Veteran Switches Gears: From Construction to Coding
Florencio Rendon faced what he called "the straw that broke the camel’s back" when he lost his job for the third time in just three years. At 36 years old and a father of two young kids, he realized he needed more job security and better pay. He often thought about his work in construction, “What if I start using my brain for once?” he questioned.
As a veteran of the Army, Mr. Rendon decided to explore training options that he could pay for with his military benefits. After some research, he chose to enroll in a coding boot camp.
Initially, the idea of diving into such intensive classes was daunting. While he had earned his high school diploma and taken a few college courses, he didn’t see himself as particularly academic. However, thoughts of his children, aged 4 and 2, drove him to give it a shot. “If I can make this work, then I should at least give it a try,” he told himself.
He applied to a program at Fullstack Academy and was accepted. In April 2023, he began his classes, aided by a military grant that covered the $13,000 tuition. Although the coursework was challenging, Mr. Rendon was surprised to discover that he could grasp the concepts. Four months later, he proudly completed his online program from the comfort of his home in the Bronx.
Though the journey was tough, Mr. Rendon is now looking forward to a future filled with new opportunities, proving that with determination and support, a fresh start is possible.
