Our students come from such diverse careers and backgrounds. This booklet illustrates how they went from a random career to becoming a junior developer in 12 weeks and how they landed their dream jobs as junior developers.

1. Where are our
Alumni now?

2. Cohort: February 2014
Sarah Young trained as a historian of gender,
education and technology. She hold degrees
from Scripps College, Oxford University, and the
University of Manchester. Seeking a challenge
and ready for a change she left a career in
academia to pursue software development and
fell in love with coding from day one.
One of the biggest hurdles I had to overcome before
becoming a developer was believing it was possible,
believing I could do it. My background is in the
humanities (I’m a historian by training) and I’d never
been ‘good’ at science/maths, although I loved
calculus in university. I’d always assumed my lack of
experience would prevent me from pursuing software
engineering as a career option so I never did.
To me coding is like craft-making, figuring out
puzzles, even experimenting in the kitchen - activities
I enjoy doing but would never have thought could
be related to software engineering. It requires
team-work, imaginative thinking, and curiosity. It’s
language-learning, problem-solving, communication
all in one and I love it so applying to Makers was one
of the best decisions of my life.
Although I had days where I felt I didn’t have enough
time to understand concept and worries like I won’t
be able to get a job this was all put to bed as after
graduation I found a traineeship but they lost the
resources to train me but Makers helped me find
another job. Since graduation I’m happier, more
confident, and financially secure. I feel like I’ve found
the path I’ve always been looking for.
My time at Makers Academy was intellectually
challenging, a roller coaster of joy, and one of the
best decisions of my life.
Sarah Young
Academic to Junior
Developer at Deloitte
Digital
My time at MA was
intellectually challenging,
a roller coaster of joy,
and one of the best
decisions of my life.
@Sarahseewhy
@Sarahseewhy

3. Cohort: January 2014
The idea of creating something out of nothing
combined with Makis’ desire for a path that
would require him to be ever-evolving, led him
to programming. He now works as a resident
apprentice at 8th Light.
Before Makers Academy I used to work as a Sales
Assistant at sport brands like Nike, specialising in
running shoes. The ability to create value out of pretty
much nothing was the most compelling reason for me
to learn to code. I always admired people that had
such an ability and programming was my way of
attaining it.
I found coming to terms with the speed with which
new information arrives difficult on the course but
it took me couple of weeks to embrace the fact
that I had my “own speed” of understanding and
consuming information. The biggest mistake I made
was comparing myself with others and their speed.
Focusing on my own way of learning was what got
me through.
Since graduating my life has changed in many good
ways. For the first time in years I can honestly say
that I miss work even when I’m on holiday. This is
how much I’m enjoying what I do. I’m learning so
many things that are relevant to my every day life and
being at the forefront of technology also changes my
perspective of the world in general.
My advice for people who want the career change
is that if you are looking for a job that will keep you
on your toes and constantly improving then go for it.
There are not many industries which provide so many
things to learn so you’ll never really reach a point
where you become stale and bored. Being a maker
is a very empowering feeling. Makers Academy was
life-changing. It led to a new career, new friends and
a new life.
Makis Otman
Sales assistant to
resident apprentice at
8th Light
Makers Academy
was life-changing. It led
to a new career, new
friends and a new life.
@MakisOtman
@Maikon

4. Cohort: August 2014
Ethel studied Politics, Psychology, and
Sociology at the University of Cambridge
while moonlighting as “the website person” for
a number of societies. After graduating, she
decided to take a leap of faith into the world
of code and is soon starting a role as junior
developer at digital agency usTwo.
I graduated in Psychology and was considering
my career options. I wanted to work in tech but
was worried that I was being unrealistic given my
background. I’ve always had a strong interest in tech
from a young age, although I can’t claim to have a
history as a hacker. I taught myself enough HTML and
CSS to make simple websites, and my experience in
university helping societies with their websites made
me realise that this was something I really enjoyed
doing.
I found out about Makers through a promoted tweet
and it was a no-brainer that I had to apply. At times
I found the intensity of the course hard, especially
when you feel like you haven’t quite grasped
something and the next week new concepts are
coming your way. That said, I never felt completely
out of my depth, and I knew I could count on my
cohort and the coaches to help me out if I needed it.
I really enjoyed graduation as we’d been working
on the project non-stop for two weeks and I know
all of my team were really proud of it. It was a great
feeling to be able to demo it and see the audience’s
enthusiasm about something that we made. The
week leading up to graduation was tough for me as
I was torn between preparing to leave the country
and simultaneously juggling job interviews. I’m really
happy that it all paid off, and I received a job offer
on the Monday after graduation.
Ethel Ng
Psychology Graduate
to Junior Developer at
usTwo
I received a job offer
on the Monday after
graduation.
@_ch2ch3
@ch2ch3

5. Cohort: February 2014
Mario was the winner of StartupWeekend
Caracas, 99u & GESS fellow. After finishing
his second semester as an economics major he
realized that university wasn’t for him and after
a great crowdfunding campaign he learned to
code at Makers. Mario now works at a startup
called Showmyhomework.
Before Makers Academy I was a economics student,
working as a waiter and an intern. I wanted to learn
to code as I worked in a software company and it
seemed like coding was something that conveyed
countless transferrable skills, not to mention I always
loved building things.
I found that applying myself consistently for 3 months
was hard during the course and I did worry that I
won’t be able to get a job afterwards. However after
graduation I worked as a contractor for a month, then
received a full-time offer from a different company,
although the first one made an offer as well. Since
graduation my life is much better. I have good job
prospects with growth opportunities.
My advice to people would be sometimes the right
answer just won’t come in time. It’s okay to fail
an interview, no one is consistently good in this
profession.
Mario Gintili
From Venezuela to
Junior Developer at
Showmyhomework
Since graduation my
life is much better. I have
good job prospects with
growth opportunities.
@MarioGintili
@MarioGintili

6. Cohort: March 2014
Nico worked as a Music Producer for about
three years but was not happy with the market
situation and having always been interested
in programming he decided to go past basic
Frontend and “Hello, World” apps through
joining Makers Academy. Nico now works as
Junior Developer at Shutl (eBay).
Before Makers Academy I was working as a Music
Producer and I wanted to learn to code so I could
bring my own software ideas to fruition and change
careers.
What I found so great about Makers Academy is
that it´s all about the people. Makers are doing an
amazing job at finding great, unique and dedicated
individuals to work with. The intensity is very high - I
went through University, A-Levels and so on, it was
nowhere as intense as Makers if you want to get the
most out of it. I can only recommend to anyone, if you
want to do this, do´t do anything else for the duration
of the course and prepare the best you can.
I was however worried that I won’t be able to get a
job after the course but it drove me to succeed and
after graduation three weeks down the line I had two
full-time job offers.
My life has changed since graduation as I moved to
London and I’m now working as a Software Engineer. I
recently even moved into my own place.
Makers Academy was the most intense and most
rewarding learning experience of my life.
Nico Saueressig
Music Producer to Junior
Developer at Shutl (eBay)
After graduation three
weeks down the line I had
two full-time job offers.
@Nicolrnscodin
@Nicosa

7. Cohort: November 2013
Simon did a law conversion course but had
been dabbling in code and decided he wanted
to get a job as a programmer that led him to
join Makers Academy.
Before Makers Academy I was looking for a legal job
after a law conversion course. I could code a little but
by coming on the course I wanted to become a good
enough modern web developer so I could get a job in
the industry.
So when I came across Makers Academy through some
internet research I knew I had to apply. During the course
I had problems with debugging and Rails as at the time
it seemed like a giant black box, so I didn’t know where
to start.
After graduation I spent a few months freelancing as
I needed to sort out other parts of my life like moving
house etc. Once that stuff was sorted I told Ruben that
I was ready to start a full-time job and I got an offer
from Econsultancy eight days after that.
I initially thought that I would stop coding for fun if I was
doing it as a career rather than a hobby, and I’d start to
find it boring but this hasn’t been a problem, if anything
I now enjoy coding more in my free time as a I’m
much better at it.
Simon Woolf
From Law to Junior
Developer at Econsultancy
I told Ruben that I was
ready to start a full-time
job and I got an offer from
econsultancy eight days after
that.
@SEMW
@SimonWoolf

8. Cohort: June 2014
Jeremy worked in commodity trading in the City.
He decided he wanted a change and came to
Makers to learn to code. He now has a job as
a Junior Developer at The Ministry of Justice.
Before Makers Academy I was working in Commodities
Trading. I wanted to learn to code as I like the blend
of math, design and art that goes into creating an
application. There’s something a little magical
about words in a text editor resulting in a working
application.
I found the sheer amount of material you need to absorb
hard during the course and I was worried about whether
you could learn enough to be an effective developer in
such a short time frame. Turns out that when you code
14 hours a day 7 days a week you can cram a lot in.
After graduation I accepted a junior developer role
at The Ministry of Justice. My life has changed after
graduation as I just feel excited about the work I will be
doing and the huge wealth of opportunities that have
been opened up to me. I feel like I can pick up new
technologies even when they seem daunting at first.
If you are thinking about changing careers just remember
that it takes longer than you think, you might earn less to
start with and its hard work BUT totally worth it!
Some people may think that £8,000 is expensive and
it’s all relative. £8,000 to kickstart a new career and
become employable in the tech sector in a matter of
months seems like a very good deal in retrospect.
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was to fill in
the application form for Makers Academy.
Jeremy Fox
Commodities Trader to
Junior Developer at The
Ministry of Justice
One of the best decisions
I’ve ever made was to fill
in the application form for
Makers Academy.
@foxjerem

9. Cohort: June 2014
Jean was a graphic artist/gamer that spent
part of his life creating art for games and
commercials until he found the amazing world of
web development. Jean now works as a junior
front end developer at JustGiving.
Before Makers Academy I was working as a graphic
artist in video games. I started learn to code as I started
to play on Codecademy. I found finding the time to
learn all the material on the course difficult and I was
scared of not understanding a single thing. There is
nothing to be scared of, however you just have to
commit to it and enjoy it as much as you can.
After graduation I focused on improving my Javascript
skills and then got a job at JustGiving as a junior
Javascript developer. My life changed as I’m now job-
ready and confident for developer positions.
If you are looking to change your career, then try out
Codecademy or do the free trials on Treehouse and
Codeschool and see if you like it. You might get a better
idea of the power of knowing how to develop through it.
£8,000 is a lot of money but with enough effort
during Makers you can pay that off quicker than you
think. When interviewing make sure you know about the
company. Be sincere and humble. Always show interest,
because you should have interest in the company
otherwise don’t waste your time applying to them. Read
about the technologies they are using and ask lots of
questions, since you want to know if you are going to
enjoy your time in there.
My Makers Academy experience was like when Neo
got plugged to learn martial arts. Really stressful but
also very effective.
Jean Troiani
Graphic Artist to Junior
Developer at JustGiving
My Makers Academy
experience was like when
Neo got plugged to
learn martial arts. Really
stressful but also very
effective.
@digitalguest
@jeantroiani

10. Cohort: June 2014
Having worked in a mobile technology startup
for over two years Jamie was always drawn
towards where the action was happening which
was the programming! He wanted to be able to
change user experiences the way he saw fit and
act directly on his ideas so he came to Makers
to learn to code. Jamie now has a job as a
Junior front end developer at JustGiving.
Before Makers Academy, I was working as a designer/
copywriter for a mobile marketing and advertising start-
up.
I wanted to learn to code as I wanted to be able to
build the ideas I had in my head. I found the pace of
the course difficult and I initially had fears that I won’t
be able to get a job as a developer at the end of it.
I now however feel like one of those smug people who
say, “you’ve gotta be in the right place at the right time”.
Because I certainly was. But in all seriousness, I now feel
pretty fantastic about the whole experience.
My advice to anyone thinking of taking the course is
to take the course preparation incredibly seriously. No
matter how much you do, it will still be a shock to the
system. Use all your resources possible to put you in the
best position possible for when you finish, and when you
graduate play to your strengths and take your job hunt
very seriously.
Jamie Allen
Designer to Junior
Developer at JustGiving
I initially had fears that I
won’t be able to get a job
as a developer at the end of it....
I now feel pretty fantastic about
the whole experience.
@JamieAllen59
@JamieAllen59

11. Cohort: May 2014
Vaidas has a previous background in
Biochemistry/Biotechnology, CIMA/Accounting
and growth hacking. After teaching himself the
basics, building some scrapers and playing with
APIs Vaidas finally found his passion, which
led him to Makers Academy to build the solid
foundations to become a full stack developer.
Before Makers Academy I was doing a range of things
but I wanted to learn to code as I realised that every
company now is a software company and that knowing
how to code right now is like having super powers. Its
pretty amazing. I love Makers Academy, the culture,
what is being taught here and the people.
After graduation I got a job as full stack javascript
developer at Artificial Labs. My life since graduation? I
love it even more and I love my new superpowers.
If you are thinking of changing careers then you have
already waited too long. Do it now. By 2025 1 in 3
jobs will be taken by robots/code.
If £8,000 is putting you off as you think it’s pretty
expensive, just think about how expensive your
iPhone/Android smartphone, tablet, 50 inch TV
and beer/vodka/drinks in the pub are. It’s all about
priorities.
My advice for graduates who are now interviewing for
roles is to remember that technical tests and TDD are the
two most important things in the world when it comes to
jobs.
My Makers Academy experience was epic and life-
changing.
Vaidas Mykolaitis
From everything to full
stack javascript developer
at Artifcial Labs
My Makers Academy
experience was epic and life
changing.
@vmlifestyle
@codepreneur

12. Cohort: March 2014
After graduating with a first class degree
in Oriental Languages from La Sapienza
University, Stefania spent 18 months working
as a recruitment consultant in the IT sector. She
decided to join Makers Academy to pursue
her life-long interest for web technologies and
kickstart a career as a junior web developer.
Before Makers Academy I was a recruiter in the IT
sector. I wanted to learn to code as I was making simple
websites for friends and family since the age of 14 and
wanted to learn how to code to get a job as a web
developer.
I found the pace of the course difficult as some people
in my cohort knew already how to code and they were
leading the pace of the lessons.
After graduation I took the summer off to travel with my
family and clean up my github. From September I started
to look for jobs and after only one application I got a
job at a company called BCSG. Initially I was offered
a three month paid internship but after 6 weeks of the
internship they offered me permanent junior ruby web
developer role which I took.
If you are thinking of changing careers then do it. It’s
the best thing you could do to yourself. Confucius said:
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to
work a day in your life.” This is so true. I go to work
with a smile and when I go back home I feel like I
have just been doing something that I like!
Makers Academy changed my life. It gave me the
confidence that I can achieve whatever I want in life.
Stefania
Cardenas
IT Recruiter to Junior Web
Developer at BCSG
Makers Academy
changed my life. It gave me
the confidence that I can
achieve whatever I want in
life.
@stefaniacardenas

13. Cohort: February 2014
Andrew graduated from Durham University with
a masters degree in aeronautic engineering.
He enjoy making things and believes it’s just as
important to make the insides of something as
beautiful as the outside. Andrew now works as a
Junior Developer at Red Badger.
Before Makers Academy I did a Masters of Mechanical
(Aeronautical) Engineering degree at Durham University. I
was exposed to coding through university and I wanted
to see immediate results of my work.
My biggest worry before joining Makers Academy was
that I would end up working for a company that I didn’t
like on a project I didn’t care about. I, however, got
hired by Red Badger after graduation; a consultancy that
cares about everything they do. Since graduating my
life has changed as I now have a job that I enjoy, that
provides me with a challenge every day, surrounded
by intelligent people. It’s great.
If you are thinking about changing careers then make
sure you are ready to struggle and are up for a fight and
although £8000 might feel very expensive just think
about how much is a years worth of university tuition.
If you are interviewing for a role after graduation
my biggest advice would be to make sure you have
similar ideals to the company, that you fit their culture.
Otherwise you will find it difficult to enjoy it there.
Andrew Cumine
Aeronautic Engineering
Graduate to Junior
Developer at Red Badger
Although £8,000 might
feel very expensive just think
about how much is a years
worth of university tuition.
@ajcumine
@ajcumine

14. Cohort: March 2014
Will’s interest in coding came from some
experience whilst studying Engineering at
Durham University. Will found Makers and
realised it was an opportunity to gain the skills
required to jump into a career that excites
and interests him. Will now works as a Junior
Developer at Factory Media
Before Makers Academy I was a Research &
Development Scientist. For me before I started the course
it felt like a huge risk. I was quitting a well-paid, secure
job and paying a lot of money to do the course. There
was no guarantee of a job at the end of it, however
it still felt like a calculated risk, and one worth taking.
If I didn’t take that risk then I would still potentially be
working in the same job with very little progress in
changing careers. Makers Academy was the fast track
route to changing careers, taking a bit more control
of my life direction. It is still the best choice I have
ever made.
During the course I found the lack of sleep difficult and
I was worried about how long it would take to secure
a job after the course, and whether I would be able to
secure a developer job or not. Luckily that question has
now been answered.
After graduation my life changed as I moved to
London permanently. I achieved my goal of getting
a developer role after the course and changing my
career. I am now doing something that I enjoy every
day and the work/life balance is a lot better.
My Makers Academy experience was intense, tiring
and fun. Everybody was very positive and driven
to learn and work together. It was easy to stay
motivated in that environment.
Will Hall
Research & Development
Scientist to Junior Developer
at Factory Media
My Makers Academy
experience was intense, tiring
and fun. Everybody was very
positive and driven to learn
and work together. It was
easy to stay motivated in that
environment.
@Willhall88

15. Cohort: March 2014
After graduating in Visual Communications
majoring in Graphic Design, Simon co-founded
a small web design firm in Cape Town, South
Africa. Simon joined Makers looking to gain a
deeper understanding of web development to
help create beautiful, usable and fully functional
web apps. Having successfully completed
the course, Simon is now Head of Design at
Movebubble.
Before Makers Academy I was running a small web
agency. I wanted to learn to code so I could prototype
my designs and talk to developers.
What I found difficult during the course was the
realisation that my brain does not like code and my
biggest worry was being out of my depth. I was
completely right to think that and I still believe I was out
of depth but I learnt a lot whilst at Makers.
After graduation I went back to South Africa, worked on
my portfolio website and came back to the UK to find
a job. After a couple of interviews I found a job as
Head of Design at Movebubble.
My life has changed after graduation as I am now in full
time employment in a new City.
£8,000 is expensive but it is an investment into your
future so if you are thinking of changing careers then
go with your gut.
My Makers Academy experience was intense, fast-
paced and collaborative.
Simon Whittaker
Web agency to Head of
Design at Movebubble
My Makers Academy
experience was intense, fast
paced and collaborative.
@Simon_state
@Whittakersc

16. Cohort: February 2014
Before joining Makers Academy, Khush didn’t
know if he had a real passion for coding. He
had always enjoyed it as a hobby but didn’t
know if the reality would entice him. Waking
up at 4am to code made him realise he was
definitely passionate about it. Khush commuted
from Derby while on the course and now
works as a junior developer at Causeway
Technologies.
I wanted to learn to code as the I wanted to get a better
job that I would enjoy.
I used to commute from Derby for the course and that
was super difficult. My biggest worry before Makers
Academy was not getting a job. Jobs are coming out
of my ears now.
After graduation I had an interview with Shutl with
Sam’s (the placement officer) help. I also got an offer
at comparethemarket.com but the commute would have
been hard, so I worked at a Drupal/PHP shop in Derby
for 2 months, until an agent contacted me with a role
for a Rails/Ruby/JS dev in Leamington with Causeway
Technologies, where I am now. My life has changed
after graduation as I have more money and job
satisfaction.
My Makers Academy experience consisted of amazing
teaching and friends. Great Experience. Great People.
Great Coding.
Khushkaran Singh
Bajwa
Aircraft Dispatcher
to Junior Developer at
Causeway Technologies
My biggest worry
before Makers Academy
was not getting a job. Jobs
are coming out of my ears
now.
@ks1ngh
@khushkaran

17. Read more at:
www.makersacademy.com/
graduate-stories