Coding Dojo

I decided to join Coding Dojo's onsite program at the Orange County location wanting to learn how to program. I feel that after going through the program, I was able to get solid foundation to learn more languages and frameworks after leaving Coding Dojo. At the Orange County location I learned three full-stacks: Python, C#/.Net, and MEAN. I feel that the onsite program was a better fit for my learning style. The Orange County locations instructors and teacher assistants are passionate at what they teach and go above and beyond the curriculum teaching us best practices at programming on the job. I feel that atmosphere is a great place for learning because everyone there has the same attitudes and goals and they are willing to help eachother out solving problems. I would recommend anyone to join the Coding Dojo especiially if they are willing to put the work and show up. Everyone can improve going through this program. 

Coding Dojo has been a great learning experience for me. I just graduate in Coding Dojo today and I am so glad that I meet a lot of people with same passion in learning. When I come here, I only have a little experience, but thanks to the instructors and cohost that I can complete the course and graduate. They teach so much in a short amount of time for three full stacks and make sure you really committed into learning and understanding the material. I really surprised how much I learned from this boot camps. This is better than any college in just 3 months, I learn how to seriously work on project, how to focus on the thing that we need to learn, learn to work with my cohost for group project.

Thank you Coding Dojo!
 

By far the most valuable thing that I got out of this bootcamp was removing my own personal doubts about my ability to transition into this field. 

[My background]

I had a little bit of coding experience before coming to Coding Dojo. I minored in CS in University and I took a few courses (both in person and online) over the years. Before the bootcamp I also tried applying to a few software related jobs but of course heard nothing back or was rejected. Due to my lack of CS major and lack of any real experience besides a few university/online classes, I've never had confidence in my ability to get into the software industry.

[Review]

Part1:

Coding Dojo REALLY changed everything. As I was going through the program, I gained more confidence and of course, more practical skills. At the time, I could not see my progress but looking back, it was remarkable how much stuff the program taught and how much stuff I managed to learn in such a short amount of time.

Part2: Time commitment

I truly dedicated all my time for 14 weeks to this bootcamp. Through the first 2 stacks of the program( 8 weeks), I was spending up to 16 hours per day at the bootcamp (from 7AM to 11PM),  from Monday to Friday. I also went to the bootcamp on Saturday for about 5 hours and studied at home on Sunday for another 5 hours. In total, I spent around 80-90 hours per week dedicated to learning programming. During my last stack(the last 4 weeks), I dialed back the hours I dedicated to learning programming and focused a little bit more on the job hunt process, which mainly consisted of practicing algorithms and working on my online presence and reviewing past stacks.

Part3: My approach/mentality while attending the bootcamp

Your success at this bootcamp and in your job hunt depends on how much work you put in. My mindset throughout the bootcamp was that I was going to no-life the 14 weeks and completely dedicate my life to this program. I told myself, if I don't get a job after this experience, it won't be because lack of effort on my part and that I  would not quit or give up half way like my previous attempts at landing a job in this industry.

Part4: The bootcamp environment

The environment at Coding Dojo was a tremendous help for keeping my mindset and not burning out. Almost everyone was focused on not only learning, but also helping each other. I loved every second of it. I highly recommend the on site program because there's so many resources you can take advantage of, especially the other students. The instructors were very knowledgeable as well and offered some great advice for my job search. After graduation, I went back every single day for about 10-12 hours per day until I landed my first job about 1 month after graduating. Talking with other alumni and being in such a focused environment allowed me to much more productive than trying to do the job hunt from home.

Part 5: Career Services

As for career services, overall they are very helpful. I got a job 1 month out of the bootcamp because career services connected me with my current employer. They also helped me polish my resume and LinkedIn. Without their help, I would not have a job right now. I'm very grateful for their help.

[Final thoughts]

I think you should not choose a bootcamp based on what technologies they teach because I think every reputable bootcamp will teach relevant technologies. What sets this bootcamp apart from others is they teach you how to learn. They give you the confidence that if you ever meet an unfamiliar technology, you know you can learn it in a short amount of time. 

Before enrolling in coding dojo, I was unemployed having just left a sales job. I’ve always wanted to learn how to create apps and websites because I believed I had a lot of ideas but had no way of turning them into something real. That’s when a friend of mine advised me to investigate coding bootcamps so I could learn coding in a concentrated curriculum so I could land a better job than what I was doing before, and I could also learn how to create apps. That’s when I came across coding dojo and having gone through the program I am able to say that I now know that I have the tools to create what I put my mind to and that if I have any trouble with anything, the instructors here are always up to helping you work out anything that you may be having trouble with your code. If you’re looking for something to change your career/life I’d highly recommend learning how to code and Coding Dojo is amongst the best at teaching you how to do that.

Earlier this year I was in need of a career change after spending the past 8 years working as a real estate agent. Although I had been applying to several jobs outside my industry, I was having a difficult time landing a job, and it became clear that my current skills were just not bringing in the types of opportunities, salaries, or job locations that I desired. I came to the realization that I needed to go back to school.

Following the advice of a career coach, I decided on attending a bootcamp versus going back for a masters degree. I always had an interest in web development, and learning how to code sounded like a great way to break into the tech industry and learn some marketable, in-demand skills that would help me build a solid foundation  for a new career. I began researching coding bootcamps on CourseReport, and decided on Coding Dojo due to the 3-full stack curriculum (at this location, Python, C#, and MEAN), phenomenal reviews, course schedule (14 weeks) and location (previously Tysons Corner, now Arlington, VA). I also learn best in an in-classroom, hands-on, immersive style program, so this course suits my learning style well.

Prior to starting this program, I had no experience in coding, but ended up earning 3 blackbelts (highest honors) in each stack's final exam. However, that's not to say it was easy - quite the opposite! What makes this program challenging overall is the pace of how quickly it moves. So much material is covered each day, with all of the lessons, assignments, and projects, and it is difficult to complete everything in time. When the program says the most successful students put in 70-90 hours per week, they aren't kidding! Many students spend late nights and weekends working on assignments and projects, and may need to sacrifice something in their schedule, but in the end, it's so worth it.

The program starts each day with algorithms, where students are tasked to solve complex coding challenges along with their cohort-mates, followed by a morning lecture covering programming concepts and code walk-throughs, and the rest of the day is spent working on assignments with sometimes an afternoon lecture. Each stack is 3 weeks long, followed by a final exam and project week where students get to dig deeper into languages, technologies, and topics they are passionate about. The program encourages creativity, and fosters an awesome community of peers who are all there to learn and grow. The connections you form at the school are invaluable and I can say many of my cohort-mates have become friends, and we plan to stay connected after graduation.

The whole instruction and leadership team at the Arlington Campus is fantastic! William Goode is a talented and versatile teacher who always takes time to help students, and truly has a desire to see everyone succeed. He is able to break down complex concepts on a variety of programming languages, and his love for teaching and dedication to his students really shows. Rob Dahal is also a wonderful, hands-on instructor who has passion to see his students succeed and makes sure no one is left behind. Nina Ramiscal was my instructor for the Python stack, and she had a great ability to explain algorithms and walk through coding assignments with ease. All of the instructors are passionate about programming, and it's evident in the way they teach the material, and care about students.

Overall, I cant speak highly enough about my experience at Coding Dojo! From the instructors and the rigorous course schedule, to the learning platform and the awesome community, this experience has been truly transformative! I highly recommend it if you're looking to change careers like I did, increase your skillset, or just starting out. If you enjoy hands-on learning, being challenged daily, and have a desire to grow professionally and personally through learning how to code, then you should definitely checkout Coding Dojo!

Coding Dojo has been a life changer for me. I joined the onsite program in May 2019 with little to no prior web development experience. I am leaving it now feeling more confident in my coding abilities than ever before. What you learn at coding dojo is more than just how to build a simple webpage from scratch. You learn how to grow as an individual and to work as a team with your peers. You learn to push your own boundaries and leave every day stronger than the day before.

One of the most valuable assets of the onsite program is having other students around you going through the same thing that hold you accountable. I tried to learn many of these concepts on my own before coming to Coding Dojo but struggled to get the necessary help when I got stuck and ultimately ended up frustrated or overwhelmed. Youtube tutorials and aimless google searches will only get you so far. Having someone else to bounce ideas off or to peer program with is monumental for understanding. I felt Coding Dojo was the perfect environment to get the help I needed when I needed it.

My cohort quickly became family as we spent countless hours together tackling challenge after challenge. As a bit of an introvert, this was a great opportunity for me to network and branch out and meet new people. Many of my cohort-mates are now some of my closest friends. I am so thankful to have been able to participate in this bootcamp and value every connection I made in the process. Use your classmates to your advantage and you'll be amazed at what you can all accomplish.

The daily algorithms are very useful too. Each morning starts off with a new algorithm to conquer; putting to the test concepts you may have just learned earlier that week. When it comes time to applying to jobs, there is a large probability you will see one of these algorithms again in an interview. I found the daily algorithms to be a fun and exciting way to keep us challenged while also prepping us for real world interviews. Not only do you get to put your knowledge to the test, you get an opportunity to see how others approached a problem and discover new ways to solve it efficiently. Very valuable exposure for the job search process.

As far as instructors go, I am happy to say I had some of the most remarkable instructors I could ask for. They came to work every day with a smile on their face and a clear drive to teach something they are passionate about. Even though they are scheduled to work from 9 to 5, you can often find them staying late to make sure we received the help we need. Their upbeat attitudes and wealth of knowledge makes coming in each day enjoyable. Unlike many of my college courses, these instructors are here because they are passionate about the subject matter and want to see their students succeed. At the OC Dojo I had the pleasure of learning from Neil M., Devon N., Chris B., and Prescott B. Each adding their own flavor to the material. Neil, the permanent instructor there, is sharp and charismatic. I don't think I have ever asked him a question he could not answer. Chris, Devon, and Prescott are also phenomenal instructors who are always ready to lend a helping hand without hesitation. Together, they make a solid team and the hard work they put in really shows. If you attend the OC Dojo, know you are in good hands.

This bootcamp is a serious challenge. When they say 80+ hours a week, please take that number seriously. If you come into this bootcamp expecting it to be a casual 9-5, you will have a tough time. You will get out of this camp what you put in. Realistically, three months for three stacks is a tall order to fill. Once you get the hang of the pacing, however, you might find the challenge as addicting like I did. Coding can be fun, and Coding Dojo will help you discover that. You will learn how to be self-sufficient and reach levels of understanding you may have never thought you would ever reach.

If you stick with it and persevere, you will leave this bootcamp a changed person. Not only will you have completed projects to show off in a Portfolio, you will have the skills needed to pursue any technology you desire. Quickly learning the ropes using the skills you learned at Coding Dojo. I would highly recommend this bootcamp to everyone. Regardless of your past experiences, if you put in the time, you will see results.