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From accounting to web development: Meet this Ironhack grad making big strides in programming

Krysten Brenlla
Krysten Brenlla
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By Krysten Brenlla

When Alejandro Cartagena started school at Miami Dade College, he thought accounting was what his future looked like – until he took a programming class, which changed his trajectory.
“I fell in love with programming,” Cartagena said. “After two years at Miami Dade College, I went to Florida International University to finish my degree in computer science, and I realized – there’s still so much I need to learn.”

Although Cartagena loved the theories he learned in the classroom, he wanted to take his skills in programming and computer science to the next level. After hearing about the different resources at the Venture Miami Tech Hiring Fair last year, he decided to attend, and a simple conversation turned into an opportunity of a lifetime.

“At the Venture Miami Tech Hiring Fair, I met the team at Ironhack, and they told me about a scholarship for new graduates to learn more about web development,” Cartagena. “I didn’t have a job or internship lined up after graduation, so I applied and got in to Ironhack’s Bootcamp on a full scholarship – it was just an amazing experience.”

In April 2024, Cartagena began Ironhack’s 9-week Web Development Bootcamp in Miami, where he gained the skills and hands-on experience he needed to land a job as a software developer. Alongside a group of other students like him, he led his own projects, learned how to build applications from scratch, developed websites, and more.

“One of the projects I worked on with Ironhack was integrating an open application programming interface (API) – like Chat GPT – into a website,” Cartagena said. “For my project, a user would place a job description in the API, and the website would render behavioral and technical questions to help the user study for a job interview. Building projects like these is what really attracted me to Ironhack.”

With the hands-on skills he learned at Ironhack, Cartagena was able to land a job as a software engineer at XTec Inc. within two months after graduating from the program. He also learned how to build his own projects based off his passions, such as a website he created that shows users five different exercises they can do to target specific muscle groups with just one click.

“Thanks to the Miami Tech Works Good Jobs Challenge grant, we’ve equipped more than 25 students with the skills needed in the job market — whether in Web Development, Java Backend, or Data Analytics — in just nine weeks. They gain a set of skills to thrive in their careers, and we closely accompany them to ensure they land a job that fulfills them. Their success is our success, and we’re excited to continue fostering growth and creating more opportunities within the tech community in Miami,” said Yaneisha Pérez Padilla, general manager at Ironhack Miami.

Ironhack Miami General Manager Yaneisha Pérez Padilla with former students Alejandro Cartagena and Albert Fundora.

Now, as a full-time software engineer, he works on building secure websites for different municipalities – a job he says he wouldn’t have been able to land had it not been for the user authentication skills he developed throughout the bootcamp.

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“Programs like the website development bootcamp at Ironhack are beneficial because, instead of just focusing on theory, you’re focusing on real-world application,” Cartagena said. “It’s a tight schedule – it’s like a job, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, and you’re coding and working with people constantly. It’s a great opportunity to make connections.”

For the future, Cartagena is excited to continue working on projects as a full-time software engineer, with hopes of continuing to grow within the industry. He’s also looking forward to the opportunities available for locals – like him – to stay and grow in Miami. Thanks to community partners like Miami Tech Works’ Miami Tech Talent Coalition – a collaboration of employers, academia, and community organizations, funded by the EDA, creating new tech pathways for residents – Cartagena is able to grow in the place he calls home.

“The growth we’re seeing in Miami’s tech community is amazing – especially for locals who don’t want to leave their home,” Cartagena said. “The growth is going to open so many doors and job opportunities – it’s a great thing for Miami.”

When asked to share advice for other students like him, Cartagena says that learning the fundamentals is key.

“Hammer down the fundamentals to get the most out of a bootcamp like Ironhack, because it can seem very overwhelming,” Cartagena said. “Take a few months before the bootcamp to learn the fundamentals, and you can do really well.”

For more information on the programs and bootcamps offered at Ironhack Miami, visit their website at https://www.ironhack.com/us.

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For employers: How to get involved in the Miami Tech Talent Coalition

Your involvement can make a significant difference in shaping the future of Miami’s tech industry, creating a vibrant and sustainable tech talent ecosystem. Together, participants can continue to build Miami as an innovative hub and a desirable destination for businesses and tech talent.

  • Join the Coalition here. Employers can also specify a work group they are interested in.
  • Attend a meeting: The next meeting (rescheduled) this week: Oct. 24, 2024 at 9:30-noon at The Hub at Office Logic. Find out more and register here.
  • Stay connected with the coalition’s progress and updates by signing up for their newsletter here, reviewing the website here, and following Miami Tech Works on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Krysten Brenlla
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