Codeup

Codeup LLC (San Antonio) was an incredible experience for me. I was transitioning from the military and had no clear path on what I wanted to do with my life. Having a knack for STEM, I decided to take up coding and found that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Through Codeup I have learned so much, especially having 0 technical background. I know that some of their practices are outdated (they know this, but tech is always changing and it is difficult to keep up with the new technologies), but I landed a job in an extremely difficult market within 3 months of graduation. Their instructors are awesome and their placement teams that assist you post graduation are awesome. If you put in the work, they will do everything that they can to help you land a job in tech. My instructor was awesome. He was a guy who had a passion for knowledge and wanted to pass on his knowledge to all of us in hopes of inspiring us. He did just that, I would not have the drive and passion for coding/development that I have today if it weren't for the instructors. Would highly recommend to anyone in the State of Texas.

I recently completed the Codeup Full Stack Web Development Program, and I can confidently say that it was an exceptional experience that exceeded my expectations. From the comprehensive curriculum to the dedicated staff, every aspect of the program was designed to ensure my success in the tech field. 

First and foremost, I must commend the incredible staff at Codeup. From the very beginning, they were warm, welcoming, and genuinely invested in my learning journey. The instructors were not only highly knowledgeable but also skilled in effectively conveying complex concepts in a digestible manner. Their passion for teaching and their commitment to our success was evident every step of the way. Whether it was during lectures, one-on-one mentoring sessions, or even casual conversations, they were always there to provide guidance, support, and encouragement.

The curriculum itself was thoughtfully structured, covering all the essential topics required to become a well-rounded full stack web developer. Starting with the fundamentals of programming and moving into front-end and back-end development, the program provided a comprehensive understanding of the entire web development stack. The hands-on projects and assignments were particularly valuable, as they allowed me to apply my newly acquired knowledge to real-world scenarios, solidifying my skills and boosting my confidence.

One aspect that truly stood out during my time at Codeup was the emphasis on collaboration and teamwork. The program fostered an environment of cooperation, where students were encouraged to work together, share ideas, and tackle challenges collectively. This not only enhanced the learning experience but also prepared us for the collaborative nature of the industry. Additionally, the career support and job placement assistance offered by Codeup were invaluable. The staff went above and beyond to provide guidance on resume building, interview preparation, and even connected us with potential employers, greatly increasing our chances of landing fulfilling job opportunities.
I also appreciated the commitment to ongoing learning and growth that Codeup instilled in its students. The program encouraged us to adopt a growth mindset, constantly pushing us to explore new technologies and stay up to date with industry trends. This mindset has been instrumental in my post-Codeup journey as a web developer and has given me the confidence to adapt to the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Understand, that as great of a program as Codeup is you will get out of it it what you put in. Hard work and effort is required during your time as a student and even more-so after graduation during your job search. I cannot stress this enough.
Overall, I cannot recommend the Codeup Full Stack Web Development Program enough. The staff's dedication, the comprehensive curriculum, and the emphasis on collaboration truly set this program apart. If you're looking to kickstart your career in web development and want a supportive and enriching learning experience, Codeup is the place to be. I am immensely grateful for my time at Codeup and the invaluable skills and connections I gained along the way. 

I’d considered coding as a career for a few years before attending Codeup but no program felt like a good fit. I found Codeup and liked their approach to teaching. It was scary committing so much of my time and money to the program but it was so worth it!! I went through the web development program which was educational in itself but I also discovered my love for data. Because of that, I found the perfect job as a data engineer. It’s been 5 years and my only regret is not having done this sooner!! 

The biggest thing Codeup has going for it is it's staff. From the full-time instructors, to the placement team who were there to guide me through the job search process, to the student experience team - everyone has been patient, kind, and helpful. Coding did not come naturally to me but I would highly, highly recommend this program to those who are stuck in a rut, career-wise. They are very veteran-friendly and even for non-veterans, have plenty of resources and help for those struggling with the program. I would like to say the curriculum is pretty good too, although expect there to be roadblocks in the learning process and look at whatever you can to help learn some of the more difficult concepts. Its a bootcamp, after all. I did use Youtube, O'Reilly, Stack Overflow, and others to supplement my learning. Ask questions! These people want to help, and will be there for you even after graduation. I have a kid and was struggling with things in my personal life but just keep an open line of communication with your instructors. I was remote, and the entire process (from admissions to job search) went as well as I could have hoped for. 

I came from a low-paying, over-worked, under-valued career before going to Codeup. Since graduating, it has been life changing for me in terms of job satisfaction, work life balance, and financial gain. Once you finish the program, you'll have a competitive level of knowledge that junior developers (CS degree or not) would be expected to know while interviewing for your first job. It adequately prepared me for jumping in as a junior dev. It teaches the foundation really well, and then it's up to you to learn more independently, on the job or on your own time. Codeup gives you a strong foundation of core knowledge, enough to independently work on more learning, as needed. Now I'm at the level of interviewing people from colleges and other bootcamps, and the level of the juniors I interview are consistent with the level of knowledge you gain from Codeup.

Choosing a bootcamp can be daunting due to the many options available, each with its own teaching style and curriculum. As someone who has been through this process, I understand the uncertainty. I hope this review helps others facing the same dilemma. Codeup stands out as a highly structured and well-designed program for full stack web development. The curriculum is meticulously crafted to guide students through the entire process, even if they have no prior background in development or IT. By breaking down complex topics into manageable chunks, Codeup ensures that individuals can easily grasp the material and build on their knowledge. 
The program places a strong emphasis on hands-on experience, providing students with ample keyboard time to hone their skills and better understand the intricacies of development.In my opinion, the most valuable aspect of Codeup lies in its approach to teaching students how to learn. The bootcamp equips students with the tools and techniques needed to adapt to new programming languages and frameworks, fostering a mindset that allows for continued growth and development after the program ends. Thanks to the solid foundation I received at Codeup, I have been able to successfully learn and implement new languages and frameworks, ultimately expanding my skill set and enhancing my career prospects.Codeup's commitment to professional development is another noteworthy aspect of the program. They go above and beyond in coaching and prepping students for interviews, ensuring that each graduate feels confident and well-prepared to enter the job market. Furthermore, Codeup fosters an extensive network of industry connections, providing graduates with valuable opportunities to connect with potential employers. This strong emphasis on career support not only boosts graduates' chances of securing a job in the field but also sets the stage for long-term success in the world of web development.

   I want to preface this by saying I had ZERO coding experience prior to Codeup. I was a perpetual student, going to college for a degree I didn't really have any interest in but was too far into my schooling to go back on. After beginning my Master's program in special education, I realized how miserable I was and couldn't take it anymore but I felt like I was in too deep to turn back. After researching some other career options, a friend of mine told me to look into coding and that I could teach myself; I really didn't know what 'coding' entailed, but I was desperate for a career change at that point. After attempting to teach myself with Youtube courses and online coding academies, I found myself getting pretty overwhelmed with all the different languages and paths I could take. It wasn't until I researched deeper that I found Codeup, an IN-PERSON coding BootCamp. Going in person was a huge necessity for me because it was hard for me to focus on online courses - I needed structure. So after talking it over with my advisor, who was extremely helpful, I decided to take the plunge and go for it. 
   The vetting process was thorough - I thought, "Well, if I can't do this pre-work, then I'm not cut out for the program." I found it pretty simple and knew that I had made the right decision for myself. After getting accepted, I had to pack all of my things and move to a different city. I also had to take out a loan to pay for it. Unfortunately, because of all of my college credits, I was unable to qualify for any financial aid for the program- this would probably be one of my complaints about the program, which was how expensive it is - around 27k. 
   Once the program started, it was almost as if I blinked my eyes and it was over. I guess time flies when you're having fun. At no point throughout the program did I doubt the decision I made to switch careers. Never in my life had I felt excited to go to class the next day or passionate about what I was learning. A big part of this was being taught by extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and passionate instructors who you can tell genuinely have a love for what they were teaching. 
  A big thing I noticed was how few women there are in each class. I was one of the three women in my class of over 20. Despite this, at no point did I feel uncomfortable around so many men - everyone was very respectful. I do wish more women knew about this career path even though it is a 'male-dominated' field. Coming from a small town in Texas, it would have been nice to know about Codeup as an alternative to college.
   After graduation, things do get a little scary. If you're really lucky, a job will just come to you. But realistically, the job market is like the wild-west and you're basically competing with your classmates for jobs. My biggest advice is to really focus on what you're good at and try to showcase the hell out of it. Code EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. after graduating, especially on projects that will build your portfolio and make you stand out. If you're good at the backend, make a functional, deployed application showcasing the features. If you're good at the front end start designing some beautiful websites. Getting discouraged, and frankly, even a little depressed, after applying to jobs every single day and not ever hearing back is natural. It happens. It does take some mental fortitude to get past this hurdle and keep going forward. But, now here I am, two months after graduating with a full-time job that would be paying the same, if not way more, as my 6-year degree. I credit this to having a good foundation, provided to me by Codeup, and a strong will to keep pushing to get a job.