Sang Ra started each day at 4:45 a.m. to get to his job at Amazon by 5:30. After working a full shift, he’d race home, frantically trying to beat traffic so he could begin his boot camp classes for the evening. Sometimes, he even tuned into class virtually from his phone during the ride. Sang…
Creating Social Impact with Inclusive Design: Ana Chávez’s Journey to UX/UI
Ana Chávez graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in sociology and a passion for understanding how people’s behavior and background shape their future. At the time, law felt like the next logical step in pursuing this passion. Yet, after two years as a paralegal, Ana realized that this path wasn’t what she had envisioned.…
Acing Your First Tech Job: Tips From Recruiters at JPMorgan Chase
How Data Continues to Transform the World of Business: Key Takeaways From Two Industry Professionals
The world of data science, data engineering, and analytics hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down these past few years. It continues to gain momentum ramping up efforts to improve effectiveness and efficiencies across many different business facets. In a recent report, IDC predicts that the collective sum of the world’s data will grow to175…
From Boot Camp to the Big Leagues: How Columbia Engineering Helped Lucas Gowland Become Fluent in FinTech
For years, Lucas Gowland had a career in finance. A Master’s degree in capital markets taught him how technology, innovation, and coding play a role in financial markets — and in 2016, he became a sales trader in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Throughout his time in the field, one thing remained consistent: a desire to keep learning. Lucas…
How Data Analytics Boot Camp Helped One Learner Find a New Career — And Give Back Throughout COVID-19
Jorge Sanchez wasn’t always interested in data. As an undergraduate, he wanted to become a doctor, but eventually realized a clinical career wasn’t the right fit for him. Still, he was determined to work in the healthcare sector, and began working as a research assistant at Weill Cornell Medicine. It was there that he was bit by…
How Columbia Engineering FinTech Boot Camp Helped a Former Accountant Go After Blockchain and Decentralized Finance
In 2016, after completing an undergraduate degree in public accounting from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and working toward her CPA licensure, Alexis Schottenstein decided to pursue her postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). It was there that her whole world changed. Alexis’s interest in digital finance began…
“The Most Incredible Experience of My Life”: How Mike Gelber Turned a Final Project Into a Fully Fledged Company
When Mike Gelber quit his analyst job at a top banking firm, he knew there was no going back. After studying finance and economics in college, he’d thought wealth management would be a good professional fit. But six months into his analyst role, he found himself burning out and growing bored. During a slow workday, Mike decided…
After 25 Years in Software Development, This Cybersecurity Boot Camp Learner Made a Change
For 25 years, Bruce Rhoades worked as a software developer creating apps for a range of organizations from investment banks to educational institutions. Although each project brought new lessons and challenges, Bruce found himself craving a change. When downsizing necessitated layoffs, Bruce found himself back on the job market and decided it was the perfect time to…