Codesmith

I attended Codesmith July-September 2019 after attending their free Tuesday and Thursday night workshops for about six months (which I highly recommend, they offer them virtually now) and taking their 2 week Codesmith Prep course. I had no other tech experience aside from self-teaching with FreeCodeCamp.

The application process was pretty thorough, and included a phone screen, a culture fit interview, and a technical screen. I was not accepted on my first attempt, which I was actually really happy to hear - they won't just sign you up and take your money, you have to have the basics of JavaScript down before they'll allow you to join a cohort.

The Experience Itself
I attended pre-Covid, in-person, in Los Angeles. Our schedule was Monday through Saturday, 9am until late in the evening. I think officially we were done around 8pm but there were a few nights were I stayed past midnight to work on projects. 

The curriculum was really thorough, and really quick. Other students referred to it as trying to drink from a firehose.  For the first 6 weeks, new subjects were taught in two-day blocks. There was an introduction to a new technology and practice project utilizing it on Day 1, and a sort of quiz project on Day 2 with a debrief. Students weren't "graded" on the quiz project, but if they were unable to complete it satisfactorily, a Fellow (teaching assistant) would schedule one-on-one time with you to go over the subject matter again. 
Other projects included a Chrome Extension Hackathon and an Iteration Project, where students would build a project and then everyone would trade to get used to working in an existing codebase. 

The first 6 weeks ended with a big test day, broken up into two parts: an algorithm section, and a fullstack application coding challenge. Students were required to pass the test to go on to the next 6 weeks, and you could only take it twice. 

The last 6 weeks of program were dedicated to a Senior Production Project. You had to pitch an idea for a new developer tool or a refactor of an existing tool to the teaching staff and got the next 6 weeks to work on it. This was ostensibly to give you something cool to show off in interviews that wasn't a simple to-do list app. In fact, some of these projects have gone on to be awarded thousands of stars on GitHub and are still used today. 

After my residency was done, I was asked to stay on as a teaching fellow for another two cohorts, and finished my fellowship in January 2020. 

After the Program
I think were Codesmith shines is it's alumni support programs. Codesmith offers continuing support for graduates of any cohort, and this could be anything from resume review to mock interviews and networking. I utilized the mock interviews to prepare myself for the real thing many times. 

I think my job hunt was about 2 months. I left Codesmith January 4th and accepted an offer in late February. For full disclosure, I accepted a compensation offer that was below that of my peers who had already been working, but I was more eager to jump into my first job and start gaining equity and experience. 

I am still working at that company, and have since been promoted once and my compensation has increased by 50% of my starting comp. 

Final Thoughts
If you're looking into a boot camp to get you started in Tech, Codesmith is my recommendation, if only for their alumni support alone. 
I have friends who have done other boot camps that don't offer any support after the program, and they seem to be struggling more to find their first paid role. 

I definitely recommend trying out their free workshops on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which offer easy and more difficult JavaScript lessons. It's also a great opportunity to ask a teaching fellow about their Codesmith experience and the program itself. 

I also made some really close friends in the program. We still have a group chat going to this day, four years later. One of them even attended my wedding. 

I attended Codesmith in 2022 fully online after growing disillusioned with the Biotech industry. I had already had some past experience in software engineering in college, but spent the majority of my time doing repetitive work in labs. I'd had some prior experience in web development as a hobby as well.

Attending Codesmith was and will always be the best decision I made for my career. Codesmith isn't just a bootcamp or a way to "level-up" your coding skills. It's a roadmap to a new way of thinking and transformed my understanding of software engineering. They don't just teach you the skills you need in the job market, they teach you how to learn anything you need to in order to succeed in any position. Since attending Codesmith, I've worked as the solo developer on a Nuxt frontend and Node.js middleware. Despite having no prior knowledge of Nuxt, I was able to jump right in and solve session related issue day 2 of my employment. By month three, I had used what I'd learned in Codesmith to completely refactor the Node.js middleware, improving response times by 50% and cutting the lines of code by 80%. By the end of my first year, I'd refactored the frontend and improved loading performance from 2-3 seconds to 200-300 milliseconds. All of this was only possible because of my education at Codesmith. 

Switching careers can indeed be daunting, especially when faced with numerous uncertainties. Questions like whether investing in tuition will pay off or if someone without a tech background can succeed as a software engineer were definitely in my mind.

After leaving the military, I took the leap and joined Codesmith's full-time immersive program in 2019, embarking on a journey to become a software engineer. The experience was challenging; It often felt like I was constantly overwhelmed with information and barely retained it before moving on to a different topic. Yet, the structure at Codesmith, while intense, proved invaluable. Rather than passively absorbing tutorials, I was immersed in hands-on learning, constantly diving into code and problem-solving. This approach honed my ability to "figure it out," a skill that has become indispensable in my career.

"Figuring it out" may sound simple, but a lot of anxiety and uncertainty accompanies it. Yet, it's a cornerstone skill for any developer. For those considering Codesmith or similar programs, I encourage you to embrace this mindset. Ask yourself the tough questions: Is Codesmith the right fit for me? Can I afford it? What steps do I need to take to get there? The journey may be daunting, but the rewards of mastering this skill and embarking on a new career path are worth it. Start figuring things out!

Codesmith did a fantastic job of preparing me for my first job as a software engineer. As someone who did not have a background that was even remotely technical, it took me a couple of months to get a high paying job. Granted, this was during a very hot job market, but I was able to make an impact at my new job from day one. I attribute that to what I learned at Codesmith. I talk to new grads on a monthly basis, and I think Codesmith has done a good job of adjusting their guidance and instruction to students entering the job market right now.

I attended Codesmith in November of 2022, graduated in February 2023 and accepted a job offer 2 months later. This program absolutely changed my life, but was also incredibly challenging. Codesmith does a great job of giving you a strong foundation in both technical skills and soft skills. It was incredibly demanding but the work doesn't stop after the program ends; I put a considerable amount of time and effort after the program not only with the job search, but also fine tuning my technical skills in order to compete with the other people currently in the hiring pools. If I had to do it again, I would definitely pick Codesmith as a bootcamp but be prepared to grind. 

As a former professional in hospitality management and marketing, my decision to enroll in Codesmith proved to be a pivotal turning point in my career journey. Codesmith transcends typical coding bootcamps, offering a transformative experience that caters to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including myself.

Transitioning from hospitality to the tech industry seemed like a daunting challenge, but Codesmith provided me with the necessary tools and support to succeed. The comprehensive curriculum, led by knowledgeable instructors, not only reinforced my existing skills but also introduced me to a wide array of cutting-edge technologies. The program's emphasis on collaboration over competition fostered a supportive community where I felt encouraged to grow and learn alongside like-minded individuals.

Despite the fast-paced nature of the program, I found the rigorous coursework and hands-on projects to be immensely rewarding. The 'under-the-hood' focus of the material allowed me to gain a deep understanding of engineering principles while honing my teamwork and problem-solving skills. Thanks to the invaluable guidance and resources provided by the Codesmith team, I was able to secure a fulfilling position shortly after graduation, leveraging the solid foundation and practical knowledge acquired during the program.

For anyone considering a career transition or seeking to enhance their technical skills, I wholeheartedly recommend Codesmith. It's not just a coding school; it's a supportive community that empowers individuals to reach their full potential. My experience at Codesmith has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am grateful for the doors it has opened in my professional journey.

Transitioning from a non-technical background to software engineering was a daunting decision for me. The fear of regretting such a significant career change, coupled with the financial investment and uncertainties surrounding immersive programs, made me hesitant. However, in 2020, I took the leap and enrolled in the full-time remote Codesmith immersive, a decision I now cherish as one of the best I've made.
My journey with Codesmith began with their free JSX course, which not only provided me with a solid foundation in JavaScript but also introduced me to their supportive community on Slack. Their free online Hard Parts workshops further cemented my decision to join their full-time program, showcasing the community's commitment to building confidence and providing empathetic support to engineers.
Enrolling in their CS Prep course was the next step for me, serving not only as preparation for the immersive program's interview but also as a personal gauge of my commitment to the full-time program. The CS Prep course was fantastic, once again immersing me in their supportive community and affirming my decision to pursue software engineering with Codesmith.
Ultimately, I committed to their full-time online immersive. Though intense, the curriculum was exceptional, covering TypeScript/JavaScript to React and Redux, and Node and Express. While challenging, the hands-on projects and insightful educational lectures equipped me with the skills crucial for my first role.
What truly sets Codesmith apart is its community. Throughout the program, I felt supported, encouraged, and challenged, especially during moments of imposter syndrome. The post-program support, including resume assistance, mock interviews, and career guidance, further underscores their commitment to their students' success.
Four months after graduating, I secured a software engineering role with almost double my previous salary. Codesmith equipped me with the foundational knowledge I needed. While there were still gaps in my knowledge (which is expected in any SWE role for any engineer at any level at any point in their career), Codesmith instilled in me the mindset of continuous learning and problem-solving, which has been invaluable in my career.
Now, several years outside of the program, I continue to excel in my career as a Software Engineer and utilize Codesmith’s alumni resources. It's a community I know will accompany me for a long time.
While Codesmith offers the technical foundation for a software engineering role, achieving success demands dedication and effort. It's essential to recognize that success isn't guaranteed; Codesmith provides the tools and guidance, but it's up to you to put in the work. This entails committing to deepening your skills, practicing rigorously, and actively networking. If you're prepared to roll up your sleeves and fully commit, Codesmith will undoubtedly pave the way for your success. However, if you're expecting a passive experience and hoping to coast through the program effortlessly to land a job, I would advise against taking the leap.
If I were to offer one suggestion for improvement, it would be to provide more support on System Design interview preparation. While some time is allocated during the immersive, additional dedicated time in this area would be beneficial. Nonetheless, I was able to supplement my technical knowledge independently to excel in my interviews.
I'm genuinely grateful for my decision to join the Codesmith immersive. The strong community, comprehensive curriculum, and post-program support make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to transition into software engineering.

Codesmith is one of the best decisions I ever made.  Not only does their unique approach to teaching engineering truly set them apart, but the folks I met along the way have become some of my most important friendships. Learning to code is tough, and the environment they foster and the standard of excellence they promote is second to none, allowing their students to grow and learn in ways most of my classmates doubted were even possible. Many of my classmates were changing careers, didn’t have a background in tech, and most had never seen any code before beginning their application process.  While they set themselves apart by expecting students to work hard to understand the concepts, they also are incredible at tailoring the experience to make sure every student is able to succeed. Everyone struggled with one concept or another at some point, and yet, all of them came away from the program with serious, industry-ready skills that set them apart– even from folks with computer science degrees.  Being a professional engineer means constantly facing new tech, concepts and challenges– one of Codesmith’s greatest strengths is that they teach their students “how to learn” in a way you simply don’t see elsewhere. I came away from the program not only with a really solid foundation, but also with the confidence that I’d be able to tackle anything new in my career. I learned how to break down problems and incorporate new tech and skills on my own  As a student that went through the program and graduated in the midst of the 2023 tech lay-offs that happened world-wide, I was scared to say the least when it came time to hunt for a job. In the end, I found one within six weeks after completing the program. Not only had they prepared me, more than perhaps I even realized, but they also provide incredible post-graduate support that helped me every step of the way.  I wholeheartedly would recommend this program to anyone, it sounds corny to say so, but it really changed my life. 

I didn’t love every aspect of my Codesmith experience but I will say if you are to do a bootcamp, Codesmith is your best bet.

Starting with the positives: The support and community is top-notch. Everyone from instructors to TAs to alumni to support staff go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and battle imposter syndrome. It’s cheesy and borderline cult-like but as much as people rag on it, everyone feels safe, supported, and seen. The emphasis on projects is where you get your money’s worth and is the cornerstone of your resume and interviews. You’ll learn the basics of git and have plenty of options for answers to behavioral questions during interviews. The hiring portion at the end of the program I don’t think is as amazing as everyone puts it out to be, but they really do mean lifelong career support. Plenty of alums still use their postgrad career services. There are also some opportunities to connect with alumni during the program which proved valuable on the job hunt. 

There’s a lot that I wish were different about my experience. First, the weekly assessments I don’t think were a good measure of what I learned throughout the units. I was able to pass them just by copying a lot of the code from the units and changing them slightly. Just because I’m able to recognize a pattern doesn’t mean I have a deep understanding of the concepts. I felt like I skated by not really knowing the material. The TAs are previous alumni who just finished the program and it was obvious some of them didn’t know the material well enough to teach it and answer questions about it. (I did have some exceptional TAs though that I think deserve the senior engineering roles they landed after TAing.) There’s also no structure for the capstone project that you do. We were left to our own devices, tasked with building a solution to a technology none of us knew nothing about, and no one told us about good coding practices or did code review with us. I’m still proud of my group’s progress on the project and it gave me a lot to talk about during interviews, but I really feel Codesmith is missing out on a great opportunity here to teach us how best to code instead of just scrapping for an MVP.

Overall, I’m glad I did Codesmith because it helped me find a SWE job in a pretty brutal market between the career and alumni support but just know what you’re getting into if you go for it. Codesmith isn’t a golden ticket to a well-paying job. You’ll have to work hard to get through the program and you’ll need to supplement that with your own studying. If you’re not afraid of working hard and staying determined, Codesmith will be a good choice for you. 

I initially started looking into a career change after not being happy with my previous career trajectory and consulting with a friend that was in the industry.  After doing some initial research into another program, I noticed that Codesmith had superior analytics in regards to job placement and salary.  It's very important to do your due diligence because you are spending big money so you want to make sure that those funds aren't being wasted. 

Once I knew that CodeSmith would be my target, I started using their free JS learning resources (at the time called edx) and attending their free workshops.  This gave me an introduction to some of the lead instructors, some of the teaching fellows and the format of the lectures.  I also decided to enroll in both of the prep courses (since the cost was subsidized from the Immersive Tuition) and from there started to prepare for the interviews to get into the immersive itself.  I ended the CS Prep course in mid-july and pretty much studied from then till I got accepted into the course in October of that year.  There were two formal interviews, the first was a character interview where you spoke with someone over the phone to confirm your cultural fit, after you pass that you then need to pass a technical interview, which was done over zoom and was pretty much a coding interview. (One thing here is that this felt very similar to the actual job interview process).  It took me three tries to pass the technical interview but when I did I had a call with the lead instructor who told me I had passed.

Once I reserved my place in the cohort (maybe 2 weeks before it started) I was given some pre-course work which was setting up my environment with ide, connecting to github and working on pre-course work to prepare me for some of the upcoming work. (again the whole prep process was very similar to what it would be in a professional environment).

At this point the course started, i believe there were 4 weeks of lectures/smaller partner projects, 4 weeks of group projects, 4 weeks of capstone project and 2 weeks of job searching preparation.  I'd say my biggest takeaways from the learning/project side, is that Codesmith didn't necessarily pump all the information into me to make me a capable senior reaCT engineer, instead they more gave me a taste of technologies, and during the project phase, it was up to us to know how to research/read documentation to make things work (again very realistic to a professional setting).  Drilling into us how to research and problem solve was one of the biggest benefits to the program.  I've heard in other programs, people are just coding along and copying the instructor but with Codesmith we were literally building things from the ground up and figuring out how to do that.  When I got my first job I quickly realized that the process of building and problem solving felt very similar to the project phases at Codesmith.  And if you need extra help or are falling behind, the staff is there to help and assist.  During the lecture phases there were weekly assessments and if you struggled during those, you would get 1 on 1 sessions with staff.  I think I had a 1 on 1 session for every assessment I took.

The last 2 weeks of the program were also invaluable.  During this portion Codesmith helped us build our Resumes and Social media presence as well as going through interview prep with each other and also Alumni.  It was very similar to what I experienced during the job hunt.  and the Career assistance is for life!

In conclusion, I would like to say that the journey through Codesmith and the job hunt were not painfree.  I think I was interviewing and studying for a good 6 months before landing a job and even though there were some embarrassing interviews, I learned from each one and continued to learn and prepare for the next one.  It's very Cliche but you get from Codesmith what you put in.  The harder you work there the easier the transition will be into the workforce.  I stayed at my first job for 1.5 years and recently got referred and hired to another company.  I wouldn't say my life is stress free nor would i say software is easy, but I am in a much better place then before thanks to Codesmith.

Codesmith changed my life.  Before Codesmith, I was working a dead end customer service job.  I came into the program having studied for about 2 months to get into it, and then after the 3 month program, I was able to land a SWE position in less than a month, more than tripling my total compensation from before.  In talking to some current students and even some of my cohortmates, it's tempting to think that you know better than Codesmith... but from my perspective, it's like why would I pay $20k to do this thing and not give my 100% and see it through to its finish?  My advice would be to keep an open mind, give it your all, and then give it some more.  Codesmith was one of the hardest things I ever did, and the subsequent job search even harder, yet it was all worth it in the end to get to have a career that I always dreamed of.