Code Fellows

Code Fellows Code 101 workshop was a great use of my Saturday! I came in unsure if I would be able to keep up or if I would even be interested in learning to code, but I left feeling proud of what I was able to accomplish and interested in learning more... Read More about coding. The instructors and teaching assistants are incredibly helpful and working in a group was a great learning experience in itself. If you have even a small interest in coding or Code Fellows, you should 100% give it a chance!

This program teaches how to implement and work with many data-structures including Linked Lists, Trees, Stacks, Queues, Maps, and Graphs as well as some sorting algorithms. Along with this we did practice in whiteboard interviewing, using the topics we... Read More learned. We discussed how approach to any given problem, and general workflow and how to organize your whiteboard. It was perfect for refreshing myself on the interview process before going back on the job hunt. Finally we also discussed the subject of Time and Space complexity (Big O) which allowed us to make a basic analysis of the efficiency of code, also very useful for interviewing. The Instructor has been very open to questions and discussion even after the end of the class.

I went through Code Fellow's 201/301 night-track courses and finished up with their daytime Python 401 course. 201/301 gets you through the basics of web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Switching over to Python was helpful in building one's... Read More awareness of how varying programming languages handle similar tasks. It also interfaces nicely with your computer's operating system so check out scripting on the side. In general, I found that when working with Python I worried less about the syntax and could focus more on the concepts behind the software we were developing. Prepare yourself early for the post-graduation job search and build a continued learning plan; completing the program is not the end of your journey.

I had a good experience learning Python. There was a good amount of support during the expected working hours, and for the most part, the desired outcomes were clear. We covered many useful things about the language, and when I graduated I felt comfortable... Read More continuing my learning process. The career coaching section of the program was very useful, and I graduated feeling prepared to take on interviews. A month and a half out, I still do not have work in the industry.

I didn't realize how great the curriculum was until I had done a couple interviews after the class was over. Everything I was up against in the interview was covered in detail during the class. The class moves quickly, so you might feel like you aren't... Read More grasping everything at times, but you will be surprised at how much you learned in such a short amount of time. The instructor is great and speaks from experience. The class is challenging, but you grow to be a better developer from it. By the end of the class, you get to say that you've built an API that anyone can consume, and a full-stack C# application that is deployed in the cloud as well as a learning a number of data structures problems that are covered daily. The only con I would include is that the speed of the class can be an issue and it can be difficult to complete assignments on time.

First and for most, if you're hesitant about changing careers it's understandable. I was - I was satisfied with my job in finance. Was I truly happy? No, not at all. But I was secured. One of the biggest reasons I decided to go forward with Code Fellows... Read More was because they offer an intro class(101). It gives you a good taste of what you would be playing with. The staff, as well as just being in that environment was what won me over. Not only that, they offer a scholarship, which at the time when I was researching not a lot of boot-camps did. And what's cool that others don't do is that they give the option to choose what 401 course you want. Other boot camps have a set course structure/language they teach. I took the full-time track and did 201, 301 and the Advanced JavaScript 401 course. One big thing I cannot stress is if you decide to do this, its NO JOKE! Those 6 months of my life were seriously the hardest and most stressful moments of my life(there are several times I have broken down in the bathroom). There was never an easy moment for a complete beginner like myself. So if you decide this is something you want, a few things I would ask myself before signing up is - can I support myself? IT AIN'T CHEAP! Do I have a good support system? Cause you'll need it, especially when you're feeling low. And finally, are you willing to be okay with not being able to understand everything that will be thrown at you? You are? Cool, then you are ready to do this!! You will create so many awesome connections while you're there. The staff are SUPER supportive, and fully got your back. Especially when you're feeling low. The material you learn is pretty up to date on what the industry uses as tools and libraries go. But once I graduated, I still felt like there was still so much that I needed to learn to be ready. But that will be your job. Try to keep yourself emerged in that enviorment. Try to study and work on projects. I'm currently a UI dev in Seattle, and I'm so happy with what I'm doing. I love my job, and I honestly thought I would never get to this point in my life where I would get to say this and it's all thanks to Code Fellows. It took me a while to get a job, but that was more on me. Impostor Syndrome is reallllll. And I took more time on myself, I became a TA at Code Fellows which helped my confidence alot. But you'll hear it again and again, networking is going to be your ultimate ticket to winning a job. Making the effort to talk to everyone you encounter in this industry and being able to make true connections will really help your chances of getting a job. That's what happened to me. This industry is a hard industry to get into, but once you do there is no turning back. You are a Developer.

I took 101, 102, 201, 301, and 401 ASP.NET Core. I'm a fast learner but I've always benefited from a structured learning environment, over teaching myself something online. In general, the curriculum is extremely fast paced and demanding. Truthfully to... Read More get the most out of the program you must be dedicated to working hard and committed to learning, otherwise it might be a waste of money. I enjoyed all my instructors, but I will say they did all have different teaching styles. All the instructors I had have industry experience. My 401 instructor, Amanda, was nothing short of incredible. She created the curriculum we were using in the ASP.NET Core class. Her passion for the subject and dedication to helping her students become great programmers was apparent. In 401 classes we did have different career coaching days, which consisted of: creating/reviewing our resumes, crafting an elevator pitch, practicing interview questions, the importance of networking, etc. I should also note that all 401 classes also practice white board interviews. In my experience they were upfront that it'd be harder to compete for jobs after graduating, especially if you didn't also have a BA. However, there was a lot of emphasis on the importance of continuing to learn and practice programming once you complete the program. Overall, I would say it was a great experience. I expected to come out of the program as a junior developer but I also gained a supportive community through Code Fellows.

When I decided to make a career change and after being on the self-taught coding route for a while, Code Fellows came highly recommended by a friend who had gone through the program and had landed herself a new career as a software engineer. I thought... Read More about it for a bit, as it's a big decision and commitment, but ultimately I decided it was a good decision for myself and my family. Turns out it paid off.

Code Fellows proved to be an incredible place to learn not only software development skills, but also other skills needed to be successful in the industry; from career coaching to learning how to work collaboratively in groups/one-on-one. As an added bonus, I had some amazing classmates in my cohort and friendships developed while there have lasted outside of school.

Pros:
- Knowledgeable and dedicated staff (both instructional and support).
- Thoughtful and evolving curriculum.
- Supportive and inclusive environment.
- School staff is open to, and encourages, feedback.
- Great location.
- Networking opportunities available weekly.

Cons:
- Expense, but it's worth it. Plus, scholarships are available to those who qualify.
- Time commitment. Again, it's worth it. The curriculum is fast-paced, so you'll need to be committed if you want to be successful.

I came to Code Fellows with absolutely zero experience coding. Code Fellows provided me with a foundation to think like a developer and approach complex problems with confidence. Learning to code is not easy, but the challenge is so rewarding! Throughout... Read More my time at CF, I felt encouraged and supported by my instructors and peers. As a woman of color, it was important for me to immerse myself in a program that embraces diversity and inclusion and that's what I found at CF. They take pride in creating a safe learning space for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or background.

After almost ten years of working a series of unfulfilling jobs I decided it was time for a career change. From the years I spent as a technical recruiter I knew that software development is a growing field, pays well and would allow me to affect meaningful... Read More change on a large scale. I spent ten month studying on my own and started applying to jobs but was told over and over again that I lacked the skills and experience necessary to be a developer. I was ready to give up when a friend of mine, who had successfully transitioned from a career in music to software development, told me about his experience at Code Fellows. After learning about the curriculum and speaking with the Code Fellow's recruitment team I took the leap.

Pros:
- The instructional staff consists of top-notch educators who are also experienced developers
- The curriculum is constantly updated to ensure the latest and most in-demand technologies are being taught
- There is a big focus on learning to write software with other developers (something that you can't do on your own)
- Code Fellows is well known in the Seattle Area and being a Code Fellows graduate carries some weight
- You get to network with many other soon-to-be developers

Cons
- Code Fellows is a big investment (both in time and money) and there is always the concern that you won't get a job afterwards

I cannot recommend Code Fellows enough! I learned vastly more in the 4.5 months I was a student at Code Fellows than I did in the ten months I studied on my own. Having a team of instructors/mentors walk you through a world-class curriculum means that the entire experience is tailored toward gaining the skills necessary to become a professional software developer. Of the 20 or so people I went through Code Fellows with, almost all of us have jobs as developers (some in big companies like Amazon, AT&T and Uber) and I'm confident those who don't will soon be employed. I truly believe that investing in yourself is ALWAYS a good idea and that is exactly what Code Fellows is, an investment in your future.