My coding journey: Hannah’s story

How to start coding? Find out how our learners learn to code for free.

In today’s article, we’re talking with Hannah, a Mimo student who changed her carrier and became a web developer after learning how to start coding with Mimo. Let’s hear her incredible story.

Hey Hannah, can you introduce yourself?

Hey, I’m Hannah. I’m currently living in Manchester, in the UK. I recently moved back after six years away to start a career in coding. I’m now a Junior Web Developer, doing front and backend and I love my job.

Tell us how you started your coding journey with Mimo

I started my coding journey with Mimo, and in between, I also completed many other courses to consolidate my coding knowledge. After some time, I got confident in my skills, and someone suggested creating a Twitter account because there is a great tech community I should follow and engage with. This opened up a whole new world for me, with so many resources being shared, and I started the #100DaysOfCode, which helps me stay consistent. I got stuck into all this and decided to start building my coding projects.

Hanna’s top tip on how to start coding

Whenever I learned a new coding concept, I would implement it in a small project. For example, I created a tip calculator, some single-page websites, a rock paper scissors game, and many other cool projects. I learned a lot working on these projects. However, it was always a back-and-forth. Once I understood the concept, I would go back to learning on Mimo, Youtube, and other resources.

Why did you wanted to learn coding and become a web developer?

I’ve been sitting at a computer for as long as I can remember. I studied Information and Computer Technology in high school and spent ages customising my MySpace back in the day. Unfortunately, I didn’t continue my education in IT as it seemed like a male-dominated industry. I didn’t have a chance, so I went with the (slightly useless but interesting) Sociology Degree. Fast forward a decade, and a couple of friends told me they thought I’d be good at coding, so I decided to pursue it.

I signed up for an MS edX course, but it was short-lived in Berlin, and I was too distracted by the new city and nightlife to start it. A couple of years later, I quit my job and started traveling for six months (which turned into four years). During my 3rd year of traveling, I got my laptop out and started to teach myself how start coding. Once I started, I became obsessed and didn’t want to stop.

What job were you doing before software development?

I worked as a Retail Manager for about four years before I started traveling. While traveling, I picked up many jobs, from working on a basil farm to being a Horse Trekking Guide to working at a green energy solar company, and many others. I always thought I’d get back into retail when I returned to Europe.

This is where I dreaded returning home, mainly because I didn’t want to return to my previous job. I couldn’t travel forever, and I felt like something was missing. I’m so glad I pushed myself to make a career change. However, I have to give credit to my partner, who encouraged and believed in me at every step. 

When we arrived back in England, I learned web development daily. However, there were times I doubted I could do it. I would sit and think, “What on earth are you doing?!” So I started applying for other jobs. I was offered one at one point, but something inside me said to turn it down and continue my coding journey.

How has your life changed since you started learning how to code?

Well, to start with, I am much happier now that I have a career I love. Furthermore, I am more excited about the future and the possibilities coding can offer me. At first, I didn’t realize what being passionate about your job meant. I put a lot of effort into everything I do and want to be successful, but this was different.

I’ve never felt such a strong desire to learn and improve my coding skills. My brain has lit up a bit! I feel so much more engaged and alert on so many levels. My confidence has improved, and now I have a goal and a future career I can be excited about. Learning how to start coding with Mimo helped me a lot find a career.

Are you curious how other Mimo learners managed to land jobs as web developers? Read their stories here and here.

Do you have any tips for people who want to start coding without a degree?

Start with the basics, HTML and CSS, then move on to JavaScript. Whatever you learn, build something, no matter how small, and keep building. There are so many resources online that can help you. However, buying many courses will only get you somewhere if you practice what you’re learning.

Most of all, be consistent. Try to code as much as you can as often as you can, especially at the start. It will be constructive.

Can people learn to code for free?

Yes, definitely. Anyone can learn to code. I can now say that from experience.

What are your career goals for the future?

My main goal is to keep improving and growing in my current role. I am learning so much every day. I also have an ever-growing list of things I want to build, so I should start on these soon.

How to start coding with Mimo

Explore the Mimo-verse, and find out which Mimo product suites your needs: the app, the bootcamp or the web product.

If you want to learn coding on the go, then all you need to do is download our app from The App Store or Google Play and start learning.