Enjoy the event in photos by Sasha Q. Johnson.

In this interview, Seth tells the story of starting and stopping college three times, working in the restaurant industry, and parenting his first child with another on the way. Seth's second child was two days old when he started Foundations, our part-time frontend engineering course. After gaining basic coding skills in our non-traditional learning environment, he enrolled in our full-time web development course.

I needed a change. I could see my old job becoming a situation where I wouldn't be able to tuck my kids in at night or take them to school. It would be a mess. I had some friends who were software engineers, one of whom is actually my boss now… My friends convinced me to try coding. They suggested the Foundations course at Carolina Code School, along with a Udemy class I'd already started. So, on the second day of my daughter's life, I began the foundations course. That's how I got to this point.

Watch Seth’s full interview below:

Seth is now a senior software engineer living in Atlanta with his family, working remotely, and mentoring Carolina Code School students.

Start your coding journey with Foundations, our frontend engineering basics course. This part-time course will teach you the basics of building a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - three core web development languages.

Ever wanted to build your own website but felt intimidated by code?

Carolina Code School's Foundations course is here to help! This beginner-friendly program is perfect for anyone with zero coding experience.

In the Foundations course, you'll learn the essential building blocks of websites: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Through hands-on projects, you'll go from new to coding to crafting your own website from the ground up.

This course is an ideal way to dip your toes into the world of web development. See if building websites is something you'd love to do before diving deeper.

If the Foundations course ignites your passion for coding, Carolina Code School offers a 12-week program where you can build even more complex web applications like our Cohort 17 graduates!

Ready to start? Click the button below to find out our upcoming course dates.

We're thrilled to celebrate the recent graduates of our full-time web development course!

Completing this intensive program is an incredible achievement, and we're proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Their journey has equipped them with programming languages and adjacent skills, and they're now prepared to make a significant impact in the tech world.

Are you ready to join them?

If you're considering a career in technology or want to level up your coding skills, our full-time course might be the perfect fit. Our immersive program offers hands-on experience, real-world projects, and mentorship from alums and industry professionals. You'll learn by doing, building a solid foundation for a successful coding career. Apply today!

Partnerships for Success

We always seek passionate collaborators who share our enthusiasm for education and technology. Whether you're a company seeking talented coders or a tech professional looking to give back through scholarships, event sponsorships, or company tours, we'd love to connect!

Our graduates are more than just skilled coders. They're problem-solvers, innovators, and critical thinkers. They bring fresh perspectives and a thirst for knowledge to the projects they are given.

Congratulations again to our graduates! We're excited to see what incredible things you achieve in the future!

Congratulations to our team (Pat, Sean, and Isaac) and our volunteers, who supported Cohort 17 from day one to Demo Day and beyond. Thank you for your dedication and hard work!

Seeking an immersive and comprehesive experience, these three career-changers relocated to Greenville to learn web development with us. Our program goes beyond just teaching technical skills – you'll gain valuable connections in Greenville's thriving tech ecosystem, too.

At Carolina Code School, you'll:

Fast-Track Your Skills: In just 12 intensive weeks, our full-time program equips you with the most up-to-date tech skills needed for a successful career.

Launch Your Career with Confidence: We help our graduates land their first tech role by providing job search support and connecting them with local professionals through networking events and company tours.

Learn more about our curriculum and upcoming course dates here!

Thank you to StartupGVL for highlighting some of our students in “Carolina Code School: Navigating Challenges, Transforming Lives: Three students overcoming detours and speedbumps to find success in tech.”

WE WANT TO THANK OUR SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING THE NEWEST GROUP OF GRADUATES!

COHORT 13 DEMO DAY SPONSORS

Bar and Bites: Enok Collective

Table Rentals: Orange Bees

Photography: NEXT

COHORT 13 DEMO DAY VENDORS

Bar: Southern Libations

Photography: Sasha Q. Photography

Check out our Facebook Album to experience the event through photos.

We hope to see you at our next Demo Day on March 24, 2023. RSVP today.

Gregg Bellofatto, Fall 2022 Graduate

Before attending Carolina Code School (CCS), Gregg spent 17 years working in the automotive industry. His most recent position was Service Advisor at Audi Greenville.

When asked to share his thoughts about his experience with Carolina Code School, he shared, "Carolina Code School helped me realize my potential and achieve my goals. [CCS has] an extremely well-thought-out program, helpful and accessible instructors, and an amazing culture. I'm so glad I made the commitment to myself and attended CCS!"

Levi Shevick, Summer 2022 Graduate

When asked to share his thoughts about his experience with Carolina Code School (CCS), he Levi shared, "[d]uring the 12 weeks [at CCS], I learned how to apply my problem-solving skills in a new way. I would never be where I am today without the course or the great people who helped me throughout. I am so grateful for the learning experience and for meeting people in tech. I love the position I'm in now, working on projects where I can solve problems and improve my skills along the way."

Richard Summer, Winter 2021 Graduate

When asked to share his thoughts about his experience with Carolina Code School (CCS), Richard shared, "[m]y time at CCS taught me how to build websites, but more importantly, it taught me how to teach myself and navigate the vast landscape of technology.

Since leaving CCS, I have had the opportunity to work in SQL databases, WordPress websites, create websites from scratch, and more. [Learning] at CCS gave me the foundation I needed to delve into those technologies.

I'll always be grateful to CCS for believing in me and pushing me to be better every day. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I am today without CCS!"

Richard currently works as a Hybrid Field Technician for BrightFlow Technologies, a managed service provider (MSP). In his current role, he works in many aspects of IT, including websites, servers, and VoIP phone systems, to name a few.

Shaun Radford, Winter 2022 Graduate

Before attending Carolina Code School (CCS) in 2022, Shaun worked in the Food & Retail industry for 15 years. After graduation, Shaun applied and was accepted to Develop Carolina, where he completed an apprenticeship with Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH). Today, Shaun works full-time as a developer at BAH.

When asked to share his thoughts, Shaun said, "[a]ttending Carolina Code School was the most difficult and rewarding thing I've ever done. The staff was always super supportive in every way, and the class always cheered each other on. It truly was life-changing and an experience I will never forget!"

Meenakshi Radhakrishnan, Fall 2018 Graduate

When asked to share her thoughts about her experience with Carolina Code School, Meena shared, "[a]s a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) who believes 'learning never ends,' I took a big leap of faith and enrolled in the CCS Fall 2018 cohort.

Looking back now, the 12 weeks I spent there was a life-changing experience, and I will fondly remember it. Truth be told, it was demanding both physically and mentally. We had an awesome instructor, Mason Stewart, who was very patient with all of us from different backgrounds and levels when it came to coding. In addition, my peers and the CCS staff/faculty were very supportive and made the time go by fast.

Despite being a 12-week course at CCS, the experience helped me emerge as a confident person. I would not have completed the course successfully without the support and encouragement of my instructor, peers, and the wonderful staff of CCS."

Carolina Code School continues to be a successful pathway for current and future students to start careers in software development largely because of the alumni network that has been growing over the past five years. We are so proud of our seventy graduates and the stories they are able to tell after graduating from the Immersive Web Development Course. Applications are open for our 2023 Summer and Fall Immersive Cohorts. Take the next step toward your career in technology today.

Here at Carolina Code School, we are kicking off the 2023 new year with a brand new look to celebrate five years of Carolina Code School!

The new logo and brand represent how much this program has grown and developed over the last five years. It’s forward-thinking, fun and helps to showcase Carolina Code School as a leader in tech education in Greenville, SC.

With the new look, we’re celebrating so much: the students we’ve had the opportunity to work with as they have changed their lives for the better; the high quality of our curriculum and career support program; our fantastic team that is 100% committed to our mission, our inclusive, open-armed approach; and our committed community.

The most exciting part of this branding process was that it included students and alumni. That inclusion was important to us, because our engaged, supportive alumni network is part of our DNA. We wouldn’t be who we are without ya’ll.

Thank you for five awesome years - here’s to the next five!

Carolina Code School’s full-time Web Development certificate course has been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive reimbursement under the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) Program. 

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the goal of VET TEC is to “give veterans the high-tech skills sought by today’s top employers so they can acquire meaningful employment.” The program allows veterans who qualify for VA education assistance under the GI Bill® to gain valuable training in high-tech fields, including software development. 

Carolina Code School, a program of Build Carolina, is the first training provider to be VET TEC approved in the Upstate region.

“As an approved VET TEC provider, our programs are more accessible than ever,” said Lauren McGlamery, enrollment and student success coach for Carolina Code School. “We are so thrilled eligible veterans will have access to this high-tech, high-impact training and will have a clear pathway into a technology career.“

Interested VET TEC participants must apply to Carolina Code School’s Web Development course to be considered for enrollment. The deadline to apply for the next course, which begins in January, is Friday, November 4, 2022.

Courses are held at the school’s campus inside the NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge in Greenville.

About Build Carolina

Build Carolina is the only non-profit organization in South Carolina focused on advancing the state’s technology community through demand-driven job training programs, relevant employer resources, and meaningful connections in the industry. Current programs include Carolina Code School, Develop Carolina, and SC Codes. For more information, visit BuildCarolina.org. 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

We would like to thank our sponsors and community members for supporting the newest group of graduates!

Cohort 12 Demo day Sponsors

Bar and Bites: Enok Collective

Photography: MedProcure, LLC

cohort 12 demo day Vendors

Bar: Southern Libations

Photography: Sasha Q. Photography

Keep scrolling to experience the event through the photo gallery below. We hope to see you at our next Demo Day on November 18, 2022. RSVP today.

Before you read Lauren and Daniel’s stories of life after code school, it is important to note that enrolling in our course, and any bootcamp-style program for that matter, is only the beginning of the learning journey as a software developer.

After graduating from our program, Lauren and Daniel pursued an opportunity to be hired on at Enok Collective as software developers in their “apprentice-to-hire” program. They offer their reflections on their first few months in this program with Enok to help showcase the power and importance of partnerships with companies who hire Carolina Code School graduates and the direct impact these companies have on their lives and their careers.

“It’s still very early days in my apprenticeship at Enok, but I’ve already learned a ton about working on a software development team and transitioning from coding in a classroom to developing professionally. Carolina Code School is a fast-paced whirlwind where I primarily learned through doing, whereas with the apprenticeship, I’m able to go deeper into a lot of the topics we touched on at CCS. I’m finding out more about the why behind the code I’m writing. The other major point of growth so far in the apprenticeship is learning how to work with a team to write code. It’s been great to sit in on sprint planning meetings and learn about how an agile development team works together towards a common goal. I was also happy to find that the foundational knowledge Carolina Code School laid down has already come in handy as I have started to contribute to projects at Enok! It’s reinforced that I’m capable of pursuing this career path and that I have knowledge to contribute thanks to CCS.”

- Lauren Koch, Cohort 11

“I had an amazing experience during my time at CCS. As I have transitioned into my new role as an apprentice at Enok Collective, it has been extremely rewarding. Currently I am [building on the skills I learned at CCS] to truly add the top of my “T” shape of learning as a software craftsman. I’m learning to elevate my skills and [to help elevate] the skills of those around me. [In my day-to-day], I’m increasing Product Team productivity, learning hard skills including Infrastructure, Data Manipulation, Architecture, and of course expanding my knowledge of programming languages. The experience after graduating affirms my decision to [take the Web Development Course at CCS] as being the right decision for me to become a software craftsman.”

- Daniel Juarez, Cohort 11

No matter what a person’s background, there must be a bridge for our students to start contributing to the tech industry as junior developers while being supported to continue to learn as they go. This is a unique professional experience. There is still so much to learn, no matter where someone is in their career path. 

Companies like Enok are invested in early talent development of software engineers. They demonstrate this by being a comprehensive supporter and partner of Carolina Code School, as well as Build Carolina as a whole. 

Chandler Roth, Director of Engineering at Enok Collective, said it best.

“Hiring from Carolina Code School has been an incredible experience. Lauren and Daniel were both well equipped to jump into our apprenticeship program, and have done a fantastic job keeping up with the pace of becoming a full-stack software engineer on our team in 6 months. We’re looking forward to hiring from CCS again!”

Interested in learning more about how to support Carolina Code School as a partner?

Email Lauren to set up a meeting to explore how your company aligns with our mission. We are quite innovative in how we create opportunities for partnerships to best support our students and alumni.

Speaking of our Immersive program, Cohort 12, our current Immersive Web Development course cohort, is in the middle of Week 4! While things are underway for our current students and I am supporting them along the way, I am also actively interviewing applicants for Cohort 13 which kicks off on August 29th.

I know.

August 29th sounds so far away, but now is the ideal time to submit an application and start the interview and pre-work process!

Here is a roadmap of the application and enrollment process:

1. have an interest in coding and software development

   this step is ALL you and is a major deal! we want you to like what you do in your tech career!

2. submit an application here

   yes, submit an application even if you have doubts and lots of questions.

3. schedule your first interview with me here

   bring all of your thoughts, feelings and questions to me in this interview. this is why my role exists and is where I can help you determine if this pathway is right for you.

4. complete an assigned coding project

   if you are still interested in moving forward with the application process after your first interview, I will send out a follow-up email with a coding project to be completed prior to setting up your interview with our lead instructor.

5. schedule your technical interview with our lead instructor

   scheduling link will be provided in my follow-up email that includes your pre-work

6. keep your eyes on your email

   you will hear from me again after this interview regarding acceptance and steps to get enrolled and secure your seat for the cohort you would like to be in.

The application process has been intentionally and strategically designed to achieve many outcomes and a few of them are:

• We are able to get to know you and you get to know our team.

• We help you identify barriers you may have to enroll in the full-time program and how you can overcome them.

• You are able to get your hands on some code. Some folks have taken some courses in coding already, but that is not always the case. The assigned project is the only required coding you need to be qualified for enrollment.

• We become a support to you as you embark on this journey to starting a career in tech.

All you need to do today is take the first step and apply. We will walk with you from there!

Can’t wait to see your application come through and help you take your first steps toward a career in web development.

We first talked with Patrick about his experience with CCS just after completing bootcamp back in April 2021 (you can read it here). Read more to learn about what Patrick is up to a little over a year after his own Demo Day!

Remind us, where are you working/what’s your job title?
I’m currently a software engineer at Somo Global based out of the Charleston office. At present, it’s a lot of front-end work.

You’ve been out of CCS for a year now, what lessons from bootcamp are you keeping with you in your role?
Without a doubt what I learned about coding with others on group projects and knowing when to ask for help.

As a CCS alumnus, have you been involved with any of the cohorts or recent graduates?
Attend Demo Day to listen/watch the new graduates and their presentations.

What are you looking forward to most with your role/job?
I'm looking forward to growing and gaining more responsibility.

Do you have any advice for current students or those looking to apply to bootcamp?
My biggest regret is not asking questions sooner. One of my classmates asked questions any time there was even the slightest doubt about something. Be more like that. Don’t wait towards the end of the cohort to ask questions.

Lelia King, Executive Director of Build Carolina, reflects on Patrick’s path of becoming a software developer with these thoughts:

“Patrick’s story gives us a great example of the grit and persistence it often takes to make a successful career change. There are many different pathways into the tech industry, and following up a coding bootcamp with an internship at a company like Somo Global is a fantastic option. It may be hard to lose motivation if you aren’t immediately offered a full-time job right after graduating - but internships and apprenticeship programs are a great fit for entry-level developers who need experience on a software team. Congratulations to Patrick!”

One future programmer shared, “…it was really great to see the current students’ projects and meet some people in the community. It was very encouraging to see so many employers there, I’m even more excited now to start the program."

A big thanks to our sponsors and community members for supporting the newest group of graduates!

You can connect with them on LinkedIn by using the links below:

Billy Guirl

Daniel Juarez

Lauren Koch

Shaun Radford

Connor York

Tell me about yourself! 

I'm originally from Pittsburgh, PA, moved to Naples, FL as a kid. I've always played sports and been active. When I was looking at colleges I was looking at smaller out-of-state schools where I could get my education and play softball. I ended up getting recruited by and a scholarship to Furman University here in Greenville. 

After graduating from Furman, I went to graduate school at Belmont University in Nashville, TN receiving my Master in Sport Administration. From Belmont, I moved back to Greenville taking a job in college athletics. From there I worked in various positions in and around athletics and events - I've been a strength coach, a personal trainer, a special event coordinator in logistics for the City of Greenville, before finally going back to work for Furman in the athletic department as the Assistant Director for Game Operations. 

I decided that I wanted something more from myself and that if I was going to continue to grow personally and professionally that I needed to take the leap into something different. I had previously thought about entering the tech industry but didn't trust myself enough to take the leap. Outside of work, I love being able to get outside and be active with my better half and our dogs - hiking, camping, stand-up paddleboarding, riding bikes. I love live music and going to concerts and shows - no matter how big or small. 

What was your first exposure to the computers/tech industry? 

Both of my parents worked for a company called Westinghouse, my mom was a keypunch operator and my dad worked in the research department. I always remember my mom wanting me and my younger sister to have strong typing and computer skills. We'd always had a family computer at the house that we were allowed to have some time on, like when connecting to the internet required a dial tone (and I have totally aged myself). 

More recently as I started looking at a tech career I was fortunate enough to have a connection with a woman who had been in the tech industry for decades and she talked to me about what it meant to be a woman in tech. A lot of what she said resonated with me. 

What was your experience like during the 12-week boot camp? 

My experience at boot camp was crazy. Mady creates such a nurturing and safe environment to learn in. I have generally been afraid to fail and be wrong (I blame it on being an athlete for so long), but Mady helped me realize it was not only okay but NECESSARY to fail and to break things and to be okay with that because that's how we learn. 

Often I felt like I was drinking from a firehose that kept getting turned up each week and I use that analogy all the time. It was so challenging, but it was 100% worth it. I had a blast with my classmates too. We got close as a group and it was incredibly helpful to have that support system in people that were going through the same thing I was going through. I worked really, really hard in those 12 weeks but at the end of it I was able to create something that I was proud of and to have the skills to change my career and ultimately my life. 

What are you up to now? What type of projects, etc. are you working on? 

I am a front-end engineer at Orange Bees located in Greenville. Currently, I'm on a team that's helping rebuild a system that's been in place for a very long time for a telecommunications company.

What was the transition like from being a code school student to working? 

The transition has been tough at times, but one of the reasons I wanted to work at Orange Bees is because of their mentorship program. My mentor, Jonathan, has really helped me a ton. He's taught me so much and has been so patient since I've started. Orange Bees' culture is really big on collaboration - there are so many people I feel like I can go to with questions that are willing to help me learn. It's just a continual process of learning and growing.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about changing careers/code school? 

Take that leap. You are so much more capable than you think.

What was the most valuable takeaway from your experience with CCS? Oh goodness, it's hard to pick just one thing. Aside from the friendships, I'd say staying curious. I'm also finding that I'm much more patient than I was before.

How does it feel to be a part of the Greenville coding/CCS community? 

I really enjoy being a part of the coding/CCS community - everyone is super nice and SO smart. I hope that as I become more comfortable in my abilities that I can do more to give back and to expose young women to coding and tech. I have been fortunate enough to give back in small ways to Cohort 11 and hopefully, I'll be able to continue to give back to CCS and future cohorts.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Greenville and just graduated from Eastside High School in June 2021. In high school I swam competitively- I have been swimming since I was 5 years old. It has been a big part of my life and being a part of a team has been really helpful, especially in code school.

What was your first exposure to the computers/tech industry?

During my junior year in high school, we had a job shadowing day and I was supposed to shadow my mom in her role as a copywriter. I ended up talking to the developers/interactive team and met Taylor Whitfield, a CCS alumnus. I ended up job-shadowing him the whole day instead! What he and his team did really piqued my interest.

I knew just from that day there that I wanted to go this route. So I took the foundations course at the end of summer 2020 before going into my senior year. Then, I ended up working part-time at a local web development agency as an intern for the majority of my senior year. This was an amazing opportunity and gave me more insight into the industry. It was hard with friends applying to college, but I liked it and knew I wanted to take that leap of faith.

My parents were really supportive. They were psyched that I found something that I enjoyed and it was a good career path.

Most HS students go straight into college, but you choose to jump into CCS' 12-week boot camp. Walk us through that decision and what that transition was like.

It was intense. At times I was like "man, I wish I had taken a break," but I think it also benefitted me since I was still in that same student mindset.

Having the summer break was good and having it be the same time as my friends going off to college made it easier. It was sort of funny being the youngest in the classroom. I was like everyone's little sister. I didn't mind it, though. Everyone was very supportive and expressed their disdain for not doing this when they were my age!

What was your experience like during the 12-week boot camp?

It was way harder than high school. Not only the style of teaching but the actual structure of the day. I had to take it upon myself to go ask questions or else I wouldn't learn, and that was challenging since I wasn't that kind of student in high school.

Mady was great. She was upfront and direct. You can tell that she wants everyone to learn and understand the material. She was always willing to help. Besides coding, she also exposed us to various professional development opportunities within the industry.

What are you doing now?

I am a Software Developer on the Smart PO (purchasing order) team at MedProcure, a software company in Easley. It's pretty cool. The app is very intricate. Smart PO is mostly composed of PHP and JavaScript which we didn't learn in code school. The first two or three weeks felt like an extension of code school in order to catch up and understand the language. It's been a good adjustment, though. I feel like I was prepared to learn these other, new languages.

My colleagues have been very nice and supportive. One of my colleagues, Zach Thigpen, also went to code school and is the product manager for Smart PO. It's pretty cool to work alongside other CCS alumni. I feel like we have an unspoken bond on the team. There are a few code school alumni between CCS and Iron Yard - it's really cool to know we come from similar teaching.

What was the job search process like?

David Quattlebaum, owner of MedProcure, came to Demo Day and liked my presentation. The next day I received an email from him, inviting me to meet at the office in Easley. We had some mutual connections, so it was just a great way to get to know each other and about their company. The day after we had our chat at the office, he sent me an offer. I knew it was the right path for me in the long run because I would get to use and further my new skills.

I still wake up and remember, "oh yeah, I really do have a full-time job!" The people are awesome and always show that they want to support me and help me learn.

What was the most valuable takeaway from your experience with CCS?

The growth mindset - learning that you can never know everything about coding, but there is also no ceiling to what you can learn or accomplish in the field. I'm just going to be able to keep learning and grow more and more.

How does it feel to be a part of the Greenville coding/CCS community?

It's really an honor. I am so thankful for everyone in the coding community. Everyone is supportive and continues to go out of their way to help me (or anyone) to understand, learn or make connections. It feels really good to be part of Carolina Code School alumni. I hope that one day I can be someone to help and support those new to coding like so many alumni and cohort members did for me.

What advice would you give other high schoolers that may be thinking about pursuing programming?

I would encourage them to dig into some coding stuff on their own. Once they do that, think about code school as an alternative and be confident in the decision to pursue it. If programming is something they want to do, it's a great investment.

Be prepared in knowing that it will not be a piece of cake. It will be hard, challenging, but worth it.

A message to Build Carolina:

I am beyond thrilled for the opportunity to support the mission of Build Carolina by being on the Carolina Code School team. After experiencing professional burnout which led to a massive shift in my career, my passion to support folks through life and career transitions became a priority for me. I am an experienced mental health social worker who worked for another important nonprofit in the Greenville community and to be honest, I didn't think I could find another opportunity to impact lives in such a meaningful way.

To be at the entry point for people to have careers in tech, especially with the various cultural and systemic barriers they face, is an honor and a purpose I take very seriously with excitement and energy. I am looking forward to impacting the local tech ecosystem by finding ways to offer access and opportunity to as many people interested in becoming a software developer as possible. I am motivated to strengthen our partnerships in the community to make this opportunity for career change an opportunity for everyone no matter what.

Lauren McGlamery

Lauren McGlamery (she / her / hers) started her post-graduate school career as a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) working for a mental health nonprofit in Greenville, SC. In the eight years she served at Gateway, she helped adults navigate life after receiving a life-disrupting mental health diagnosis. This is where she developed her deeply rooted appreciation for structure, purpose, opportunity, choice and community as well as an understanding of how all these work together to support people in even the most trying of times.

The last four years of her tenure at Gateway, she held both the Clinical Director and Program Director positions as the organization transitioned from founding leadership of 35 years to new leadership, all while navigating the global pandemic. It was in those years that she realized her passion to develop strong leaders and help prepare folks for sustainable and fulfilling careers. This experience, plus her own series of loves and losses, led her to create Moving Bravely in December 2019. She then made the decision to leave Gateway to continue to dedicate her time and energy to supporting women through life and career changes. The opportunity to join the Carolina Code School team presented itself through a close friend and it was as if the job description had been writing specifically for her. She feels this role is aligned with her skills, experience and passion and she is eager to help folks launch their careers in tech.

Lauren is a South Carolina native and a graduate of University of South Carolina (undergraduate and graduate school - Go Gamecocks!). She has two small pups, is a weight lifter, and cosplays as Wonder Woman for fun!

At Carolina Code School, we directly address a gap that exists in our local community for adults who desire a career in tech but are unsure of how to get started, may not fit into a traditional educational pathway and/or are facing a complete career change. The folks who enroll in our program have the potential to serve in high-paying, impactful jobs in technology and Carolina Code School is able to provide a pathway for them to make that happen. One way we do this is through community partnerships to make opportunities to enroll in our 12-week full-time course accessible.

Our team at Carolina Code School is honored to announce that ScanSource Charitable Foundation has donated the full tuition amount to be granted to one (1) student in our Spring 2022 cohort. The scholarship is available for students who have been accepted in the school’s full-time, 12-week web development course this summer. 

This scholarship demonstrates how we work with community partners, like The ScanSource Charitable Foundation, to increase opportunities and access to programs like ours so we can increase economic security for marginalized, disconnected communities and reduce social, economic and financial barriers correlated with gaining skills and education needed to be strong candidates for competitive tech careers. Not only does our school provide a doorway to become a software engineer, but we also follow-through with our students to connect them with employers and roles in the tech industry in the weeks following their graduation. We passionately fill the gap between desire to work in the tech industry with training and support.

ScanSource is no stranger to the fact that a strong pool of talent leads to stronger companies and stronger communities. ScanSource has proven to be an employer that is willing to hire non-traditional candidates - people who might not have four-year degrees that are traditionally required to gain the skills they need to enter the tech industry. For example, ScanSource has hired two graduates from Carolina Code School (and other non-traditional candidates from similar training programs).

The ScanSource Charitable Foundation shares their excitement for this partnership:

“Build Carolina and the Carolina Code School are doing amazing work for our communities in South Carolina. The ScanSource Charitable Foundation is proud to play a small part in their mission to broaden educational equity and provide an opportunity for those seeking a career in tech. We are so excited to sponsor this scholarship!”

“We are grateful to The ScanSource Charitable Foundation for this scholarship donation that will help open opportunities for a deserving future developer which will directly impact the local tech workforce”, says Lauren McGlamery, our new Enrollment and Student Success Coach.

The first step to be eligible for the ScanSource Scholarship is to apply for admission through our website. This process involves two interviews with the team along with completing some pre-work to prepare you for the beginning of the course. Applications for the Spring 2022 12-week Immersive Web Development Course are due by April 4, 2022.

Students who have been accepted by the Carolina Code School team will be invited to apply for this scholarship by April 8, 2022.

This scholarship is only applicable for the Spring 2022 Cohort. The course begins May 2, 2022 and will be held in-person at the school’s campus inside the NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge in Greenville.

Making the decision to learn to code full-time is a major decision. We want to make it just a little easier for you. So, we've designed a short course that will cover a bit of the material that will be taught in our Web Development Immersive course but in a short-term, part-time format. 

The class - Foundations front-end engineering - will be offered in the evenings from 6pm-8:30pm, over the course of two weeks. Each week, students will gather on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evening to learn in our hands-on classroom setting. 

At the end of the course, students will be able to build a functioning interactive website and will understand how websites are built and work. Raise your hand if those are skills you could use in your life - at work, at home, or at school!

The cost of the course is $900, and there are no prerequisites or requirements. Our only ask is that you bring a computer and arrive ready to learn. 

Ready to get started? Our courses begin very soon - Click here to register. 

Tell me about yourself!

I was born and raised in a small town in Connecticut, where both my grandfather and father were dentists, which led me on my path to becoming a dental hygienist. I didn’t grow up in a very “techy” family, my two older brothers and I spent most of our childhoods outdoors and playing sports. This continued throughout my life as I got into distance running and then long-distance triathlon. 

Dental hygiene was a very steady career, the hours and pay were good, and I had as much or as little work as I wanted… at least until 2020! Pretty early on in my career, I realized that I didn’t love being a hygienist. I have always been a “people” person, and very much enjoyed getting to know my patients, but it was a very monotonous career, I did not feel challenged, and there was minimal room for professional growth. Although I didn’t feel fulfilled at work, it fit within my lifestyle which allowed me to be very involved in my passions outside of work - running and triathlon. 

What was your first exposure to the computers/tech industry?

Like so many, in March 2020, my world came to a halt. The dental office I was working at was forced to shut its doors due to state Covid precautions, and for the first time in my career, I found myself out of work. At the same time, all of the 2020 races I had qualified for were canceled. Out of work and without any concrete athletic goals in front of me, I took a step back and examined the current path that my life was on. 

Throughout my career, I considered other career paths, but they always fell within the medical or dental field, as healthcare was the only industry I was familiar with. When the Covid shutdowns started, many of my friends were able to transition to working from home, and I was a bit jealous that I was in an industry where this was not possible. I also decided during this time that I needed to find other areas of my life that would challenge me outside of athletics. 

In November 2020, after living in Jacksonville, FL for 10 years, I moved to Greenville to be closer to family that had relocated to the Upstate. I started working at a dental office in Greenville, but I was actively searching for other career paths where I would feel challenged and have the flexibility to work remotely. 

A couple of months after moving, I made two friends that were software developers. I knew nothing about software development before meeting them, nor did I personally know any women that were in the tech field. The more I learned about what they did for work, the more interested I became in the field. One of the women had attended a coding “boot camp,” which is what prompted my finding of the Carolina Code School and the 12-week immersive web-development course.

By March of this year, I started doing some basic courses on FreeCodeCamp.com, and I was instantly hooked. I was still working full-time as a dental hygienist, so I would do the courses at night after work. Soon after that, I started bringing my laptop to work and doing the courses on my lunch break. In April, I attended CCS’s Cohort #8’s “Demo Day,” and I was mesmerized by the incredible students and the fascinating projects that they had all built. I made the decision that day that I no longer wanted coding to be something that I was doing on the side, I wanted it to be my career. 

April 30th was my last day employed as a dental hygienist, and on May 3rd I started at the Carolina Code School as a member of Cohort #9. 

What was your experience like during the 12-week boot camp?

Code school was the most challenging 12 weeks of my life. I put in 10+ hour days, 7 days a week, for 12 weeks straight. Coming from zero tech experience, everything that I learned during those 12 weeks was brand new to me. It was extremely challenging and overwhelming, but I was committed to succeeding. 

During code school, someone in the tech community that had learned about my endurance sports background asked me, “what’s your next Ironman?” and I realized at that moment that this career change was essentially my next “Ironman.” While software development was new to me, setting a goal, creating a plan, and executing that plan to achieve my goal was not a new concept to me. 

You've joined the team at Kopis, congratulations! Tell me about what you are doing now? 

I am on Kopis’ “SmartGov” team, and working on a project utilizing .Net and C#, which are new technologies to me since code school. The transition from code school to working as a developer has been challenging, yet also very rewarding. I am extremely grateful to have an amazing team around me that has been very supportive throughout this journey. 

How did CCS prepare you for the job search? 

During code school, it was important to me to try to network as much as possible to form connections within the Greenville tech community. Networking to me is not attending large events where business cards are passed around, it’s saying “hi” to every person you encounter and forming true connections with those you meet. I was able to connect with several locally based tech companies on which I set my sights for potential employment post-code school. 

Kopis stood out to me immediately. I did not want “just a job,” and Kopis’ four core values of “Lead, Impact, Respect, and Simplify,” were very much in line with my values. I also found Kopis to be unique in that they had a very high employee retention rate, with many employees having worked there for over 10 years. 

What was the most valuable takeaway from your experience with CCS?

Introduction to the Greenville Tech Community. That was the most valuable thing that code school gave me. This is an incredible community and I still feel like my cohort is on my side if I need them. We lean on each other and ask questions as we are all still learning in our new careers.