Carving a new path: Ben’s transition from ski slopes to software

Ben’s career took an unexpected turn from real estate and skiing coach to Software Developer, but his transition into tech was driven by a desire for both stability and continuous growth. With the structured guidance of a bootcamp and a passion for coding, Ben quickly adapted to the fast-paced world of software development. Today, he works at a small startup, contributing to high-level decision-making while enjoying the flexibility of remote work. In this blog, Ben shares how he navigated his career shift, the challenges he faced, and the rewards of a career in tech.

The transition into tech

Starting his career in real estate in the UK, Ben made his first pivot when he moved to Canada to hit the slopes and coach skiing. While he loved the constant opportunities for learning and growth, the financial instability of the industry pushed him to seek a more sustainable career path in Web Development.

Ben’s transition into tech wasn’t on impulse; it was a calculated decision motivated by curiosity and the desire for stability. “I found the same continuous learning in coding as I did in coaching and immediately felt as though this was something that I could create a long-lasting career in.”

After dabbling in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, he hit a common roadblock: what to learn next?

“For this reason, I chose to look for the structured learning that a bootcamp offers.”

His research led him to Lighthouse Labs. The positive reviews, structured curriculum, and the ability to access a student loan through Student Aid BC made it the right choice for his career transition.

The bootcamp experience

Admittedly a challenging program, Ben had a great overall experience with the bootcamp. The fast-paced nature of the bootcamp pushed him, but the structured learning made the concepts easy to absorb.

“My overall experience with the program was great. Although very fast-paced and challenging, I found that the learning was very well-structured and each module built on the last in a way that made the learning easy to digest.”

One of the standout aspects of the bootcamp for Ben was the mentorship. Whenever he struggled with a concept, he could rely on the mentors to provide guidance and immediate feedback, reinforcing his understanding and accelerating his growth.

Completing the Web Development Flex bootcamp gave Ben the resources he needed to enter a new sector in tech, providing the solid foundation he continues to build on.

“This program gave me the tools and skills to know what to learn and how to practice. I learnt enough to enter the tech job market and from the learnings, I had the tools available to keep learning more to leverage myself as a strong candidate.”

A new start in software development

Today, Ben works as a Full Stack Engineer at Ecomtent, a company specializing in AI-powered generative engine optimization for product listings—think of it as SEO, but for AI-driven search. In his role, Ben is involved in all aspects of their products and is also leading the frontend development of a new product they are building.

Though he’s still early in this new chapter, Ben is already loving the experience and embracing the challenges that come with it.

Ben’s first job after completing his bootcamp was at a software development agency that focused on contract work for various clients. He developed a project management application using Ruby on Rails before transitioning to a project in the U.S. Health Insurance industry.

Working at a small startup allowed Ben to take on responsibilities beyond just coding. He had the opportunity to participate in meetings with the CTO and engineering managers of the companies they built software for, gaining valuable exposure to high-level decision-making processes.

"In this role, I play a key part in the decision-making and planning of the applications I work on. Although it's somewhat overwhelming at times, it's providing me with a huge amount of experience in a short period."

When asked what he values most about his new career, Ben finds it difficult to pick just one aspect.

“First, being at a small startup allows me to play an active role in the decision-making process. Second, I can work remotely, which gives me more time to enjoy the things I love outside of programming!”

The combination of remote work and the opportunity to continue learning while contributing to meaningful projects has made this career transition incredibly fulfilling for him.

What’s next?

Although Ben’s career is still in its early stages, he’s already aiming for growth. His sights are set on moving into an Intermediate to Senior Developer role, with the long-term goal of becoming an Engineering Manager.

Outside of his full-time job, Ben is also developing a product for the e-commerce space, which he hopes to launch in the coming months.

Advice for aspiring Developers

Ben is straightforward in his message for those looking to transition into tech: it’s going to be tough, but it’s worth it.

“If you are ready to put in the work, it will pay off. Making a transition into tech is not easy by any means! You will need to put in many late nights, weekends, and long hours, along with getting completely outside of your comfort zone. However, what is on the other side is a career doing something you love that allows for constant growth, more free time and flexibility, higher earning potential—and most of all, I feel as though I am playing video games all day, every day!”

Ben’s story is an inspiration for those looking to take the plunge into software development—and a reminder that the best careers are the ones that push you to keep learning and growing every day. Ready to take the first step toward a career in software development? Our Web Development Bootcamp is the perfect starting point. With hands-on training, expert mentorship, and a supportive community, we’re here to help you build the skills you need to make the transition.

To see more of Ben’s work, check out his portfolio.