Featured, Front End Web Developer Nanodegree program, Student Success

From Music Store Manager to Front-End Developer

How One Udacity Student Adapted to Unexpected Change, and Built a Great New Career

Front-End Developer

Life is full of unexpected events, and abrupt changes often challenge us to reflect on our goals and directions in life. The self-reflection one engages in, and the subsequent actions one takes, emerge as defining moments for our futures. Decisions made about education and learning in particular can have profound—and profoundly positive—effects on our lives.

Jake Gornall was working as a music store manager when his son was diagnosed with 22q11.2 Microdeletion Syndrome, a genetic disorder. His family’s future was suddenly uncertain; what did the coming days and years hold, and how would he prepare for them? Above all else, he knew he had to ensure his family would be supported. But he wasn’t confident that his current career could provide that support. What could he do?

career change, Featured, Student Success

Making A Change: How one Udacity student brightened his future with an exciting new career in technology

We’ve all had those phases when we’re not satisfied with where we are, or what we’re doing with our lives. When you’re in that situation, it’s easy to feel frustrated, and those negative feelings can have a ripple effect, impacting those around you. As hard as it can be sometimes, the solution is to make a change, pursue a new opportunity, and start on a new path. The transformation can be remarkable.

career change, Featured, iOS developer, Student Success

4 Tips For Making A Successful Career Change: A Nanodegree Graduate’s Story

iOS Developer Career Change

Career change is a unique and sometimes challenging process. One of the more destabilizing aspects of the experience is once again becoming something you probably haven’t been in a while—not qualified. It’s a hard thing to go through, when you’re used to being accomplished in your career. Dealing with this feeling, and overcoming the self-doubts it can lead to, is an important part of successfully executing a change in careers.

We’d like to share a story with you today about someone who went through this experience, and successfully overcame the challenges he faced. Emmanuoel graduated from our Nanodegree Plus program with a great set of skills, but he still lacked the dreaded “minimum industry experience.” Through networking and building community, Emmanuoel was able to strengthen his portfolio, and increase his industry knowledge. He earned a contract role alongside another Udacity graduate, and soon, he’ll have a full-time iOS developer job.

Meet Emmanuoel!

My Career Change Begins

Hi, I’m Emmanuoel, and I graduated from the iOS Developer Nanodegree Plus program in October 2016. Back then, I was just beginning my career transition from finance and business management to iOS development. With no relevant education or work history, I knew it would be an uphill battle.

career change, Featured, Student Success

Overcoming Obstacles: Kiyoko’s Career Change Story

Overcoming Obstacles - Career Change

Today we are very pleased to share with you our interview with Kiyoko, a Machine Learning Nanodegree Plus graduate who transitioned into data science from a 10+ year career in semiconductor processing. Like many students, Kiyoko’s journey was full of obstacles. As you’ll see from her story, however, her adaptive mindset, self-care, and professional support networks made all the difference in overcoming these obstacles and achieving her goals. Kiyoko now works as a Data Scientist at Western Digital, and we are very grateful she’s sharing her story with us today!

Featured, Student Success

A Wall Of Student Success

Udacity Student Success

It is Winter Solstice morning. I am on my bike, headed to the cafe. The air is cold, but clear, and the sun is bright.

I am seated, my laptop on my lap. I have no idea what to write. I need to write. It’s been a long year. The previous 3 months have seen our company on a frenetic pace—launch, announcement, launch. Am I out of stories?

I type “success” into my browser. My browser knows what to do. It loads the page for me. This is what I see first:

“This experience has absolutely changed my life—I wouldn’t have a job right now otherwise.” —OSCAR ESTRADA

Featured, iOS developer, Nanodegree Plus, Student Success

Switching Careers: Advice from a Nanodegree Graduate

Mike Miller, Switching Careers

Udacity students pursue a wide array of career goals. Many are preparing to launch new careers, while others are switching careers—turning their existing skills and interests in new directions. In this post we feature Mike Miller, a Nanodegree Plus graduate who successfully switched his career from mathematics educator to iOS developer. In an in-depth interview, Mike generously shared details about his journey from software hobbyist to full-time iOS developer. He discussed his challenges, described his successes, and explored the role that Udacity played. His answers offer a wealth of advice and guidance to others contemplating similar career changes. Excerpts from the interview follow.

Featured, Full Stack Web Developer, Student Success

From Freelance to Full Time

Luis Yoshida - Freelance to Full Time - Udacity Student Success

The move from freelance to full time is a significant transition, and it’s not always an easy one to navigate. In this post we talk with Luis Yoshida, a Full Stack Web Developer here at Udacity. Luis worked as a code reviewer and freelance web developer prior to joining Udacity full time, and in our interview below, Luis details his journey and offers advice on how to ask questions, find your next full-time job, and thrive in a new work environment.