Skill Distillery

This program was everything I could've wanted it to be. I applied for entry into Skill Distillery (SD) having never written a line of code in my life. At the time, I had a roommate who was already a successful software developer and all of my previous attempts to start a meaningful career had come to nothing. I decided to give software development a shot, and SD seemed like a good fit. The price tag was intimidating, but SD ended up being worth every penny. I learned an absolutely massive amount in a short period of time, and I enjoyed every bit of it, which is not something I can say about my 6 years of college. The program was difficult, and certainly not for everyone, but for someone like me (always enjoyed problem solving, and able to be fully dedicated to the program's relatively demanding schedule) it was exactly what I needed. Upon completion of the program I was able to get multiple job offers for over the salary I was looking for. The job I ended up taking was one that I was specifically referred to through SD connections. Now, a few months in, I am loving my new career and I'm excited to continue building upon the second to none foundation of coding knowledge I got from Skill Distillery.

First off I do want to say that Skill Distillery is definitely not for everyone. If you are willing to put in the time and effort then it can be very rewarding.

I came into the program with probably a lot more to lose than most others that come into the program. I have a wife and 2 young kids, only an Associate Degree in a non-technical field, and no coding experience. 

The first part of the program was a deep dive into Java in which I struggled with. The instructors, Steve and Rob, are excellent instructors. They are both very knowledgeable and passionate. Seeing a bad review about Steve upsets me because if it weren't for him I would not be where I am today, a software engineer which I will talk about. With 4 months of instruction from these 2 instructors I was able to take and pass the Oracle Certified Associate Java SE8 Certification. I personally put in a lot of extra hours but it was worth it.

After that you learn a lot more technologies that are highly sought after in the industry. This portion is just as intense as the Java portion because you are learning new technologies every week/few days. In the latter half the instructors, Andrew and Kris, are just as excellent as the other 2. The teaching style was definitely different but they were able to explain things in a different manner that made it easier for me to understand. 

With all of the things I was taught I was able to graduate Skill Distillery with a job already lined up. I recieved a software engineer position for a national company. I was able to interview confidently for this job about 4 weeks prior to graduation. I was hired alongside individuals that had Bachelor Degrees in Computer Science with 1-2 years experience and the only experience I had was Skill Distillery. It shows that you are taught a lot and the technolgies taught are desirable.

I will reiterate that Skill Distillery is not for everyone. You will be in class for 8:30am-6:00pm pretty much every day during the week. You will put in extra hours at night and on the weekends. If you struggle like I did you will need to put in a lot more. But if you have doubts like I did, I will tell you it is worth it. You will not regret it. 

Without Skill Distillery I would not have the high paying, Junior Software Engineer position I have now.  In my new position I will be joining three Skill Distillery graduates already working for my new employer.  Before the course my options were to take a position setting up TV dishes on roofs, go back to my old job contracting in Afghanistan, or go to college for another two years.  That is not to say you it will be easy for you find a job after completing this course if you do not have a four year degree.  In my case I had a particular military background which helped me obtain my current position.  

 

Skill Distillery is an excellent course for professionals who would like to start a career in the programming/Web Development industry.   It is challenging, and you will have to work many nights and many weekends.  That being said the atmosphere at the school is incredible, the instructors are highly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive.  You will be amazed at the skills you pick up in just four months time.

 

You will have a lot to to add to your resume when you are finished.  Skill Distillery pays close attention to the most relevant technologies being used by the industry and focuses on teaching you only those skills you will need to get hired. You will been given an excellent prep-week and an opportunity to be certified by Oracle as an Associate Java Programmer.  You will have your own account with Amazon Web Services running a Tomcat server with many, impressive web-apps that you have built, up and running for employers to see. In addition all of your projects will be on a public github account that employers can also reference.  

 

If you are accepted into Skill Distillery, it is because they think you have what it takes to get through the program and start a new career subsequently. Skill Distillery will provide you with the training necessary, in highly productive atmosphere, to enter into the software development field.     

 

   

I am grateful that Skill Distillery works with the VA and can coordinate education benefits, making the program accessible to veterans like myself. It’s impressive how much material they were able to cover in just 16 weeks. The program is very well organized, and the staff are top-notch. The instructors consistently went above and beyond, answering all questions thoroughly and even staying late to provide additional help when needed. They did an exceptional job of delivering daily lectures in a hybrid/remote environment, ensuring a smooth learning experience. I also appreciate the time they took to review my LinkedIn profile and introduce me to Teal, providing valuable career coaching.

I was a student in SD42 cohort. As someone with zero prior experience or background in coding or full-stack programming, this program has brought me a lot of knowledge and practical experience.  The instructors have real experiences in software induysttry and  provide a vast range of experiences and teach styles. The learning process is steep and fast however the material is set up in a way that continuous advancement into more complicated coding is seamless.  I would totally recommend this bootcamp.

I am delighted to announce my successful completion of the software coding bootcamp at Skill Distillery, where I immersed myself in 75% Java and 25% Angular. Entering the program with the goal of becoming a proficient Java developer, I can proudly say that, four months later, I have achieved that objective. Not only can I now program fundamental Java to construct console-based applications, but I have also gained the skills to develop more sophisticated server-side applications that interact with databases and interface with clients.
One of the most valuable aspects of the curriculum was learning how to retrieve data from databases and use Java for business logic to display information on a browser, thanks to the powerful Angular framework. Overall, I gained much more from the course than I had initially anticipated.
Reflecting on my journey, I realize that I had contemplated taking this course for several years but always found reasons to procrastinate. In hindsight, I wish I had taken the leap sooner. If you are like me, on the fence about making a mega life change for the betterment of your life, don't be on the fence speculating if the course will deliver.. It will deliver and more!! You just need to flip that switch in your mind and make the decision to enroll and begin doing the pre-work.
During the four months of the course, I made a conscious decision to clear my schedule entirely (you will too!), foregoing other commitments such as part-time work and other activities. Looking back, I am grateful for this decision, as the course demanded my full dedication and focus.
As for my job search, they polished up my resume and I was able to begin the job hunt early and I am now employed as a Software Engineer.

Pros:Though the course presented significant challenges, there were moments when it felt overwhelmingly difficult, and I found myself completely lost. However, one of the greatest advantages of Skill Distillery is the unlimited support available from instructors and support staff. Their willingness to address any number of questions until concepts were fully understood was invaluable.
The curriculum's organization and format surpassed that of traditional education. Each session consisted of a lecture followed by a practical lab, fostering an effective learning environment. This format ensured immediate application of newly acquired knowledge, enhancing comprehension and retention.
Furthermore, the projects undertaken during the course not only served as learning tools but also contributed to the development of a robust professional portfolio. This integration of practical projects into the curriculum provided tangible evidence of skill acquisition and readiness for the workforce.
Cons:I have no criticisms of the curriculum in the course. If I were to offer one suggestion, it would be to consider offering in-person training alongside the virtual format. While the virtual classes did not hinder my learning, the intensity of the course would benefit from in-person interaction. Sharing the challenges and collaborating in person would enhance the experience, especially considering the rigorous nature of the program. While the profession may lean towards remote work, the course is akin to nurturing a growing process, and in-person interaction could alleviate some growing pains.

I went from zero to hero in a matter of 4 months attending this bootcamp. The instructional staff is absolutely amazing; they are patient and knowledgeable. Your learning preference does not matter. The overall pace of the course was perfect for beginners and intermediate programmers. I was a bit hesitant to attend an online class because I am more of a 'learn in person' type of student, but all of that went out the window after this course. The classes are very engaging and entertaining. If you are looking to change your profession to software development, regardless of your background, this should be your first step.

When I was looking around for Bootcamps to attend, I did a lot of research. I looked for anywhere that had good reviews and a great team with successful outcomes. I ended up finding a lot of mixed reviews but most of them that came from SD were impactful. I charged straight ahead and went, and it's the best thing I've done so far. I started as a non-programmer who had never touched the CLI, to developing Full-Stack websites.
The instructors were great, and all of them wanted nothing but to teach and help you overcome the challenges of understanding your code. There were many weekends where I went back for TA ( teacher's assistance ) hours for some homework assignments, and I always left with a better understanding than before. SD teaches you to program and not just copy paste down a tutorial hill. You learn to think about what you're doing and implement those ideas into working programs.

From day one, the bootcamp offered a dynamic and comprehensive curriculum that covered a wide range of topics essential for full stack development. The program kicked off with an in-depth exploration of Java, the backbone of countless software applications. The instructors were not only experts in their fields but also passionate about teaching, making complex concepts approachable and engaging.

One of the standout aspects of the bootcamp was its focus on hands-on learning. I had the opportunity to apply what I learned in real-world projects, which helped me gain a better understanding of the lectures  through the week and allowed us to collaborate with fellow classmates, fostering a supportive community of like-minded individuals who shared the same passion for programming.


Throughout the bootcamp, we delved into both front-end and back-end development, while also mastering server-side scripting with Java. The integration of these skills provided a holistic perspective on full stack development, enabling me to develop end-to-end solutions with confidence. But beyond the technical skills, the bootcamp emphasized problem-solving and critical thinking.


Something that really made my experience at SD one to remember is the facilitation of networking opportunities with industry professionals, guest speakers, and alumni who shared their valuable insights and experiences. These interactions gave me a glimpse into the real-world applications of Java development and opened doors to potential career opportunities.

In conclusion, my experience at SD was nothing short of transformative. It equipped me with the technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and confidence needed to excel in the world of software development. If you're considering a career in software development and want to fast-track your learning journey, I highly recommend checking out Skill Distillery. It's an investment that will pay dividends in the dynamic and ever-expanding field of technology.

Skill Distillery offers a very intensive coding bootcamp that will leave you with the knowledge to find an entry level developer . This program goes for 16 weeks but honestly doesn't feel like it as the amount of knowledge on full-stack java development you gain from this course feels like you just completed a 4 year course. The instructors at Skill Distillery some of the best instructors i have been taught by period, all of them are very knowledgable of the systems/languages you will be learning and are more than willing to take time to answer any questions that come up. The TA's are also super good at helping you during Saturday help hours for when you need assistance on homework. Over all i cannot recommend Skill Distillery enough if you are looking into getting started in software development.