Makers Academy

Things I loved:
1. Focus is on broadly applicable tech agnostic coding practices such as TDD, Pair Programming, Debugging Methods etc. things you can't get from tutorials.
2. Careers service is exceptional with workshops, one on one help with CV and cover letters, regular check-ins and interview practice for technical and competency-based interviews. 
3. Everyone involved is genuinely invested and wants you to succeed. Coaches, career counsellors, wellbeing support staff will all go above and beyond to help you land a role. Even the CEO took time out to help me write a personal pitch for an interview.
4. There is a sense of community which persists long after you leave the course. The network and relationships have been just as valuable in terms of generating opportunities but even just to check in, stay motivated and share insights. These became particularly valuable when it came to interview time as you have a much better chance when learning from each others' mistakes.

Things to be aware of:
1. It's an entry level program so if you are a proficient coder already, don't expect the course to go into great technical depth. The technical elements are more of a framework to learn the approach. The breadth is quite extensive and you have the freedom to dive deeper/ complete extension challenges in your own time.
2. It's fast-paced. It's helpful to do some practice on the basics before you start as it can be challenging to catch up when the course picks up pace (around Week 3). 
3.  You have to work extensively with other people at differing levels of ability. Some people found it challenging but I would encourage you to lean into it. Ultimately it's these skills which you get asked about at interviews and if you're a career changer, it's super helpful to be able to demonstrate them in technical context. 

I recently completed an incredible journey as a student at Makers Academy, where I participated in two comprehensive programs: Software Development (February - June 2023) and Quality Engineering (October 2023 - January 2024). This bootcamp has truly transformed my career, providing me with the skills and confidence needed to excel in the tech industry.
Software Development Program:During the Software Development program, I developed a deep curiosity for coding and emerging technologies. The curriculum emphasized best practices such as Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Agile methodologies, ensuring I was well-prepared for real-world challenges. I gained proficiency in a range of technologies, including:* Frontend technologies like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.* Backend frameworks and languages such as Node, React, Ruby, and Java.* Databases including MongoDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.* Version control using Git.I also became adept at using testing tools like Cypress, Jest, and R-Spec, which greatly enhanced my ability to deliver quality code.
Quality Engineering Program:The Quality Engineering program further expanded my technical skill set. I developed a comprehensive understanding of Quality Engineering fundamentals and honed my proficiency in testing web applications. Key aspects of this program included:* End-to-end testing with Selenium and API testing with Postman.* Creating robust test suites to ensure effective validation of web software functionalities.* Leveraging Java to build efficient and scalable automated tests.* Active participation in agile ceremonies, such as stand-ups, planning sessions, and reviews, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.
Thanks to Makers Academy, I am now working as a Software Tester, a role that I am both passionate about and well-prepared for. The bootcamp not only equipped me with technical skills but also instilled a mindset of continuous learning and improvement.
I am immensely grateful to the dedicated coaches and staff at Makers Academy for their guidance and support. Their commitment to student success has changed my life, and I am excited to continue my journey in the tech industry with the strong foundation they have provided.

Having spent nearly 20 years working first as a veterinary surgeon, then in veterinary industry, as a trainer, salesperson, sales manager, and more, I took a leap of faith to pursue my dream of being a software engineer. I knew various people who had made a career switch through Makers, and all were very positive about the experience... I can now add my own personal endorsement to that roster.

The team was incredibly friendly, welcoming, supportive, encouraging, engaging, and knowledgeable. The course was perfect for giving me the skills and knowledge I needed to land my first role, which I managed less than 2 weeks after finishing the course.

I did the hybrid course, spending the first 6 weeks on-site in London, and the remaining 10 weeks learning remotely (from my home in the West Country). For me, the opportunity to meet the coaches and my fellow 'Makers' face to face was a wonderful opportunity and a highlight of the course, though I must also add that the fully-remote students also reported having had an overwhelmingly positive experience.

One point I feel does need to be made: this is not a course that will spoon feed you with 'the answers'. Indeed, if that's what you are after then it is perhaps a sign that you're missing the point of what it is to be a software engineer. The subject matter is too vast, and the pace of change too rapid, for there to be 'right answers'. Instead, this is a programme that teaches you how to learn, and how to keep learning for a lifetime. There is, of course, a syllabus, and it felt on point to give me the basic knowledge of modern software engineering technologies and principles I needed to get through interviews and technical tests. But more importantly, it teaches you how to find answers for yourself, how to break problems down to solve them, how to manage challenge and failure, and, of course, how to celebrate success!

In summary, if you truly want to become a software engineer but for whatever reason didn't take that path as an undergraduate, you should look no further than Makers. Go on, you won't regret it!

(N.B. Whilst I didn't have the option to select Software Development Bootcamp for this review, that's what it was - it was NOT 'just' a web development bootcamp.)

I recently completed the bootcamp at Makers Academy, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. The program provided me with the skills I needed to secure a job in the tech industry. The curriculum was comprehensive and well-structured, covering all the essential topics and technologies that are in demand.

One of the highlights was meeting amazing people. The community at Makers Academy is supportive and inspiring, and I formed lasting friendships with both peers and mentors. This network has been invaluable as I transition into my new career.

Moreover, the bootcamp familiarized me with methodologies commonly used in the workplace, such as Agile and pair programming. This practical exposure has given me a significant advantage in my new role, as I was already accustomed to the workflows and practices prevalent in the industry.

Overall, Makers Academy has been a transformative experience, equipping me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the tech world. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to break into the field.

Pros:
- Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced coaches who provide excellent mentorship, support and feedback in your learning journey. This includes workshops, tutorials and one-on-one support with coaches through daily "coaching hours"
-  A wonderful careers support team who helped me every step of the way in landing my first tech role with workshops,  one-on-one Zoom calls and fantastic advice 
- Through the support of Wellbeing coaches you feel as though Makers really cares about the learner on an individual basis, helping you to develop a positive mindset and develop good habits and providing well-being support if needed 
- A fantastic curriculum which can take you from 0 knowledge of code to a decent standard in as little as 8 weeks 
- Being a part of a community of like-minded individuals through the "cohort" and also having a "peer group" to navigate everything together with during calls every morning

Cons:
- Although the pacing of the course is excellent and the support is available if required, navigating through the content is a self-guided learning process which some may find difficult at first. This does however force the learner to really internalise concepts and seek support if needed 

Overall, I genuinely really enjoyed my time at Maker's and it did indeed allow me to change careers and get my first tech role. 
The way the learning is delivered and the focus on group projects towards the end provides a solid foundation and insight into working as a developer. That being said, you definitely need to be committed to on-going learning on top of this. 
I took the course when Maker's was changing their curriculum and unfortunately my cohort was bridging the gap between the transition from the old curriculum to the new. This often meant our cohort felt like the awkward middle child and it seemed as though coaches often did not know what the plan was for our group going forward. Nevertheless, we got through the course successfully and moved into the dreaded job hunt. Although I appreciated the job hunt was going to be difficult given the state of the market, I do think there could have been more transparency about the lack of current opportunities via hiring partners. Although there is lots of support available to help with CV writing and applying, this can only take you so far when the opportunities simply aren't there. 
I do think it's really important to highlight that my negatives are quite situational/circumstantial and so may not reflect the course now. In terms of the learning, I do think it was transformational in giving me solid foundations to pursue a career and I did genuinely enjoy my time at Makers. You just need to be prepared for a gruelling job and stay motivated to continue your own learning.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Makers and am so pleased I made the leap to switch careers into software development. The course is fast-paced and provides a solid grounding in areas like Test-Driven Development (TDD), pair programming, version control, and agile methodologies. It's definitely challenging, especially with the volume of self-study required, but it's excellent preparation for becoming a more independent learner, which is crucial for software engineering.

I really appreciated the hybrid nature of the course, benefiting greatly from the on-site learning and collaboration in their London workspace. Both the staff and my cohort were fantastic, making it a fun and rewarding experience. The EQ sessions and career coaching were extremely beneficial. Makers also provided support, mentoring, and mock tech tests while I was going through various interview stages which really helped me feel more prepared and confident.

If I had to point out one drawback, it would be the limited number of partnered job opportunities available when I graduated. However, I believe this was more due to the state of the job market at the time rather than a shortfall on Makers' part.

Overall, I'm really happy with my Makers experience and feel well-equipped for my future in the tech industry.