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Prime Digital Academy offers an intensive, 20-week full-stack coding bootcamp and an 18-week UX design bootcamp in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Working directly with Twin Cities tech employers, Prime Digital Academy has created programs that equip emerging engineers and designers with the skills they need to make immediate contributions. Prime students learn modern technologies, practical methodologies, and critical behavioral skills through carefully crafted curriculum and real-world projects for pro-bono clients in the community. Prime’s immersive programs empower learners from diverse backgrounds to begin their new careers in months, not years.Prime’s full-stack engineering course prepares students with the skills and hands-on experience to develop complex software to solve businesses problems. Prime’s user experience design curriculum prepares students with professional practice in research, design and prototype software that is usable and meaningful. Prime graduates have been hired by nearly 200 companies in Minnesota, and the tight-knit learning community continues long after graduation, with students participating in mentorship, community education and ongoing alumni career support.
Executive Summary
Overall, Prime Digital Academy is an excellent choice for those who are serious about making a career change into the software development field or as an alternative to the traditional 2 or 4 year college degree. I say serious, because Prime is a seriously intense program that prepares you for employment as an entry level software developer in a relatively short period of time (18 weeks). Prime focuses on not only intensive ...
Executive Summary
Overall, Prime Digital Academy is an excellent choice for those who are serious about making a career change into the software development field or as an alternative to the traditional 2 or 4 year college degree. I say serious, because Prime is a seriously intense program that prepares you for employment as an entry level software developer in a relatively short period of time (18 weeks). Prime focuses on not only intensive learning of the JavaScript based MEAN stack but also the soft skills that are necessary in today's workplace: speaking to a group or audience, teamwork, writing project scopes, interviewing, diversity awareness, and others. Prime Digital Academy is a new bootcamp program that is getting its feet underneath it with each class that passes through its doors, but the background of the school's instructors and leadership, business network, and affiliation with the Nerdery - Prime Digital Academy has the support internally and externally for students to succeed. My background was a professional with a 4 year college degree that was making a career change. My selection of Prime Digital Academy was made based on their business network and vision for the program. I do not regret my decision one bit. Every question I had about the program was answered honestly and every expectation I had was met.
Program Highlights
Intense structured learning - The program is designed to keep a student out of his or her comfort zone. Why? This is where the greatest development and learning take place. This will be frustrating to every student at one point or another. However, students are monitored so that frustration does not equate to failure. Teaching students that failure is not an "end" in itself but a means to learning and developing is one of the most valuable assets of the program. It unlocks a curious mind, dissolves fear, and creates a safe environment to develop skills. Software Development is about solving problems and dealing with "failure", creating the correct mindset to understand what "failure" is and how to compartmentalize it is not just a great learning strategy - but life strategy.
Support Structure - Prime Digital Academy's staff understand the stresses created by a bootcamp environment and how to help students deal with those stressors. The students are also an incredibly supportive group with each other and develop-mentors also interact with students in small groups to share experience about the industry, developing software, or just life in general.
Community Support - Prime has staff that aid in preparation for entering the marketplace. Reviewing resumes and mock interviews. Prime also highly encourages networking via Meet Up groups and other events to meet and grow their professional network.
Personal and Client Projects - As part of the course, students will create a personal project using the full MEAN stack and branching out into new libraries that support their personal project. Students will also do a pro-bono group project for a real business to understand the full lifecycle of a web application from design, scope creation, coding, and presentation/delivery.
Program Opportunities
One of the interesting aspects of being a business professional and changing careers, was getting to watch as a student of the program - how Prime Academy was growing and dealing with its own growing pains as a new school. Our class was the first "production" class to go through the program. There were curriculum updates in our program from the "beta" class that went before us and there were curriculum updates in the classes that were starting as our class was preparing to graduate - so the reality is that some or all of these opportunities have already been addressed or expectations set with incoming students. If you have questions - Ask the staff - their only goal is for current, past, and prospective student to be successful in their new chosen field.
6 Week Preload Period - The first 6 weeks of the program use online classes to get students up to speed on HTML/CSS and some other basic skills. As an 18 week course - personally I would set the expectation of "Go ahead and keep your job during this 6 weeks" or make it more intense to get more value for the tuition being paid. The first 6 weeks are "luke warm" to me. Personally, I worked 3 of those 6 weeks, but depending on your job stress/demands, if the load is only 10-20 hours per week - keeping your primary job to save money will be helpful. However - I would recommend at least one full week off work before the intense last 12 weeks of the program. This time allows you to get your "house in order". Once the intense portion of the bootcamp begins, you will have very little time for anything else.
The course is 18 weeks long - your period of unemployment will vary. Personally I consider Prime Digital Academy a half year (26 week) commitment from the time you start pre-work to the reasonable expectation(but no guarantee) that you'll find a job. Please note - this is not a failing of Prime. Prime Digital Academy does not guarantee graduates will find a job anymore than a Bachelor's Degree will guarantee you a job or a job in your field of study. A prospective student needs to expect that becoming employed may take a couple to a few months after graduation. This can be for any number of reasons (company HR department processes, location, macro-economic issues, etc.) Prime works very hard with the development community to attract employers and find opportunities for graduates. But you need to set the personal expectation that you are making a 6 month commitment - not 18 weeks to employment. As a side note, I would recommend that you put at least as much effort into your networking with employers, recruiters, and others as you do your code. The opportunity for building your professional network was a major reason for my choice of Prime Digital Academy and one of the things I am most proud of growing during my time there. I also fully intend on keeping that network growing and vibrant moving forward as well.
Final Thoughts
If you are dedicated on moving into the software development field, Prime Digital Academy can get you to the next level. The instruction, support, and network are second to none. The financial and time commitment of Prime Digital Academy to my new career was well worth it and I'd do it again.
How much does Prime Digital Academy cost?
Prime Digital Academy costs around $17,000. On the lower end, some Prime Digital Academy courses like Full Stack Engineering - Full Time cost $15,500.
What courses does Prime Digital Academy teach?
Prime Digital Academy offers courses like Full Stack Engineering - Full Time, Full Stack Engineering - Part-Time, User Experience Design.
Where does Prime Digital Academy have campuses?
Prime Digital Academy has in-person campuses in Minneapolis. Prime Digital Academy also has a remote classroom so students can learn online.
Is Prime Digital Academy worth it?
Prime Digital Academy hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 121 Prime Digital Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Prime Digital Academy on Course Report - you should start there!
Is Prime Digital Academy legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 121 Prime Digital Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Prime Digital Academy and rate their overall experience a 4.88 out of 5.
Does Prime Digital Academy offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Right now, it doesn't look like Prime Digital Academy offers scholarships or accepts the GI Bill. We're always adding to the list of schools that do offer Exclusive Course Report Scholarships and a list of the bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.
Can I read Prime Digital Academy reviews?
You can read 121 reviews of Prime Digital Academy on Course Report! Prime Digital Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Prime Digital Academy and rate their overall experience a 4.88 out of 5.
Is Prime Digital Academy accredited?
Prime Digital Academy is licensed as a private career school with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to Minnesota Statutes.
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