You don’t have to come from a technical background to start a career in coding. Kasey Endsley is a perfect example of how aptitude and motivation from any professional background can lead to success in tech.

Kasey, a graduate of our full-time, full-stack Web Development Cohort 76, spent years working in non-technical roles—first in veterinary medicine, moving from an animal shelter to a surgical technician, and later managing a restaurant and working at a movie theater. In all these roles, she enjoyed problem-solving and seeing how things worked.

The Drive to Build and Problem-Solve

Kasey had always been drawn to programming, dating back to creating layouts using HTML on platforms like Neopets and MySpace. However, personal challenges sidelined her initial pursuit of a computer science degree. When she came back to programming, she decided to take the plunge at NSS.

"Thinking through something, creating a solution and watching it actually happen and come to fruition. Something about that always tickled me," she shared, noting that she was often bored and wishing for "something more" in her prior work.

The Power of Community and Continued Learning

Kasey attributes much of her success to the supportive environment at NSS. She found that the staff and fellow students encouraged "messy mistakes" that allowed her to fail toward success.

After graduating from the Full Stack Web Development program, Kasey continued building her skills by taking NSS ProTech continuing education courses. She specifically focused on Cloud Deployment Fundamentals to understand how code works after it leaves her computer, and the Introduction to Agentic AI for Developers course to add powerful new skills to her toolkit. This willingness to keep learning and growing is a huge asset to any employer.

Kasey’s Strategy for Landing Her First Job

Kasey's advice for current students entering the job search focuses on community:

• Network (A Lot!): Kasey networked extensively, finding the NSS alumni community "very kind" and willing to share their journey. She leveraged these genuine connections to find a referral that became her "shoe in."
• Focus on NSS-Friendly Employers: She intentionally applied to companies that had a history of hiring NSS graduates, knowing they understood the value of NSS grads.
• Maintain a Good Attitude: Her ultimate advice is to "truly believing in yourself and believing in those around you".

Is Now the Right Time to Start?

For anyone considering a bootcamp, Kasey says, "If they're already considering it, they know there's a part of them that wants this, that there's something appealing to them innately".

She encourages people to take the chance on themselves, regardless of market conditions. Kasey points out that a tech career has "really no ceiling," and continuing your education in this way, even if results aren't immediate, is going to improve your life in some form or fashion. NSS, she notes, offers the best opportunity she has yet experienced to get started.

Ready to hear more about Kasey’s journey and her advice for aspiring developers?

🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of Stories from the Hackery on SoundCloud, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What's Your Next Move?

If Kasey's story inspires you to explore a career in software development, here’s how you can get started at NSS:

• Check Out Our Software Development Jumpstart: Get a taste of coding in a live online classroom without committing to a full bootcamp.
• Learn More About Our Web Development Bootcamp: Explore our upcoming full-time and part-time cohorts on our website or attend an upcoming info session.