on human skills: public speaking, teamwork, giving and receiving feedback. These are skills I use every single day in my current role as a Junior Developer at Trade Me.
Life after bootcamp
After graduating, I actually became a facilitator at Dev Academy for a while and that really gave me confidence in my coding ability, solidified my knowledge and helped me anticipate and solve problems more effectively. Then, I landed an internship at Trade Me through Summer of Tech, and the practical experience I had gained at Dev Academy was a key reason I was selected. That internship has now turned into a full-time role as a Junior Developer at Trade Me, and I still draw on everything I learned at Dev Academy. Whether it’s collaborating with my team, reviewing code, or picking up a new programming language, I feel confident in my ability to learn and adapt.
Hannah's advice on learning to code
If you’re considering a coding bootcamp, my advice is to make sure you genuinely enjoy coding first. If you do, Dev Academy is an incredible, practical, hands-on program, especially if you learn best by doing. The skills and confidence you gain are highly valued by employers, and combining Dev Academy with opportunities like Summer of Tech is a fantastic pathway into the industry.
Most importantly, Dev Academy taught me how to keep learning. In tech, there’s always something new to master, and having that foundation makes every challenge feel achievable.