Heard about kood/Jõhvi’s Selection Sprint and considering giving it a try but need a few more reasons? Meet Charles and Axel, and discover why joining kood/Jõhvi could be the right move for you. Their stories might just give your confidence the boost it needs!
Meet Charles (37), a dedicated sports enthusiast and a Manchester United fan, who moved from Nigeria to Estonia eight years ago. With a master’s degree in Mechatronics and over five years in Anti-Financial Crime, Charles is now ready to change his career towards Cloud DevOps, fueled by the skills kood/Jõhvi has to offer.
Then there’s Axel (29), a creative spirit with a background in writing and a passion for biomed and space. After health setbacks, Axel chose coding as a stepping stone to recovery and a future in tech, drawn to kood/Jõhvi for its hands-on approach and community spirit.
Meet Charles
Why kood/Jõhvi?
Charles was drawn to kood/Jõhvi’s unique, practical, no-teachers approach and the chance to dive into various specialisations. For him, the Selection Sprint was perfectly organised, turning the impossible into achievable through teamwork and a fresh perspective.
“I decided to try out the selection sprint because I was intrigued by the sprint schedule (all practical, no teachers). Also, an opportunity to visit Jõhvi. The kood/Jõhvi program does not have the traditional education system and there is no financial commitment at the start, so you do not have to worry about finance if you are selected”. – Charles
Axel, initially sceptical about traditional education, found kood/Jõhvi’s real-world coding focus compelling. The school’s model of self-directed learning and peer support clicked with him, influencing his approach to education and collaboration.
“I decided ‘why not?’ Worst case scenario–it’s going to be interesting. I’m not paying anything, I get to try stuff out, meet new people; it’s a veritable Summer Camp/Bootcamp for adults, only you’re not paying thousands for the pleasure of frying your brains out”. – Axel
Meet Axel
Some advice for future participants?
Charles encourages future sprinters never to doubt their abilities. The initial challenge is tough, but with supportive tech tutors and fellow sprinters, everything is possible. Engage fully, use the preparatory materials, and immerse yourself in the vibrant community life.
“Never doubt yourself. At some point I felt like, this is impossible! The first 2 days were the worst. Remaining focused on the tasks was key. There are lots of people to help you. The tech tutors were absolutely friendly and always ready to help and answer any questions you may have. Your fellow sprinters are also there to help, do not be scared to ask questions. One more thing, be sure to go over the materials shared to prep you for the sprint. Doing this puts you in the sprint mood and also gives you little insights to what is to come. Finally, enjoy the moments and people you will meet. Participate in the different activities planned, it is a nice way to distract yourself from hours of coding. Remember, it is all about you, some of the other sprinters may find the tasks easier. That should not throw you off or doubt yourself. Ask for help and you will be fine”. – Charles
Axel’s journey highlights the importance of community and self-motivation. His advice? Embrace the freedom kood/Jõhvi offers, engage with peers, and enjoy the extracurricular activities. It’s about finding your rhythm and making the most of this unique educational experience.
“What’s particularly great is that you’re your own boss and you make your own schedule. … Imagine being a day walker one week and a nightwalker the other. I don’t think you could get more free will anywhere else. And you’d think that without daily classes and teachers breathing on the nape of your neck you’d start slacking on your deadlines, but you have your fellow awesome people right there, and how are you going to disappoint them? It’s a natural sort of motivation”. – Axel
Participants during the Opening Session of the August Selection Sprint
Join Us for the Next Sprint!
Are you ready to change your career and life? kood/Jõhvi’s next Selection Sprint is already in October. This is more than just learning to code; it’s about creating opportunities, building lasting connections, and reshaping your future.
Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this life-changing experience. Apply now and start your journey in tech with kood/Jõhvi. Let’s code, collaborate, and create together!
