BrainStation

First I want to disclose that I came into this bootcamp with some prior self-studying: reading several books (Python, R, and ML) and taking a few online certifications. After trying to apply for jobs and looking into job descriptions, I realized there was still a gap. I needed more hands on experience to solidify my knowledge, build a portfolio, and know more on how to actually conduct myself when applying for these jobs as an entry level. In addition, I needed a good turn around time, so bootcamps naturally fell into view. BrainStation popped out in my mind and what really caught my attention was the curriculum. There were sections in the course that I knew I would benefit from studying with a bootcamp that I could not do as well on my own: this included big data/cloud technology, deep learning, and the fabled statistics that really made DS a well rounded field. Once joining, I realized how high quality the program was because the instructors and TAs took their time to breakdown the material in an intuitive manner, applied their DS background from the field, and even connected current events. I was soon filling in the gaps in my knowledge and actually applying it. Moreover, BrainStation has a great aspect with its online course. It allows you to meet people from around the world bringing in a diverse background in thought and experiences. There were people who were from business, education, engineering, art and so many other disciplines. Because of the way they process the material, I got to think in a so many new ways. For those who think the online course may reduce the teamwork and camaraderie, I do not believe it has. There were key experiences when working with groups. There was an opportunity to pair with a classmate in a friendly competition competition in the class, working on a cross-discipline team with the other sections in UX/UI and software engineering, and giving feedback between and among each other that culminated to a capstone project. After the bootcamp, I feel more confident in my technical knowledge and ideas for future projects. As a note, for those without a background it is difficult, but if you are preparing for it full-time it most certainly can be done with enough grit and curiosity. Right now, I will be conducting the job search process, but the best part about this program is that it includes job preparation with your resume, LinkedIn, and other techniques on how to approach people. All in all, BrainStation has prepared me well, and I am confident I will do well post-bootcamp. Read less

I enjoyed that the boot camp covered a variety of topics related to data analysis, and I must say, it was an incredibly fun and fast-paced experience. Over the course of the program, I gained a wealth of knowledge and skills in several different languages, including SQL, Python, Bash, and R.

One of the highlights of the boot camp was the focus on machine learning, big data, and data fundamentals. These topics were covered in depth, and I was able to get hands-on experience working with large datasets and applying advanced techniques to gain insights and make predictions. The instructors were knowledgeable and experienced in these areas, and they provided helpful guidance and support throughout the program.

In addition to the technical skills, I also learned a lot about data visualization and presentation. This is an important aspect of data analysis that can often be overlooked, but the boot camp emphasized the importance of effectively communicating insights to stakeholders.

Overall, I would highly recommend this boot camp to anyone who is interested in gaining new skills. The program was well-structured, and the pace was just right – not too fast that it was overwhelming, but not too slow that it was boring. I feel confident in my ability to apply what I learned in real-world scenarios, and I look forward to continuing to build on these skills in my future career endeavours. Read less

It was difficult to break out of the traditional education way of thinking that’s been ingrained in our brains for our whole lives. However, the educators were very knowledgeable, engaging, accessible, encouraging, and approachable. They truly wanted to see everyone succeed and were prepared to not only educate us on the curriculum content, but they also stepped up to coach us through all of the fears and tears. Some of the content seemed to be delivered a little out of order in relation to our deliverables, but it all worked out in the end. The work is very intensive, but incredibly rewarding at the end. I would definitely do it over again. You will be amazed at how much you can learn and accomplish in such a short time. Read less

What an experience! To anyone who is looking to make a career pivot/change/reimagining, I would recommend Brainstation. Not only do they have passionate educators and relevant curricula, but a dedicated career support centre to help you with your career transition. At least check out the Intro Day. Read less

The python certificate course was a bit too slow and introductory for me. Furthermore, a lot of the pre-material that should've been completed (i.e. setup of anaconda, jupyter notebooks) were not done by most students, and ended up delaying the first class by a lot of time. The instructors were well-spoken and knew a lot about the language and frameworks. However, there were too many questions (repeated ones) and students sharing their screens to solve their specific problem as we went through the class that delayed and took away from the class content and pace (i.e. spent 30 minutes reviewing BEDMAS). I felt it would've been better if there were 1:1's set up with these students after the class or separate breakout rooms with one of the instructors during the class while the other instructor continued teaching.  Read less

I've been working in marketing for roughly 12 years and while I am well versed in traditional marketing strategy and tactis, the digital world is fairly new to me. I had heard great things from coworkers and friends about the courses at Brainstation and so decided to sign up for the Digital Marketing Course. It did not disappoint :) From real life examples to breaking down different digital marketing concepts - the instructors were very knowledgable and made learning fun for all.  Read less

Great course with some really fun discussions. I'm excited to see where this certificate takes me. I wish the course had some quizzes in between lessons, think that would have been helpful. My teachers were really cool and had exciting stories to share about the industry. Read less

This was a great class! Very useful information and well-structured. Instructors are very knowledgeable and helpful. I feel like I got a lot out of it. Wish there was some more time spent on career opportunities and how to position oneself to succeed in the digital marketing landscape, but c'est la vie! Read less

Prior to BrainStation, I connected with at least 3 ex-students who successfully completed their courses / bootcamps. While their opinions differed, their conclusions were identical: they all recommended BrainStation. 

I am delighted to report the same conclusion: I recommend BrainStation. (I completed the part-time Product Management course). My recommendation is attributed to these factors:
1) Excellent Instructors - Instructors have real-world experience. They are very engaged, responsive, and helpful. Instructors DO care about their students.
2) Engaging Classmates - I am fortunate that all my classmates were engaged, curious, and kind to interact with. BrainStation students are typically young professionals with 3 - 8 years of working experience.
3) Mix of theory + hands-on - you get to work on individual or group projects. They also allocate in-class exercises. 
4) Location - It's very accessible via TTC and about 15 mins walk from Union Station. Read less

I think the PM class at brainstation was run decently. However, most of the content material was review. Most of the information felt like things you could find online. It was nice to hear about the industry experience from our teachers but we often had to cut that short as we could barely get through the course material on time. I think Brainstation should leverage the industry experience that teachers can share with the class rather than a heavy focus on the course material. Perhaps the content can be more tailored to the experience that the teachers have so the content feels more intertwined with the teachers' philosophy on Product Management. That way, the course material feels more realistic and delivered contextually.  Read less