devCodeCamp

Hello, I'm Sean from the Bronx,New York. In October 2022, I joined the devCodeCamp Software Engineering bootcamp. I came in with some experience with html and css. Coming into the program, I prepared myself for the most difficult experience of my life. I had heard many poor reviews about bootcamps. But devCodeCamp was the very opposite of the stigma. The early days of the bootcamp were very simple and easy going. Nothing was too difficult to understand. As early as the first week, I was ready to build my very first backend project. As I progressed in the curriculum, new concepts were introduced. New languages and technologies. And as they came,so did their struggles. Some concepts were more difficult to grasp. But nothing ever felt overwhelmingly tough that I’d quit. Thanks to my Instructors Nevin Seibel and Dan Tulpa. I honed my ability to troubleshoot and problem solve through the conditioning I went through. I learned to properly manage how much time I spent on a topic or error or issue, through the use of time-boxing. I learned how to professionally reach out to colleagues and instructors about issues that I am facing. My ability to work well in a group was tested and refined through several partner based projects. Everything I went through, everything I did was a lesson. In coding,and career services as well.DevCode career services helped me understand how to properly market my skill set. They have provided insight to what employers and recruiters actually look for. They helped me fix my resume, build my project portfolio, etc. They have provided several platforms where I am continuously improving and learning new skills. With my time at devCodeCamp, I have accumulated several coding languages which include, Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React.js, Django, Django REST Framework, MySQL, Web Services & REST API, JSON, Java, Spring,etc. I have always been a creative person. And what devCode has done is provided me with the tools and skills set to implement that creativity in the world of technology.

After only 14-weeks of coursework with devCodeCamp, I feel more than ready for my first professional challenges as a software engineer. I had a bit of tech in my background – I had made video games and interactive digital art – but the time I spent in this intensive boot-camp accelerated my learning in ways that have actually astounded tech people in my life. I looked at curricula for a number of camps before choosing devCodeCamp, and I honestly think theirs is the most efficient, most ambitious program I’ve seen, teaching Python, Django, SQL, React, Java, Spring, and more. The immersive project-based learning approach worked well with my learning-style, and building out applications from the first week of school taught me to trouble-shoot from the get-go. The projects (around 20) were a lot of fun, and I was challenged with bonus materials each time I finished an assignment early. I can’t wait to start working with what I’ve learned in a professional context, and am looking forward to continuing to learn as I go!

Tech has always been a part of my life and my focus into what I wanted to do WITH my life. My journey was a little different than most I would think; I started by being an integral part of the "other" side of IT. I was a Systems Administrator and Network Engineer for most of my professional career that I was more than lucky to break into WITHOUT a degree. During this time I had the opportunity to work with numerous amounts of diverse pieces of software and the more I worked with them the more intrigued I got with how they worked and how they were built. This led me to my choice to attend devCodeCamp. I was increasingly worried that I had made a mistake or would regret my decision to leave my current career to pursue software development. When I first started at dCC I wasn't exceptionally confident that it would pan out. But as time progressed and the more I got to work with my instructors and classmates I was very quickly shown the support and positive feedback needed to ensure myself that anyone with the drive and willingness to learn could pursue software development. While the course material is very fast paced, the instructors and resources provided were extraordinarily helpful to make sure I stayed on task and up to par with the coursework. Everyone learns and adapts at different levels and paces, but the instructors were incredible and constantly provided a lending hand when asked. The way dCC is designed is essentially "learn by doing" and for a hands-on learner like myself this type of work was perfect. You have to stay vigilant with the strong combination of independency, resourcefulness, group work, and the idea that while the instructors aren't constantly visible - they are there, present, and ready to assist. Anyone with the right mindset and grit can and should get into the tech field of software development and devCodeCamp has the tools and personnel to help anyone along the way

I recently completed a 14 week course at devCodeCamp and I can confidently say that I feel prepared to start a career in software.

The course itself is great. The instructors take it step by step and build your knowledge just enough so you can tackle the next project and then the next. I never felt overwhelmed but when looking back, the amount I learned in a short amount of time was impressive.

But the real value of is the support system. The instructors and staff are great. You can tell they genuinely care about your success. If you can't figure out a problem, they can push you towards solution the right way, so you still figure it out yourself and aren't just given answers. On the other hand, if you finish a project/lab early, they always have more problems and projects to challenge you with.

I am only a week into the start of the job search, but I am already impressed by the career services team. I know they will guide me through the job search process just as well as the instructors did with coding.

If you are thinking about taking a devCodeCamp course, just know the more work you put into it the more you will get out of it. And it will be hard work, but devCodeCamp definitely gives you all the tools you will need to be successful.

Before devCodeCamp, I was a former environmental professional who was unsatisfied with the career path that I had chosen. I had my fair share of doubts during the lead up to the start of the Full Stack bootcamp, but once the bootcamp started majority of my doubts went away. The class sizes are kept small so the instructors can actually spend quality time listening to your questions and offer pointed guidance and thorough explanations for the bugs in your code. The instructors all possess expertise in the subjects/concepts/frameworks they’re tasked with teaching and are all very personable and patient, as well. The bootcamp is definitely a grind and you’ll feel the fire, but if you stay the course, you’ll finish a confident developer. My post-graduation experience has been very rewarding – much of that due to the ongoing support and guidance provided by the Career Services team. They kept me inspired and accountable during the job hunt and constantly reminded me of the importance of continued learning and persistence. Through their mentorship and interview prep, I was able to land a jr dev job a month after graduating!

Before attending devCodeCamp, I've always had a place in my heart for programming. I work as a sales representative for a well-known facility services company.  I've been with this company going on 4 years since graduating college. Like any recent grad, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life or degree. After some time with this company, I've found my interest and itch for computer programming comeback. I chose devCodeCamp because of the Flex Full Stack Program. Since I am a full-time employee, I was able to go at my own pace.  I did my research on LinkedIn and Google by reviewing what other students were saying about dCC. I liked what I read and signed up for a call with their Admissions Department. I was partially sold but had many more questions that the Admissions Department couldn't answer so they set up a call with the COO, Michael. Michael answered all my questions and was one of the main reasons why I decided to attend dCC. They're knowledgeable, personable and professional. My experience as a student was phenomenal. I was able to go at my own pace, have my questions answered at a reasonable time, and weekly have 1 on 1s with instructors. The structure of the program starts off with the basics and builds off of it. They don't want us to bite off more than we can chew. I loved the fact that each lesson and project related to what was taught the previous week and we built off of that. Some advice I will offer is to be coachable and it is okay fail. Take the feedback from your instructors and put into play. I didn't know a thing about programming but had the mindset of being coachable and it helped me throughout the program. What I am looking forward to the most after this, is where it can take me in life. I finally found something that will challenge me every day and be rewarding. I love the fact that we get to create something magical from scratch.

My name is Matthew Dunn, I am currently living in Crawfordville Florida and I started at codeDevCamp in February and just finished my 12 week course. At first it seemed intimidating, but after the first month I got into my stride and really enjoyed my experience with their team.  All my instructors had their own unique teaching style and it made every day new and exciting. I was able to make many projects which helped a lot with my confidence and set the groundwork for the next project which taught me how to find answers on my own and with help. I am now graduated and working with their team on finding a suitable job which has been eye opening. I learned about Python, Django, JavaScript and React mainly with some C#, Postman, JSON, Django REST Framework  and MySQL.

Participating in devCodeCamp’s 12-week Full-Stack Engineering bootcamp was truly career changing! I became proficient in Python, React.js, Django, MySQL, API architecture, GitHub, Postman, and Axios. I was also exposed to .NET, C#, HTML, CSS, Reportlab, and Agile & Scrum methodologies. The instructors were very knowledgeable and helped guide me every step of the way, especially during our 10-day sprint capstone project. I also loved working on the following projects: YouTube clone, Video Game Analytics Visualizations, and a Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock Game (for all you Big Bang Theory fans out there!)

With absolutely no prior experience in code or the Software Development field, I took a huge risk leaving my full time job to become a full time student. devCodeCamp is not easy, the courses and instructors push you, sometimes beyond your limits, to do the best work you can and learn / retain all of this new information. After the 14 wee program I can say I a proud graduate I am glad I took that leap and am so excited to see where I end up in the future with Software Development and devCodeCamp as my roots.

WARNING: I attended this school remotely from Florida, I attended another school prior and decided to switch. This was a huge mistake.

While the course itself and the teachers are acceptable here is where the school goes very wrong.
 
After completing the main course I stayed on to complete their extra course work, this is where you learn you made the wrong choice, first the extra  course is not worth doing it is a brief overview of content and your instructor communication which was great during the course becomes basically non-existent. Everything goes downhill from this point. Once you graduate they wash their hands of you immediately.

The job assistance, help with resume and their network of employers is as abysmal as it can get. 

First job assistance: They have one employee to "help you". He never personally contacts you to discuss your future options, They do no mock interview sessions. They provide you with no leads.

Network of employers:
So if you not in Wisconsin nobody knows anything about this school and you do not impress them at all on your resume. They do not bother to develop contacts in your area so that when you graduate they have businesses that they have spoken to, and know the type of knowledge you have. This is huge and the fact they don't do this is why you will be paying a debt back for a long time.

Resume help???
Write your resume, submit it, five minutes later get a response that it is ok. It's not ok. They have no one like tons of the other options you have to offer you good advice on developing your resume. IMHO they care so little that they do not even have a cookie cutter response describing their course for you to pit on your resume and or modify. How long does that take to do for students?

This school is to small and low staffed to have a national outreach. I wish I chose just about any other option I did besides this.

For reference I actually did an interview about my experience with this school for course reports, it was right before my graduation. Unfortunately I did not know we are going to be abandoned after graduation. I apologize for anyone that my comments may have swayed to take this course.