I broke into tech as a teacher after going to a coding boot camp. Now I have a 6-figure job and work-life balance.

Xavier Carrillo; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI

• Xavier Carrillo transitioned from teaching to a six-figure tech job after doing a coding boot camp.
• The 12-week program will cost him $22,000 in total, but he says it was worth it.
• Now he earns $140,000 a year, has improved his work-life balance, and hopes to retire early.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with 29-year-old Xavier Carrillo in New York City. The following has been edited for length and clarity.