The latest articles on DEV Community by Keys Starks (@keysstarks). https://dev.to/keysstarks https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4003119%2F4bfa28f3-6984-4ff5-b50d-af4df0dd742b.png https://dev.to/keysstarks en Keys Starks Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:42:56 +0000 https://dev.to/keysstarks/from-financial-services-to-full-stack-dev-my-first-3-months-jip https://dev.to/keysstarks/from-financial-services-to-full-stack-dev-my-first-3-months-jip <p>I spent 13 years in financial services — 7 at Discover Financial, 6 at Bread Financial — consistently finishing in the top 5% of my team. I was good at my job. Really good.</p> <p>But in March 2026, I enrolled in Coding Temple's Full-Stack Web Development bootcamp and started building.</p> <p>Here's what 3 months actually looks like from zero.</p> <h2> Month 1: HTML, CSS, and Figuring Out Why Nothing Looks Right </h2> <p>I started where everyone starts — HTML and CSS. Built a food landing page (FoodSpot) and a multi-page event site (EventHive). Learned Flexbox, Grid, responsive design, and why <code>box-sizing: border-box</code> should just be the default everywhere.</p> <p><strong>What I shipped:</strong></p> <ul> <li>FoodSpot — food landing page</li> <li>EventHive — responsive multi-page event site</li> </ul> <p><strong>What I earned:</strong></p> <ul> <li>✅ Web Development with HTML &amp; CSS (Coding Temple verified badge)</li> </ul> <h2> Month 2: JavaScript, Then Python </h2> <p>JavaScript clicked faster than I expected. DOM manipulation, ES6+, event listeners. Then Python — and honestly, Python felt natural. The OOP concepts made sense immediately.</p> <p><strong>What I shipped:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Python CLI Task Manager — persistent task app with file storage, OOP, exception handling</li> <li>Defeat the Evil Wizard — text-based RPG with multiple classes, inheritance, combat logic, and game state management</li> </ul> <p><strong>What I earned:</strong></p> <ul> <li>✅ JavaScript Mastery</li> <li>✅ Python Foundations for Software Engineering</li> <li>✅ Advanced Python</li> </ul> <h2> Month 3: React </h2> <p>React was the biggest jump. Component architecture, hooks, state management, routing. But I got through it by building something real.</p> <p><strong>What I shipped:</strong></p> <ul> <li>FakeStore API — a full e-commerce SPA consuming a live REST API with dynamic product rendering, client-side routing, CRUD operations, and loading/error state management</li> </ul> <p><strong>What I earned:</strong></p> <ul> <li>✅ Single Page Apps with React</li> </ul> <h2> What I Brought From Finance That Helped </h2> <p>People underestimate what non-tech backgrounds bring to code. Here's what transferred directly:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Data analysis</strong> → Debugging mindset. I spent years finding patterns in account data. Finding why code breaks is the same muscle.</li> <li> <strong>Process optimization</strong> → Clean, readable code. I care about how things are structured.</li> <li> <strong>Working under pressure</strong> → Deadlines don't scare me. High-volume, high-stakes environments were my normal.</li> <li> <strong>Documentation</strong> → I wrote compliance documentation for years. Writing clean comments and READMEs comes naturally.</li> </ul> <h2> What's Next </h2> <p>I'm relocating to Richmond/Chesterfield, VA in August 2026 and actively looking for roles in IT Support, Technical Support, Application Support, and Software Development.</p> <p>If you're on a similar journey — career pivot, bootcamp, non-traditional background — let's connect.</p> <p>🔗 Portfolio: <a href="https://keysstarks.github.io/PersonalPortfolio" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://keysstarks.github.io/PersonalPortfolio</a><br><br> 🐙 GitHub: <a href="https://github.com/KeysStarks" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://github.com/KeysStarks</a></p> <p><em>3 months ago I couldn't build a webpage. I'm not just transitioning into tech — I'm competing to be the best in the room.</em></p> webdev javascript python beginners