[Student Spotlight] Nicha Kumkeaw, from Visual Effects to Software Development

Meet Nicha

Meet Nicha, a visual effects artist who decided to pivot her career towards software development. Nicha's journey is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and the pursuit of new opportunities. Her story began in the film industry, where she excelled as a visual effects artist, but the tides turned when the industry faced challenging times in early 2024, leading to widespread layoffs. Instead of being discouraged, Nicha saw this as a chance to explore new skills and decided to enrol in the Software Development Bootcamp.

Discovering Software Development

With a background in visual effects, Nicha had always been close to the world of technology. She shared, "Recognizing the growing importance of new technology in the movie business, I realized that programming skills and the ability to understand problems and find solutions would be highly valuable and much needed."

This realization, coupled with her downtime from work, sparked her interest in coding. Nicha's motivation to take the course was driven by her desire to advance her career and lifestyle. She believed that software development could unlock new opportunities and help her hone critical thinking, entrepreneurship, project management, communication, and development skills.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Nicha enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, camping, and paddle boarding. She also loves traveling and learning about different cultures, having worked in various countries. Moreover, Nicha is involved in several NGO projects both in Canada and her home country, Thailand.

Experience in the Bootcamp

Nicha's journey through the Software Development Bootcamp was not without challenges. "Due to my lack of coding experience, I found the course extremely difficult during the first few months. Although I considered quitting a few times, I resisted the urge. Instead, I dedicated myself to learning and practicing more, engaging with people, and joining a tech group. I have gained a better understanding and felt more confident. This newfound confidence in my ability to learn something I initially found very challenging has empowered me to dream big. It has expanded my perspectives and broadened my abilities and knowledge.”

Reflecting on her experience, Nicha shared a significant achievement: "Creating my first webpage in JavaScript, making it public on GitHub, and having the recruitment team review it is a significant achievement for me. Given that I had no previous coding experience, accomplishing this in just a few months of learning is a major milestone."

The bootcamp not only equipped her with technical skills but also helped her secure a job at a leading visual effects company.

"This course has helped me secure a job at a visual effects company I have wanted to work for. My new skills in software development attracted the recruiting team. As the company is moving towards implementing new technology, they were looking for people who have industry experience, are proficient with specific software and possess coding and technical knowledge in that software and pipeline."

The career program that accompanied the bootcamp was also instrumental in her success: “The career program that comes with the bootcamp is also very helpful in developing my interview skills, resume, social media presence, and personal branding.”

Advice for Aspiring Software Developers

For those just starting their journey in software development, Nicha offers valuable advice: "I find it helpful to have a clear direction or goal on how software development can benefit my future as it is a broad field. Having this focus has helped me to prioritize where to put more time in learning and practicing." Nicha emphasizes the importance of having a goal-oriented approach to make the most of the learning experience.

Nicha also shared, “I would say all lessons of the course are crucial. Since it is a bootcamp, every topic covered is essential for pursuing my new role.”

Nicha's story is an inspiring example of how challenges can be turned into opportunities with the right mindset and determination. Her transition from visual effects to software development highlights the transformative power of learning new skills and the possibilities that come with it. If you're considering a leap into software development, let Nicha's journey be your motivation to take that first step and explore the endless opportunities that await!

Learn more about our Software Development Bootcamp.