Codesmith Reviews
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James E
One of the hardest (and best) things I've done!
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I’ve been looking at making a career change into software engineering for a few years now. As an older worker (51), the prospect of moving into something completely new has been pretty intimidating. I’d looked at bootcamps and didn’t see anything that taught things I couldn’t learn on my own (I’ve taken a ton of Udemy and Coursera online courses) and the job-placement offerings didn’t seem very effective, so they just didn’t seem worth the investment.
In January, I was looking at how to get an entry-level role when I stumbled onto Codesmith. I was impressed with the reviews and stunned by their outcomes. Enough so that I went ahead and
What Codesmith is not:- A bootcamp — Though Codesmith has the shape of a bootcamp, it is nothing like what is typically described by that term. It is immersive and is three months long. And since you are learning some technical skills, it seems like a bootcamp. Typically, bootcamps take people with little or no experience and give them the basic skills for getting an entry-level job with which you start a new career. That is not Codesmith. Codesmith graduates consistently get mid- to senior-level engineering roles for they first jobs. There really isn’t an appropriate industry term for it, though “tech accelerator” is the closest I’ve heard.
- A technical school/program — Yes, you will learn the technical skills for building a full stack app. But that is the smallest part of what Codesmith achieves with its students, where that is primarily what “bootcamps” teach. Codesmith will train you to solve the hard engineering problems typically reserved for senior developers. You will learn how to quickly onboard new technologies that are unfamiliar and work with teams on a professional level. What gets covered in most programs, we got through in less than a month. The last half of the program, we are building products for other engineers (out in the real world) to use in their professional day-to-day. No social media clones or todo list projects here!
- Easy, at all — If you are still at all unsure about making a career change into engineering, don’t waste your time. You will get frustrated and likely feel more uncertain. If you are positive you want to change directions and become a mid- to senior-level engineer, the next step is to recognize that Codesmith is not a short cut. The years of experience that go into entry level to mid are compressed into 3 months. This is more a direct route, but it is extremely difficult, frequently frustrating, occasionally empowering and always exhausting. Everyone in this program faces faltering confidence and profound imposter syndrome. And it was one of the best experiences of my life!
- A certificate factory — It is hard to get admitted to Codesmith. You have to demonstrate an entry-level skillset before you are admitted (don’t worry, their free online CSX coursework and their workshops are amazing and will get you ready). It is rare for people to pass their admissions process the first time. And when you graduate, they are not done with you. They give you outstanding training around the hiring process and resume writing that continues long after you’ve completed the program. In addition to the instruction and support the dedicated hiring team gives graduates, Codesmith has done an amazing job of building a large alumni support network. CS grads look out for other CS grads!
- A magic bullet — but it is not *not* a magic bullet. It is the shortest path to an exciting, high paying job, but it is also going to be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. It is difficult to explain Codesmith to people stuck in the typical bootcamp paradigm, but when they see you write code or debug a broken app, your engineering chops will be undeniable. Two months after graduating, my cohort mates and I are getting scooped up by employers and most of us are getting starting salaries well above the median shown on this website (including me!).
If you are serious becoming an engineer, I cannot possibly recommend Codesmith enough. It is incredibly tough to get into and even harder to survive. But if you are going to make such an important move, why waste time with partial measures. That way, when you get your first engineering job and are bring home a six-figure income, you will have confidence that you earned it! -
Peter
Elite above all measure
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I can't begin to explain how much choosing to become a SWE and to be accepted by Codesmith has made an impact on my life. I did my due diligence thoroughly, and I'm the type to have every bit of skepticism and doubt. But the results are very much real, and the community that this program fosters is beyond what any other camp or typical school has done. Every step I took during the curriculum and process made me feel without doubt this program is elite, and ahead of the curve by tenfold. The hiring portion with Eric K. and Annie Z. maybe worth the tuition alone. I was shocked how much support and care they gave post graduation.
And when all was said and done, I've gained a confidence, drive and ability to become autonomous, and for that alone I would have paid in buckets of gold. I'm not sure how else to convey this because I really was someone with complete doubt about sites like these and the boot-camps themselves. But as an online review, I'll just say go to their CSX slack channel and take a look. Make a friend, test different boot-camps out with them. No online review good or bad should stop you from making your own decision, and honestly that is how strongly I feel how great your experience will be.
But regardless of where all your paths take you, I wish you all the best of luck on your journey! Tech is everything you hear about and more, and you'll be making the best decision in your life towards greater personal fulfillment. -
Melody H
Effective and Encouraging
The course is well-structured and provides ample opportunity to clarify challenging aspects through meaningful repetition. The instructors are knowledgeable, personable and passionate. Along with a great community of students, Codesmith offers a learning environment that is effective and encouraging - you won't feel intimidated when you have questions or when you are struggling with the material. -
Bryanna
CS Prep
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I took CS to prepare for the interview to the full-time immersive program. I thought it was definitely worth it. I had Matt as an instructor and he was very supportive and went through the material in a way that was easier to understand. We went in depth on higher order functions, callback, recursion and some more material. We also had a group project that was great. I definitely feel more prepared for my technical interview. -
Allison
Went in a Publicist, Came Out a Senior Software Engineer
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How & Why I Initially Chose Codesmith....
I remember looking at bootcamp reviews on here just a few months ago. I read hundreds of reviews from various sources, spent hour scouring CIRR.org, going through Google's "news" about each of my top choices. Ultimately, I landed on Codesmith, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. It wasn't just their impressive stats on CIRR, or their top reviews from grads, but their style of teaching; being able to experience that prior to any financial commitment to see if it was right for me is really what put Codesmith above the rest right from the start (their free prep course is a combination of online challenges and weekly interactive workshops via Zoom).
I decided to give their paid prep programs a try - I took both "JavaScript for Beginners" and "CSPrep" (Codesmith Prep), and I was hooked. Their entire model is based on not only teaching you concepts, but teaching you how to learn complex technologies and ideas on your own. This "hard learning", as they call it, is the way Codesmith creates mid to senior level engineers straight out of their program. I applied to the full time program in New York, currently fully online, and started in March of 2021.
The Full Time Program....
Now, I will start by saying this program is hard. It's arguably one of the most challenging 3 months I've experienced to date, but worth every minute. Classes are 6 days/week, and my classmates and I often found ourselves doing a little extra after class, or on the weekend.
There are a few things that really set Codesmith apart from other programs:- You have the opportunity to learn both the basics (i.e. MERN), as well as specializing in a more complex technology, such as Kafka or GraphQL;
- You have the opportunity to give a public talk on a technical subject (I did mine on AWS), which not only allows you to learn more about that subject, but arms you with the ability to talk about the topic in depth once you start interviewing;
- The hiring portion. There are truly not enough words to describe how valuable this part of Codesmith is to their residents. There are Computer Science majors that go through Codesmith purely for the opportunity to go through this part of the program.
- On this, hiring support goes beyond the time you're taking the program. You always have access to the team and resources throughout your career - they'll send feedback on your resume, they will counsel you on negotiation, and pair you with a mentor upon request.
The Results....- The results really don't lie here - less than two months out of Codesmith, I had four offers just shy of $150k, ranging from SE1 to Senior Software Engineer in title.
- Codesmith puts you into groups with a few of your classmates to work with post-program, and encourages you to organize standups, and support each other through interviews, failures, resume tweaks etc., to add to the in-house support they offer. Two months post-graduation, and all bar one of us have signed offers ranging from $115-180k, and all have mid or senior titles.
As hard as this was to believe back in November when I was just learning how a while loop works, here I am, a senior engineer for a well-known financial company, and watching the amazing results of my peers as they get hired, one-by-one. All the stress, the fatigue, the frustration of learning something new was worth every single second, and I have Codesmith to thank for this literal life-changing opportunity. -
Joe Bigelow
Amazing Investment
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As a performer, whose industry was wiped out during the pandemic, I enrolled at Codesmith after working hard to gain the foundational knowledge and pass the technical interviews. It was a daunting decision because of the initial financial commitment, but I am so glad I did. Two months after graduating, I secured a full-time, remote, mid-level engineering position for 6 figures (and many of my classmates accepted senior level roles). The curriculum of Codesmith is great, but where the program really shines is through the network you develop with your classmates and the ongoing support of the organization. The hiring curriculum blew me away. Codesmith's negotiation specialist, Eric Kirsten, helped me negotiate an extra 25k onto my salary, which more than covered the cost of the entire tuition. For 3 months of schooling, this is probably the best ROI I will ever experience. So excited for this next chapter! -
Brit L
CS Prep Overall Review
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Overall, I felt that the CS Prep remote experience was exceptional for people who are trying to get into the immersive bootcamp. My instructor, Matt Peters was very knowledgeable, helpful and made sure that anyone who had questions were able to get answers both during class hours and outside of class hours. I came out of the class with more knowledge, resources, AND peers than I had going in. -
Xiao
Best decision I have made
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Codesmith is amazing in every way. The curriculum, the instructors, the job assistance and the community are all top notch. I had the opportunity to work with the smartest, most supportive and most hard working classmates.
The curriculum and projects are definitely very challenging but it's so worth it. I felt every day I am getting pushed and maximizing my potential. I learned how to learn any new technology/framework super fast and I learned how to learn myself by reading docs and researching.
The instructors and Engineering fellow are brilliant and very supportive. I did the fully remote 9 month part-time program but I always feel connected with everyone. They also have various social events for everybody to connect and know each other.
The job assistance is great too. By graduation time we have our resume and other job search social profile fully prepared and ready to go. Codesmith also has a very powerful alumni network we can get access to.
I signed an offer right before my program completes and will start my new job two weeks after graduation day. Thank you Codesmith! -
Taylor Davis
Software Engineering Immersive
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Started January 11th, no formal training. All I had done prior was the prep course offered.
I am 2 months removed from the program and begin stand ups with my team in a week.
For anyone worried about whether this program is legit or not is probably asking the wrong question. It’s absolutely enough for anyone, the question is more about who you are. It’s a lot of hard work and an even larger time dedication. The job search is a grind.
But I can’t imagine any other program is better at giving you the correct resources, guidance, and connections.
Would do it over tomorrow. -
Viet
CS Prep Course
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From someone who has no background in programing or software engineering, I was hesitant on taking this course since I didn't know if I would be able to keep up with the rest of the students. However, I quickly realized the way the instructors teach is very considerate of anyone new to this type of work. They would slow things down or make sure anyone who has questions would have them answered or be given the resources they need to help further their understanding of the concepts learned in class. There's also a wide range of students who are in the course as well with different backgrounds so it gives you a sense of relatability with everyone else. All concepts and lectures are explained and diagramed very well and are made available to download or refence back to after the class is done. Overall, I had a great experience with the prep course and it has honestly made the transition into applying to the immersive bootcamp all that much easier and exciting. -
Dave
CS Prep
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Before joining CS Prep I was under the impression that I was decent at JS, but I clearly didn't know what I didn't know. My instructor (Shout out to Matt) was awesome and honest. He didn't make up something on the spot, if there was something he didn't know he found out and always got back to us. He made himself super accessible. The curriculum is helpful some people preferred if we coded more, but the class is moreso to teach you how to fish not just to give you fish. There were (and still is) times when I diagrammed code to have a deeper understanding of the material. The most important part is that after the 2 weeks of CS Prep, my technical communication has increased a ton, my coding ability and most importantly my confidence in my coding ability increased. It was definitely challenging if you are a beginner, but if you were like me and did some udemy classes with JS, I think you will fit into CS Prep well, if not check out JSB, I heard it's good. -
LA40graduate
Best decision I made
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I graduated Codesmith and landed a 6 figure job within 2 weeks. Codesmith has an excellent hiring support program that actually cares about you and your career. They were always available whenever I had questions or just to provide some moral support (shoutout to David and Annie). Erik is a wonderful guy, helped me tremendously with negotiating. He is an expert at it!! It was a pleasure to work with Erik during my negotiation process. He was available to get in touch with me throughout the day and support me no matter when I hit him up even though he is exceptionally busy.
About the program, I think the materials are very up to date. Everything I learned I saw in job descriptions. I wish we had spent more time on each unit because even though the instructors and materials were great, it was a lot of extra hours I put in to actually master the crafts on my own. The best thing about codesmith i would say is the community. I have found friends for life even though we were fully remote. They were able to cultivate a culture of empathy, teamwork, and leadership. I would not have got to the point i am today without the support of my cohort mates!! 100000% recommend! -
Liam McBride
Software Engineering Immersive
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I attended Codesmith from August to November 2020 in the LA36 cohort. I was initially pretty skeptical about boot camps in general, but got the feeling that Codesmith might be different after attending a Hard Parts lecture and speaking with the lead instructor Dave. Every instructor at Codesmith has a deep understanding of JavaScript and a knack for explaining it in an easy to digest way. On top of that, you spend the majority of your time in the immersive writing code with other students, so you get experience collaborating with Git/Github, pair-programming, and explaining your thought-process. The work is also really difficult and the learning comes at you like a firehose, but everyone is really supportive and the community really holds each-other up. I honestly don't know how they do it, but I felt really close with my cohortmates and made lifelong connections. In the job search, I drew upon my production project experience to find common ground with other engineers and got help from Codesmith, even though I had already graduated. The alumni support team and network frequently posts new positions and helps you prepare for interviews, which I would've never had without Codesmith. Overall, it was 10/10 and really worth it. Would do it again if I could go back! -
Alex S.
Exclusive and expensive, but worth every penny.
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Best bootcamp out there IMO, but I don’t think there’s anything particularly special about the curriculum. It is mostly taught by (extremely capable) recent grads, and all the stuff that is taught can just as well be self-learned (for a much lower price tag). However, “hard-learning” and hours and hours (and hours) of pair programming are where a bulk of the growth happens. A lot of people look at the outcome numbers and are skeptical, but they’re 100% legit. This is in part because Codesmith kind of paves its own legacy by making the bar for admission very high compared to other bootcamps. Peeking through the resumes of my peers, there were plenty of UC and Ivy Leaguers in my cohort — the kind of ambitious folks who would probably have been successful without doing a bootcamp. This isn’t to say you have to be a genius to get in, but you need to be dedicated and driven. By getting to the level where you can even get admitted, you should feel encouraged that you can eventually master Javascript land a high paying position in the industry. On the other side of that though, the community that Codesmith cultivates, and their hiring prep program are outstanding. You don’t really graduate until you are hired - that is- you have unfettered access to the staff and can schedule support sessions well after the program ends. These aspects were critical to me landing a high paying job within 3 months of graduation. I would make the decision to enroll every time. -
Adam
Student
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There is no other bootcamp like Codesmith. That's it.
If you apply to all of the big-name coding immersive programs, you will immediately see that Codesmith is a step above the rest. Even ones like hack reactor or app academy are cakewalk interviews, whereas Codesmith actually challenges its students before entry.
Once you're accepted they throw you into the gauntlet. It's a lot. But you come out a better programmer and team member and technical communicator. Because so much of the curriculum is project based, especially the last ~5 weeks, you have a wealth of topics to talk about in your interviews. If you pay attention to how they teach you to speak and present yourself to employers, follow their guide and you will get a high paying software engineering role. Guaranteed. You may still feel like an imposter, and you probably are, but you're confident enough and speak well enough that nobody can tell.
Go to Codesmith if you're serious. It takes your time. But you'll know some shit after.
They really do help with resume and getting a job. Their resume strategy is unique and effective. They check in on you and help you in negotiations. All around win win. They money you spend on this program will be repaid in your salary. -
Saejin Kang
My path to becoming an engineer
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I'm writing this review as a newly hired software engineer at an amazing startup 5 months after graduating. At the end of 2019 after I graduated with a non-technical degree, I wouldn't have thought this was possible. Codesmith played the biggest factor in this, and joining was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I heard about Codesmith through a friend who had already graduated, and so I took a look at CSX and attended a couple of their workshops. I was impressed with both the quality of learning I received and the energy that Codesmith possessed. But it wasn't those aspects of Codesmith that made me really appreciate what they do. The amount of care and support they put into each student, during and after graduation, is what made it worth it to me. I'm probably not going to be sending applications any time soon, but when I do I know the help and support will still be there. -
Joseph
Highly Recommended!!!
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I'm the type of person who digs through the internet for reviews, and quality of services and products that I'm interested in. I found Codesmith after days of googling, watching vlogs of people attending bootcamps, seeing their progress, and digging into message boards. I've also tried attending free lectures and workshops. And by far, Codesmith stood out for their pursuit of excellence. They are selective for a reason. As long as you put in the time, which is a TON, and you're generally good to work with, and if you're serious about taking this path, then you should really consider this program. I'm a musician prior to entering the program, have always been pretty technical and interested in computers (but never did coded anything), and after a year I now work at one of the biggest telecommunication companies. -
Rob
Software Engineer
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Through Codesmith’s CS Prep and Full-time Immersive, I made a full career switch into software development.
After researching several immersive programs, CS stood out to me with their distinguished reviews. It was then learning JS through their CSX platform, attending their workshops and joining CS Prep where I was really captured by their unique curriculum and teaching style.
The full-time program was no exception as it continued to showcase expert-level instruction from guiding you through full stack web technologies to hiring support while fostering a collaborative and communicative learning environment. The curriculum is certainly intense and unapologetic (in a positive way), and it’s up to the students to put in the work in order to get the most out of it - trusting the system and embracing the challenges will set you up for future success in your job search. The solid community of peers and staff support are unique aspects of this program that set it apart from others.
I greatly value the skills, experiences and friends that I obtained through CS, and I recommend this to anyone who is looking for the same. -
Heather F
Amazing Program!
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I had a wonderful experience at Codesmith. The support I received was outstanding and I felt really prepared to enter the job market. The first time I ever looked at code was 6 months to the day that I was offered a full-time software engineering job. Codesmith fast-tracked my education and career in the field of software engineering. The curriculum is rigorous, and the projects you create during your time there are above and beyond any other program that I looked at. I made some amazing friends during my time there as well. The hiring support is incredible and I felt fully supported throughout the application process. I highly recommend the program! -
Ousman
The best
There is no question. Codesmith prepares you for success, grooms your skills, and sends you off with the best possible chance to land an amazing job. I wish there was some competition to speak of... but there's not. -
Garrett
CS Prep
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I took the CS Prep class in an attempt to be more prepared for the Codesmith interview process. I could not be more satisfied with the level of information I have retained and been able to apply due to this program. The level of professionalism and structure on Codesmith's part are next to none. My instructor was Chris, and he did the most amazing job explaining everything while remaining patient and thorough with any questions he was asked throughout the course. The students I pair programmed with were all fairly close in skill level which made it a nice experience. -
Alex
Great curriculum, community and outcomes
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The Codesmith engineering immersive program is one of, if not the best bootcamp experiences around. After comparing various bootcamps by instructors, curriculum and outcomes, it was clear to me that Codesmith would provide me the best opportunity to transition into software engineering. The curriculum is rigorous and captivating, taught by experienced people, both professional engineers and top former graduates of the program. The combination of data structures and algorithms (important for technical interviews when looking for a job) and in-depth web development is key for any aspiring engineer, and the Codesmith curriculum pushes its residents to learn as much as possible during the program. The deciding factor on choosing Codesmith over other bootcamps was the culminating project, which is a tool built for other engineers to use during their development process, rather than a client-facing product. This kind of project requires a higher level of dedication, as the ideas and features for building a dev tool are more complex than a client-facing application. While the experience will be one of the hardest things that most people will go through, the community is extremely supportive and easily one of my favorite aspects of the whole program. The friends that I made during the program really made my time that much better, because we were all challenged at various points and supported each other throughout. While the job search is certainly challenging, the program provides great hiring support and checks in frequently on your progress, as well as providing a plethora of information on how best to succeed throughout the job hunt. -
Jordan K.
Great Experience
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Attending Codesmith was a great experience; I learned a lot of things and it really shaped my foundation of web development. It was a grueling boot camp as you spend tons of hours coding and learning however, it was a decision I do not regret. Instructors were great, they really want you to succeed as the curriculum was hard! But overall, I would recommend Codesmith to anyone looking for a great boot camp. -
Drew
Fantastic Intro Course
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When you've finished a course and wish there were more sessions... that's when you know it was a great experience.
I would def. recommend JavaScript for Beginners (JSB) to anyone who is interested in exploring a career change into a developer role. I came in with almost no experience (just a handful of exercises in Codecademy) and in two short weekend sessions I'm hooked.
Even with the course being completely remote, the course was engaging with everyone participating and the instructor taking time to really walk through questions - either on the topic at hand, broader Codesmith questions, or even questions about the industry in general.
The curriculum was also great for an intro course - it wasn't just showing 'do this for this to happen' but actually going through some of the nuts and bolts to really understand why 'doing this' will 'cause that to happen.'
I took this course thinking it would be a good look into what the rest of the Codesmith program would be, and if this short 2 day course is any indicator I can't wait for the next steps!
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Vicki
JavaScript for Beginners
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I highly recommend this course for anyone who is hoping to kickstart their coding journey or is curious about the Codesmith teaching style. I've been learning JavaScript on my own over the last few months, but despite having a decently solid understanding of the fundamentals, my technical communication skills were lacking. This class was a great opportunity to practice speaking code.
The course consisted of lectures, three pair programming sessions, a group project/presentation, and a final assessment. The lectures covered a variety of JavaScript basics, starting from variables and data types to loops and functions. Each lecture included diagramming sessions where our instructor, Sophie, gave us a block of code and walked us through each line step by step. She also called on the students during these diagramming sessions so we could practice our technical communication. If we were ever confused on certain topics, Sophie made sure we fully understood everything before moving on. After the lectures, we were given 30 minutes to pair program with a partner. The last segment of the course focused on a basic group project. We were given about 2 days to complete the project with our group mates, and the course culminated in the final presentation night on the Monday after the last day of class. It was really fun to see what everyone else came up with, and all of my cohort mates did an amazing job!
The final assessment of the course determines whether you'll be able to get a "free pass" into the next bootcamp prep class, CS Prep. Although you don't have to take JSB to go into CS Prep, the "free pass" for JSB allows you to bypass the application and phone interview process for CS Prep, thus giving you automatic acceptance into the next course.
Also important to note: if you're aiming to join Codesmith's bootcamp, you should definitely go ahead and take JSB and/or CS Prep. The tuition costs roll over to the next course that you take (CS Prep or the full-time immersive), so you're basically already paying for it and might as well get the most out of that money! Codesmith also offers scholarship opportunities for all of their courses, so I'd suggest applying for JSB early if you'd be interested in applying for a scholarship.
I'd also recommend going through the entire precourse unit on CSX first before taking the class. Although JSB is geared towards beginners, there's a bit of a steep learning curve if your first time seeing code is on the first day of class. Having a very basic understanding of the topics covered in the course will definitely help.
Overall, I think JSB was a great course. Sophie was a phenomenal instructor and all of my cohort mates were super friendly. I'm enjoying the remote learning environment so far and I'm looking forward to learning more about JavaScript in CS Prep! -
Greg L-R
Student - JavaScript for Beginners
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School: Codesmith
Course: JavaScript for Beginners
Instructor: Sophie
Sept, 2020
I had a great experience in JSB at Codesmith. My instructor Sophie was generous, knowledgable, and clear. She took her time to answer everyone's questions, and was able to get us through the material. I love the group learning environment that Codesmith creates. The group projects at the end were super fun. I'm enrolled in their CS Prep course, and can't wait to be inside a Codesmith (virtual) classroom again. I was hoping to leave the course feeling confident in my knowledge of JS basics, and I definitely hit that goal. -
Stone Fuglaar
CSPrep Grad
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I started playing around with Javascript in March and have spent months looking for a pre-course for a bootcamp that suited my needs. The teachers in this program were absolutely amazing and showed passion in teaching the content. The amount of information I learned and practiced in just two weeks was more than I learned by myself in six months. I highly recommend CSPrep for someone who is new to coding and also to people who want to understand what is happening under the hood in JavaScript. -
Derek
This is the only coding school worth going to
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Codesmith is magic. Come prepared, know your JS, and do all the precourse work to completion. Know functional programming and OOP, and come ready to WORK.
If you work extremely hard at Codesmith, learn the whats and whys of each technology, and use YouTube to build general knowledge about the other technologies not covered (if only to compare and contrast them), you will stand out in your interviews.
There were multiple people here who had previously gone to other coding schools and unanimously agreed that Codesmith is an entirely different animal. The CIRR reports make that plain to see as well. If you want a real, high paying, mid or senior engineer job, this is the only program that will take you there.
I was rather skeptical if it would work for me, if it would be worth the expense, and I only joined at the behest of a friend who believed in it more than I did; but now I’m a senior engineer who can learn anything. As you can imagine, I owe that friend quite a lot now.
I have aggressively recommended Codesmith to several friends already who are looking for a career change, and will continue to do so. I would not encourage my own friends to pay the cost of Codesmith If I wasn’t absolutely certain they would land a great job immediately afterwards.
If anyone’s familiar with sports, this is the New England Patriots. When you join, you leave everything else at the door, you commit to teamwork, you trust the system, and the system wins championships.
One thing I would say to anyone trying to go to Codesmith is this: the more you prepare and learn the tech stack beforehand, the more you will get out of the program. Your projects will be better, cleaner, bigger, and you will be more proud of them when you hit the job search.
On top of that, the team engineering you will be capable of will be that much better. And that will be a force multiplier for your entire cohort. This is critical, as each member of the cohort aids the others, fills in our holes in knowledge, and allows us to focus on reaching the next level.
This type of learning cannot be done alone. You will hit blocks, you will get frustrated, you will want to give up; but your cohort will carry you onward. The people you meet here, the focus you put in together, will set you up for life. The single most important aspect of Codesmith is the teamwork.
You might think, then can’t I just find some friends and we’ll just do all this training and building by ourselves? Good luck with that..... Every single person here has invested their entire future on this program. This will be the most dedicated and driven environment you will ever be a part of. We worked form 8am to midnight every day, well beyond official hours. And the salary payoff has been literally double my expectations going in.
Last thing to mention is the hiring support. They will help you until you get the job you want. They have a tried and true system for hiring, and it works. If you arrange everything the way they teach you, pass their reviews, you will be flooded with interest. We as the cohort also shared information, tricks, tips, everything each of us learned in interviews to boost our performance. The results speak for themselves.
If you’re ready to put in the work to build the future you actually want, Codesmith is the only place where every ounce of effort will be amplified and multiplied. It is the only choice for programming. I encourage you not to waste your time and money on any schools that pretend to be competitors, they’re absolutely not comparable. You’ll likely just end up going to Codesmith after them like many of my cohort-mates. Do your research and the choice will be obvious.
Good luck, future coworkers.
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Seamus
CS Prep
CS Prep was a great way to get familiar with the teaching style, meet your cohortmates and prepare for the immersive interviews. The wonderful instructors provided a lot of clarity to approaching coding challenges that I didn't even know that I didn't know how to do. -
Jessi C.
Codesmith's Full-Time Immersive Program
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Codesmith has a great academic program and it covers a variety of technologies such as React, Redux, Express, Docker, and more. Codesmith has helped me hone in on skills such as algorithms, debugging, and working in teams to build a variety products. During their hiring portion, I gained life skills for resume building, networking, interviewing, and negotiating salaries. Previously, I had no experience in the tech industry. I went from being a Substitute Teacher to a Software Engineer at a major tech company in less than a year, thanks to Codesmith. -
Eric
Thoughts, 1 year later
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Hey!
A little over a year ago, I finished Codesmith and got my first fulltime software engineering job. In general, I felt like the process is probably not for everyone, but if you can be empathetic, work hard, and push your limits, you can pretty much go as far as you want. That opinion still stands.
What I'd like to add on to it, though, is what my experience has been like since leaving. The friends I made at Codesmith have continued to be incredible resources for learning, for job referrals, for professional advice, and are genuinely really great people whose perspectives and presence in my life have really continued to transform me long after the 3mo was over. We've helped each other out with algorithms, jobhunting, architecture questions, interpersonal office conflicts, and everything between.
I'd also be remiss not to mention that the reason I'm writing today, over a full year since leaving Codesmith, is that the staff has continued to help me even now. I recently found a new job, and received an excellent offer- one that exceeded my expectations and that I would have been thrilled to accept right off the bat. Before taking action, though, I contacted Codesmith's hiring support, and was coached through the process of negotiating for an even better package. It wasn't magic, but it certainly felt like it was, especially since that session got me $15,000 more in compensation than what had been initially offered to me.
Since getting into the field, several of my friends and family have asked me about bootcamps, and my advice to all of them is the same- take your time, study independently, and work on your own projects. If/when you get to the point where that's not enough, you should seriously vet the available options- go to free workshops, meet students, talk to the instructors, etc. After you've done your due diligence, pick the one that's right for you. If you're like me, though, Codesmith will find its place firmly at the top of your list. -
Kelly
Software Engineering Immersive Program
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I went through the immersive program in LA and graduated in March 2020. I didn't come from a STEM background and was skeptical about whether I would actually be able to become a software engineer in just 3 months, but as I am writing this I can proudly say that I am working as a full stack engineer and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the amazing curriculum and staff at Codesmith!
I will be honest and say that it is HARD and YOU have to put in a lot of work, but it is worth it in the end. The curriculum is fast paced and at times it's overwhelming, but the instructors and fellows are so helpful! You struggle together with your cohort mates and through this program I was able to make life long friends.
The hardest part was the job search, but Codesmith has great job assistance and you have your cohort mates/alumni to lean on so it's nice to have that community! -
Will
Regretful
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This course is not organized enough. Some students can not control their stress. I was yelled at during the course. Students would shout you down because they didn't want you to share ideas. Trying to keep up with students who are already professionals was impossible. Students are constantly insulting one another about their perceived lack of skill. I know I'm in a recurring minority of students that sees this mess. The staff members are nice, but can be dishonest.
The whole point of this course is to fake that you are an open source web developer. FOSS developers are people that deserve our appreciation and help. Just search tutorials and documentation on: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Webpack, React, Node, Express, SQL, and MongoDB. There are some other things you will pick up along the way. Search how to contribute to open source projects, and you can skip the course saving all that money.
Alumni get to work at corporations that don't discipline sexual assaults from higher-ups , corporations that don't pay taxes and lobby with unknown agendas, and corporations that collect limitless amounts of personal data. These companies are prioritized by the course because they want to show-off the big offers students received. The staff is too smart to deny that surveillance in the interest of business supports systemic problems contributing to prejudice and racism. Stop supporting companies that use invasive and oppressive technology.
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Connor Bovino
Transformation Career Experience
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Codesmith was a transformation part of my journey to landing a job in software engineering. It's been three months since my graduation and I just landed a role as an engineer at a Fortune 500 company. I attached a blurb about my background below to give you context to my previous skills and experience before entering Codesmith. Codesmith provided valuable engineering experiences that not only prepared me for the job, but helped me communicate with other engineers during the job search. Throughout the duration of the program, the biggest takeaway is your ability to technically communicate, which is easily one of the most valuable skills to have during a job search and in the job itself. If your goal is to go to a bootcamp to just learn React, I'd say your better off studying the thousands of hours of free material online. The Codesmith experience is more than just learning the technologies- its about learning to think, act and work like a high quality Software Engineer while being part of an extremely supportive community. That being said, I think it's best to attend this program having a decent idea/background in the coursework. The more prepared you are coming into the program with both the material and the Codesmith culture, the more potential you will have during your time in the program. Codesmith overall provides a great community for all levels of engineering, so definitely utilize resources provided by both the community and free online before attending the immersive. My background- I graduated from college the same year I decided to attend Codesmith. I learned to code during my time at university, but didn't receive a degree in computer sciences. I attended Codesmith after 4 months of self teaching web-based technologies. I had no other professional experiences besides an internship and a student org positions. -
George
CS Prep Review -- 3 week Course | 27 year old Student
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This is a fantastic class that lights a fire under you, coordinates you with like-minded folks, and pushes you to actually learn and practice introductory Javascript & Programming.
Who am I? I'm a 27 year old who's worked in the Advertising Analytics industry (at a big 4 Advertising Agency). I decided to finally pursue software engineering and programming, but personally I like a little bit of structure.
For a good idea of concepts you'll master (if you put in the work, of course), you can head over to CSX, which is Codesmith's free online learning platform. But you can come in as a total beginner ==> to implementing higher-order functions, recursion, and closure.
I've taken intro classes before, and am a college graduate who took a couple of programming classes. But those were usually mostly theory and overly-complicated.
On the other hand, CS Prep's:
1) Immediately practical (I built a basic "Meal Preparation" calculator with 4 other classmates within a couple of weeks)
2) Humbling, and with an authentic instructor. Always pointing you to resources outside of CS Prep to enhance your curriculum and help make things click.
3) No nonsense, no-spoonfeeding, and VERY rewarding to those who participate in class, ask follow-up questions, and combine your studies with other things like MDN references, or your own flavor of other outside coursework. (I'm partial to Team Treehouse).
Our instructor even insisted with supplement with resources outside of CS Prep because he encouraged us to make sure to keep digging until material "clicks", and sometimes different instructors just phrase it better for others.
-The instructor does white-boards to walk you through concepts.
-You're provided power-point slides after every session, as well as video recordings (Which was pivotal for me, since I had to miss one class).
-The hours are intense, but fair. With 3 hour sessions 3x a week, and 6 hour sessions on Saturdays.
-A slack channel is provided to keep things tidy and accessible
a) 5 stars for Overall Experience
b) 5 stars for Instructors
c) 4 stars for curriculum (I'd give 4.5 if I could though).
Reasons I'm not leaving 5 stars is sometimes people don't take reviews seriously if they're ALL 5 stars, and also the curriculum did slightly leave me feeling that the difficulty spiked randomly, or led me to finding resources elsewhere to fill in knowledge gaps
d) No job assistance, as this is a short-term prep program -- but I'm confident it's given me the skills and knowledge and grit necessary to thrive in intensive, long-term bootcamps now. -
Kristiina E.
CS Prep === Essential
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I loved CS Prep! CS Prep is a two-week course offered by Codesmith for people considering applying to their immersive program and who want to improve their technical communication and pair programming skills, and expand their knowledge and understanding of core JavaScript concepts.
Honestly, I was so nervous going in -- I barely had any experience pair programming and there is a group project during the final weekend of the course -- this course definitely pushed me beyond my comfort zone (exactly where I needed to go!) and I experienced more growth in these two weeks of CS Prep than over the past several months trying to study on my own.
The instructor (Chris) was excellent as explaining each topic, and calling on students to whiteboard code and technically communicate line by line, as well as daily code reviews of previous "Problem of the Day"s, I gained so much insight into the inner workings of JavaScript. He also gave super helpful feedback on my technical communication video and pair programmed with me outside of class. There is also a course Slack for questions, code review, and the instructor is available to answer any questions you might have between the classes.
The culture of Codesmith is built on community, empathy, kindness and passion -- all which the instructor and classmates embodied, and without these things, I don't think I would have been as engaged as I was in learning. I felt supported, encouraged every step of the way. If you're not sure if you're ready to apply to CS Prep, don't let fear of not knowing enough hold you back! Just do it. You will learn a ton, and meet some really kind, compassionate people on the same journey! Highly recommend CS Prep! -
Darren
Great Bootcamp and Community
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I'll be honest, I wasn't fully aware what I was getting myself into when I walked away from my job to take a deeper dive into software engineering. While being WAY more exciting than my past career as a sales manager, I quickly found some of the material to be overwhelming. However, the team at Codesmith does a great job of providing guidance, and comfort during some of the more trying times when you begin to feel like you're not entirely sure what you are doing, which is an integral part of helping you push through the hard times, and allow you to come out on the other side with a greater perspective, both on what you have accomplished, but also when it comes to grasping the material. All in all, Codesmith does a great job exposing you to various technologies, though I wish there were some they went into in greater depth, but they certainly don't hold you back from pushing your own bounds of exploration. Another area I feel they could go into greater depth, knowing now that the industry views this as an important thing would be the aspect of linters, and coding format. It is something that is covered, but never really emphasized on, which has made a significant difference in my job search, and in the feedback I received following job assessments. All in all, if you are finding yourself looking for something that can challenge you more both mentally, and creatively, and software development is an area of interest that excites you, look no further than Codesmith. -
Scott Burman
Great Program, Great Teacher, Great Community
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So you should go into the Codesmith program already knowing about some Javascript. It's a good thing they talk to you beforehand and have many free tutorials online that you can study before immersing your into the CS prep. They teach you a lot of valuable tools, give you ample time to pair program, and really get you set for the whole coding process. Always there for you and do a great job of community building. Highly recommended. -
Tolga Eyidemir
Software Engineering Immersive
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Codesmith is a revolutionary school. They are not just teaching students to be great engineers but also implements and encourages everyone to grow as a team and contribute greatly to society. It is a top-notch education program that provides in-depth knowledge in all aspects of software engineering by experienced, amicable, and genuine staff and instructors. Once you are in, whether a person is an instructor or a student, everyone becomes part of a big community that supports and encourages each other regardless of the individual's experience level, knowledge, or ethnic background. This is not a regular boot camp school, you literally get to receive ivy league university education. -
Qwen
CS Prep - Learning the Javascript Basics
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For anyone looking to apply to bootcamps, before doing so I highly recommend taking Codesmith's CS Prep course. CS Prep is a two-week program designed to prepare you for Codesmith's Software Engineering Program. However, even if you decide Codesmith is not for you, upon completing the two-week prep course, you'll be prepared to apply for any bootcamp and complete the technical interview. I am preparing to take my technical interviews now (wish me luck) and I can say without a doubt I have learned much more from taking this course than I would have on my own.
Codesmith's prep course is unique in the sense that they not only teach you Javascript through lectures and whiteboarding, but they also take the idea of learning further and really challenge students to understand Javascript on a more in-depth level. This is done by spending time going "under the hood of Javascript" as they say so you fully understand why and how things work. They also drive home the idea of pair programming, the importance of it, and give you plenty of opportunities to pair program with others. Additionally, attending CS Prep was helpful because it gave me insight into how they teach at the in-person program which can help me determine if it's a good fit for my learning style or not.
Although Codesmith does a great job of teaching you the material, there does need to be a certain level of discipline and consistency when taking the prep course to make sure you keep up with the material being presented. However, this shouldn't be seen as a negative as most places require you to be consistent in studying and putting in hours in order to be successful. Overall, I definitely recommend it to anyone serious about pursuing this as a full-time career as this will help you to quickly progress in your coding journey.