Tech Elevator

I had a great experience as a student at Tech Elevator. Without them, I wouldn't have a job as a software developer, which hands down is the reason to do it. It's not cheap and it was *really* hard work, but I feel that it was worth every cent and every minute.

I was in the .NET class, and feel that was the best fit for me. My teacher was fantastic - he was very knowledgable and cared deeply about our success.

Beyond the actual return on investment aspect: It was fun! I now have a group of nerdy friends, and who doesn't want that?

Overall, Tech Elevator has been the best decision I have made regarding my personal career in my entire life up until this point. That might sound like hyperbole, but it's not. I had a minor amount of coding experience prior to attending. I made a few websites, tried developing some games, and was delivering pizzas to make ends meet.

Going to Tech Elevator was one heck of a grind. They aren't joking when they say that you have to give up whatever you're doing for 14 weeks and apply yourself fully. And if you do apply yourself, you'll get what you paid for, and then some. 

Don't have coding experience? Don't worry about it. The classroom instruction is hands-on, personal, and goes step-by-step to ensure that you understand what you need to understand (learning how to ask good questions goes a long way, too). Don't have a college degree? Don't worry about that either. I didn't, and I succeeded regardless through hard work. Don't have discipline and the drive to better yourself every day? Well... maybe then you should look elsewhere. This program is the prime example of the addage "hard work pays off." 

This program gets you ready for what the IT field will throw at you. You'll go from nodding along at meet-ups feeling deep over your head to asking meaningful questions in just a few weeks. If you pay attention and take good notes, technical interviews and whiteboarding are cake. Chris, Aaron, and David are brilliant instructors, and they turn the most abstract concepts into something comprehensible and manageable.

If someone had told me that I would be a full-stack developer today one year ago, I would have probably told them they were talking crazy. "Who, me? I'm just a pizza guy who thinks Java and Javascript are the same thing!" But now, the sky's the limit. If you apply yourself, you'll make it. No doubt about it.

And while the lectures teach you how to code, the Pathway Program teach you how to be a business professional. If you feel out of place during professional interviews, they'll iron that out of you as hard as you'll be ironing your shirts after having over ten interviews in three days during their Matchmaking event. The Pathway program goes over all the essential things you will need such as working with recruiters, building your personal brand, buffing out your resume, and more. Jessica Hall, you're a life-saver. The networking offered is top notch as well, with companies coming in to showcase themselves twice a week.

All in all, I couldn't recommend this program enough to someone looking to get into coding either as a new career, or as a career change. If you're reading all these reviews, you probably have what it takes. Go apply! 

Deciding to change careers is the scariest thing in the world, especially when you have two young children and a mortgage to pay. I knew it was time to make a pivot in my life and Tech Elevator was there when I needed it the most. I had reached the peak in my previous career in the event industry and although it was fun while I was younger, now with a young family and no room to grow professionally I was in rut and needed a change. 

I knew it was time in my life for a career change and I knew I wanted to enter the technology sector but didn't know how without going back to school full-time. I already had a degree with student loans and couldn't afford to go back to school full-time for 2-4 years. Enter Tech Elevator.

Tech Elevator's, 14-week program, along with Skills Fund financing, was perfect for launching me into a new, challenging and rewarding career. 

I checked out other coding bootcamps but when I came across Tech Elevator and their staff, I knew I was in the right hands. Everything at Tech Elevator is top notch. From their facilities and classrooms, to the instructors and every staff member. Everyone and everything there are geared to prepare you for a job as a software/web developer. 

Let's start with the facilities... The classrooms are very well set up for a fun learning environment. The classes are small enough where everyone gets personal attention and no one is left behind. The "garage", meeting space and kitchen are all top notch, very welcoming and conducive to learning. No detail goes unnoticed and it was a real pleasure going to school every day. 

How about the instructors and staff? The instructors, Josh, Frank and Craig, have been doing this a long time and get personal satisfaction from helping you learn and succeed. Every instructor is available after class for private tutoring sessions and is super helpful with any questions or problems you may have. They have all been in the industry and really know what they are teaching. They even tailor and change up the curriculum on the fly to fit the needs in the industry you will be entering. Even though, Kelly, the Pathway Director's main focus is to help you land a job she is always there to chat or just vent if you need to. Every staff member, including the Campus Director, Marty, and even the marketing team will do whatever they can to help you get a job as well. It really is a team effort at Tech Elevator and it shows. Although Tech Elevator does everything they can to help you get a job, ultimately it is up to you get a job and if you follow Tech Elevator's Pathway program and process you will be successful. If you put in the work, I can attest it will pay off. 

I enrolled at Tech Elevator in September of 2018 and graduated in December 2018. I was in Josh's .Net class and am so glad I put in the work, stuck with it and never gave up or said I couldn't do it. I was there every day putting in the work and getting extra tutoring sessions in because I had to get a job as I had a family depending on me. Every instructor and staff member helped me along the way and was always there when/if I needed them.

There are two parts to Tech Elevator and they are both equally important. One is the curriculum and what you are learning in the classroom. The other is the Pathway Program (this is what really sets Tech Elevator above the competition). The Pathway program is all about giving you the tools and soft skills to help you land your first job in the technology field but also to help you have a long and successful career if you continue to use those skills. From resume building, to Employer Showcases all the way to Matchmaking, The Pathway Program is the crown jewel in Tech Elevator's hat. Every facet of the Pathway Program helped me and I didn't miss one Pathway event or task but ultimately the Matchmaking event that Tech Elevator holds at the end of the program is what helped me land me my dream job. Matchmaking lets you get face time with employers in the area that are actively hiring and lets you escape the resume hole. After Matchmaking, I received a call back for a second in person interview at the company’s HQ and after that and another phone interview I got a job offer! All my hard for paid off and I had a signed job offer a week before graduating Tech Elevator.

I'm currently a couple weeks into my new job and career and couldn't be happier. I'm at a great company with all the perks, I have an awesome manager, team and a bright future ahead of me. I wouldn't be where I am today without Tech Elevator and am so glad I took the plunge!

If you decide to go to Tech Elevator just remember this.. You will get out of it what you put into it. Put in the work, trust the process and you will be successful!

Going to Tech Elevator was the best decision I've ever made. Starting off I was told "You get out what you put in.", and while that's true, 14 weeks is not a long time to dedicate to elevating your future. The boot camp is stressful, difficult, and exhausting, but it wouldn't be so rewarding if it wasn't. Everyone on campus is amazing, and will do everything they can to assist in reaching your goals. That being said, don't come in expecting them to just get you a job. You need to put the time and work in. It's hard work, but so worth it! Before Tech Elevator, I was working multiple jobs just to make ends meet, but through their matchmaking I secured a great job before I even graduated. I recommend this boot camp to anyone who is looking to get into the tech industry. I tried learning this on my own through udemy, freecodecamp, etc, but the instructors at Tech Elevator helped make it so much easier to learn.

Between the instructors, and the Pathway Program, I believe anyone who is motivated to go through this program will be successful. They teach you everything you need to know from the technical side of things to improving your soft skills. On top of everything I learned, I've made some friendships that will likely last a lifetime. I have nothing bad to say about this program, and if you're looking to go into a coding bootcamp I can't stress enough how great Tech Elevator is. 

TLDR: Tech Elevator is an amazing opportunity for anyone willing to put the work in. Their staff cares about every single student, and will do whatever they can to help you reach your career goals. If you're looking to elevate your life, and get into the tech industry, there is no better option than Tech Elevator.

I recently graduated from Cohort [0] in Pittsburgh and I do not believe that I am exaggerating when I say that the Tech Elevator program is absolutely superb!  I had worked in IT for most of my professional career, but I found that my skill set was very outdated and after a hiatus from the industry I decided to attend the TE program as a means of retooling my skillset.  Due to my past experience, I had a perspective that was a little different than the average student.  I already knew what the IT world was like and therefore I had a better idea of what to expect when I showed up for the first day of class.  As a result, I was able to really appreciate the immense value of all of the various components that had been skillfully organized into the curriculum.  Both the technical instructors and career counselors (a.k.a. Pathway Program counselors) were highly skilled, very fun and deeply dedicated.  The two-pronged approach that Tech Elevator employs to both teach the technical skills and then to guide individuals into appropriate job opportunities is a distinguishing characteristic that, in my opinion, really separates them from their competitors.  All in all, the overall experience was wonderful and the end result has been nothing short of life changing.  I would highly, highly recommend TE to anyone who is seriously considering a career in IT but who needs some help getting there.

Short version: Definitely worth it for me personally. I went from making teenage wages in the sevice industry to landing a software developer job. Plus, It only took 14-weeks of 50-60+ hour weeks to do it. Which was a ton of  work but realistically not a ton of actual time (14-weeks < 4-years for a degree). As people like to say "life changing".  So if you can carve out 14-weeks for Tech Elevator I would say go for it. Mind you, my experience may not be yours.

background: I had an Associates degree before Tech Elevator and had worked as a production/graphic designer for the better part of a decade before Tech Elevator. I moved to Pittsburgh and was unable to find work in my previous industry and fell back on the world of food service to keep myself afloat. 

Instructors: Tom and Andrew were both really great. Both have many years of real world programming know-how under their belts and their areas of expertise were very complimentary of each other. They were a very well-balanced tag-team. The Hawk and Animal of the bootcamp world. Even now I can hear Tom's dulcet tones explaining "for each loops" and "ternary operators" to the class. Andrew's tech/computer-science asides are great if you want to learn more about the theory behind what you are learning in class and come in very handy during job interviews.

Pathway Program/Office: This is what made me decide to go to Tech Elevator. Caitie (the pathway program head) and Justin (Pittsburgh's Campus Director) open doors to future employers that you could never do on your own. I can't emphasize this enough. They do an amazing job of preparing you for the job market and giving you the connections to actually get a job. Listen to what they have to say and then do it. Also Marissa was a great help during the admission process as well as during the duration of the cohort.

To Students: Do what Caitie says. Ask questions when you are confused about anything. Don't quit when things seem very overwhelming. Take a break. Keep asking questions. Help out other Students, it'll help you learn too. Do what Caitie says. 

Summary: I got a software Developer job 2-weeks after graduation (most of my cohort had offers before the end of the cohort) so Tech Elevator definitely worked for me.

*caveat emptor: This isn't a knock on Tech Elevator per se but some companies want Bachelor Degrees regardless of their relevance to a job listing, so If you don't have a Bachelor's Degree you're out of luck. So if you are only armed with a High School Diploma or an Associates some doors even the pathway program can't open.

I was in a very unhappy place teaching third grade. I wanted out and Tech Elevator was the way. I learned about it though my husband who heard about it through work. We agreed to send me after much thought and discussion. Everyone I met Ben, Katie, kalyn, and Laura were all very nice and played a major part in why I chose to make this big move. I loved all of the instructors. They all worked around the clock to help in any way you needed. I learn best through watching, doing, and one on one teaching. I learned so many things that I have already used in my new job. Trying to teach myself online would have never worked.

The Pathway Program was in my opinion almost more valuable than the course work. The pathway team was fantastic they were always there to help. I had to the opportunity to meet so many great people. There are many opportunities you just need to take advantage of them. It was through these events that I made a connection with ended up in a job. I know some people I talked to don’t feel this way. It is all about what you put into the program. You will only get out what you put in. I went above and beyond to make sure I had a job in the end.

Now I have my dream job at JPMChase! I am happier than I have ever been. I owe it all to my hard work and Tech Elevator for helping me get there! 

I graduated August 2018 from the Java Cohort and i can’t say enough good things. Going in, I thought I knew more about coding than I actually did, so the program was very tough. And I also thought I was on-point with my resume and interview skills, which needed some help. The course feeds you info like a firehouse so was very challenging, but the instructors and staff are always willing to give you extra help and guidance after class or nights and weekends through the messaging app. If you put in the work, you will earn that reward. I learned everything i needed to get me started in a career as a Software Engineer, but I learned so much more about myself as a person. There were times that I felt I wouldn’t get to the finish line, but with help and encouragement from everyone (including classmates), I dug deep and stuck it out. The staff does a great job to get you there, but soft-skills aren’t spoon-fed. You have to work hard and figure some stuff out no your own and that makes it that much more rewarding. I’ve never done anything so difficult and I’ve never had any career experience more fulfilling. If you want to change your career, you can do that at Tech Elecator, but you will elevate your life in the process. Go for it. 

I recently graduated from Tech Elevator (Columbus) and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I’ve recently accepted a position as a Full Stack Web Engineer and for the first time I am going into a new career with confidence and one I am excited to experience. I always felt in my past experience in Operations Management that I wasn’t realizing my potential and not enjoying what I did as much as I could, and Tech Elevator has made it possible to achieve these things. I’ve had a lot of teachers and mentors over the years through my experience at OSU and in the business world, but everyone at Tech Elevator is the cream of the crop. The instructors I had in the program not only were able to deliver instruction that was concise and make difficult concepts easy to understand, but were also willing to spend time with you one on one at any point to help you realize a fuller understanding of the material. I expected their pathway program to help me gain some more confidence going into interviews, however one thing I did not expect was that it would give me more confidence in a multitude of aspects of my life. I also can’t say enough about how the networking of the program with business needs in our region helped in landing me a job. It was a somewhat excruciating process interviewing with 10 companies over 2 days, but it was one of the best experiences I could imagine when entering a new field. I have never been surrounded by people in my life that are as dedicated to developing talent to meet demand in a market as those at Tech Elevator. If you’re considering going to Tech Elevator, talk to Katie, John, or any of the staff for 5 minutes and I guarantee you will see how passionate they are about helping people realize their potential and you’ll sign up just like I did.

Last year I was stuck in a dead-end job, working in hospitality as a waiter in a little family restaurant. I was at a point where I was ready to dedicate myself to a career but I felt like I simply didn’t have the right piece of paper to get started working in a field that interested me. I had always loved tech and I wanted a job where I would be able to apply myself mentally but I felt like the only way to do that was to go massively in debt, going back to college to pursue a degree in a new field. Luckily, I wasn’t the only person who realized that there was a significant subsect of society that was underemployed but willing to put in the work to make something of themselves if they were given a chance.

Tech Elevator was the opportunity I didn’t know was out there but I was waiting for the whole time. From the industry professionals that are there way too late every day to stick around and answer your questions to the whole staff of the Pathway Program that also work way too late every day to help you build your resume and polish your interviewing skills, and of course all of the administrators who do the most important job of keeping the lights on and the pretzel bowls filled, the entire staff is dedicated to the single goal of helping you succeed in a challenging and rewarding industry.

But the final piece of the puzzle is you. You will have to work very hard to learn concepts they teach, and you will stay up late every night for 3 months creating some amazing projects and struggling with your peers to learn some difficult concepts. But, if you are willing to put in the time to learn how to code, you will have taken the first step to an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career with some of the best people you will ever meet.

I guess to sum up, all of this is to say if you are willing to put in the work, you have found a place that’s willing to work right alongside you and will be at least as excited as you are when you succeed.

Do yourself a favor. Enroll. Start learning basic concepts before you start the cohort. Get your brain blasted by the firehose of information for 14 weeks. Learn how to market yourself. Start your life changing career in tech. 

Seriously though, just do it. I cannot say enough about what Tech Elevator has done for me and my family. It was a huge risk for me, kind of all or nothing for what my situation was. I’m a Dad with two little kids, and college wasn’t working out with my life situation and my need to support other humans financially. I jumped in the deep end, learned to swim, and came out a better person, gainfully employed at a great company with the ability to support my family.