Code Platoon Reviews
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Bryan Clay
My review of Code Platoon
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If you're a military veteran or a military spouse looking for a way to enter the Tech industry, look no further than Code Platoon. I enrolled in Code Platoon because I discovered coding after using most of my GI Bill benefits on a 2 and 4-year degree (in an unrelated field) and was looking for a way to become a software developer. Fortunately, Code Platoon is an approved school for the VA's VET-TEC program, which covered all tuition while also providing monthly BAH.
As far as the course goes, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Like all good coding boot camps, it is demanding and requires a commitment but the instructors are awesome and the TA support is top-notch. The best part is, if you have any life events or family emergencies that get in the way, Code Platoon is more than happy to make sure you are able to handle those situations while providing the support to ensure you don't fall behind. Once the course is complete, you are enrolled in a Careers program where you can stay in touch with the school and they will try to help make sure you are prepared for job interviews.
I would definitely recommend this course to any veteran or military spouse looking to launch a new career in Tech.
Some advice for new applicants or members waiting to start their cohort with Code Platoon:- Try learning as much JavaScript and Python as possible before the course starts. I did not have very much coding experience before Code Platoon but the more you know from the beginning, the easier the course will be. They also teach the basics of each language at the beginning of the course.
- Take your pre-work seriously. The pre-work is designed to set you up for success in the course.
- ASK QUESTIONS - seriously, there are no dumb questions in this course. If you don't understand something, speak up! Instructors, TAs, and other students will be happy to help you.
- Trust the process. For a while, it's going to feel like you're drinking from a fire hose but have faith. When you start applying the concepts you've learned in full-stack applications, it will all start to make sense.
- Have fun. While the course can be demanding, you will be part of a tight-knit group of students and staff and when graduation rolls around, you will be sad to see everyone go their separate ways. So do your best to gain and maintain those connections and keep in touch with your classmates, TAs, and instructors.
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Hunter M
Tremendous Experience
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I recently graduated from Code Platoon's Immersive 15 Week Full Stack Software Development Course, which I attended remotely and I highly recommend it. This program turns individuals with zero coding experience to capable and knowledgable Full Stack Software Engineers. On top of that they have a dedicated career development team which actively prepare and guide you to obtaining an entry level position after you graduate. If you are a Veteran/Active Duty Member/Military Spouse looking to break into the tech industry look no further. -
Rexford Wiafe
Great Coding Bootcamp
Code Platoon is a great coding bootcamp for vets and their spouses. I attended in person and got placed with a company through the internship program before I graduated. -
Ka Leung
Software Engineer
Great set of classmate and instructor. Signing up to attend the class was easy and painless. Learned a lot of new technology with supportive instructor and classmate. The full stack development program was 7 months long and within the 7 months it can take a beginner to coding to create full stack application! -
Josh Richardson
Code Platoon for the win!
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As a recent graduate of the Weekends and Evenings cohort, I can't speak highly enough of the entire Code Platoon organization! From admission to graduation, the staff were there to help every step of the way. Coming from a completely non-technical background, the instructors were clear and concise with their lessons and always encouraged us to asked questions. It can be demanding at times with working a full-time job, but it is expected and manageable. If you're on the fence about switching careers into Software Engineering, stop thinking and join Code Platoon! You will NOT regret it! -
Melissa
Exceptional Experience at Code Platoon
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Code Platoon was an absolute game changer for me. I had been teaching myself to code for several years before I took the plunge and applied to Code Platoon. While I felt I needed more time to prepare prior to applying (I had 0 experience working with tech) I I was holding myself back by not applying sooner. I was not teaching myself nearly as efficiently or effectively as Code Platoon. The curriculum was always at least one step ahead of my level of understanding and the instructors and my peers were always there to answer questions and make sure I was keeping up. The amount of knowledge I learned in 6 months is incredible, probably more useful than my degrees. Overall, I felt like Code Platoon went above and beyond in investing in my success, the curriculum was challenging but not impossible and I'm looking forward to having continued support as I begin the job hunt! -
Phillip Hall
Challenging but rewarding
This was a great experience, challenging but very well structured and its clear that the entire staff and instructors are interested and invested in providing a great learning experience and improving constantly. Highly recommend to anyone looking to break into software from the military -
Porfirio
Hard work, but they don't call it a bootcamp for nothing!
Code Platoon is an amazing resource for veterans and veteran spouses. The program and instructers were top tier, but their commitment to make the camp accessible to any vet/spouse who wants to join is what impressed me most. We were taught industry standard technologies, and though it was at times like drinking from a fire hose, the support system made sure we were set up to succeed. -
Stephen Sun
Military Veterans or Military Spouses
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If you're a military veteran or military spouse, look no other place than Code Platoon's Bootcamp. Code Platoon's cohort offers plenty of options to help pay for tuition such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, VET TEC and scholarships. The staff and TAs are very knowledgeable on the subject and offers flexible courses to help fit your schedule. In order to be successful, you must treat this cohort like a full time job. The staff and TAs genuinely want to see you succeed and are willing to help you both during the cohort and post.
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Adam Z
Excellent Experience
Code Platoon was an excellent experience. They do a great job training students of all skill levels and I felt fully supported the entire time! -
Yang Zhou
Absolutely the best choice for veterans breaking into tech
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Everyone from the staff, instructors, the admin team and the students body is absolutely professional and friendly. Because every student in the community shares the same military background there is a seamless connection and made it a lot easier to collaborate with every one.
The bootcamp is by no means an easy one, you really have to be studying on your own time after class and prepare to give up some leisure time. But the instructors team and the TAs are always there to be ready to help you.
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Alexander Stevenson
THE BEST Coding Bootcamp Option for Veterans and Spouses
- One of the best career decisions I ever made
- Accommodating
- Affordable
- Challenging -
Jacob Crawford
Awesome program
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Code Platoon was tough and very fast. It is best to go in knowing at least most of the content to some extent. Also, most students have created webpages or other projects before so the pace is intense. But the instructors, TAs and other students are very helpful and can help you. It is worth it. In my opinion this program is as good as it gets. I liked having full stack in one course.
Lots of help is provided from configuring your coding environment, environment variables, getting the right packages, and sometimes downgrading to a package that works. The students are all very knowledgable and smart and can usually help you.
cons: A lot of people take this course while already knowing almost all of it which can make you feel very behind. Some had already worked as engineers, many had already designed webpages. If you can help it you would want to have exposure to some or most of the curriculum. Additionally, the internships are competitive. If the class is large not everyone will get placed.Rodrigo Levy of Code Platoon
Executive Director
Jan 29, 2022
Thanks Jacob for that review! You are right that many of our students have some prior experience in software development, and a small percentage are even pursuing computer science degrees. But well over half of our students state that they had virtually no prior coding knowledge when started our free, recommended coding tutorials to prepare for completing our application. And you are absolutely right, the most successful students will use the time between being accepted, and actually starting the class, to familiarize themselves with some of the material we cover, and we provide guidance on how to do that. -
Susan Stephan
Awesome experience!
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I went into this course with very little coding experience and came out being able to code a full-stack Django/React app! This course is extremely fast-paced and not easy, but if you're willing to put in the work, the instructors, TAs, and volunteers are all there to encourage and help you along the way to graduation. The curriculum was very well thought out and a great foundation for web development. I have so much more to learn, but I'm looking forward to my job search and am confident that there is something out there for me. -
Mike Robertson
Absolutely Outstanding
An extremely professional organization, dedicated to making every day of the course useful and productive. Course material is 90% learning things you'll need to get through interviews then hit the ground running and 10% here is the world of coding so you can decide if where you want to pursue you career. -
Seth
An amazing way to learn
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Code Platoon is a self paced program that delivers on its promise. It is a rigorous, fast paced, challenging program that is meant to prepare graduates for a career as a full stack software developer. The instructors lay out expectations early and give ample feedback on your progress.
The remote community that they foster is second to none. It was amazing to see that as a student I never felt alone. Any time of the day if I asked a question, there was an instructor, teacher assistant, or fellow student that was willing to help.
The curriculum is amazing. They are very focused on making each iteration better than the last and are very receptive to feedback. -
Morgan M
Amazing Experience!
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Could not recommend more! I went from knowing basic Python and JavaScript to being able to create a full stack web application in a matter of less than four months, growing in so many ways. Throughout the course the instructors and staff ensure that students are consistently in the "stretch zone," where we are challenged but not overloaded. The patience, knowledge, and willingness to make us better engineers and people is what sets apart Code Platoon from many other organizations, and what made the experience so worthwhile. Expect to work very hard, increase your hard and soft skills, and make new teammates that all share the military as a common background. I cannot say enough good things about Code Platoon, Rod, Tom, Ankur, Jon, and the rest of the staff there. -
steven
papa platoon
this bootcamp was rigorous and challenging for sure. but the class is organized in a very structured way to the point you are rarely confused where the class is at or what's coming up. the instructors and TA's were extremely helpful and understanding of the students. overall, i feel miles more confident at my software development and problem-solving skills than when i went in. -
Jonas Paulikas
Graduate
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14 weeks of instruction in JavaScript, Python, OOP, Django, React, PostgreSQL, & HTML / CSS. Instructors, TA's, and mentors REALLY go above and beyond to help you understand the material. There's also career coaching, resume coaching, plenty of networking opportunities, etc. The resources are truly endless, if you have a desire to learn. On top of that, the available internship program is top notch. I really can't say enough good things about this school. Thank you, Rod, and everyone for making Code Platoon happen!! -
Michael O.
Game Changer
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I am going to assume that at least some of the people reading this are either veterans or military spouses that have come across Code Platoon and are trying to decide if the program is worth it. I just finished it and I can tell you with complete confidence that it is worth every bit of your time and if you have the opportunity, do the application and commit to the course. If you are worried about the cost, lucky for you, they work with many sponsors that provide scholarships that cover most if not all of the tuition. To add to that, the team behind code platoon also works with these sponsors to provide internships and sometimes full-time positions following the course for many of the students, which I'm not sure any other boot camps do. The course itself is top-notch and the instructors are super knowledgeable and attentive to all levels of ability coming into each cohort. It will absolutely prepare you for an entry-level position in software. The stack they teach is up to date with the industry and the concepts you learn will give you a good base for starting and continuing down this career path. At this time, the course is fully remote which I expected to be a hassle but It didn't detract from the learning experience in my opinion. -
Jose Rodriguez
Student review
Code platoon is without a doubt the best coding camp out there. With the added assistance from instructors, versatile curriculum, job assistance and career prep, it has truly made me ready to enter the world of software development and engage in a new career. -
Wilson
You're gonna learn every day
It is a very intensive coding boot camp that teaches you a ton beyond just coding. In the end they teach you a ton of skills beyond coding and assisting in getting a job during and after the course. Really valuable experience and when I talk to friends in the industry, they all say that I've been set up well for success. -
Emma
Full Stack Developer Course
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I had a great experience at Code Platoon. The instructors are extremely invested in each student, and there is always someone to ask for help when you feel lost. I never really imagined that I could learn so much so fast. Also, aside from the coursework, the internship opportunities offered by companies to graduates at the end of the course is something that I had not read about being offered at any other coding bootcamp. The different kinds of scholarships and grants afforded to students to help with tuition also make this program a great opportunity for anyone able to attend Code Platoon. -
Heather Salyer
An amazing opportunity!
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The decision to attend a coding bootcamp was a hard one for me to make. I worried that the course would be too fast-paced and I would get left behind. Code Platoon immediately made me feel welcome and cared for and I knew it was the school for me. I never felt alone and there was always someone to help when I became stuck. I would highly recommend this bootcamp to anyone that is eligible to attend. It is a lot of work, but the instructors and TAs are there to support you. If you put in the work you will get through the course. This is the best decision I have ever made, and I am so thankful to Code Platoon for offering such a wonderful opportunity. I am proud to be a part of the Code Platoon family. -
Michael Grandori
Do you want a cert, or a skill set?
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Code platoon has 3 major things that after my exhaustive search for a DoD skill bridge program that others simply do not have:
1) A tech stack that forces you to learn multiple technologies and therefore become more confident in your ability to find the similarities in new languages and apply them. Don’t come here thinking you are just gonna learn JavaScript-everything-stack and leave it at that.
2) A comprehensive soft skills program covering topics like wealth management, inclusion and diversity, and career/interview prep. I had historically struggled with interviews due to excessive nervousness- but taking a day per question to bullet point out my response and practicing it throughout the cohort (yes, including in front of the whole cohort of 22! Get out of your comfort zone!) made me realize that I am actually pretty damn good at interviewing, I just previously hadn’t been practiced enough.
3) A network of top tier companies that are completely and utterly invested in the product that code platoon delivers. No where else will you find 3-4 members of a company with a combined 35 years of experience come in to present their offerings, give mock interviews, check up on students, and ultimately give paid internships to them. With all the amazing competition in Chicago, this demonstrates incredible faith these companies have that the students they place there have learned to learn. -
Jason Rideout
Extremely Rewarding Experience
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Code Platoon is much more than a coding boot camp. It is a program by veterans for veterans that genuinely prepares you for a transition into the tech field. Along with programming, the instructors teach interview preparation, resume writing, and other skills needed to be successful. Code Platoon offers to match you with a mentor already in the field early in the program. It is not required, but I would recommend it! -
Tim
Student
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I had a great experience at Code Platoon. It's tough but highly rewarding. A few positives: broad core curriculum, interesting workshops by guest speakers, & solid interview prep. Also, CP is very intentional about managing the program cost; many students were on full scholarships through VET-TEC and Skillbridge. Just know, the pace is extremely fast; burnout is possible when you're putting in the requisite time. -
augiek
Great bootcamp
I learned more than I thought possible, all in a supportive and flexible environment. I feel lucky to've gotten to attend CP. The instructors were excellent, and both the technical and career prep curricula were outstanding. If you're a veteran or military spouse thinking about learning to code, I'd look long and hard at Code Platoon. -
Kevin Maguire
Full-time Remote Experience
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Originally, I was completely unaware of Code Platoon as a coding bootcamp option. It was appealing for a few reasons: VET-TEC approved, follow veterans and spouses, full stack web development and a full-time remote option. If you have no prior experience in programming, you will not be left behind. However, you will need to put in several hours outside of lecture and beyond the homework. The best thing to help your progression will be learning how you learn. I watched a lot of YouTube tutorials prior to starting new languages, frameworks or libraries to get familiar. Reading documentation is also extremely helpful and underrated. You will more than likely be overwhelmed at the beginning and at additional points.
Once you start learning, you get exposed to an exponential amount of computer science disciplines. This isn’t new information if you have been reading up on attending a bootcamp, but I want to make it clear there will be stress involved. The staff and teaching assistances will help you understand the material, not just complete it, and will answer all your questions. The bootcamp is still working 100% remote due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety. Therefore, you need to make sure you ask questions. The program sets you up for success with an excellent curriculum, which is not limited to development. It also includes internships, job placement assistance, resume assistance, budget management, investment strategies and one-on-one mentorship. These are all great benefits if you take advantage of them. Find your motivator and hold to it throughout the program. If you do that, Code Platoon will help you with the rest to start a rewarding career in software development.
It took me nearly six months to get placed after regular applications and interviews. They will attempt to find a career for you in your area with the help of Rich and the Chicago staff. They consistently work with you to work on interviews, resumes, networking and introductions to potential employers. The bootcamp does not end when you graduate, and they support you to remain on task. I could not state enough how helpful it is to have someone keeping you on track and motivated, especially in this current economic climate. The strategies we developed together, and the consistent communication were crucial for my successful placement at an excellent company in the Boston area. -
Chase Thorpe
An Excellent Way For Vets to Break Into Software Engineering
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After doing network security for a number of years in the Navy, I was ready to rejoin civilian life and knew that I wanted to get into software engineering. I started researching various programs and bootcamps that I could take part in through the DoD Skillbridge program. Code Platoon was hands down the only choice for me after looking at probably 7 or 8 different programs. This program is 100% catered to veterans, by veterans and you can really tell from start to finish. I just want to highlight a couple of my experiences, starting with the initial application, to the the course content itself, and finally, to the post graduation support.
Every single person at Code Platoon goes out of their way to make you feel informed about what you are getting into. I never once felt like I was being sold a product or being duped into signing up. My first few phone calls were with the Executive Director and he went out of his way to answer all my questions and to be available even though we were multiple time zones away from each other. Code Platoon is not a program that is out to get your money. They offer a number of attendance and scholarship models and if you take part in the DoD Skillbridge program, they offer a full scholarship to the remote program. This ended up saving me a significant amount of money. One key highlight on this aspect is how they responded to the Covid situation. I was initially supposed to take part in the "in person" program (this confers certain benefits not available to "remote" students such as in person workshops, an internship program, etc) which is not 100% funded by Skillbridge scholarship. However, due to Covid we were forced to go remote for the duration of the course and this made travelling to Chicago impossible. Code Platoon could have easily continued to hold me in an "In Person" status and charge me the money that I would have had to pay, but they didnt and I didn't even have to ask. The Director called me, and said due to the situation I was welcome to change my status to "remote" if I wanted in order to save me some money. I was so impressed by this level of integrity from a business.
So on to the course content, is it any good? Upon starting Code Platoon, I already had a degree in Software Development and was primarily using the course for more hands on and practical experience. I can honestly say that this is some of the best instruction you can get and rivaled or topped many of my classes in college. The curriculum is designed to get you proficient with the most relevant and in demand technologies in Web Development and by the end, you are building full stack web applications with multiple programming languages and frameworks. One small thing to point out here is: the bootcamp is fast paced and there is a lot to cover (llike every bootcamp will be) so while you do get a ton of hands on practice building apps and will feel comfortable building by the end, not a ton of time is spent understanding theory and computer science concepts(this is not going to get you a degree in computer science). However, this is not a critique of Code Platoon specifically, but of the bootcamp model in general. You get a lot of the "how", but I wish students got a bit more of the "why" as well. That aside, by the end of the program you will absolutely be ready to accept a junior developer role. While the pace and intensity is very high, one thing I liked about the instructors was that they never made you feel like you were slowing them down or wasting their time. Even though there's a ton of content to get through, they always made sure to pause for questions, and would flesh out anything that wasn't making sense and if necessary, would spend time with you offline or after hours making sure you got through whatever you were stuck on. I really can't say enough about how great and patient all of the instructors were.
Finally, I wanted to say a couple of things about career prep and post graduation resources. Throughout the course, many many hours are spent not just teaching you the technical skills, but preparing you for all of the things outside of coding (resume building, LinkedIn presence/networking, interview practice, job hunting, etc.). You get a ton of practice answering typical interview questions as well as technical whiteboarding questions. You do this both privately and in front of the class which really helps shake off the nerves and performance anxiety that comes with interviews. They also bring in industry professionals to do both technical and non technical workshops to give you different perspectives on various aspects of the industry. This is long enough now so I'll just finish by saying that Code Platoon was an incredible experience and I have already landed my first job as a software engineer, largely thanks to the skills I gained through this course. -
Aaron Wood
A No Brainer / Best Decision I've Ever Made
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If you are a veteran or a spouse of a veteran and looking to get into the software engineering field, applying to attend this program should be the only thing you consider. I am a recent graduate and not only did they teach me the relevant skills to dive into a post-military job, they also taught me the soft-skills needed to land one (resume / linkedin reviews, mock interviews, etc...). I am so happy I found this program. I was a DoD SkillBridge remote attendee, so I didn't qualify for post-course internship opportunities, but that program is available for in-person students who decide to reside in Chicago. -
Alex Taylor
Great experience for military and their spouses
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If you are thinking of breaking into software development this program is a must. It offers a fantastic curriculum and great instruction. I had no coding experience at all prior to enrolling and the program, while challenging, was very rewarding. There was always help when I needed it. No student was left behind in my cohort, even students like myself that were starting from nothing. What surprised me the most about the course was the career development and post-course opportunities. Internships are offered after the course and if you don't get placed in one of those, there are plenty of networking opportunities that you can take advantage of to ensure timely employment in the tech industry. Along with the instruction, Code Platoon has excellent alumni support, daily TA volunteers from within the industry, and mentorship that lasts throughout the program and beyond. This program far exceeded my expectations and has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. -
Bek Zhuma
Best Network - Best Value
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To keep it short and sweet:
Value:- CodePlatoon (CP) offers best value for money - no other bootcamp can match that.
- If you're thinking of applying through Job Boards or companies' career postings - you're doing it wrong. You will be among hundreds of applicants for entry-level positions (college grads with Computer Science degrees, other bootcamp grads, and other junior engineers).
- The best way of getting a job is through your network! A lot of times great positions in good companies are unadvertised and/or are filled through referrals.
- CP has a massive network of staff, alumni and volunteers who are professional software engineers. Once you graduate, they become a part of YOUR network.
- Since CP is tailored for veterans and their spouses - it is a very exclusive bootcamp and class sizes are really small.
- You can get attention and assistance from several full-time instructors, teaching assistants, volunteers.
- For example, during a normal day I could ask for help from 2 instructors and at least 5 TA's - all for a class of 20 students. Compare that with a bootcamp where you are a one of a 100 other students.
- No video tutorials, no BS, just the stuff you need for work.
- A lot of hands-on programming and exercises!
- The curriculum is always evolving - to adapt to job market requirements, and with the feedback from prior students.
- This is the secret sauce – you get to interview with the best companies in Chicago and get a shot of landing an internship with them immediately after graduation.
- The best part is that they come to you! They come to Code Platoon and interview you!
- I have never ever heard of any other bootcamp or even CS grads getting such an opportunity.
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Hal Baird
Absolutely The Best
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The Code Platoon full-stack development boot camp is outstanding in every way. The curriculum is up to date and relevant to the current job market. The instructors are all consummate professionals with tremendous knowledge and insight to share regarding what is really happening in software development today. The instructors, staff, and teaching assistants are all selfless to a fault in giving of their time and energy to ensure each student's needs are met all of the time. The Code Platoon administrators have thought of every need a student might have and they provide resources and people to meet those needs. For example, each student is assigned a mentor who currently works in the software development industry and an equally-qualified personal resume coach. The mentor and coach have at least weekly interactions with each student throughout the course. The curriculum also includes extensive instruction and practical exercises on interviewing skills and job search strategies. Any veteran or spouse of a veteran could not find a better boot camp in all the world! A first-rate organization run by first-rate people!!
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Michael Blaha
Student
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Code Platoon is by far above and beyond anything I expected. Code Platoon is very passionate and dedicated to the success of all their students. They not only have a challenging and well structured cirriculum, but also they connect each student to a network of driven professionals to support the student's journey to success. The program from start to finish covers Javascript and Python algortihms, Functional and Object Oriented Programming, Test Based Development, Html web development, CSS for Html designing, SQL data base language, PostgresSQL relational database management system, Django Framework using Python and Postgres for backend and frontend development, and React.js for frontend development. The final outcome from the coding cirriculum is two projects. One project is your own personally design application and the second is a group produce application. During the program you will go through many presentations from professionals, that will help with understanding certian languages, github (service for storing, distribution, and version control, interview preparation, and much more. When you graduate from the program you will have an opprotunity to obtain an apprentiship with an assortment of great companies. The staff is friendly, patient, and extremely helpful. If you are interested in a dev boot camp, this is one you can put your faith in.
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Marcos
Life-changing Experience
If you are a veteran looking to attend a coding boot camp and break into tech, this is absolutely the program for you. Code Platoon is about more than teaching you how to code. It's about preparing you to be a well rounded candidate for a postition as a junior developer. There isn't another program out there that has the support staff, volunteers and networking opportunities that Code Platoon has.
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Holly Burd
Code Platoon is the only option for veterans and spouses!
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CodePlatoon covers everything to help you build your first web application. You learn a lot of tools, JavaScript. Python, React, Django, SQL and are given a lot of guidance and support. They also put the extra effort to form your resume, give you career coaching, help you make new connections in the community, and make sure you are set up for a new career. It is intense, but in that amazing way where you never run out of things to work on, so you are growing at an exponential rate. The instructors are so involved and really care about what they are doing for their students. The director and human resources person are the same, this program exists because of their real passion for helping veterans start new careers. I love everything they have done for me. I learned more than I imagined was possible in 3 months and feel like I am at the beginning of an awesome new journey in technology with unbelievable resources in the community because of this bootcamp.
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Karin
The best coding bootcamp for veterans and spouses
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I am so grateful that I as a military spouse was able to attend code platoon. My husband who is a veteran attended code platoon last year, and he had an amazing experience. He completed the 14-week program and was able to get an apprentice position through this bootcamp. Now he is working full time as a software engineer. After his experience, I too decided to attend code platoon because I was looking for a career change, and they accept military spouses! I had a great experience throughout this course. At the end of the course, I was able to build fully functional full-stack web application. I definitely recommend this bootcamp for veterans and spouses who are looking to get into web development and software engineering.
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Greg Wegrzynowicz
Unparalleled Devotion and Support to all Students that Attend
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I decided to to attend Code Platoon after completing my Bachelors in Interdisplinary Studies and my Masters in Business Administration. I learned more throughout this Boot-Camp than my entire 6 year education prior to it. They teach allot more than programming. They bring in brilliant people to teach you about the learning process and it helps motivate and encourage you to struggle through the material. They also bring in tech-business experts to teach you about the industry and provide informal emotional intillegence training to help you get better at working with others. They provide you with certifications, like SAFE and Amazon Web Services that will help you stand out during your job hunt. At the end of every week students have the ability to provide feedback on the Course Material to make each cohort better than the next. The teachers are outstanding and the TA's are awesome, patient and take time ourt of their own day to ensure you learn the material. The only hard part is swallowing your pride and asking for the additional help. Its their if you want it.
My only quam about the program is not being able to apply for work if you decide to enter their apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships are not guranteed but they do their best to make sure they have enough apprenticeships for the entire class. My cohort had 7 Apprenticeship positions for 9 in person students so the odds of landing a job are much higher than applying on your own. With that being said it is optional to participate in the apprenticeship program and your competition is less steep if you decide to enter in it. It is just not guranteed you land an apprenticeship.
So my advice to you is take your time with the pre-work make sure you learn everything, ask questions before you get in the program, the instructors are more than willing to help. It will only set you up for further success.
All In all this is the only learning environment where I fealt loved and supported throughout the entire process. Even when I wanted to quit others around me encouraged me to struggle and grow. Forever grateful for the experience and happy I struggled through it.
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Jason Green
No Regrets - Excited to Get a Job
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I decided to go to Code Platoon after graduating with a Biomedical Engineering degree. The director, Rod Levy, was welcoming from the beginning. He was understanding and adaptable to my needs as a wheelchair-user, specifically taking in account my travel difficulties and health concerns. Sometimes I would need to take the class as a remote student. Additionally, both instructors, Jon and Josh, explained concepts clearly, encouraged questions, and would support frustrated students during individual coding exercises when the students were stuck. Every Monday through Thursday, a couple of helpful TAs would assist us with coding after hours. The general atmosphere was great because all the of the gladly students jump in to help each other. Just like the military, we don't leave our battle-buddies behind.
Even with all the support, the course is very challenging. Students are expected to do research, experiment with code, and figure out how to solve our problems. This is an absolute necessity in the world of programming. Google is our best friend. And there are many tricky concepts where Stack Overflow has suggestions to help us. The school has plenty of outsiders come in and give us workshops on key concepts such as Git, Data Science, SQL, React, and job searches. Code Platoon also gives lots of help to finding a job by developing Linked-In profiles, resumes, white-boarding challenges, and giving interview practice. Most of the students here will get a paid internship. And for the several who do miss out, Code Platoon has lots of connections to other software companies in the Chicago area, many who seem to be scouting for talent. I have full confidence that I will get an internship or a job very soon. I feel like I've learned more in a few months here than in a few years attending college.
Anyway, I love the program and recommend it to anybody who is will to put forth 100% effort. I suggest that newcomers not only do the pre-work, but also take online courses (YouTube, Udemy, etc.) on Git, Django, and REACT. REACT was especially difficult with the asynchronous programming, and I think it will benefit students to try to understand it in advance. Good luck everyone, and I hope to stop in and see my fellow Code Platoon cohorts in the future!