Makers Academy Reviews
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Ben Coyne
A Fantastic Course For Starting Your Tech Career
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If you are committed, interested in tech and have a drive to learn new things everyday along with a fantastic bunch of people, then Makers is a fantastic place to do study Web Development. Everyday is a challenge and before you know it, you will have a powerful set of skills to help you overcome them.
The Makers Team are Experts in their fields and as supportive as can be. Changing careers is never easy, but Makers provides all the tools, along with a great atmosphere to help you achieve this. -
Riky Moroni
AMAZING EXPERIENCE, THANK YOU MAKERS
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Best decision I could make.
Everyone in my cohort was lovely. The coaches were great and very helpful. Twelve intense weeks flew by, but we all wanted it to never end. I had lots of fun pair-coding, working on projects either individually or in groups, learning from other students and sharing my knowledge. I recommend Makers to anyone passionate about coding and wanting to start a career in tech. It helped me change my career, and I made many friends. -
Camilla
Intense but great
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I worked in Education prior to joining Makers Academy. I had no prior experience in any stem related subject so was very nervous about making the switch and if I was 'smart' enough to do the course. Here are some of my reflections:- The coaches were kind and willing to explain things to you if you ask. I received help through slack messages and zoom calls if there was something I was stuck on after a workshop or a question I had whilst doing some self learning.
- There is a heavy focus on pair programming which I found really helpful for practising new skills and understanding how and why certain things work. I was either learning from those more experienced than myself or helping/working with others on a similar level to me.
- There is also a big emphasis on pair and team work and coming from a job that can be quite solitary I had to really work on my skills in this and with the help of Dana the lovely 'Chief joy officer' I was able to work really well in teams and talk about what I'm like to work with during interviews and sell myself as a good team member.
- A good range of programming skills are taught. Whilst you only use two languages formally in the course, there is the opportunity to use other languages if you're familiar with them. You complete backend, frontend and fullstack projects and use relational and non-relational databases.
- The weekend challenges are tough and time consuming but it did surprise me how much I could do and how far I could get independently as a beginner.
- Finally the careers coaches are lovely! Candida and Hunor have really taken the time to guide me and offer support when I had an interview and they would always check in and ask how it went and follow up with me.
- It is really hard to come in as a beginner as there is so much to learn and the pace can be quite fast. I think you need to be resilient, organised and really think about your personal goals and what you want from the course. Don't be afraid to try and to ask questions.
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Giorgi
Amazing Course
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The course is well structured, but given there is a lot of material to cover, it's kind of intense, because you have to jump from one big key concept to the next one in a really short amount of time. Having said this, the environment is really friendly, the coaches are very supportive and knowledgable and the entire vibe is just wonderful. I also love how we as a cohort were immediately thrown group projects and had to do loads of pair-programming, it really mimics what it's like to be a real-life software developer. Highly recommended! -
Blessing
Do it!
I did the full-stack course, and this was the best decision I made from the course structure to the job support. It was very intensive throughout but I always felt supported and it was very challenging which allowed for rapid growth, learning and development. -
Kirstie Langan
It is super intense, and it will push you to your limits but it will be worth it in the end.
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Pros - The course is a great experience. It is super intense, and it will push you to your limits but it will be worth it in the end. Although it is very tough, the overall experience is really positive. Cons - It is a self-taught course and whilst I understand the logic behind this, I do feel there could have been more coach support during each week and more lectures covering topics rather than being directed to You Tube. I felt that the after-course job support was exceptional and was beyond any expectation I had. I would recommend if you are serious about wanting to change career. -
Jess G
Holistic learning environment - you get out what you put in
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PROS:
- a holistic approach to learning. Makers recognise the importance of supporting students to care for their wellbeing. Meditation, yoga and EQ sessions are led by the wonderful Dana (Chief Joy Officer)! In my experience, every coach was highly emotionally literate.
- focus on learning how to learn. A lot of time will be spent pair-programming, and completing self-led learning. You set your own learning goals and keep on top of reviewing how you're getting on. The responsibility is on the learner to raise any blockages when they get stuck, or if they want further clarification/ reading materials. This style of learning supported my transition into the workplace where I will be taking responsibility for my continued learning and development.
- you will meet a lot of wonderful people in your cohort, which will provide a support network of junior devs on the other end of the course to chat to about your first jobs!
- job opportunities and job hunt support. I got a job within 3 weeks of finishing the course through a Makers hiring partner - woohoo!
CONS:
- not a con more a recommendation. The course runs at a fast pace, those who had already learnt some basic code before beginning Makers seemed to have slightly lower cortisol levels. If you aren't massively time pressured for this career change, take your time to learn some basics before starting. I loved the edX CS50 course - but I would say that may be a bit excessive as you'll cover a lot of this at Makers. It was good for me with a slower processing speed (yay dyslexia!) as I could learn through repetition.
- not suitable for someone who wants to be taught by a coach for the majority of the course. You are left to your own devices with students from your cohort a lot of the time. -
B Dowsett
It paid off
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The course is very involved but we'll structured setting you up with the fundamental principles of programming that are universal across a lot of languages. You also work in pairs throughout the course and in groups when it comes to projects, both of which you would do in a professional setting. Projects are run in an Agile way, again, software development best practice. There is a lot to take in and can feel overwhelming but if you trust the process and accept you won't complete everything you'll look back in awe at what you have learnt. Everyone is very supportive as you are all on the same journey and the post course career support is great with CV help and interview prep. I was able to get an offer within less than two months of finishing. A lot of my cohort got jobs much quicker than that. Overall a really great experience that has paid off for me. If you don't enjoy your current job and get a kick out coding - go for it. -
Alfonso
You get what you put in
Makers puts you in a position to succeed and its up to you to get the most out of it. Exellent career support and lots of partners to apply to after course concluded, got a job offer 3 weeks after graduating. -
Sarah D
a life-changing experience
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I joined Makers Academy hybrid Bootcamp in November '21. I embarked on this adventure without realising what a rollercoaster it would be:
yes, it's very intense, but in the best way possible, we make new friends, we learn loads through pairing and self-learning sessions, we get advice from a formidable team of coaches!
Once the Bootcamp was over, I had a dedicated career team who helped me get a job just after three weeks. They organised a career fair where we could meet and talk to potential employers, a golden opportunity for junior dev to network and meet other alumni.
Not to forget, we get emotional intelligence training which helps us develop our confidence. We get much more than an education in software engineering when we join makers; it's a life-changing experience; we improve so quickly when surrounded by exceptional people! -
Jake
Great course but hard work
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Makers is an intense 16 week Bootcamp but in the end, you are in a good position to look for that first job! The support throughout the course is fantastic and you do learn to trust their process as the weeks go on. When I did makers the course was fully remote, I wasn't the biggest fan of studying remotely but I know some people preferred it so that's down to personal preference. Once you complete the course the team that help you with the job hunt are fantastic. It took me 3 months to find a job :) -
Ginny Thomas
Coding Bootcamp - I'd definitely do it again
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I'm happy it's over. I'm glad I did it. If I had to make the decision to take a bootcamp and with Makers, I'd definitely do it again.
Pros:
Guided curriculum throughout the course
Schedule maintained with few last minute or short notice changes
A lot of resources and tools offered
Feedback is available when it is requested
Assistance with finding a position when the course has been completed
At least 20 other intelligent, highly motivated individuals in your cohort whom you can use as a resource, chat buddy, etc.
Great Coding Review platform
You are given the opportunity to have a mentor (typically someone who is 2 months ahead of you in the program)
Pair programming offered from the beginning of the structured course (not pre-course)
Cons:
You may not be reminded of some of the awesome resources and tools, which means you don't benefit from them (i.e. the Coding Review platform is available at any time. I believe you are told about it in the initial paperwork and hub links/resources you are provided but then you may not get another reminder. I was reminded about it from another student 6 weeks into the course after he had done his first one and I asked what he was referencing).
Sometimes you just need an answer provided to you and that is not the way the coaching system works. It is designed to help guide you in the right direction and to help you learn how to find the answer yourself.
If you are not a go getter and actively try to find ways to receive feedback, you will not receive it.
The website states there are daily workshops. I interpreted this as coding or tech workshops. It is not. There is generally 1, sometimes 2 coding workshops per week. There were daily EQ meditation sessions that were at least 15 minutes
Although this is a coordinated, semi-scheduled program, there does not seem to be oversight as to whether someone is actually engaging, participating in pair programming, etc. - i.e. you're not in school and you're not receiving emails noting you were not in class today. ; D -
Lilly Daniell
Choose Makers!
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I chose Makers for their approach to teaching; the coaching is brilliant and thoughtful, and it prepares you for coding beyond the bootcamp. The EQ training helps everyone work better together (pair programming and working in teams is a huge focus of the course). What I didn't know when I chose Makers was how supportive the careers team would be when you graduate - the opportunities and guidance they provide is incredible, and it makes a whole new industry feel accessible! I'm excited to be a part of Makers alumni. -
Matt
Mr
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After 5 years in an unrelated field (advertising), I decided I wanted to move into software development. After 2 months of self-directed learning, I joined Makers to get relevant skills necessary for employment.
Pros of Makers: 1) they do an excellent job of integrating you into a cohort of students, ensuring open communication is easy and exposing you to pair-programming, an essential skill for working in software that you can't get from working alone; 2) they cover a wide range of skills, and I felt I learned a lot of technical skills I wouldn't have been able to through self-directed learning; 3) by the end of the course, I had a portfolio I was proud of; 4) the job-hunting part of Makers, which kicks in after the course is done, was excellent... I had a well-paid job within a month. 5) One-on-one reviews with a coach are absolutely invaluable, and improved my coding skills immensely; 6) As someone who has always used a PC, I was advised to borrow a MacBook from Makers for the course. Although I was annoyed about this at first (I'm not an Apple fan and avoid using their products), I now think this was very useful for me so that I am now equipped to code on MacBooks and PCs.
Cons of Makers: 1) It would have been good to know the course was MacBook-based before going into it (I bought a new Microsoft Laptop for the course, which I didn't need!) 2) the course is designed to include more content than anyone can actually complete. This is to make sure no one ever had nothing to do, you're not expected to finish everything. However, it can be hard to figure out the minimum level of knowledge required, so it's not always clear if you're on track; 3) the group projects can be stressful.
Overall, despite some cons, I still highly rate this course, and if I went back in time 4 months' I'd definitely do it again. Recommended to anyone who wants to change their career and move into software development. -
Kate Smith
Makers Review
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I attended Makers, starting the bootcamp in March 2020 (just as the Pandemic hit). Makers managed to transfer the bootcamp to be an online course which was really great and fostered a strong online community in our cohort.
I had spent about a year learning Ruby ahead of the course starting as I tried to get as good a grounding as possible but the amount the course taught me I think would've taken at least a couple of years to reach on my own.
I loved the meditation every day and the holistic approach to the course gave me a really good mindset for appropriating coding problems.
I also loved out bootcamp mentor and my placement coach Carina who went out of their way to make sure I was well supported in the transition to working at a company after the bootcamp ended. Overall I would recommend the apprenticeship to anyone, it gave me a great place to start my career and working in industry taught me a lot. -
Dom Meddick
Best Career Decision I've Ever Made
If you are itching for a career change into software development you really don't have to look any furthur then Makers Academy. The fast paced bootcamp gets you up to speed in no time. It's really intense so be prepared! Once you are finished the bootcamp you still get all the support you need from the bootcamp while you work with the job hunting team to land your first role.
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Paulo
This was the most challenging experience I've ever had.
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I'd like to note that the comments from my experience are from 2020 and some of these things may have changed since.
Pros:
It was great to have my cohort supporting me and helping me at times when I was struggling.
Coming to the office and the pairing sessions was for me the most valuable experience, I've learnt a lot from paring with colleagues.
I'd like to specifically mention Alice as a great coach, her workshops were really informative and she always made sure we understood the concepts with student interaction.
The support from the careers team has been so much better than I ever expected! Becks & Toby supported me right through to when I got a job and kept me motivated. This was one of the most invaluable benefits of studying with Makers.
Cons:
I think that there could be more one to one support for students that have more difficulties during the bootcamp.
I found that what I got out of the workshops varied greatly as the quality wasn't consistent. This could be improved by facilitating more group interactive work during the session and trying to appeal to all types of learning styles.
The same would go for the 1-1 support from coaches some were fantastic at providing support and others not so much. -
Cynthia F
Amazing Experience
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Makers gives you the tools needed to begin your career as a software engineer with no prior experience. The course is very intense with different weekly learning topics, lots of pairing, challenging weekend projects, and group projects. It was amazing to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who were also career changers, there is a real positive and supportive vibe. The EQ curriculum was amazing and totally unexpected too, I didn't know I needed it until I experienced it for myself! Overall the course puts you on the right path for life-long learning and continual self-development, the community is the cherry on the cake.
Pros- Positive vibes, great network, alumni community- EQ curriculum- Feedback culture- It's not like school, you're treated like an adult- Course content is super engaging- Talented and experienced coaches with a real passion for tech
Cons- If you are expecting to be lectured at for 12 weeks then this is not the course for you -
Sergei
Overall a good experience
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I was on the first post-COVID hybrid cohort that combined remote and in-person learning. A big factor for me was definitely wanting to be able to learn in an environment of others passionate to learn with support of professionals on hand.
It was definitely an up and down experience, with highs and lows. You have to complete the pre-course in the month before starting Makers to get everyone on a fairly level playing field, but the first few weeks definitely ramp the difficulty up as you are thrown into the deep end somewhat (as you'd probably expect from a bootcamp). It can definitely be frustrating at times as a lot of the learning is very much self-led. Makers do provide you with suggested learning materials and challenges each week, but the main issue was that there never felt like there was enough time to complete it all! There were coaches there to support you, though I found that especially during the remote weeks I didn't make enough of it, mostly because I couldn't remember everyone we met on day 1 and maybe it wasn't clear enough each week who was assigned to your cohort that week. Support definitely varied, and we did have to push back to get extra content on certain topics, but some coaches also really went out of their way to put on extra workshops. My feedback for Makers going forward would be more technical workshops during the week, especially on complex topics and especially given the amount paid for the course. Regarding the course materials, these were usually fine though with the initial JavaScript weeks, I think we were the first (at least one of the first) groups to use their new syllabus, and at times it did feel a little incomplete (missing some solutions / additional guidance). I know a big focus is teaching us how to learn, but also for me, personally, if I can't self-assess myself against a solution written by a professional, I find it hard it gauge what I need to improve. At times, it did feel like the blind leading the blind when trying to figure something out with other learners, but of course satisfying if you do figure it out (much like the real world!).
One of the best parts of the course was the external code reviews where an assessor watches you code and gives you really good, insightful and actionable feedback to improve your overall process. I just wish a bigger thing had been made of these as I only took my first review after the bootcamp had finished and think it would have helped me massively to do them during.
The post-bootcamp support is obviously a big part of the overall experience, and that was overall a good experience. While some of the workshops were a bit more basic, I understand Makers have to cater to all levels, especially those who are maybe fresh university grads or haven't applied for jobs before. However, the real value comes from being able to reach out to the support coaches, get your cover letters and CVs reviewed and get help in preparing for interviews.
And overall, I can't complain too much since I got hired into a tech role through one of the companies that Makers arranged to give us a lunchtime job talk, something which I wouldn't have imagined possible so soon after finishing a bootcamp!
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Margarida Martelo
A life-changing experience!
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Doing a Bootcamp with Makers was an intense experience that not only led me to acquire technical knowledge and exposition to essential programming topics but also helped me grow into an independent learner.
But Makers' support didn't finish with the Bootcamp. I can still count on a lot of support (technical support from coaches, access to external reviews, support on job hunting, access to a huge community of Makers Alumni, etc).
However, I would like to emphasize the importance Makers give to emotional support and how, as a job hunter, it has been crucial to growing my confidence as a junior software developer. Both Becks and Candida have been amazing in the endless support they've been giving me and that's something I truly value!
For all these reasons, I highly recommend Makers Academy! -
AEbrahim
Great experience
I completed the makers academy course in 2021. I found the content challenging, the coaches supportive and the careers team excellent. I would definitely do this bootcamp again as it successfully helped me to change career. Even though it was fully remote it was still a great experience. -
Tiffany
The best decision you can make for yourself
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If you are looking to change careers, joining Makers is the best decision you can make. Makers' holistic approach to coding helps you build healthy habits that not only make you a better developer but also improve your health and wellbeing. The 12 week course is very intense, but is such a fun experience that gives you a preview of what working in the tech industry is like. You join the course with very limited coding knowledge, and graduate being able to create applications and websites that you are proud to show off to your friends and family. I found that Makers attract people who bring a lot of positive energy and help facilitate connections with people who share the same interests as you. The biggest focus of the course is "it's not hard, it's new". When you learn to take this approach you create practices that benefit your own self-led learning which helps you to be prepared for this industry. The job hunting support is fantastic. The coaches during your job hunting journey provide you with the support, advice and tools that make you truly feel job ready. I found that the coaches had a breadth of knowledge they were willing to share, were really friendly and approachable. You find that with Maker's extensive selection of hiring partners, there are opportunities to apply for jobs almost every week. Learn to trust the process, and you will find that not only are you learning but you also enjoy and have fun, while creating beneficial habits and skills that will help you with this career path. -
Pav Rao
Supercharge your job hunt
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Lots and lots of pros to this course. Great coaches, excellent syllabus, progressive outlook. The key thing for me is that I left feeling confident about picking up new languages and working in new tech stacks. You also cover lots of things you probably wouldn't if self-learning, such as TDD and doing multiple projects in teams. Another big bonus is the careers team, and the relationships they build up with hiring partners.
In terms of cons, I'm struggling. It's definitely an intensive course and I did more hours outside of standard hours to stop me from falling behind that I thought I'd have to.
It's definitely a lot of money. But the ability to get a job quicker will mean it will essentially pay for itself. And you'll be more confident and well-rounded when you do land that job. -
Emanuele
From zero to FinTech
Makers Academy is a place full of good vibes, which is one of the main reasons I decided to start my journey with them. Is inclusive, full of great coaches ready to help you to learn. Their motto is "Is not hard, is just new" and that is a great mantra not only for your career. Spoiler Alert: If they'll ask you to believe the process, do It, it works. -
Graeme Stirling
A great experience !
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Makers teaches you how to become an effective self led learner, allowing you to pick up a new tech stack and build anything. There is a large focus on test driven development and planning which really helps you develop effective working processes. What impressed me most is their dedication to good mental health and well being. There is a big focus on mentality and understanding how to work with others in agile workflows. There is also a great emphasis on how to be patient with yourself as you learn and understanding that the course is the beginning of long term growth.
Makers taught me more than just how to make good software, they also helped me discover my own strengths and how to recognise them. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking for a new and exciting challenge. -
Sean
Sean
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Makers was a fantastic opportunity to make a career change. The course content was good, focussing on the important skills you need as a developer, which helps to set up for success after the course is over.
The aftercare of Makers was by far the most impressive part of the course for me, the process is well managed and the hiring team is fantastic at helping you with your CV and interviews. There are lots of high-quality partners hiring through the academy and these opportunities are worth their weight in gold. The hiring market for junior developers is hard but is made a lot easier with what Makers can offer you. -
JP Ferreira
Awesome Learning Experience
Attending the Makers course is extremely fun and a massive learning experience. I would recommend it to anyone who wnats to learn how to could. It was great meeting new people that are all in the same boat and get to work with all of them. You will have to enroll with the mindset that Makers will provide the resources but it is self-led-learning throughout the course. -
Joey
Great experience - high quality dev training
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I would definitely recommend Makers to anyone looking to move into software development. The curriculum and learning materials are rich and useful, the quality of coaching is really high, and the post-course support for the job hunt is fantastic as well. The course is also run attentively - when my cohort had problems, there was no hesitation in adapting the curriculum and the course structure to suit everyone better and it felt like those running the course were always open to discussion. The workload is intense and full on, so I would recommend that anyone looking to do Makers spend enough time beforehand to feel prepared, and to feel secure that software dev is the right path for them. I would also recommend doing research beforehand into the nature of the job hunt, how long it might take and what kind of jobs are available, so as to have realistic expectations. I was lucky enough to get hired by a Makers partner pretty much immediately, but the process can be less straightforward. However, at every point Makers provides incredible support, and I had an amazing time doing the bootcamp. I now have a skill I hope to take forward and develop through the rest of my career, and Makers gave me the foundation necessary to do that. -
Katy Day
Makers is great!
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I definitely recommend Makers! It was intense and required a lot of hard work, and it was definitely worth it. I was a bit dubious about 'learning to learn' and pair programming, but I ended up loving both of them - especially pair programming. Stumbling through coding challenges with someone who doesn't really know what they're doing (just like you!) was a great way to learn and get to know people. Having the course entirely online worked out really well for me, as I didn't have to commute to London from Cambridge, and I ended up getting to know people really well. The emotional support is great, and also necessary, as it is pretty hard going at some points. I definitely felt like I was thrown into the deep end sometimes, but it all worked out! -
Jack McCarthy
Awesome experience that led to my first job as a software developer
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Makers was an awesome experience and it helped me get my first software development job! For anyone looking to learn the rudiments of programming, build lots of projects and get the foundations for a career in programming (as well as meets lots of cool people) this is the place for you. The course covers a lot of ground, is very fast paced and very intense. It is also not a typical learning environment where you are handed all the material on a platter. Instead it is very much a self-led learning course where you are taught to search for and understand what you need to know to build your projects and get your code working. You will be frustrated, elated and occasionally driven to despair, but the feeling of getting a program working is magical! Makers does very well in a couple of areas:- Teaching you how to teach yourself and how to solve coding problems (as well as maintaining a positive outlook - crucially important).
- Pair programming and Group Projects
- Test Driven Development
- A diverse range of technologies (in a short space of time)
- The makers careers team is fantastic and they have lots of relationships with different companies, through which they offer exclusive junior dev jobs to Makers Graduates (that's how I got my job, while job hunting they were regularly posting new opportunities).
- I did the course remotely and I thought it all worked very well.
- An extensive alumni network
- Great peer community and great coaches
Areas of concern/things that may be helpful:
- The curriculum needs updating in some areas (but this is a continual process they go through), and it would be good if Makers could introduce a little bit on cloud based technologies, and perhaps a bit more about how the industry works.
- Given the nature of the bootcamp (and probably all bootcamps), people are at different levels when they join, some having done a bit more prior learning than others (Also some people learn faster than others). This can sometimes affect how you progress on projects and cause some concern. I do not think this is an issue, as ultimately what is important is learning how to code (debug, TDD, etc...), not necessarily the specifics of how each technology work (you will have plenty of time in your career to pick this up. But, I raise it as it can introduce frustration...
- Although most bootcamps are advertised as you don't need to know any / very little coding prior to starting the course. I heartily recommend trying to spend a few months (I am talking part time here not full time learning) before the bootcamp, learning how to program (e.g. Ruby, HTML, CSS, JS), try and build some simple console apps, do codewars, Codecademy, code out of a book, etc... I think this will help you get the most out of the course, as you can move quickly on from learning the syntax, to focusing on the course learning objectives. In my experience those who had spent more time coding before the course, seemed to get more out of it.
Some more specific factual details - correct at the time I did the course (Feb to end May 2021 - Remote)
The course is split into 3 parts:
- The first part is 1 month of pre-work where you cover the basics of Ruby and Git, to ensure you are prepared for the course. This is solo work (although you are introduced to your cohort)
- The second part is the 3 month course itself. This was kind of split into two, the first 7 weeks where you focus on learning Ruby and Javascript, completing weekly pair programming tasks and a weekend challenge, you also complete two group projects. The second part is two longer group projects, the first with Ruby On Rails and the second is the final project (you can do anything you want - I did a React.JS and Ruby On Rails web app).
- The third part is the post course, and this is where the makers coaches will help you cement your learning, give advice and coaching on job hunting, prepping for interviews and tech tests. Most importantly this is also where the fantastic Makers Careers Team come into the light and they have established relationships with various companies over the years giving exclusive opportunities to Makers grads.
During the course I covered/used the following:
- Languages: Ruby, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL (Minimal)
- Frameworks: Ruby on Rails, Sinatra, various Javascript Libraries, React.js (optional for final project).
- Tools: Git, Github, Heroku
- Testing Tools: RSPEC, Jasmine, Jest
- Programming practices/fundamentals: SOLID Principles, Pair Programming, Agile Working, HTTP, Web Apps, SQL Databases.
- Remote working - entire course was done remotely.
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Kasey
You will fell lost and fraustated, but thats a good thing.
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During my time at Makers I was actually one of the rare cases where people actually complain. I an ex engineer I was used to very structured learning and I will strive to understand everything before moving on. I was warned that this would conflict with my style but i pressed on nonetheless. In fact these 2 EXACT things were warned about: You will NOT be able to understand everything and thats fine AND there is no textbook to reference, the learning structure is your own (certainly after week 6).
I was unhappy as i felt there were not enough learning materials (by makers) from which to learn ( a lot of it is self led), coupled with being made to do A LOT of group work (which over zoom is quite exhausting). This was in week 7/8 and I had been worn down by lockdowns and everything else. I kept asking myself "well what am i paying for? " In hindsight, now I have landed my first job and seen just how far i have come. I can see what Ive paid for. And am glad I stuck with it.
To be completely honest, as I have only taken 1 bootcamp I cant really comment on value for money. Makers is on the expensive side. But if asked "do I think Makers makes good programmers?" I would have to say ABSOLUTELY YES.
The struggle of having to get yourself out of a jam all by yourself(with google) and is pretty much what development is and the hardship of learning this way has made me a very confident programmer. I can now go out and learn whatever technology i want confidently, using the skills Makers teaches. Inevitably this will be fraustrating but it is necessary, along with the emphasis they put on testing code( you will see ).
Makers also has very high quality staff and support, everyone is freindly and helpful. The way they gradually lead you through and take away the assistance is great for learning. If you need support they will help (I tended to get myself fraustrated by not asking for help). After the course you will find pretty much the same routine as you switch by job finding, and the help here is also extensive (youre not just paying for the course).
In summary, if you can deal with not understanding everything, having patience and some logical thinking you're probably in very safe hands with Makers. -
Holly
Coding bootcamp review
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Makers helped me go from having zero experience in coding to having a job as a Software Developer in 8 months. The course is intense and hard work but completely doable if you have the ambition to succeed in it. It is the type of course that you get out what you put into it.
Even doing the course remotely I never felt isolated, or left to fend for myself. The coaches and your assigned cohort are all amazingly helpful and make the course 10 x more enjoyable. Couldn't recommend it enough if you're looking to change career paths. -
Jason Rowsell
A memorable experience with invaluable lessons
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The intensity of the course set me up to push myself and create a substantial amount of work for my portfolio. Although I would personally change some aspects of the course, the general layout provided was significantly valued. Teamwork and pair programming is essential to this program and the lessons taken away from this were invaluable. To improve, I would allow more time for independent study, such that students can have time to solidify their understanding. -
Mace A
Enjoyable and friendly
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Pros: Pre-course material - helps get you up to speed. Support - teachers are always there if you need them. Cohort - you are a team, not individuals. You will meet people in the same situation as you. Pairing - you will always get asked about pair programming in interviews. Mediation - a nice way of relaxing even if you think it's not for you. Careers Team - you get help with anything, they will also check up on you to see how you are doing.
Cons: Fast paced - you need to be dedicated or you will struggle -
Charlotte Smallwood-Smith
Amazing career change opportunity
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Makers Academy is a brilliant place to learn programming and change your career. I feel that attending Makers Academy has made a huge impact on my life and changed it for the better.
Pros
- Perfect place to develop if you learn by being hands on
- Able to rapidly learn different languages, common practices, pairing and other important software development skills
- Brilliant CV and Cover letter workshops
- Great support from Coaches
- Helpful and insightful workshops
- Great wellbeing workshops and information
Cons
- Due to the time constraints of the course, you are only taught the surface level of some topics
- Feedback from career staff regarding job roles applied to through Makers can feel lacking and unspecific at times -
Miranda Wilson
software developer
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I am extremely happy that I chose Makers to guide me in becoming a software developer. I think it was definitely worth the cost. The curriculum covers a range of useful topics to make us into well-rounded professionals, including a focus on important Emotional Intelligence areas such as teamwork, feedback and health. I learned about Agile, testing, CD/CI, clean code, and pair programming. I loved the daily pair programming and getting to meet a new person each day, especially during Covid.
The Makers experience is based around self-learning so that we get comfortable not knowing stuff, researching, and asking for help. It’s an intense course with a lot of material covered. Prospective students would do well to have studied basic HTML and CSS before starting, as well as the required Ruby. The curriculum isn’t perfect but Makers are updating it currently.
After graduating I am now forever part of the Makers Alumni professional network, which will be invaluable for job hunting and networking throughout my career. I was also pleased to discover that 1-1 support and workshops are available for job hunters. -
Will Helliwell
Software Development Bootcamp
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If you’re like me then you will be considering a bootcamp as a time efficient way to switch careers into software development, and for me this was the only box the bootcamp really had to tick. Now looking back after my first few weeks at work, I can say that Makers achieved this for me. Without Makers, I would certainly have been a lot slower getting that first job for the following reasons:
- knowing what to study - the course introduces you to a selection of technologies and practices that give you a good springboard for following your interests, and give you enough direction to study for the interview process. Without this direction I would have not really known where to begin, and it certainly would have been less efficient
- practicing techniques that are difficult to self study - there was a strong focus on pairing and group work (including using relevant tools e.g. git) which would have been difficult to self-organise and taught you useful skills. Furthermore they ingrain best practices (eg TTD and OOP principles) into you. It would be hard to get your head around these, understand their benefit and get feedback on them without the framework of a course in my opinion.
- navigating the job hunt and post course support - this was the real kicker for me. Completing the course is definitely not the hardest part of the journey - having the mental resilience to push through the job hunt definitely is! The post course support at Makers is pretty thorough, and without the advice and direction they gave me, plus the network of fellow students supporting each other, that job hunt would have seemed significantly longer and more hopeless.
If you factor in the opportunity cost of the extra time spent job hunting and studying rather than working, then attending a bootcamp makes a lot of sense vs self study in my opinion. Also what nice leaving Makers you have access to the large alumni network, which I expect to be very helpful throughout my career (it has already been useful!).
Final note on learning style - the course structure suits people who:
- learn by doing rather than attending long lectures
- are able to pursue the learning resources they want to, to give themselves the greatest benefit (rather than preferring to be spoon fed via a rigid timetable)
- enjoy working with others (or at least recognise that this is a useful skill to pick up during the course that would be difficult to get from self study - which can be done at any point in their lives)
Overall I would recommend it for the above reasons. I also thoroughly enjoyed the whole process of the course and the material! -
Charles Galbraith
Good for motivated, self-directed learners
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My experience at Makers was overwhelmingly positive. There is a strong focus on Test-Driven Development and core Object-Oriented Programming principles that are not language-specific, and form an excellent grounding in the fundamentals of software engineering. The mornings are spent attending workshops or making use of the wealth of resources placed at the students' disposal. Students are encouraged to set their own goals (with some guidance) and to use their time as they see fit to a large extent. It is stressful at first, because there isn't an awful lot of handholding, but ultimately it builds resilience and confidence and a belief that you can learn anything you need to overcome a problem. There is an emphasis on collaboration, with pair-programming sessions in the afternoons and several group projects designed to mirror the way a real software engineering team would function in the workplace. Coaches are available to help if you get stuck, but will often try to nudge you towards the right solution rather than telling you outright. When I graduated I felt confident enough in my ability to learn that I was able to throw myself into new projects using unfamiliar technologies with no sense of trepidation. I should also mention that the careers support is first rate. There are regular CV, application, and interview workshops, and coaches are available to give feedback on any application you write. You are assigned a designated career coach, who will check in with you regularly, and the interview alert system ensures that you are given tailored preparation for every stage of the interview process. -
Adam Jonas
Incredible experience and quality
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I completed the 16 week Makers course 6 weeks ago and have just received an offer for my first role in software engineering. It's impossible to explain how much I have learned in the last 5 months. From not knowing anything about software development before the course, I am now a confident, technically able engineer, with practical and theoretical technical knowledge, sufficient to be hired into a tech driven company. The course material focuses on industry best practices, such as TDD, OOP and agile, meaning you come out with skills and knowledge even some seasoned pros don't have. The careers support after graduation is incredible, with unlimited coaching and resources for anything you need to work on. Choosing Makers was the best decision I have made to date and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to move into tech. -
Hilda
Something great took place here|Candour Opinion
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I don't regret going to Makers. It was definitely worth the investment, the time and the commitment. I was in your position last year, reading multiple reviews on multiple bootcamps just so I could have the chance of getting the best experience and not regretting my career transition, and I am guessing you may probably looking for something similar. I went to Makers knowing a bit of HTML, CSS, bootstrap and just a bit of ruby(from the self learning everyone has to complete on codeacademy before entering into Makers) and leaving with knowledge of full stack dev, pair programming, agile methodologies, how to deploy your work on heroku, testing,collaborate with github and much more. Makers' focus is very much about you the student, your ability to take initiative and learn, develop, and your mental health. As a developer, your mental health is extremely important and Makers never failed to remind you of that. The curriculum is very well structured and built for a beginner with a passion to learn. Makers focus on understanding few languages well and not just any language(just for the sake of it) which I was happy with because learning one very well helps you understand the others. The coaches are very friendly and have patience for the whole of Europe. They recognise that you are human and encourages you. Regarding the job hunting stage, Makers do have some partners who come to hire Makers students frequently. There are alumni who post job advertisements within their work places frequently. This is really helpful for job hunting and networking with others within the industry. Although some do a good job, I think some of career partners can learn how to deliver their opinions a bit better. If you are looking for a bootcamp where you can learn, get hands on experience as a developer, have down to earth, intelligent coaches Makers, and a place where they advocate for your health and mental health, I would say, definitely look at Makers. You won't regret it.