CCP Done, What Next?
Camille Francis
[Offered]
So, you’ve just finished, or are due to sit your CCP exam and graduate from the re/Start course… Firstly, I’d like to say CONGRATULATIONS! The bootcamp is tough and intense, especially if you’re new to tech, but you made it through. With that being said, you’re likely thinking “what do I do next?”, or feeling lost due to the changes to your schedule. If this is you, or will be you, stay with this post for some guidance.
Note: If you’re reading this from the UK or Ireland and you’re interested in applying for an AWS re/Start course, you should visit my links page and look out for my next re/Start Survival Guide post.
Time is money, so here are some tips on how to optimise your post-programme time.
Tip #0 – prepare for the finish BEFORE you finish
This was something I put into practice myself during the bootcamp, and it helped me get ahead with exam readiness, as well as practical/ technical readiness for future interviews soon after the program ended.
If you’re in the last 2 weeks of your bootcamp, it’s a great time to start thinking about what you want to do post-programme to keep your knowledge fresh, and further develop your practical skillset while the iron is hot. There are a few ways to do this:
- Accumulate all useful study and project resources into a central space to stay organised.
- Take full advantage of any networking or employer connection events to sow seeds for later.
- Approach the bootcamp with practical proficiency in mind, not just to pass the exam.
- Think about the type of roles you’re interested in ahead of time.
Tip #1 – Have a post-programme plan!
This is the anchor that will determine the direction of your career, especially if you haven’t landed a role before you graduate (which is common and totally fine).
As discussed above, your instructors will likely provide you with post-programme resources and a schedule. However, you will want to have a solid idea of your own personal development plan, and which topics and skills you want to focus on.
This requires a bit of research and introspection, but getting this right (enough) from the outset will help you stay focused, and stave off the ‘post-programme slump’. To do this:
- Use advice from trusted industry professionals, employer connection events, and refer to ‘Required Skills’ from job ads to inform your plan.
- Reflect on the skills you’ve acquired so far and make note of the ones that need refining.
- Create a personal development schedule that is flexible, sustainable, and will hold you accountable.
- Create a GitHub account to document your projects and skill progression.
Tip #2 – Have Some Projects In Mind!
This one piggybacks off from the previous tip, but it’s a crucial one, especially for your job interviews that will be rolling in sooner than you think.
If you’re transitioning into tech and do not have hands-on work experience, then technical projects will need to fill in that gap and raise your rank, as well as help you feel more confident about your abilities.
I have a more indepth ‘projects’ blog post in the works, but for now, as a minimum, I personally recommend having at least 3 different projects in your scope that will serve different purposes.
- 1 small AWS project – This will showcase some basic AWS experience and build your confidence. The more the better.
- 1 role-specific project – Key for demonstrating your interest and suitability for a job-role in interviews.
- 1 passion project – A project you’re personally interested in and develop as you gain more skills. It can also be a great talking point for interviews and networking.
Project ideas can be found all over the internet and YouTube, with a variety of tutorials ranging from beginner to advanced level. Just be sure to keep in mind the roles you’re applying for, so that your time is as productive as can be.
Tip #3 – “Focus on becoming employable, not just being employed”
This tip acts as an overarching approach for tips #1 and #2, and will be key for your sustainable growth and discipline. You should operate with the mindset and desire to add value and upskill, rather than solely focusing on applying for jobs.
You’ve probably been told that the bootcamp is just a starting point, but this really can’t be stressed enough. The serious work comes after the course, where you develop your skills and apply what you’ve learned to become more job-ready.
You have to aim to mentally and physically “be the job title”, before you can get the job title. Especially if you want to reduce feelings of imposter syndrome.
Tip #4 – take advantage of the employability support
This one should come as no surprise, but it’s a must. As you navigate job-hunting, showing up to the workshops and booking one-to-ones post-programme will prove invaluable for your confidence and focus. The support is free and they’re here to help, so take full advantage while you can.
Seeking help can be difficult, but taking that step of bravery and opening yourself up to constructive critique is a decision you will never regret. Especially once you’ve received some actionable feedback to boost your confidence.
Handling critique constructively will always be a necessary skill in life and in the workplace. So if you’re like me and find it hard to put yourself out there at times, be sure to keep the bigger picture in view and remind yourself that it’s a necessary hurdle for your growth.
Tip #5 – Keep in touch with your cohort
Keeping in contact with your classmates from the bootcamp is a great way to keep the supportive environment alive. Most of your peers will be going through similar emotions and experiences after graduation, so this can help with making the adjustment period more manageable.
It’s likely you already have a group chat with your cohort, but this can be taken a productive step further by creating or maintaining accountability groups. I did this with a few of my classmates, and it was perfect for helping us stay consistant, supporting eachother with interviews or troubleshooting, as well as being a social space for general support and encouragement.
Some of the methods we used were:
- WhatsApp group chats
- Connecting and interacting on LinkedIn
- Catch-up zoom calls
- Accountability group sessions via Zoom
- Staying on Zoom while working as a group or individually. Feedback is shared at the end.
This entry of the ‘AWS re/Start Survival Guide has come to an end. I decided to start with the post-programme entry first, as it’s the time when guidance can be the most crucial. However, the following entries from here on out will be in order from pre-programme/applying.
I hope this provided some guidance and relatability, as these tips were a mixture of things I applied when I finished the programme, and things I learned along the way. There will be ups and downs, but as long as you keep the bigger picture in mind, you will be on the right track.
Comment below with any feedback or tips you’d like to share 🙂
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I’m an AWS re/Start graduate (Sept 22) who is starting up in the world of tech. Stick around to follow my journey…
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