Christopher Palacios

Where are you working currently, and what do you do there?

I am currently employed with Watsco Ventures, Watsco Inc’s technology division, where we develop software that helps HVAC contractors.

My role is Junior Front-End Developer with the OnCall Air team.

Can you tell us more about what your typical day looks like at Watsco Ventures?

A typical day is posting daily stand-ups to keep the team up to date with progress made, and any blockers that may occur. I also spend time working on any assigned tasks for the active sprint and addressing any production issues that may arise.

Can you tell us a bit about your education and career background?

My current role with Watsco Ventures is my first role in tech. Prior to Watsco and BrainStation, I graduated from a four-year electrical apprenticeship and worked as an electrician for many years.

BrainStation has definitely helped me with my break into tech. Every bit of the curriculum and their teaching process helped simulate what it was like to be on a development team. The experience definitely helped prepare me for my first role.

What motivated you to start digital skills training?

As an Electrician, it was obvious to me that technology was constantly evolving and integrating with our everyday lives. What was also apparent to me was the gap between an industry as outdated as skilled trades/construction and the quickly changing world of tech. I wanted to be a part of this growth and bridge that gap.

Why did you choose to study at BrainStation?

I chose BrainStation because I knew breaking into tech took more than just learning to code. I knew that the community and the network I developed along the way would play a big role in my success.

After doing plenty of research on bootcamps and reaching out to alumni, I knew BrainStation was the right path for me.

What was the highlight of your learning experience?

The highlight of my learning experience was definitely seeing my capstone project come to life in the last two weeks of bootcamp. I got the chance to apply a little bit of every lesson I learned in those 12 weeks to develop a fully functioning, full-stack eCommerce web app.

What kind of support did you receive as a student at BrainStation?

The support provided by everyone at BrainStation was by far the best support I could have asked for. Our cohort was studying remotely due to COVID, but I sometimes forgot I was learning from the comfort of my own home.

Can you describe the impact your Educator had on your learning experience?

Our Educator was a brilliant Developer and a considerate instructor. He had a great way of simplifying these complex lessons in a way that someone with no development experience could understand.

How has your BrainStation experience impacted your career?

BrainStation has definitely helped me with my break into tech. Every bit of the curriculum and their teaching process helped simulate what it was like to be on a development team. The experience definitely helped prepare me for my first role.

What were the most valuable skills you learned?

Given my prior experience as an electrician, I already had the problem solving skills needed to become a good Developer, but BrainStation helped me learn to use those skills to think programmatically and apply them to the development process.

I’ve been able to apply those skills in my current role, specifically when it comes to production issues. Being able to narrow down and find solutions for any bugs that occur on the front end can be a tedious task, but my experience in problem-solving helps very much.

Were you able to lean on BrainStation’s Career Accelerator Program?

I was definitely able to lean on the Career Accelerator Program. It was a great support to prepare for interviews and even just get an occasional pep talk. They did a great job building us up as professionals and teaching us to utilize our life story and experiences to land our first role.

How has your bootcamp experience helped you connect with the tech industry?

Bootcamp gave me a group of friends for life. It also introduced me to different tech communities that constantly help and lift each other up, no matter the stage of your journey.

What advice would you give to professionals considering a BrainStation course or program?

If you are looking for a supportive community of like-minded people, a thorough education, and a life-changing experience, then you’ve come to the right place.

Invest in yourself today — you won’t regret it.