Makers Academy

My experience at Makers was very positive. I chose them because they seemed like a supportive and inclusive place to learn and it definitely delivered on that.
My cohort was between curriculum changes, so we learned Python and Javascript and only had... Read More the option to complete the software development track, and I believe was slightly shorter than the current iteration. During the course we worked on 3 group projects of varying complexity, using technologies such as Flask, Express and React.
Coach support was generally very good, although at times you would have to wait a while for your turn for support during coaching hours if they were helping someone else out for a long time. There were a couple of weeks where the coaches seemed a little disorganised and no one was sure who was supposed to be leading, but I believe this was due to sickness or absence of a few coaches at one time. In the end there was always someone on hand to introduce us to the next module and provide support during coaching hours.
There were a few workshops on emotional intelligence and wellbeing that were a nice touch and they didn't take much time away from technical learning. There was also daily morning meditation and weekly yoga classes which I enjoyed.
Job support after the course was quite good, but limited by the market conditions. There is a partnerships team that makes relationships with companies to recruit directly from the pool of graduates, but there were very few opportunities in the 8 months that I was job hunting. Support in terms of interview preparation and CV advice was excellent though (thank you Sandy!).
Overall I would recommend the bootcamp, however I would warn that the market is really difficult at the moment and no matter what bootcamp you attend it will probably be difficult to find a job. It's taken me 8 months to get any offers and there are plenty of people who have been looking for longer and still haven't managed to secure any roles.

I attended Makers starting in September 2023 and started my first Software Engineer Role in May 2024. The experience at Makers was extremely valuable, mainly being exposed to a tailored curriculum of core concepts that any Software Engineer will need... Read More to understand. Having the support of coaches when necessary was extremely valuable to help build confidence in understanding of these concepts. I think it is great that the course now starts with Python as opposed to Ruby and that you can select a track to pursue your interest. I chose the Software Development track where I learned JS, React, Node and MongoDB. The group projects were really the main highlight as it's where you can feel your skills improving most and you make real progress in a very short time. I'd say the main difficulty for Makers and any bootcamp right now is the difficulty of the hiring market as ultimately you will be pitching yourself as an efficient learner with a good base to companies rather than a finished package, this can be a tricky sell but it's not impossible, as long as you work hard to remain productive after the course. My role will be using C# and .NET of which I have no experience (yet) so there are companies out there willing to take on those with great skills from their past career and a commitment to learning. I would recommend Makers, it's not easy, nor is getting a job afterwards but it is worth it and I'm very glad I made the choice to change career with Makers.

I was able to really understand what I wanted to do with the tech industry by seeing how a domain could be constructed, accessed and consequentally be exploited by visitors! I was put in a cohort with like minded people who wanted to change carreers as... Read More well as challenge themselves to do better and become something greater. The teachers have a varied experience that they draw on to help the students effectively and the curriculum has helped in structuring this fast paced programme. Without Makers I wouldn't be where I am today!

Maker's Academy is a well-regarded coding bootcamp designed for individuals seeking a fast-track entry into the software development industry. As a recent graduate, I would like to share my experience with the program, focusing on the curriculum, teaching... Read More approach, support, and career prospects post-graduation.

Curriculum:
The curriculum at Maker's Academy is comprehensive and intense. It covers a range of key technologies and programming languages, with a particular focus on Ruby, JavaScript, and web development frameworks like Rails. The program adopts a test-driven development (TDD) approach, emphasizing clean code, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Throughout the course, there is a good mix of theoretical concepts and hands-on projects, providing a balanced learning experience.

Teaching Approach:
Maker's Academy utilizes a self-directed learning model, encouraging students to take ownership of their education. This approach is complemented by daily stand-ups, code reviews, and paired programming sessions. Instructors are available to guide and support students, but much of the learning is driven by the cohort's collective knowledge and collaboration. This fosters a strong sense of community and mirrors real-world software development practices.

Support and Resources:
The support system at Maker's Academy is robust. Instructors and mentors are accessible, and there is a dedicated team to assist with career advice and job placement. The bootcamp also has a Slack channel, where students can ask questions, share resources, and engage in discussions. Additionally, the program offers a variety of workshops and sometimes guest lectures to enhance learning and provide insights into the industry.

Career Prospects:
Maker's Academy has a strong track record of placing graduates in software development roles. The bootcamp has partnerships with various tech companies, which can lead to internship and job opportunities. The career support team offers assistance with resume building, interview preparation, and job placement strategies. However, it's worth noting that job success is also influenced by the effort you put into your job search and the current market conditions. Networking, continuous learning, and adaptability play crucial roles in securing a position, and these factors can vary depending on the job market's dynamics.

One potential drawback related to career prospects is that some job descriptions and interview processes can be disheartening due to a perceived lack of transparency or unclear expectations. This might not be directly related to Maker's Academy but rather to the hiring practices of individual companies. As a result, graduates like myself may find some interviews challenging or face unexpected requirements, which could impact their overall job search experience.

Conclusion:
Overall, Maker's Academy is a rigorous and rewarding bootcamp that provides a solid foundation for a career in software development. The self-directed learning model may not suit everyone, but for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are motivated to learn, it's an excellent choice. The comprehensive curriculum, supportive community, and strong career support make it a worthwhile investment for aspiring developers.

A fast paced but beginner friendly introduction to the world of web development, featuring Python, Flask, PostgreSQL, Docker and more. Holistic support network featuring Emotional Intelligence workshops, CV workshops, job hunting support, even yoga and... Read More meditation! Excellent coaches who were always available and ready to answer questions and provide invaluable feedback. For anyone looking to get started or switch careers to development I can't recommend Makers enough.

I loved my bootcamp experience. I was pushed to work hard, but found the work engaging for the most part and loved the group dynamic. The pace of learning takes a big adjustment but once you get used to it, you find yourself surpassing what you thought... Read More you could do very quickly. You get in what you put out. Not everyone on the course is going to put the work in, which makes teamwork hard sometimes. But that's true of any course or job and you have to roll with it. As there's no formal assessment at Makers, it makes it easy for people to coast, and noone really checks up on how much work you've done or not done. The real issues start after you leave Makers. The current job market is really tough, and Makers don't offer much support to help you. Out of my cohort of 18 people, I know that 3 of us are now employed in tech 6 months after finishing the course. A large part of that is the difficult market, but I do think another factor is the lack of support from Makers to help their graduates navigate the market. They don't really have many special opportunities (which used to be their big selling point), so you're left to your own devices. Overall it allowed me to career change which was the goal, and I enjoyed the course and the tutors were great, but I'm not sure I could recommend it without reservations.

My time at Makers Academy was nothing short of amazing. From the supportive and knowledgeable instructors to the collaborative learning environment, every aspect of the program exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend Makers Academy to anyone looking... Read More to jump-start their career in tech and gain the skills needed to succeed in the industry.

Makers Academy has created a great community and helps more and more people become members of this fantastic, supporting community. The best aspect of this journey for me was the people I met and how I developed my soft skills and my wellness being. The... Read More courses, coaches and curriculum changes a lot and frequently so I cannot really comment on that, as I know that every cohort gets a different experience. That being said, frequent changes are not a bad thing, they try to adapt and they take feedback very well and create a culture of always seeking and giving feedback. The weeks of learning are intense and you will mostly learn a little bit about a lot of new concepts and, most importantly, how to learn and how to find the tools you need to develop your skills to do the thing YOU want to do. There is a lot of work to be done after graduation and the job-hunting success relies on the work the alumni will do. Makers career coaches are there to help and support, but they will not find the job for you.

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... Read More 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.

Makers Bootcamp has been a game-changer in my journey from having zero knowledge to securing my first role as a junior software engineer. The coaches were not only supportive but also made the learning experience exciting and engaging. If I had to do... Read More it all over again, I'd choose Makers Bootcamp without a second thought. They not only equipped me with essential skills but also boosted my confidence, setting me on the path to success.