With over 10 years of dedicated experience at General Assembly, Gayle Hopkins, our Regional Admissions Director for Europe and the Middle East, has witnessed and helped shape the tech industry’s evolution, while empowering countless students to embark on life-changing journeys.
We recently caught up with Gayle to get her insights into the world of tech education, the transformative power of General Assembly’s courses, and the importance of adaptability in today’s dynamic job market.
A decade of transformation
Gayle’s journey with General Assembly began as an Admissions Specialist, where she quickly found herself diving deep into GA’s innovative spirit and seeing firsthand the profound impact it has on our students. Over the years, her role evolved, and she’s now an integral part of GA’s leadership team, guiding and shaping the tech education landscape across Europe and the Middle East. Reflecting on her experience, Gayle describes General Assembly as a “really exciting place to work,” with a culture that values growth, innovation, and the continuous evolution of its course offerings. For Gayle, being part of this journey has been incredibly fulfilling—especially being able to be part of an organisation that can truly change lives through accessible tech education.
Her favourite part of her role? The people and the products. Gayle is inspired by our courses, which she believes are designed to make a meaningful difference no matter what the learner’s career goals are. She finds immense satisfaction in helping students on their own “General Assembly journey,” as they take steps toward new career opportunities, personal growth, and professional transformation.
Exciting new offerings for students as we close out 2024 and head into 2025
In 2024, General Assembly rolled out some exciting updates that Gayle is particularly enthusiastic about. The first is an expanded career services offering, created in partnership with career transition leader (and GA partner company) LHH. This service provides students with access to a rich network of career resources and job opportunities, ensuring that every graduate is equipped not only with in-demand tech skills, but also with a comprehensive support system for career placement. As Gayle explains, “students should be really excited about this new career resources network, which offers them even more support and visibility in the job market.”
In addition, we’ve introduced new part-time bootcamps in software engineering, data, and UX design, providing flexible options for those looking to advance their skills while balancing other commitments. Gayle highlights the importance of this addition, noting that it allows students to “learn while they’re still working” without the need to step away from current roles or personal responsibilities. The flexibility of part-time courses meets the needs of today’s learners, offering a structured learning path that fits within busy schedules.
Lifelong learning: a key to success in tech
When it comes to career advice, Gayle stresses the importance of lifelong learning. In an industry as fast-paced as tech, staying relevant means continually building and updating your skill set. This doesn’t necessarily mean committing to lengthy programmes or bootcamps every year. Instead, Gayle encourages tech professionals and aspiring newcomers alike to adopt a mindset that values ongoing education, whether that means a structured 10-week course, a bootcamp, or simply dipping into learning resources on a more flexible schedule.
She points out that a commitment to lifelong learning is “the attitude that will get you so far,” as it fosters adaptability and a readiness to embrace new challenges. Her advice resonates particularly well in the current landscape, where tech is advancing at a rapid pace and new tools, methodologies, and career paths are constantly emerging.
General Assembly’s commitment to student success
As an organisation committed to accessible tech education for all, we continue to prioritise student success, not only by offering comprehensive course offerings, but also by preparing students to thrive in real-world environments. Whether it’s through new career resources, part-time options, or hands-on programmes in high-demand fields, we’re dedicated to fostering an environment where students can excel and grow.
As Gayle aptly puts it, tech education today is about empowering people to adapt and grow with the industry. Her insights are a powerful reminder of the impact that passionate educators and forward-thinking organisations can have on the world, one student at a time.
Ready to transform your career?
If you’re inspired by Gayle’s words and eager to begin writing your own story in tech, there’s never been a better time to explore our offerings. From free tech skill classes and two-day workshops to full-time and part-time bootcamps, we have programmes designed to meet you wherever you are in your learning journey.
Get started today. Explore our course catalogue and take the next step in building a future-proof career with General Assembly.