Ali's transition to tech with Learning People

Ali transitioned from a career in finance to tech with the help of Learning People. Initially working in various data and admin roles for the NHS, Ali wanted to break into tech like his friends in software development and cyber security. After connecting with us Ali gained essential skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing him to secure a role as a System Development Support Officer. With strong support from Learning People's StudentCare™ team and Career Services, Ali successfully made the career change he had always envisioned.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi everyone! My name is Ali, and I live in the Midlands. I used to live in London, where I worked in data and finance all my life. But for the last four years, I’ve been working for the NHS in various data and admin roles.

Tell us why you enquired with Learning People.

I always wanted to work in tech, as some of my friends were working in different roles in software development or cyber security, and they were making a lot of money. I was working in finance, and I always wanted to switch careers, but it was never easy. So, I did a lot of research. I always thought you needed a computer science degree, but then I came across Learning People. I spoke to a consultant, and they were really helpful. They gave me a lot of information, and that’s when I decided that, you know, I can make it happen and do this course as well.

What job were you doing previously, and what are you doing now?

Before this, I was working as a Records Manager for the NHS, mainly doing admin work. Now, I work as a System Development Support Officer, so I’m doing a lot of SQL, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I learned those skills through the Front End Plus course, where I learned the basics of HTML and CSS. Now, I’m happy, enjoying my job, and learning a lot on the job as well.

Tell us what the career consultation phone call was like for you.

I felt I was given a lot of information. I had loads of questions prepared, and I spoke to Jack. He was really transparent and clear. I had many questions: What was the duration of the course? How long would it take? I also had loads of questions about the details of what I would be learning, but Jack was really friendly. He was always available whenever I needed something, and he explained everything in detail. So, I was given a lot of information, and I was able to make an informed decision because there were other companies I had spoken to, but I found Learning People to be really clear, and they were affordable for me as well at the time.

How much use did you get out of our StudentCare™ team?

Coming from a non-tech background, I didn’t have a clue about all these front-end courses I was doing. The StudentCare™ team was really supportive. I had loads of questions during my course, and they were always able to support me when I didn’t understand something. I would always reach out to them, and they got back to me very quickly. They explained things in a simple way, so I was able to understand what I needed to do and what I needed to focus on more carefully, which allowed me to perform well and learn a lot from this experience.

Did you use any of the course mentoring?

The course mentors were really friendly and approachable. You could ask them literally anything, and they were always supportive, responding in time and making themselves available.

Tell us about your experience of working with our Career Services team.

Regarding the Career Services, I spoke to Catherine, and we had a half-hour call. She supported me a lot in terms of improving my CV, where I needed to look for jobs, and what kind of jobs I should be targeting. She provided me with a lot of documents which were clear and easy to understand, with plenty of tips on how to improve my CV and what I could do in the future. I always had a goal to move into tech, so she really supported me a lot and gave me tips I hadn’t known before. I thought I had a good CV, but after reading the documents, I completely revamped it and was able to secure more interviews.

What kind of impact did your Learning People experience have on your career journey?

My career is heading in the right direction. Before completing this course, I was confused and unsure of the skills I needed to get into tech. The Learning People’s Front End Plus course provided a solid set of skills to get started, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React. There’s a lot to learn, and my career is moving in the right direction—I just need a bit more experience to climb up the ladder.

What have you enjoyed about your Learning People experience?

The thing I loved most about my experience was that everyone was really friendly and approachable. I always felt supported, and help was always available whenever I needed it.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about enrolling?

One piece of advice I wish I’d known before enrolling in this course is that you need a lot of self-motivation. If you do get stuck and need help, Learning People has provided me with the support I needed, and it worked out really well for me.

Was it worth the investment?

Before starting this course, I didn’t know if I would be able to secure a job quickly, but it really added value to my skills, and I’m really happy that I did this course.