You Just Started Your Bootcamp — Now What?

Overview

Welcome to your bootcamp journey! You’ve taken a huge step toward building a new career in tech and that’s something to be proud of. Over the next several months, you’ll gain the hands-on skills, confidence, and professional tools you need to pursue a role in your chosen field.

Whether you’re starting in Cybersecurity or Data Analytics, this guide will help you understand what to focus on now and how to get the most out of your program from day one.

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1. Focus on Learning and Participation

Your first priority is to immerse yourself in the learning experience. Attend all live sessions, ask questions, and take advantage of office hours and asynchronous resources. The more engaged you are, the faster your skills will grow.

• Attend all live classes and participate actively.

• Review recordings if you miss a session to stay on track.

• Practice consistently — the best way to learn technical skills is by doing.

• Ask questions and use your instructors and classmates as resources.

Remember: mastery comes from repetition and curiosity. Every question you ask and every exercise you complete builds a foundation for your new career. Try to practice beyond class time and assignments — the more you experiment, build, and apply what you’re learning, the stronger your skills will become in the long run.

 

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2. Begin Exploring Career Paths

As you start learning, it’s never too early to begin thinking about your long-term goals. You don’t need to have everything figured out yet — but start exploring what interests you.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of problems do I enjoy solving?

• Do I prefer working with data, people, systems, or processes?

• What roles sound exciting when I read job descriptions?

If you’re in Data Analytics, you might explore paths like Data Analyst, Business Analyst, or Marketing Analyst.
If you’re in Cybersecurity, you might consider roles like Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, or IT Support Specialist.

As you begin exploring, be sure to review the asynchronous content in Canvas under Career Services. There, you’ll find helpful materials about career pathways and job roles specific to your program — a great way to start understanding what types of positions align with your skills and interests.

Your preferences might evolve as you dive deeper into the material — that’s completely normal. Career Services will help you refine your goals along the way.

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3. Build Your Professional Brand Early

Even though you’re still learning, this is the perfect time to start building your professional presence. Think of it as setting the stage for future opportunities.

Start with:

• Creating or updating your LinkedIn profile. Add your program and start connecting with classmates, instructors, and industry professionals.

• Drafting your resume. Keep it simple at first — focus on transferable skills and professional experience. You’ll update it later with projects and technical experience from the program.

• Joining your cohort’s Discord or Slack community. Networking starts with the people learning alongside you.

Career Services will share resources and templates to help you create and refine your resume and LinkedIn profile over time.

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4. Take Advantage of Career Services Support

Your Career Coach and the Career Services team are here to help you connect your education to real-world opportunities. You’ll receive:

• Career coaching sessions to help you plan your next steps.

• Resume and LinkedIn reviews to showcase your skills.

• Interview preparation to help you tell your story confidently.

• Networking strategies to help you connect with professionals in your new field.

Throughout the program, you’ll receive Career Services emails and guidance aligned with your progress — from setting goals early on to launching your job search after graduation.

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5. Start Building Confidence and Connections

Networking is an ongoing part of your career growth. Start small and build from there:

• Connect with your peers, instructors, and alumni.

• Attend industry events or webinars related to your new field.

• Join online communities or professional associations in data or cybersecurity.

Don’t wait until graduation to network — relationships you build now can turn into opportunities later.

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6. Stay Curious and Consistent

The most successful learners are the ones who stay curious, consistent, and open-minded. Progress sometimes feels slow, but every lesson, project, and conversation is moving you forward.

Tips for success:

• Dedicate consistent study time each week.

• Celebrate small wins and milestones.

• Ask for help when you need it — that’s what your instructors and coaches are here for.

• Remember why you started — this program is an investment in your future.

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7. What Comes Next

As you move through your bootcamp, you’ll begin building a strong technical foundation, a professional brand, and the confidence to transition into your new career.

Career Services will guide you step by step — from building your resume and portfolio to preparing for interviews and launching your job search.

This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and the work you put in now will pay off when you start your new career in tech.

As you continue learning, take time to explore the additional resources available in Canvas and the Help Center. These materials are designed to support your success — from understanding career pathways and job roles to strengthening your technical skills and preparing for the job search ahead. The more you engage with these resources, the more prepared and confident you’ll feel when it’s time to launch your career!