“Could I actually code?” – reflections from kood/Empower bootcamp
We spoke with Eliisa, Kadri, and Esther – three participants in the kood/Empower second bootcamp – to hear what motivated them to try coding, what surprised them most, and what they’d tell anyone thinking about giving it a shot.
Meet the participants
Eliisa is 32 and works as a video editor and a stage/studio manager.
Kadri, 28, is part of the marketing team at Apollo Cinema, focusing on partnerships and client projects.
Esther, 36, works as a teacher’s aide in a school, with a background in early childhood education.
Though their careers are diverse, all three found themselves drawn to the idea of learning to code.
Driven by curiosity
For Eliisa, the idea of learning to code had been on her mind for a couple of years.
“I wanted to see what coding is really about – how it works, how difficult it is. Going back to school felt like too big of a step, but taking a course seemed like the perfect way to get a brief introduction.”
Kadri shared a similar sense of curiosity—mixed with a bit of doubt.
“I’ve always wondered: is coding something I could do? I know coding all around us now—you can’t really avoid it anymore. So I thought, okay, let’s try this bootcamp. Is it really that hard like everyone says? Or could I actually understand it?”
Esther, meanwhile, had already started exploring the idea of switching careers.
“For the past two years, I’ve been considering IT. I’ve gone to career change conferences, taken courses in data, testing, and IT support. I like problem-solving and finding practical solutions, so coding felt like something that might be a good fit. When I heard about Empower at a career event, I thought—it’s now or never.”
Surprises during the bootcamp
What stood out most in the first weeks of the bootcamp? For each of them, something different came as a surprise.
Eliisa was struck by just how collaborative coding can be.
“I used to think coding was a very solitary job—just you and your screen. But actually, there’s a lot of teamwork, asking for help, and learning from others. That really surprised me.”
She also discovered just how much time a tiny mistake can take to track down.
“You can spend so long trying to fix one little error—even on simple tasks!”
For Kadri, the most unexpected part was the personal growth.
“I’m completely out of my comfort zone here. I’ve realized I really need to be patient with myself. I can be impulsive and want to rush, but coding demands focus. Sometimes the mistake is something tiny—a space or comma—and it’s frustrating. But it’s taught me the value of stepping back and coming back to it with fresh eyes.”
Esther has enjoyed the way the program is built up step by step.
“I love how the structure makes it feel possible. You start from the basics and build up gradually. You can really see your own progress—and that gives you confidence. It’s exciting to feel like, wow, I can actually do this.”
“What would you say to someone unsure about trying?”
All three agree: if you’re even slightly curious about coding—give it a shot.
“Come to kood/Empower,” says Eliisa. “It’s a great introduction to this exciting world.”
Kadri is just as clear: “You can do it. Yes, it can get frustrating—it’s new, so that’s normal. But frustration is part of learning. Once you solve a problem, that feeling is amazing. Even if it turns out coding isn’t your thing, at least you’ll know. I think it’s always worth trying.”
And Esther adds: “You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just take the first step. You might surprise yourself.”
Curious about trying coding yourself? The next kood/Empower bootcamp takes place 3-6 November.