Makers Academy Reviews
Page 5
-
Kjartan Heimisson
Bootcamp to Job!
Expert knowledge from coaches and amazing support from other staff. A very inclusive and fun environment to learn in and progress towards a new career. The curriculum is challenging but rewarding, with hands-on projects that push you to grow. Highly recommended for anyone serious about coding! -
Mohammad Hassan Azad
Great community and support
Read more Read less of Mohammad Hassan Azad's review
Things I loved:
1. Focus is on broadly applicable tech agnostic coding practices such as TDD, Pair Programming, Debugging Methods etc. things you can't get from tutorials.
2. Careers service is exceptional with workshops, one on one help with CV and cover letters, regular check-ins and interview practice for technical and competency-based interviews.
3. Everyone involved is genuinely invested and wants you to succeed. Coaches, career counsellors, wellbeing support staff will all go above and beyond to help you land a role. Even the CEO took time out to help me write a personal pitch for an interview.
4. There is a sense of community which persists long after you leave the course. The network and relationships have been just as valuable in terms of generating opportunities but even just to check in, stay motivated and share insights. These became particularly valuable when it came to interview time as you have a much better chance when learning from each others' mistakes.
Things to be aware of:
1. It's an entry level program so if you are a proficient coder already, don't expect the course to go into great technical depth. The technical elements are more of a framework to learn the approach. The breadth is quite extensive and you have the freedom to dive deeper/ complete extension challenges in your own time.
2. It's fast-paced. It's helpful to do some practice on the basics before you start as it can be challenging to catch up when the course picks up pace (around Week 3).
3. You have to work extensively with other people at differing levels of ability. Some people found it challenging but I would encourage you to lean into it. Ultimately it's these skills which you get asked about at interviews and if you're a career changer, it's super helpful to be able to demonstrate them in technical context. -
Manuela Iacobovici
Makers Academy changed my life.
Read more Read less of Manuela Iacobovici's review
I recently completed an incredible journey as a student at Makers Academy, where I participated in two comprehensive programs: Software Development (February - June 2023) and Quality Engineering (October 2023 - January 2024). This bootcamp has truly transformed my career, providing me with the skills and confidence needed to excel in the tech industry.
Software Development Program:During the Software Development program, I developed a deep curiosity for coding and emerging technologies. The curriculum emphasized best practices such as Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Agile methodologies, ensuring I was well-prepared for real-world challenges. I gained proficiency in a range of technologies, including:* Frontend technologies like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.* Backend frameworks and languages such as Node, React, Ruby, and Java.* Databases including MongoDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.* Version control using Git.I also became adept at using testing tools like Cypress, Jest, and R-Spec, which greatly enhanced my ability to deliver quality code.
Quality Engineering Program:The Quality Engineering program further expanded my technical skill set. I developed a comprehensive understanding of Quality Engineering fundamentals and honed my proficiency in testing web applications. Key aspects of this program included:* End-to-end testing with Selenium and API testing with Postman.* Creating robust test suites to ensure effective validation of web software functionalities.* Leveraging Java to build efficient and scalable automated tests.* Active participation in agile ceremonies, such as stand-ups, planning sessions, and reviews, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.
Thanks to Makers Academy, I am now working as a Software Tester, a role that I am both passionate about and well-prepared for. The bootcamp not only equipped me with technical skills but also instilled a mindset of continuous learning and improvement.
I am immensely grateful to the dedicated coaches and staff at Makers Academy for their guidance and support. Their commitment to student success has changed my life, and I am excited to continue my journey in the tech industry with the strong foundation they have provided. -
Ben Sullivan
A life changing experience in the most positive way possible!
Read more Read less of Ben Sullivan's review
Having spent nearly 20 years working first as a veterinary surgeon, then in veterinary industry, as a trainer, salesperson, sales manager, and more, I took a leap of faith to pursue my dream of being a software engineer. I knew various people who had made a career switch through Makers, and all were very positive about the experience... I can now add my own personal endorsement to that roster.
The team was incredibly friendly, welcoming, supportive, encouraging, engaging, and knowledgeable. The course was perfect for giving me the skills and knowledge I needed to land my first role, which I managed less than 2 weeks after finishing the course.
I did the hybrid course, spending the first 6 weeks on-site in London, and the remaining 10 weeks learning remotely (from my home in the West Country). For me, the opportunity to meet the coaches and my fellow 'Makers' face to face was a wonderful opportunity and a highlight of the course, though I must also add that the fully-remote students also reported having had an overwhelmingly positive experience.
One point I feel does need to be made: this is not a course that will spoon feed you with 'the answers'. Indeed, if that's what you are after then it is perhaps a sign that you're missing the point of what it is to be a software engineer. The subject matter is too vast, and the pace of change too rapid, for there to be 'right answers'. Instead, this is a programme that teaches you how to learn, and how to keep learning for a lifetime. There is, of course, a syllabus, and it felt on point to give me the basic knowledge of modern software engineering technologies and principles I needed to get through interviews and technical tests. But more importantly, it teaches you how to find answers for yourself, how to break problems down to solve them, how to manage challenge and failure, and, of course, how to celebrate success!
In summary, if you truly want to become a software engineer but for whatever reason didn't take that path as an undergraduate, you should look no further than Makers. Go on, you won't regret it!
(N.B. Whilst I didn't have the option to select Software Development Bootcamp for this review, that's what it was - it was NOT 'just' a web development bootcamp.) -
Amina Ba
Makers taught me how to learn!
I went to Makers with a goal of changing careers and becoming a software engineer. During my job search I realised that in today’s market it doesn’t matter what languages and frameworks you know but how quickly you can learn them. Makers prepared me to be able to learn anything and most importantly be an independent learner! -
Andrea Ruggieri
What I needed to change career
Read more Read less of Andrea Ruggieri's review
I recently completed the bootcamp at Makers Academy, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. The program provided me with the skills I needed to secure a job in the tech industry. The curriculum was comprehensive and well-structured, covering all the essential topics and technologies that are in demand.
One of the highlights was meeting amazing people. The community at Makers Academy is supportive and inspiring, and I formed lasting friendships with both peers and mentors. This network has been invaluable as I transition into my new career.
Moreover, the bootcamp familiarized me with methodologies commonly used in the workplace, such as Agile and pair programming. This practical exposure has given me a significant advantage in my new role, as I was already accustomed to the workflows and practices prevalent in the industry.
Overall, Makers Academy has been a transformative experience, equipping me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the tech world. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to break into the field. -
Fahim Rayhan
One of the best experience of my life
Read more Read less of Fahim Rayhan's review
Pros:
- Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced coaches who provide excellent mentorship, support and feedback in your learning journey. This includes workshops, tutorials and one-on-one support with coaches through daily "coaching hours"
- A wonderful careers support team who helped me every step of the way in landing my first tech role with workshops, one-on-one Zoom calls and fantastic advice
- Through the support of Wellbeing coaches you feel as though Makers really cares about the learner on an individual basis, helping you to develop a positive mindset and develop good habits and providing well-being support if needed
- A fantastic curriculum which can take you from 0 knowledge of code to a decent standard in as little as 8 weeks
- Being a part of a community of like-minded individuals through the "cohort" and also having a "peer group" to navigate everything together with during calls every morning
Cons:
- Although the pacing of the course is excellent and the support is available if required, navigating through the content is a self-guided learning process which some may find difficult at first. This does however force the learner to really internalise concepts and seek support if needed -
James Lyddon
Fantastic place to start your coding journey
Read more Read less of James Lyddon's review
A fast paced but beginner friendly introduction to the world of web development, featuring Python, Flask, PostgreSQL, Docker and more. Holistic support network featuring Emotional Intelligence workshops, CV workshops, job hunting support, even yoga and meditation! Excellent coaches who were always available and ready to answer questions and provide invaluable feedback.
For anyone looking to get started or switch careers to development I can't recommend Makers enough. -
Ayoub El-hamdoon
An incredibly rewarding experience.
My time at Makers Academy was nothing short of amazing. From the supportive and knowledgeable instructors to the collaborative learning environment, every aspect of the program exceeded my expectations. -
Sarah Risley
Good foundations for software engineering
Read more Read less of Sarah Risley's review
Overall, I genuinely really enjoyed my time at Maker's and it did indeed allow me to change careers and get my first tech role.
The way the learning is delivered and the focus on group projects towards the end provides a solid foundation and insight into working as a developer. That being said, you definitely need to be committed to on-going learning on top of this.
I took the course when Maker's was changing their curriculum and unfortunately my cohort was bridging the gap between the transition from the old curriculum to the new. This often meant our cohort felt like the awkward middle child and it seemed as though coaches often did not know what the plan was for our group going forward. Nevertheless, we got through the course successfully and moved into the dreaded job hunt. Although I appreciated the job hunt was going to be difficult given the state of the market, I do think there could have been more transparency about the lack of current opportunities via hiring partners. Although there is lots of support available to help with CV writing and applying, this can only take you so far when the opportunities simply aren't there.
I do think it's really important to highlight that my negatives are quite situational/circumstantial and so may not reflect the course now. In terms of the learning, I do think it was transformational in giving me solid foundations to pursue a career and I did genuinely enjoy my time at Makers. You just need to be prepared for a gruelling job and stay motivated to continue your own learning. -
Caroline Evans
Amazing Experience at Makers!
Read more Read less of Caroline Evans's review
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Makers and am so pleased I made the leap to switch careers into software development. The course is fast-paced and provides a solid grounding in areas like Test-Driven Development (TDD), pair programming, version control, and agile methodologies. It's definitely challenging, especially with the volume of self-study required, but it's excellent preparation for becoming a more independent learner, which is crucial for software engineering.
I really appreciated the hybrid nature of the course, benefiting greatly from the on-site learning and collaboration in their London workspace. Both the staff and my cohort were fantastic, making it a fun and rewarding experience. The EQ sessions and career coaching were extremely beneficial. Makers also provided support, mentoring, and mock tech tests while I was going through various interview stages which really helped me feel more prepared and confident.
If I had to point out one drawback, it would be the limited number of partnered job opportunities available when I graduated. However, I believe this was more due to the state of the job market at the time rather than a shortfall on Makers' part.
Overall, I'm really happy with my Makers experience and feel well-equipped for my future in the tech industry. -
Rachel Newby
A valuable whirlwind!
Read more Read less of Rachel Newby's review
Pros:
The content was really great; it was a lot to get in in a short period, but it really did teach you the fundamentals of programming
Learning 2 languages and how to use learnings from one language into another; this was a really helpful skill to learn and makes it much easier to pick up other languages
The coaches and their willingness to help. They really did want to help you solve problems, but also made you independent enough to exhaust all other routes first
Dedicated EQ lessons and daily meditation made me incredibly pleased that I chose Makers. It really did set them apart from other bootcamps and has been invaluable
Cons:
The communication and management of expectations was a bit of a let down in places, it felt very chaotic when it needn't have been
There were times when people at Makers were very disorganised which really didn't support learning -
Francesco Guglielmi
Once a Maker, always a Maker
Read more Read less of Francesco Guglielmi's review
My life changed after the bootcamp at Makers. I had no clue I was able to learn so much in such a short time and I really love coding and learning about new technologies to make my apps always more awesome! Before the course I wasn't sure I would have been able to become a software developer, for the amount of knowledge ahead and because my attempt to complete university education didn't go very well. How wrong was I! Now I am sure I can create and maintain amazing products and the course finished leaving me experience of hard work but also team work, a lot of new friends with whom I shared my journey, the pride of what I have done and the excitement, curiosity and optimism that are and will be my traits throughout the next future. I love creating software and I am ready to hit the market, thank you so much Makers! -
Juliana Nocchi Dobal
Challenging and collaborative bootcamp with supportive community and career coaching
Read more Read less of Juliana Nocchi Dobal's review
I recently completed the Full-Stack Software Engineer Bootcamp with Makers Academy, and I can confidently say that it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Although the course is self-led, Makers provides tech coaches who are available to help, and answer any questions that may come up. They are knowledgeable and friendly, and they create a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and growth.
Throughout the course, we followed the industry’s best practices (e.g. TDD and pair programming), worked in agile teams, and participated in tech rituals (e.g. retro-meetings, and stand-ups). We started with Ruby and then moved to JavaScript on Week 7. We learned how to debug and search for answers to our problems, making us confident in learning new languages and technologies both by ourselves and as part of a group.
One thing that really stood out to me about Makers was the emphasis they placed on community building. There are always interesting events and activities going on (e.g. daily meditation, weekly yoga, EQ workshops, and community breakfasts), providing a great opportunity to make friends and collaborate with other students who share similar interests and goals.
On Week 10 we were given time and guidance on how to prepare a GitHub portfolio, and once we graduated we were able to count on a team of wonderful Success Coaches to help with our CVs and Cover Letters, prepare and practice for face-to-face and tech interviews. They were always available to provide feedback, advice, and support, which helped to keep us motivated throughout the job-hunting process.
I managed to get a job offer within 5 weeks of completing this training and while I had a great time at Makers, I want to emphasize that this course requires commitment and dedication. The curriculum is designed to be intensive and challenging, so it's important to be prepared to put in the time and effort required to succeed. That being said, I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is willing to make that commitment. The experience is incredibly rewarding, and the knowledge and skills you gain will be invaluable in your career as a software engineer. -
Thomas Finley McCoy
Brilliant
Read more Read less of Thomas Finley McCoy's review
Overall - Studying at Makers Academy not only got me my dream role, but it was also some of the best weeks of my life. Each week, you'll either study a fundamental aspect of web development, or build your own application. They work hard on building an atmosphere where everyone can ask questions and learn without judgement, which really pays off. If you throw yourself in, you can learn an unbelievable amount in 12 weeks.
Pros -
· You can genuinely go from no coding experience to succeeding on this course. This was not the case for me, but I saw it happen with people on my cohort.
· Gives you experience of all the areas of web development that are needed to land a role: agile development, test-driven development, object-oriented principles, relational databases.
· The emotional intelligence curriculum is excellent, I have become so much better in working in a team because of this course. The meditation and yoga sessions are also available for alumni for free!
· You quickly form a close bond with your cohort due to Makers selectively picking a certain type of person, even if you do the entire course remotely, as I did.
· Job hunting support post-course is exceptional. The careers team provide workshops, individual coaching sessions, and a special mention to Hunor for reviewing about 1000 cover letters every single week!
· On completing the course, you will have three full-stack web applications as a portfolio for employers.
Cons-
· The only con I can think of is that the first half of the course is in Ruby, which is a fairly dead language at this point (at least in terms of what I saw asked for when jobhunting). Makers do this because they believe it’s the best language to learn as a beginner, so fair enough. Personally, I think it’d be better if the first half of the course was in Python, which I started with, found very intuitive, and it’s the most used language in the world. -
Ryan McHugh
Great and Useful Experience
Read more Read less of Ryan McHugh's review
I graduated from my cohort in March 2023. The bootcamp was a great experience and you learn a lot. You start with Ruby to help ease people who are new to coding in to it and then progress on to JavaScript.
There is a lot of focus on TDD and pair programming which are all useful tools to know and are used in the industry.
They leave you to your own devices a lot to help you think like a real developer; you need to sometimes go out and look for the answers yourself. The coaches are available to provide assistance but they will try to guide you towards the right answer yourself which is great.
Overall my experience was a good one and I would recommend this bootcamp to anyone who wants to get in to development. -
Hibaq Obsiye
Immersive learning experience
I was introduced to a number of technologies and enjoyed daily pair programming and support from coaches. Long-term support is also provided after the course, as well as access to weekly code reviews. I met some incredible peers, which accelerated my learning as a beginner. -
Bakhta
My Experience with a Holistic Bootcamp: A Worthwhile Investment in My Education and Personal Growth.
Attending a holistic bootcamp was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The immersive and well-rounded education I received helped me develop a deep understanding of my field and a strong set of practical skills. Not only did it prepare me for a successful career, but it also fostered personal growth and allowed me to connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. -
Chris Bailey
Wonderful Experience
Read more Read less of Chris Bailey's review
Makers Academy not only focuses on the technical knowledge but on the emotional welfare of the students. On the technical side I went from having written a few scripts in MATLAB to being able to write a full stack web app from scratch. The course starts in Ruby to give a good foundation which will take you from simple programs to a BnB website. It then moves into Javascript to teach a new language and one perhaps more used in industry. Group projects will have you creating a clone of FaceBook to your own idea from scratch in the final project. The focus is not just on the code but on testing and team practices to prepare you as much as possible for the world of work.
On the non-technical side there are EQ workshops (IQ for emotions), and an emphasis on having fun and feeling ok. I had the pleasure of going into the Makers office and everyone there is so friendly and working to help you.
The only negative I experienced in my time at Makers was there was sometimes a lack of feedback on submitted work. -
Jean B
Perfect for changing career
Read more Read less of Jean B's review
I was quite skeptical about the whole thing of becoming a Software Developer in just 4 months. However, Makers has been great, and after finishing the course I'm building my own app from scratch! The curriculum is intense and very fast-forward, but it totally prepares you for becoming a developer. I enjoyed pairing with other students to solve coding challenges and the knowledge we learned during the team projects. Overall, intense, demanding, and definitely worth it. -
Robin
Well thought-out program
Read more Read less of Robin's review
The Makers Academy course blends learning to code and learning to be a collaborative developer. These are not the same skills, and actually the second set is arguably more important to getting hired as a junior dev. If you wanted you could learn to code alone, using online tutorials, but there's no substitute for having to actually use those skills with other people to build something together. As we found out, a job in software is a team sport, and the course perfectly sets you up to make that career switch.
They have fantastic people and culture at makers. The curriculum is well thought out and constantly updated, the coaching is quality, and the ongoing support after course end to help find a job is strong. It can be a challenge to fit in everything you want to get out of the course in the time you have, I personally could only spare about 40 hours per week and I think it would merit about 50, but you will be fine either way.
Highly recommend. -
Karolina
This course will get you a job!
Read more Read less of Karolina's review
If your goal is to get a job as a software engineer, this course will work
The 12 week immersive course prepares you for learning things at a quick pace which is arguably the most important skill you need to succeed in software engineering. The thing that I didn't anticipate when signing up for this course is how much I'd value the team-working aspect of the course, it really simulates how it feels to work on real projects with others which is an invaluable experience in and of itself but especially when you begin interviewing. Some of the cons of the course are that it can be a little hard to get in contact with coaches, they do state that they are only available officially from 9am till 12pm for coaching as they have other duties as well so if you keep that in mind you should be ok - your coursemates should be able to help too.
By far the best thing about Makers is the careers support you get to access after the course. The team are amazing, they are always there to help you and support you - they are all kind and lovely people and being around that fosters motivation and the kind of nurturing environment you need at this time. They also really do help you get a job whether that is through advice during coaching sessions when applying for external jobs or by finding companies that want to exclusively hire Makers students. Overall, I'd recommend this course if you want to get a job as a software engineer in potentially 13-16+ weeks. -
Brijesh Pujara
Amazing
Read more Read less of Brijesh Pujara's review
My Makers journey was special, from learning and solidifying my understanding of certain concepts to meeting great people. The bootcamp is highly self dependent, so expect to manage the curriculum yourself. It’s intense and the coach support is always available.
One key benefit to Makers is the coaching and career support once the course has finished. The team go above and beyond to help and ensure you’re doing the right things to land yourself a job. Overall it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it for someone looking to move into development. -
Erlantz Ramos
A great way to initiate your career in Software
Read more Read less of Erlantz Ramos's review
Being a Makers student was a great experience and exactly what I needed to start my career in Software. I got all the support I could need from the coaches, a lot of experience with both relevant tech in the industry (like Ruby, JavaScript, MongoDB, PostgreSQL and also testing frameworks) and also agile methodologies (daily pair programming and using agile approach during team projects).Another good thing to mention was the support you receive after you finish the course, with another team of coaches being there to support you in the process of getting a job, helping with creating your CV, preparing for interviews or just speaking with you about your concerns.Overall an experience I can definitely recommend to anyone who feels like getting into this industry. It is intense but fun. -
Haroon
A really helpful view into the world of programming.
Read more Read less of Haroon's review
This was a great bootcamp for anyone wanting to join the world of software development. The group work and pairing with like minded individuals made a lot of difference.
Pros
-A really helpful introduction to programming.-Uses a lot of job relevant tech (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React, PostgreSQL, Mongodb).-There is a lot of group work and pairing, which is useful in preparing for a job.
Cons
-Unlike a traditional academic experience.-There should have been marked exercises/ assessments possibly to help steer a better learning path. -
Jovi
The best "real-world" training environment and community
Read more Read less of Jovi's review
The Makers environment and community is incredible and highly supportive.
Makers goes beyond just teaching you how to code - you also learn how to work, solve complex problems and communicate with others effectively. There is also a focus on your overall wellbeing and emotional intelligence.
Makers tries to simulate a "real-world" environment as much as possible so you are fully prepared to work in the field.
You learn the core fundamentals of coding which you can apply to any programming language you wish, and you "learn how to learn" so you can go on and keep improving yourself on your own. There's a good balance between Makers guidance and working things out on your own.
Can't recommend Makers enough. -
Rita
Supprotive, smart, curious, encouraging, positive
Read more Read less of Rita's review
It is not only the quality of code knowledge that you can be sure to find here, it is all the many things you will need to be ready for your first role as a developer. I knew Javascript pretty well before Makers, and turns out didn't learn more Javascript then I already knew during Makers - but I hadn't written a single test in my life! And I doubt I would have talked about 100% code coverage if I stuck to Udemy and YouTube. So TDD, OOP, SOLID, Agile, Pair Programming, Git, EQ (emotional intelligence curriculum!) - all of it ... everything you need to hit the ground running as a reliable and promising junior dev is what you'll find at Makers. Put as much in as you'd like to get out and the absolutely AMAZING Makers coaching team will be there to support you every step of the way, from "Hello World!" to hello first job! -
Sophie Lewis
Fantastic!
Read more Read less of Sophie Lewis's review
I loved my time at Makers bootcamp! I hardly knew any code before Makers, only a bit of Ruby that we needed to learn before joining. The curriculum covers a vast amount with exciting group projects, and is mainly self led learning and pair programming. The experience after finishing the course and joining the careers bootcamp was AMAZING!! You receive loads of support, and they are there to support you until you find a job! I can't thank Makers enough for helping me with this career change and successfully finding a job so quickly! -
Elliott Zaki
Life changing experience
Read more Read less of Elliott Zaki's review
A 16 week full time intensive training course in Software engineering. Makers espoused a TDD and BDD philosophy. During my studies I learnt how to apply 'Agile working' methodology in a software development project setting. I have learnt how to adapt both self-learning and pair programme to enhance my learning. Through the facilitation of Makers, I was also able to complete several process reviews. As part of our course, we completed a total of 3x team projects and a solo weekly weekend project - 10x in total. As part of good learning, we were encouraged to complete regular constructive code reviews of our peers work. Emotional intelligence; an understanding of the needs of a team and how to support them was also a core aspect of the Makers ethos. -
Thomas Lee
Great experience
Makers is a well refined, well structured, intensive coding bootcamp. The coaches are super knowledgable and ready to help, and the curriculum is well curated and structured. The job support after is *excellent*. I initially got a job through Makers at a company that ran out of funding, and Makers added me straight back into their job support network without hesitation. -
Michael chan
Excellent learning experience!
Read more Read less of Michael chan's review
I decided to change career after moving to the UK, after doing some researches I decided to go for tech with Makers. I will start with the pros.
Pros:
- Pair-programming: we did pair-programming almost every day. It gave us the opportunity to learn from each other. It also allow me to get used to working with other people.
- good cirriculum structure: It saved me a lot of time trying to figure out what to learn first. It allowed me to learn step by step and progress with a good speed
- 3 group projects: we worked with Agile, which gave me some taste of working in a team with high speed. I was surprised how the group projects helped me grow as a developer. - demanding workload: yes, I do think it is a pro. We had weekend challenges at the second half of the course, so expect to work really hard even on weekends. But it helped me to learn quick.
Cons:
- Full time and expensive. It's actually quite expensive, adding the fact that you have to study full time, you need to be sure tech is really what you want before joining.
- Sometimes it is quite self-paced, so nobody can promise you that you are able to learn everything fully by the end of the course. You still need to pay a lot of effort to really absorb everything.
Overall: Yes, the course is demanding. It provides a good structured cirriculum. You can get prepared to join the tech industry in a relatively short time - if you are willing to work very hard. -
Tatiana N.
Do it! You won't regret it!
Read more Read less of Tatiana N.'s review
Applying for Makers was the best decision I could ever have made for a successful career change.
I had been working as a product manager for many years so I had no doubt that becoming an engineer was something I wanted to do. I have spent time doing online courses which really helped me be a better product person whilst confirming coding was something that made me truly happy, but I wanted something with more structure and would give me all the tools and skills that would make me 'market ready' at the end of it.
By this I mean that this is not just a programming course. You'll be a dev and start coding from day one, learn how to work in an agile environment, pair with your cohort peers every day in the weekly challenges, have self organised team projects where you'll be building applications that you can show on your CV at the end, tutors there to guide and support you (but not spoon feed you the answer!), testing frameworks and the importance of TDD, fundamental concepts of software engineering etc... And a team at the end ready to guide you and give you support on finding your new dream job :)
It is hard work though and not for the faint hearted! The course is based on self learning so be prepared for that as this is not a 'hand holding' course at all and it goes at speed and when you least expected it's demo day and you're presenting your new project to the outside world and can't believe it's "over"! But believe me it's going to be amazing and you'll love every second (ok maybe not when that test is not passing and you can't see why!) and you won't regret it!
So yes, applying for Makers was a no brainer as I had been following them and their course for years and knew they were the best bootcamp around and the better fit for me and the fact that I could do it remotely was perfect!
Finally, I also got my shinny first software engineer job with an amazing Makers partner within about a month of beginning my job search and started it with a friend from the same cohort! I had code in production before the end of the first week - that's how well prepared we came out of Makers! I really could not have asked for more :)
-
Jack Winterschladen
A life-changing experience
Read more Read less of Jack Winterschladen's review
Makers has an incredible focus on teaching you what you need to be successful in working in software development, as opposed to just teaching you how to code. They have a fantastic set of coaches to teach you during the course with an added emphasis on EQ learning.
Once you've completed the course, the support in helping you find a job is amazing, from guiding you on how to write your CV / the perfect application, to having great deals with companies who will have job offerings exclusive to Makers. -
Trushna Rabadia
Life-changing Bootcamp Experience
Read more Read less of Trushna Rabadia's review
I would 100% recommend this course to anyone interested in moving into the software engineering/developing industry. Gave me to opportunity to just throw myself in the immersive experience, and learn how to self-learn, lots of different technologies, work in agile and meet lots of great people doing the same thing as me! So definitely not alone. The coaches were supportive and worked in a way in order to encourage you to find your own answers, and we very supportive at the job searching stage. -
Amir Khan
Software Development Bootcamp
Read more Read less of Amir Khan's review
I am writing this on my penultimate day of training to code at the Makers Academy. I had high expectations of Makers, but what I didn’t expect is that they would exceed those expectations to a such a staggering extent.
This is an extraordinary course. You will be trained to be on your feet and ready to run as a coder, not just with textbook materials – although for the academically inclined there are indeed references to matters such as imperative versus declarative code, design patterns etc. right from the beginning and throughout. The materials are supremely practical – they put you right there in the thick of development work using advanced industry-respected tools and techniques throughout.
I have found the staff at Makers to be as they say they are on their website, which is a rare thing. Every individual, in every capacity has been a pleasure to engage with. Details clearly matter to Makers. As they should. People clearly matter at Makers. As they should. Community clearly matters at Makers, as it should. Everywhere you look, high standards and quality will be found. Not to mention a palpable sense of wanting to be even better and for this to be noticeable in feedback that is frequently collected from students, and from what I have seen, acted upon with haste and eagerness. I honestly couldn’t imagine a stronger passion for excellence. I love it here.
The approach is holistic. Emotional Intelligence / Emotional Quotient is, in my view, rightly presented as a key aspect of managing one’s well-being and progress as a learner and professional. Makers’ Chief Joy Officer, Dana, who delivers the EQ curriculum, I find to be a privilege to work with beyond any quantifiable measure that I can think of. As a passionate learner of personal development for decades too, I find her knowledge, application and the training she delivers to be outstanding in its breadth, depth, authenticity and immediate effectiveness. Learn not just to code, but also about who you are, fine-tune what makes you tick, and transform and optimise yourself under her coaching.
Do I recommend this course? Well, do you want to change your life? I mean literally, seriously? If so, and you are courageous, find that it’s aligning with your values, and are ready to make a very full commitment to a very intense but supremely fun and rewarding time: absolutely – even though that single word and this whole review, possibly still falls short of articulating how whole-heartedly I mean that. -
Anthony Chaplin
Intense, but well worth it
Read more Read less of Anthony Chaplin's review
Makers is incredibly intense, as expected of any bootcamp, but well worth it. Starting out it's new, which is both scary and exciting. But as you grow and develop with the work you're doing and the coaches to support you, the confidence will start to grow. Pair programming is scary at first, but quickly grew to be one of my favourite parts. As with anything for me, it's the people who help make or break experiences, and everyone in my cohort was lovely. I got on well with everyone and have made friends for life. Having to do weekend work was not terribly enjoyable, but ultimately the whole experience was so worthwhile. Changing careers can be a huge risk, and you have to be willing to put in the time and effort. If you're willing, Makers is incredible and absolutely worth it. Within 9 months of leaving my previous company, I have walked out the other side with a new job and entirely new career ahead of me. -
Charlotte Buchan
Intense but worth every penny!
Read more Read less of Charlotte Buchan's review
Makers is an intense 16 week bootcamp, teching all you need to know about starting your career as a Software Engineer. The first four weeks of the program are aimed at getting you up to scratch ready for the next 12 weeks of the main course. Workshops are led by friendly and knowlegeable coaches and you will pair program daily to help consolidate the new techniques you've learnt. What gives Makers an edge is that the program also focuses on wellbeing and helping you develop soft skills. As well as technical workshops, there are emotional intelligence workshops with meditation daily and yoga sessions. Once the course is finished, the support doesn't stop there. You get assistance with job searching, writing CV's, workshops to help consolidte your learning further and a lot more. For anyone looking for a career change, I'd recomend this course and say it's the best decision I ever made to attend. -
Monica
Hit the ground running from Day 1
Read more Read less of Monica's review
You won't believe how much you'll learn in such a short period of time. Due to its intense nature, it's normal to feel overwhelmed and you're reassured throughout that everyone is in the same boat. There were definitely ups and downs.
Overall, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and was a great decision as to the first step in my career change. I feel that I've built good foundations in my knowledge and understanding of software development and I am confident in applying the transferable skills that I've learnt to the real working world.
The job support has been great so far! It's obvious that the careers team love what they do and they will do whatever they can to help you find a job where you will thrive in. -
M Hoon
Great experience! I am a proud Software Developer and career changer.
Read more Read less of M Hoon's review
I had a fantastic experience with the Makers Academy program and I am happy to say that I am a proud graduate and Software Developer. The program consists of a 4-week pre-course which helps bring you up to speed with Ruby(programming language) then the 12-week main course covering project-based learning, katas, and weekly programming exercises. I would say that the program is intense and incredibly rewarding but to get the most out of your experience you need to be prepared to dedicate a large chunk of your time for 16 week period.
Makers follow XP principles which include pair programming and TDD which will give you a good foundation for the real world. Be prepared to lead your own learning which is beneficial as this is a key skill for a developer as learning never stops.
Job hunting support is decent with workshops and a career support team to help you navigate this process. It took me 2 months of consolidating my knowledge and 1 month of applying/ interviewing before I landed my first position. But it took me longer as I opted to job hunt outside of the available Makers Partners. Makers provide a regular list of available positions through their partners through an internal Hub. This allows for a much more streamlined process of finding your first job! I know some of my colleagues found jobs through Makers weeks after graduation! So it really depends on what you feel is right for you. I can say that I am really enjoying my first software developer job with the foundations provided to be by Makers!
I would highly recommend Makers for those who are motivated to make a serious change in their lives, ready to be pushed and regularly go outside of their comfort zone. It really is a good community and environment to meet and learn with like-minded individuals preparing to take the plunge into the world of software development! -
Joe McNally
A brilliant learning experience with incredible support throughout
Read more Read less of Joe McNally's review
It's an intense course but it's amazing how much you learn in just 12 weeks. The coaches run brilliant workshops to help you get a base understanding with key concepts which you then solidify with pair programming every day. Most of the learning is done when working with your peers while the coaches do a great job of guiding students along the right path. You gain valuable experience working on group projects, including a final project to finish the main course which you design from scratch. One of my favourite parts of the team at Makers is there attitude towards the mental health of all the students. From day one it was very clear that this was going to be a safe space which helped build strong relationships between everyone in the course which then also helped with everyones productivity.