Matt Linville-Engler was a dedicated and hardworking entrepreneur who enrolled in CodeCraft’s Full-Stack, Full-Time coding bootcamp.
Without a doubt, his determination and commitment helped facilitate his rapid transition from hard-working business leader to harder-working (and better-paid) web developer.
Matt is now employed at CampMinder, an established leader in PaaS solutions in the camp and commercial rec industries.
Before enrolling in code school, Matt cofounded and operated a restaurant in a popular Wyoming ski destination for over three years.
After selling the business, Matt returned to Boulder to launch his career in tech.
During Matt’s cohort, he completed two individual final projects for his portfolio. Matt’s skills “took him to another level” - literally building out JavaScript projects with sophisticated levels of complexity and detail.
Play Matt’s game here: snowbro.herokuapp.com
Learn more about Matt, his time at CodeCraft and what lead him to CodeCraft and then onto success in our latest student spotlight.
Interview Transcription
What did you do before attending CodeCraft?
Before CodeCraft I ran a restaurant with a friend, we started it about three years ago in Wyoming. We just finished up with that and I was looking for something else to do.
What made you pursue coding?
I had done a digital media bootcamp in college like three or four years ago, in college. I had thought that I was going to hate the web stuff but I ended up loving it. I was sitting there after class. I was the one person still there, staying late, working on stuff and I was just kind of addicted to it. That’s how I got my start and I am now getting back to it.
Did you try self-teaching yourself how to code?
Yes, before coming to CodeCraft, I spent maybe six months or so online, trying to learn some stuff on my own. Online [lessons] can be very specific, so you don’t get the bigger picture of how to think like a programmer. So you might be doing something with JavaScript variable, objects or functions, but you have no idea how it relates to the HTML a database or any of that - It is not very real life orientated.
What is an advantage of taking classes at CodeCraft versus self-teaching?
The instructors. I really think they make the program. They are really entertaining for one, great people, so I really just liked interacting with them on a day-to-day basis. I think they’ve created a really good atmosphere within our class. We are all friends and we all have fun but they also care about your success and your knowledge. So there is never a dumb question, they always stay after with you, they will teach you on the weekends - It is really cool. I think they are very unique in that aspect and they have a lot of experience too.
What has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on?
I would say that I have a couple favorites, one was from the start. One of the teachers gave us a platform of a game, it was super simple. Actually, it wasn’t even a game it was just falling bricks. We were just supposed to make the bricks disappear at the bottom - something like that or clicking on them to make them disappear. I ended up taking it to a whole other level and made a snowman game out of it. So, I don’t know, that was really fun.
Another [project] we recently started is a project management software. That’s been really fun because I’ve gotten to take everything that I’ve learned over the past eight weeks and put it into this program.
Have you learned any other applicable skills besides coding at CodeCraft?
Yes, Learning to figure stuff out. In programming there are so many different languages, so many different platforms that you really have to learn to go through documentation, find help online or from friends, or even just trying stuff out, like asking, “oh this works in this language, is it going to work in that language” and then trying it out. So really, the ability to learn.
Any advice for someone considering CodeCraft?
If you are considering attending bootcamp just start learning. Start where you are. Start taking online tutorials and try to find some classes to go to and see if it is really something that you like. You will either get hooked or you won’t and the more preparation you can do the better.
What are your plans for the future?
I am really excited to keep learning, there is just so much out there. [Tech and web development] is such a big industry that I want to keep learning. You know? I want to learn about internet security and the more serious stuff, but also just using the skills that I have currently to get work.
Additionally, hear Matt explain the unique features he developed in both of his portfolio projects at CodeCraft in his narrated click-throughs and explanatory demo videos below:
AgileX
https://youtu.be/l1UAIBPXgsYSnowBro
https://youtu.be/jjeeKA-IqsQ
For more information on our school or program, contact us and stay tuned to our blog for more awesome stories about our students and graduates!