How Tech's Captain America learned how to code
Tags: veteran, webdev, beginners
Published: 2020-06-24 11:31:27

---
title: How Tech's Captain America learned how to code
published: true
date: 2020-06-04 16:45:39 UTC
tags: Veteran, Webdev, Beginner
canonical_url: https://www.nocsdegree.com/veteran-learn-code-no-cs-degree/
---

 ![How Tech's Captain America learned how to code](https://www.nocsdegree.com/content/images/2020/06/Jerome_stage-2.jpg)

After serving in the military, [Jerome Hardaway](https://twitter.com/JeromeHardaway) learned to code and discovered a whole new career path. Today he shares his story with No CS Degree. Jerome recently fulfilled his ambition of becoming a Developer Advocate. He is part of [Vets Who Code](https://vetswhocode.io), a veteran-led 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit that focuses on teaching veterans how to program free of charge so that they may find gainful employment after service. Enjoy the interview!

## Hey, so can you give us a short introduction for people who want to know more about you? 

I'm currently working at CBSi but I'm transitioning to a new job as a Developer Advocate for QuickenLoans.

## Which branch of the military did you serve in?

I served from 2004 to 2010 in the US Air Force.

## How did you learn to code after serving in the military?

I started with an SQL book and did some online training to try to level up. It was really trial and error back then. Afterwards I learned from coding live and after I launched my nonprofit on my own I was invited to NYC to train.

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[![How Tech's Captain America learned how to code](https://www.nocsdegree.com/content/images/2020/06/logo_white_on_red_padding.svg)](https://simpleanalytics.com/?ref=nocsdegree.com)

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## Do you have tips for veterans who want to get into programming but don’t want to spend 4 years doing a CS degree?

Start building today. It can be small, it can be big but start building. I already had a project that I was learning with before anyone took a chance on me. In my experience I have learned that people tend to invest more into self starters.

## Can you tell us about the VetsWhoCode organization ?

Vets Who Code is a veteran-led remote 501c3 that teaches veterans how to program in javascript. We focus on React, Gatsby,  and GraphQL heavily and Node on the server side.

![How Tech's Captain America learned how to code](https://www.nocsdegree.com/content/images/2020/06/Screenshot-2020-06-04-at-17.43.33.png)

## How did you get your first programming job/ freelance work? 

My first big boy programming job was an interview and a take home test for ruby. I spent the whole weekend on it.

## How has your life changed since becoming a professional programmer? 

Man, its been amazing, not only as a programmer but as the Geek-At-Arms of VWC. I’ve been honored by President Barack Obama, done some cool talks, met some cool people and most importantly, I have helped my fellow veterans. Its been the honor of my life.

![How Tech's Captain America learned how to code](https://www.nocsdegree.com/content/images/2020/06/Jerome.jpg)

## Can you tell us what an average working day looks like for you just now? 

Currently an average day begins looking at the jira board for the tickets I have in the queue, working, standup, then more coding then whatever meetings are on the calendar.

## What are your career ambitions for the future?

Dev Advocate had been my goal and I just made it so I am gonna enjoy this for a minute before I make more plans.

## Thanks for the interview!

You can make a donation to Vets Who Code [here](https://vetswhocode.io/donate)

Check out an interview with a [Royal Marine who learned to code on a ship](https://www.nocsdegree.com/this-commando-devplearned-to-code-on-a-warship-without-internet/) without internet �