Epicodus

I worked in technology development as a project managers for years before I considered going to a bootcamp like Epicodus. I was a good project manager and I could stay employed pretty easily, the resume was impressive and I was head hunted by some pretty impressive people for career work. However, I was only good for the people who hired me. My job was actually stressful, confusing, and often a negative environment with those I was managing. 

It didn't take long for me to realize the real problem; I was managing coders and I didn't know how to code. Most project managers and those who hire project managers don't think this is a problem, but trust me it is! So, I went to the first coding school everyone goes to, Google. Self teaching was a nightmare. The internet has some good tools, videos, interactive sites that you think can teach you how to code in your spare time, but thats like learning a 2nd language from google translate (it's only possible in theory). 

I was living in LA at the time and was at the end of a project I was managing when I decided I needed to be more proactive in learning how to program and develop. Epicodus stood out as a great option. I always loved Portland and it was cost beneficial as well. 

I needed the 8 hours a day 5 days a week for a couple months to really re-learn how to learn a new language. Immersion learning works in linguistics, why not coding? Well thats exactly what it is and it works. Michael, who's runs Epicodus, put a great deal of thought into HOW you should learn coding. The order in which you go from language to language and simple ideas to complex ones are, in my opinion, almost perfect. I can honestly say that I could not have learned this skill set any other way. The pair programing structure and teachers are fantastic. My only regret is that I can't go through the new Java course they are now introducing. 

I moved to Nashville TN and I am now the director of an interactive media lab that develops technology for marketing, media, and businesses. Most of my work now is in Python and you might say "but Epicodus doesn't teach Python!" and they don't. But they do teach you how to "Learn how to program".

-Lee Kebler
www.linkedin.com/in/leekebler  

Before I started Epicodus I had zero previous computer training. I was in HR and looking for something more fulfilling. I loved my experience at Epicodus. While initially nervous to start something new, I quickly grew comfortable. The teachers were really supportive and always around to answer questions. Pair programming also really helped me out because it allowed me to learn in a hands on environment while collaborating with my peers. I quickly grew more confident in my abilities and started working on my own side projects. Two weeks after completing the course I landed a full time job with a software company. I would recommend Epicodus to anyone wanting to take a coding boot camp. The ‘go at your own pace’ vibe, and support from everyone, makes it a great learning environment for anyone who’s interested in programming.

Epicodus fast forwarded my learning.  I practiced and studied on my own for several months before attending.  I had decided to learn what I needed to become a coder solo.  I am super glad that I decided to go to Epicodus.  The daily exercises and working with fellow learners allowed me to gain much more insight and skill rapidly.  Michael and his team are ever evolving their approach to introducing programming skills, and the approach I experienced was quite effective.  Here's my take:

PROS: 
-Excellent pairing experience (100% of time, changing pair daily)
-Michael strives to make great connections to Portland's tech industry that pay off in -your internship experience
-Internship experience led to job offers for many students
-Great balance of pushing you along, but setting a reasonable work/life ratio
-Amazing PRICE!
-Really nice and caring people running the school
-Focus on learning self-driven problem solving

CONS:
-No senior developers on the teaching team
-Teacher/student ratio does not allow abundance of help

These are things that stood out the most to me in my experience.  It was wonderful and I highly recommend it.  It's really important to hear that becoming a developer is about learning how to learn.  It's not easy, but it is attainable.  Most people that fail do so because they believe that they cannot do it (even though only this belief is stopping them from being actually able to code).  From my perspective, it is hard, and it feels very hard almost every single day.  I am pretty sure that the feeling of coding being a great challenge doesn't reduce itself or go away for a long time.  So get comfortable with being very challenged.  If you can like that, then you will enjoy being a programmer.  

I spent easily over 60 grand on college and 4 years of my life to get a bachelors degree. Fast forward 5 years later and I'm still making barely more than minimum wage (in the field I was pursuing no less!) At this point I though I'd give something else a try. A few friends of mine recommend coding bootcamps and it was a short time commitment at very little cost compared to my other options. So why not?

Four months later here I am with a brand new job thats paying well beyond what I used to make. The atmosphere is much more relaxed (what other industry lets you drink on the job?) and your ideas and views are respected by your peers. Keeping in mind that I had absolutely no prior experience, I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome.

Epicodus doesn't teach you code, it teaches you how to learn code, and that honestly was the most important tool I left with. No school will prepare you for the real world since no two companies use the same languages and style, but it will help you adapt as fast as you need to if you're willing to work at it. It also teaches you how to code well with others, which is crucial to keeping up with the team. On top of this, they have an excellent and light-hearted teaching staff that will make 8-hour coding sessions go by quicker than you'd think possible.

I can't speak for everyone, but I believe now is the time to jump into this industry while it's still underpopulated and Epicodus is the best place I can think of to begin.

Hey there, When I started Epicodus I had zero knowledge of computers. Previously, I had been a musician and worked in digital music for a bit, but mostly considered myself an artist. In going to Epicodus, I wanted to jump on the technology bandwagon and see where it could take me.

Epicodus was and is awesome!

Everyday was about pushing myself to learn and think like a computer/engineer. I loved it. I would do it again. Though there were points when it took a whole 8 hour day in order to understand a concept, once I got it, it was like a light bulb went off in my head and thousands of new possibilities emerged. Part of the program is about learning to persist, and finding resources and support from the people around you.

During the program, me and two others began a startup and spent many hours after class working out the details and arguing about the database architecture. The learning that takes place is a matter of what you want out of the program, and the more you put in the more you get out. The two programmers I worked with are still close friends and will tirelessly have technical conversations about JavaScript frameworks and new disruptive technology. We all ended up getting hired at the end of the program and our startup was put on hold. However, what we gained was the knowledge and experience (and code base) for putting together a company and working through it’s problems.

I highly recommend Epicodus. It reshaped my career and changed my life trajectory for the better. The program is run by a team of caring professionals, the curriculum will constantly push you, and the people you meet will be friends for life. Currently, I am studying IT project management in an MBA program, and do consulting side projects for startups and small businesses.

All the best and good luck!

Andrew

I started at Epicodus in Jan of 2022 but really struggled with the concepts being taught, I fell behind with assignments and ended deciding to drop down to the part time cohort and then deciding it wasn't the kind of environment I wanted, I switched to the next full time cohort in march. Going through the Javascript portion of the program twice was necessary for me but I regret not learning more before entering the program because that meant another 3 months I didn't have income. The whole experience was very rewarding but I wouldn't say it was perfect in any way. The portions of the curriculum is quite outdated and the teachers don't always have answers for coding issues. All that being said I really enjoyed my time there, this is mainly due to my peers encouraging me throughout the program. Ok now for the useful information!.. 1. please study the basic of HTML, CSS and Javascript before starting: this program is a firehose of information and if you don't know anything off the bat, you're gonna have a miserable time trying to keep up. This program isn't just coding skills, you learn a lot of useful networking, resume writing and general career skills throughout so please set yourself up for success by learning the basics before investing your time and money. 2. Network while in the program: you should reach out to Epicodus alum even just to hear their story because it can be very helpful if you know someone in the company you end up interning at and or applying to work at. Also, go to all the tech events. 3. Stay positive and take good care of your self, remember this is a marathon not a sprint. I believe in you.

This bootcamp was, at least in the beginning, perfectly fine! We were learning a decent amount and enjoying it. However, we'd all been told we'd be set up with an internship at the end of the course and then were told that wouldn't be the case and never was. Concerns were met with gaslighting in which we were told that WE (the entire class and a few beneath us as well) were in the wrong, even though we all remembered being told the same thing. The last section was also not at all updated and unusable.