Student spotlight: Gemma Ford, From coding novice to professional Developer

In this blog, we take a closer look at the Level 5 Web Application Development course delivered by expert tutors at the College.  

This online qualification can be completed in six to 12 months online and covers everything from front-end fundamentals to full-stack frameworks, giving learners the skills they need to thrive in the tech industry. 

We caught up with recent graduate Gemma, who used her newly acquired skills to land an exciting role as a Front-End Web Developer and SEO Specialist at a company specialising in professional camera and broadcasting equipment. 

Read on to hear Gemma’s story, her experience on the course, and her advice for anyone thinking about making the leap into web development. 

How many hours a week did you have to put into the course? 

I was fortunate enough to have a decent amount of time to put into the course and I think it was likely around 15 to 20 hours per week on average with additional learning. 

How were your lessons delivered and can you tell me about the workload. 

Lessons were delivered via the Code Institute’s learning platform using on-demand video tutorials and tools provided by them. This was accessible any time, which is great if you need to be flexible when you can study. 

The workload varies throughout the course depending on individual strengths and weaknesses. For me there was an initial steep learning curve which required more time and input than the rest of the course. 

Did you feel supported by EKC Ashford College?  

The College have been amazing throughout my journey. My course leader, Rachel, has been absolutely superb from the very beginning. I have autism and ADHD, and I worried I would not be supported but my experience has been really positive. The support I have received has confirmed I had made the right choice.  

There was weekly online group session for my cohort. I believe this was key in keeping me on track and offered opportunities to see where and how I could improve.  

Do you feel as though this course gave you the skills you needed to progress as a Web Developer? 

Absolutely! I’ve gone from having front-end template design skills with very little coding ability to being an employable and valuable full stack web developer. The course content, coupled with the support from the College, has definitely given me the skills I need.  

You do have to be motivated to want to do it and take opportunities to engage in additional learning opportunities within the course. Leveraging the course material and opportunities to its full potential has definitely put me in this position. 

Tell me about your new job role. 

My new role is a dual role of Front-End Web Developer and SEO Specialist for a UK based company that sells professional camera and broadcasting equipment. 

I work within a team of six developers. I’m responsible for building and maintaining the front-end of the company’s websites, analysing and optimising SEO for the websites, and flagging opportunities to other departments. 

I’m currently leveraging AI tools and insights for SEO within AI itself which links to some back-end work which is really interesting.  

What advice would you give to another adult learner worried about returning to education? 

Taking the first step and committing to a course can feel like the hardest part. But once you get comfortable with the learning environment and connect with your cohort, you’ll start to feel more at ease, and you’ll quickly realise that many others are feeling the exact same way.  

Don’t hesitate to pursue what you truly want to achieve, you’re the only one who can make it happen. In the end, we only regret the opportunities we didn’t seize! 

One piece of advice: having a designated study area can really make a difference. It helps you stay focused and creates a routine. 

Any other benefits of the course other adults should know? 

You get assigned mentor who guides you through your milestone projects who are web developers working in tech. You also have access to live tutor support through the learning platform to help you through tasks if you get stuck or need help understanding a subject.  

One of the biggest additional features is the careers support which includes webinars, careers mentoring, help with CVs. You also get additional opportunities to take part in hackathons which level up your teamwork skills and preparing you for a real-world application.  

Feeling inspired by Gemma’s story? Explore our Web Development course today.