Makers Academy

This program is very well set up, from having daily stand-ups with peers to get to plan your own code reviews (which are a great training exercise to get ready for the job hunt). Overall the focus is to learn full-stack development through ruby and JS, but they give you complete freedom from halfway through the course to decide what tech stack you want to learn within your team and focus on for each project. Read less

Pros
- Precourse and entrance interview makes sure you have a decent level before you start
- Coaches are very helpful, but the curriculum is designed in such a way that you will need to be proactive and ask for help. It won't be handed to you
- Curriculum seemed well designed to cover the fundamentals, but also giving you autonomy to work with technology that you like.
- Really supportive environment, all staff and students are very supportive and all seem to share a similar mindset.
- Makers have hiring partners that assist you get jobs afterwards, this is a big draw compared with similar bootcamps.

Cons
- A little on the expensive side, but given the good hiring rates I personally think it is worth the cost
- If you're somebody who isn't very proactive and likes for people to supply you with everything you need without doing much work, this may not be the course for you.

Overall I had a very positive experience with Makers and would definitely recommend it to others thinking of changing careers and learning to code. Read less

Bootcamps don't suit everybody but I would recommend Makers Academy based on their EI curriculum which separates them from the rest. I found the emotional support on the programme to be excellent, and believe the emphasise on this area is vital when embarking on a career change and learning a new field. With regards to the software development curriculum, I found the majority to be self-taught and due to my large cohort, I felt that we didn't get as much attention from the available coaches as I'd hoped. However, I found the group work and projects in the final weeks invaluable. During the course we did daily pair programming which meant I worked with a different person almost every day. This gave me surplus experience working with a variety of different people and appreciating how others might like to work and program which has proved an invaluable skill in my day to day work as a developer.  Read less

I had seen the effect Makers academy had on my friend's career change and it had stuck with me ever since. The only regret I have is not starting this course sooner and making the switch to software developer sooner. If you have never done any programming before and want to get into software development; this is the bootcamp for you. If you have experience in programming and want to make that breakthrough into software development; this is the bootcamp for you. If you are interested in software development and just want help perfecting your skills; this is still the bootcamp for you. The point is that this bootcamp is accessible from any level and leaves you feeling like an expert at the end, able to jump into any software related role and hit the ground running. This bootcamp is not just about learning to code, but also learning the fundamentals that you will be using everyday in your new career. Most importantly however, this bootcamp will teach you to be able to teach yourself and leave you confident that you can accomplish anything with the right approach or enough research. It's worth the money for a life-changing opportunity. Read less

My experience at Makers was superb and enjoyed every minute of it. Due to COVID the whole course was remote which I was nervous about to begin with but everyone in the cohort and the Makers coaches were all so great it was never awkward or felt like I was missing out from not being in the building. The course was very full on and you should definitely prepare yourself for it - however you quickly learn to find your own pace and the importance of learning compared to completing all the work. Working in groups and every week learning new tech and languages has prepared me for my first job as well as the EI workshops allowing me to comfortably work in teams, giving constructive feedback whilst being aware of others feelings, as well as understanding the different ways in which people learn best and how to adapt to ensure everyone in pairs or teams is learning and enjoying themselves. The con would be the money however it is definitely worth every penny and being able to use the Alumni services forever definitely means you get out much more than that fee.  Read less

Overall, I had a really good experience at Makers. In 5 months from starting the course I’ve got my first job in tech, so trust the process, it works! 

I completed the bootcamp fully remote and while I think makers have successfully made the transition to being completely online, I do think there are some things missing from not being there in person. These things would be the same everywhere though. 

The coaches are very knowledgeable and supportive, you’re in a cohort of people with similar minds and drive which help keep you motivated. 

As it’s remote it can feel a little isolating which probably would be eased by being on site, I don’t know how to compare experiences and whether at changes your opinion on the value of the course. However, my cohort were really fantastic and it felt like a solid community very quickly. For me, it’s been worth every penny.  Read less

Pros: 
- The overall experience is great as you learn incredible things and you keep learning even after the course thanks to the coding bases that you learned. 
- Most of the couches are amazing and you can reach out to them at any moment for advice even if you are feeling low.
- Learn how to meditate is key.
Cons:
- Offer better solutions for financing the course as the one they offer, is highly NOT recommendable.
- More prior experience is needed, more than they recommend.
- They focused a lot on people who are more skilled and have significant prior experience.
- Better feedback on CV and CL as, each of the career coaches have different opinions, and many times, opposite. This makes really hard to get shortlisted.

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 I was part of the first part time cohort for Makers' bootcamp, running July 2020 - Feb 2021. Studying part time alongside a day job is really hard work, but Makers' culture puts student wellbeing at the heart of the experience - I don't think I would have made it through without this support. Coaches were sympathetic to the evenings where energy levels were lower, or external commitments meant someone in the cohort was running late, and they always emphasised the importance of taking care of ourselves first and foremost.

The course was really enjoyable - fortnightly challenges give a satisfying sense of progress, and it's all structured to let you stretch yourself as much as you want to (or have time for).  I also really appreciated that the course was based more around understanding effective coding practices that apply in any language, rather than technical drills that might be too language-specific. I feel equipped to go out and learn new languages and techniques in my career.

The final project module was less satisfying - possibly we were just running out of steam after 6 months, and longer stretches working on the same project dragged a bit, but I expect this might be adapted to for future cohorts.  Read less

They take something incredibly daunting and make it manageable (not easy, but manageable). They know the leap your taking and the course is designed to limit the feeling of being overwhelmed, although you definitely feel this more than once. While I found the focus on pair programming & self-led learning a bit odd for a paid course, without it I don't think you could learn the problem-solving skills needed to become a non-computer science grad software engineer. More than that though is how you then interact with your cohort, develop personal skills and friendships that support you through the course and beyond. The career support following Makers was great, namely their partnership programme. I got 5 interviews through them before finally getting a job.  Read less

There is a large number of positives when it comes to taking the Makers course, but in terms of the negatives, the only real downsides have been that some of the course material is a little outdated (with everything constantly changing this is bound to happen), and having joined the course at such a trying time for us all, there wasn't the guaratneed job offer that they normally provide. 

Now in terms of the positives, there are far too many to list, but for me the biggest things were the coverage of the important areas, giving you a real foothold in terms of understanding the coding world, and a good foundation to learn other languages and frameworks, and the support offered throughout, with not only curriculum support and job hunting, but also with mental well-being.  Read less

It is a great way of learning how to code and how to find your way in the vast world of software development. 
The curriculum is very well structured and I found very useful the way they organise solo work, workshops, pair programming and group projects throughout the program.
It is very focused on self-learning so don't expect to be guided and told what to do 100% of the time, but you'd always have someone to ask for help or advice whenever needed. This was a bit disappointing for some of my colleagues but for me it was ideal and it definitely represents how your future working as a developer will feel like.
Their mental health parallel curriculum is very well structured too and covers all the fundamentals on how to create healthy habits both for your career and your life.
After graduation, I felt very supported at all times from the careers team, with some extra technical courses and lots of advice and workshops on how to approach companies and get ready for interviews during your job-hunt.
To summarize, a great experience if you are ready to take on a big challenge and willing to put 100% of yourself into it. Read less

Things you'll get experience of at Makers that perhaps self taught courses don't teach you are:
-  working in a team on projects in an agile way
- how to de-bug your code
- the process of problem solving
- emotional intelligence and valuable soft skills that you'll need in a job.
- growth mindset

Plus you'll gain a whole network of like-minded people to bounce ideas off and help you.  Read less

I've just graduated Makers, and have already had my first interview for a position with a company that I'm absolutely thrilled about. I also have another lined up for a different company next week! None of this would have been possible without Makers. Makers Academy helped me to rediscover my passion for just turning ideas into reality.

Before joining, I had a lot of "soft skills" that were absolutely marketable, but didn't quite have the more tangible skills to do the things I wanted to do. I felt extremely limited, and had such low hopes for my job prospects and future. Now, I'm so excited to begin building my life and keep moving forward! 

Pros to Makers:
- Excellent group atmosphere (even remotely!) - Everyone is pretty optimistic and excited to be there.
- The course material is iterative, and there's more than enough to work on, regardless of your 'level' coming into Makers. 
- Lots of autonomy and self-guided learning.
- Great guidance and support during and after the course. 

Cons: 
- Some may find it challenging to guide your own learning. 
- Not everyone is ready to start applying for jobs immediately out of Makers – which is okay! Most people in your cohort will be at different levels.
- Remote learning takes a bit of adjusting if you're not used to it. Zoom fatigue hits really hard after the first group project, but goes away after that. Read less

I joined the Makers programme in June 2020 and I'm really glad I did, the programme structure is top notch, support from the staff and colleagues were great and the pace of learning while high was also great at giving a real insight into how software development projects work in the workplace. If you have the means to join this course I would highly recommend Makers as they not only show you coding concepts that are widely practiced within the industry but also team working skills which is something you don't get while learning to code by yourself. I have grown so much not just as a coder since completing the course but also as a person and have made friends for life which is worth it's weight in gold. Having a support network around you is invaluable for any burgeoning software developer and there's no better place for that than Makers! Read less

My experience at Makers was overall extremely positive. It enabled me to move from a career in senior administration into my first job in the tech industry, within a year, which is an incredible timeline for a career change. 

The course itself is hard work and constantly stimulating, equipping you to become a driven self-learner in software engineering. For those who are committed to pursuing a career in tech, keen to challenge themselves, and willing to make the time & financial commitment, Makers will help you thrive. Their emphasis on and approach around wellbeing, ensures that those students who may struggle with the intensity/speed of the course or the team working aspects, have the necessary support to move forward and achieve their goals.

The staff are fantastic and switched on. I was fortunate to have been placed in a wonderful cohort with hard-working and like-minded peers. The course is heavy on team work: you pair program daily as well as build projects in teams. This is vital to building first-hand experience of collaboration (and people skills) within this field. I imagine it is down to luck what kind of people are in your cohort, which will inform your overall experience.

The careers team are very communicative and clearly work hard to assist you in your job hunt. The job hunt can still be a real challenge, depending on the current job market etc, but I am not sure if there are other bootcamps out there with the same level of job hunting support and aftercare for their students. Read less

Overall, I had a very positive experience at Makers. Before Makers, I was a primary school teacher with very little programming knowledge. The course was challenging, and sometimes incredibly frustrating, but my Makers experience helped me to develop both technical and soft skills that have served me well.  I'd like to reiterate what others have said - while there are coaches on hand, this is very much self-led learning. You'll only get out what you put in. 

The Pros:
- A solid foundational curriculum that teaches best practices such as TDD and pair programming. 
- A focus on soft skills such as effective communication within teams, self-regulation, and problem-solving. 
- Job seeking assistance was awesome, even for me as an international student (Canada)

The Cons:
- There was wide variability in coaching skills and techniques. It was incredibly frustrating to try to get help from some, while others were very supportive. 
-The JavaScript curriculum needs to be updated (this may have been resolved since I graduated)

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You've had a dabble learning a programming language and decided you enjoy it - so the next step according to the internet is to get a portfolio, start contributing to open source projects and networking. If you are reading this review, then you likely feel there is a step (or 10) missing. The job requirements you've looked at all ask for a computer science degree or 1-2 years experience for junior developer roles. As your internet search desperation grows you begin to consider the validity of bootcamps but do they overpromise, are they a scam, are they glorified recruitment agencies?

- Makers breeds confidence. A makers mantra is they teach you how to learn. A successful graduate will come out of the bootcamp feeling they are able to learn any programming language/framework and have the tools to debug any error in their code.

- Makers prioritises good practice over results which in turn promotes long term stability and improvement. You will be writing Test Driven Development and learning important principles from day 1 which adds an additional step to your initial learning but is intended to form habits that you will use throughout your career.

- Makers reduces fear and allows you to try. There are no penalties for getting things wrong so you are encouraged to attempt and give your best effort. Coaches and your fellow students are supportive.

- The Makers course is unashamedly hard but absolutely achievable. The pace is rapid (which is a sign that a lot of material is crammed in) and you feel uncomfortable for almost the whole 3 months. Each week introduces something new, so just as you begin to feel comfortable you move on and are learning a fresh concept or language. The only time for reinforcement and practice are weekends and evenings, so you have to prioritise between the extra work or rest, which is just as important to well-being and overall success.

- Makers places the responsibility on you. 10-20% of the course is coach led workshops to introduce new concepts. The rest is self learning and pair programming. It's the equivalent of paying a personal trainer who shows you where the cross-trainer is and hands you an instruction manual. The concept is clear, you will only progress if you are committed and there will be a time when the trainer is no longer around so you need to be able to understand how to continue alone.

- Makers won't make you a developer or guarantee you a job. There is so much work you have to do for yourself. It is very unlikely you will complete all the course material within the time frame but Makers gives you a platform to build from and to continue learning and strengthening your skills. Completing a bootcamp gives no indication of your ability as a programmer so you will likely still need to build your own personal portfolio to showcase your development as well as prove your ability in interview.

- Makers is a valuable resource for finding a job. During the course you will undertake tech test pratice (as long as you want to) and have code reviews so you are constantly improving those future skills. Post graduation you have access to hiring partners who will hire bootcamp graduates as well as fellow alumni for networking and job vacancy links.

- The remote learning does work but is not perfect. One reason you might be considering Makers is the focus on wellbeing with yoga and meditation sessions but these add more screen time to a schedule where you might be at a screen for 7+ hours. Pairing remotely also ties you to a screen for longer periods than you might be comfortable with. I imagine if I had studied in location it would have been a more well-rounded experience due to the social aspect and activites outside of the programming, but I would have had less time to devote to studying.  Read less

Going through Makers was the best decision I've ever made. It's life-changing. 
Not because they are teaching you how to become a software developer but because they are giving you everything you need for becoming one on your own.
I found great support and collaboration. I had the opportunity to constantly work with my cohort mates. When I got stuck, I always found someone helping me out.
I learned things that I couldn't have learned from a book or an online course: working on group projects, following agile methodologies, performing code reviews, giving and receiving meaningful feedback ... and much more!
Last but not least, meditation and yoga sessions truly made a real difference in regards to my mental and physical wellbeing during the course. Read less

I think the best part is it simulates the actual office environment. The tools used and agile methodologies adopted in group project gives feeling of working in actual office. You have to learn things by yourself and with your pairing partner or group. If you are stuck there are coaches to help out.  Read less

I started this year as a pastry chef, having fallen into the food industry after leaving university. It has a low roof, and I knew I wanted a job that had more mobility and options. I started the year as a pastry chef, and will end the year as a software engineer for a major player in the tech industry. This would absolutely not have been possible without Makers.
  Whilst the course teaches you a lot in terms of technical scope, the greatest asset is the way that Makers primes you for the tech world, and it opens doors by having the name, and the hiring team, backing you in the job hunt. More than that, having the support of other Makers is invaluable - Makers gate-keeps so that only those who are really engaged and excited attend the course. It creates an environment that values good mental health (baked into the curriculum), but also intellectual curiosity. 
  Makers won't spoon-feed you all the knowledge you gain, but  hopefully, you will end the course as excited as I was (and continue to be!) about the technologies that exist and about starting a career in tech! Read less