Skillcrush Reviews
Page 9
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claudette
Just the ticket: fabulous!
I am really enjoying this web designer blueprint course. The format and explanations are very clear and I like the video deliveries and lesson resources. I feel I've learnt so much in a short space of time and being able to fit the course around my life is invaluable. Im super happy I've discovered Skillcrush:))
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April Cramer
Skillcrush you are my hero!
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Years ago I dabbled in HTML and CSS though it wasn't in the cards for me at the time. Now that I've been in healthcare management for several years, I find myself longing for a change. For months I researched course options, boot camps (..and their frightening price tags), and that's when I found Skillcrush. A month into the Front End Developer Blueprint, I'm ready to sign up for every Blueprint, without hesitation. The lessons and resources provided are exceptional.
Skillcrush, you keep doing what your doing. Thanks for changing my life!
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Ronnie Mcknight
Change of Direction
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I made a committment to myself and my family to seek out better opportunities and improve my skillset. After months of research and perhaps procrastination, I enrolled in a Skillcrush course. I spent a good deal of time researching and speaking with their online team bout which "blueprint' was right for me. I got great advice from the staff, and was given access to plenty of very helpful resources and testimonials that really helped me make the right decision. I am 75% done with the Web Developer Blueprint and already have been able to contribute to some local project and causes, as well as increased job offers even before I've fully completed the course. Thanks for being given the chance.
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Kaylea Britton
Blueprint starts tomorrow
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I am currently enrolled for the Front End Development Blueprint that starts tomorrow, October 10th. The enrollment process was super quick and easy and there has been a lot of information provided through emails and webinars to help me prepare for the Blueprint and working in Tech in general.
My favorite thing so far is that I was given access to my coursework pretty much as soon as I enrolled. I have been able to work ahead and will start the course tomorrow with the first 2 weeks worth of lessons completed. The only downside is that you can't join the Google group until the night before so I haven't been able to receive any feedback on my work. This is not a big deal to me though in comparison to the headstart I was able to get considering I have no prior coding experience other than throwing together a 1-page site with HTML that I learned in half an hour and CSS that I learned from Google.
While the Blueprint hasn't even techinically started yet, I would highly recommend Skillcrush to anyone who is interested in coding, especially if you have no prior experience like me because they make it fun and easy to learn.
Things I am looking forward to/hoping to see as the course goes on: much more practice so that you can commit more concepts to memory, in-depth career services (because I know nothing about freelance or the Tech sector), and feedback from my instructor on my code.
*Since the course hasn't officially started yet I can't rate the instructors or job assistance.
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Shay
Worth Every Penny
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After recently being laid off, I realized that I didn't really have the skills that employers are looking for these days. Luckily, I stumbled upon Skillcrush and I'm so glad I did. I'm currently enrolled in two blueprints: Visual Design and Front End Development. I'm learning so much, so quickly, and I can't wait to start using my new skills to get an exciting job at a tech company, or maybe even start my own business. I would highly encourage anyone who's looking to learn marketable skills in a fun and easy way to sign up for a blueprint. You won't regret it!
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Courtney Pastorick
Visual Designer Blueprint
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I'm just finishing the 3-month Visual Design Blueprint. I have learned so much in these three short months. The content of each course within the skillcrush blueprint is super organized and laid out in a way that is both, easy to learn and understand. The instructors super helpful and always give great feedback on work. Aside from the actual course, skillcrush constantly e-mails useful tips and information on how to apply your new skill set in the real world. If you keep up with the coursework and take advantage of the resources available you can expect to succeed. Even if you fall behind though...fear not!! Skillcrush offers the option of jumping into the class behind yours. This is really great because you still have the opportunity for your work to be reviewed. Getting feedback from people is immensely helpful and skillcrush does a great job of making this an essential part of their program. Way to go Skillcrush, A+!! The only suggestions I would make: develop an all inclusive platform for submitting assignments, storing files, and receiving feedback from fellow classmates and create a final packet for students. Which would include all assignments submitted throughout the course, in a book type format. All in all, I have no regrets taking this course! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in web/design, looking to expand their knowledge or further their career.
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Beth Buschman-Kelly
Front-End Development Blueprint
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At 4 weeks in, this course is great. I was doing Free Code Camp but got a little stuck on the first on-your-own coding project. I don't have much time each day to commit and it needed more forethought and planning than I could do on the fly. This class holds your hand more, but it also gives you all the information you need for a coding project and breaks everything down into small sections, so if I can't finish in one session, I can easily pick up where I left off. Nice mix of videos, documents to read, and challenges. Requires about an hour a day (M-F), which is the perfect amount of time for me.
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Carmen
Web Design Blueprint & Customer Service
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I am a professional social work administrator transitioning to a career in tech. When I found Skillcrush (through Facebook), I was beyond burned out in my role with a state agency, and I was spurred to explore the tech world as a result of a painful encounter with a contractor developing an advanced software system for the state agency for which I worked. The experience made me realize that in order to be competitive in the 21st century economy, I was going to need some serious tech skills. I assessed my life (as a wife and mother to two small boys), my budget, and my own capacity for change, and I decided I could make all three work together to make the switch. At that point, all I needed was a way to learn that would fit my life stage and style. I enjoy learning, and I am self-motivated so I first considered completing a formal Master of Science degree in Data Science through a local university in Tulsa; however, it was going to cost at least $10,000 to complete, which seemed to me like a steep price to pay for something I wasn't sure would get me to exactly where I wanted to be, and I'd have to brush up on my HTML and CSS, as well as the programming language C prior to even beginning the program.
Then I found Skillcrush (enter angels singing, "Aaaaaaah!"). I was immediately drawn in by their accessible platorm, and their approach - which is basically that anyone with enough motivation and moxy can learn to code. I pitched my plan to my husband, who at this point was looking at me with side-eyes, and once I showed him the platform for the free 10-day bootcamp, we were both convinced this was a great, affordable option for me to make the switch.
From that point forward, my entire experience with Skillcrush has been very positive & encouraging. Kelli has been AMAZING at responding to all of my 1500 questions with patience, kindness, and most of all with directly helpful information. When I had to take a long hiatus from my blueprint coursework, Skillcrush accommodated my request to be added to the current on-going blueprint when I resumed the course (though I'm still playing catch-up, mainly to myself) and also added me to the Skillcrush 300 Apprenticeship that was added after the point in time that I signed up for the Blueprint, all for no additinal charge. Skillcrush also allowed me to sign up for the WordPress Freelance Blueprint at a discount; they have really bent over backward to help me accomplish my goals, and I am so grateful that they really care about what each of their students is doing.
While Skillcrush's customer service is a major selling point for the company, so is their curriculum. The lessons take into account the various learning styles, and they include videos, reading, links to resources, and practice coding the information you're learning. So you learn a new skill, and you put it immediately to use. For me, this is the best way to help me remember the information I am learning. The lessons are succinct, while still giving you everything you need to know to compete in the job market successfully. Adda and the entire Skillcrush team takes their business seriously, and they still have fun in the process. The curriculum is dynamic, enjoyable, pressure-free, encouraging, and choc-FULL of the most up-to-date information from the world of tech.
One other aspect I have really appreciated about Skillcrush is that they have normalized all of the self-doubt that inevitably comes along with learning tech skills when you are coming from a non-tech career. I think other on-line coding schools perhaps underestimate the dynamic of imposter syndrome in their approach; Skillcrush addresses it head-on. Each person at Skillcrush puts his/her ego aside to focus on the methods of teaching/learning that are helpful in real time, without pretense, and with an earnest heart. For women, I would say this has the most potential to break down barriers and allow space for a diverse range of people, with diverse backgrounds, to enter the world of tech.
Besides offering world-class courses and excellent customer service, Skillcrush also offers HANDS-DOWN, the BEST career development resources and support for anyone wanting to make a career change to tech, add tech-skills to their portfolio, work free-lance, or be hired by an agency. They have substantive blog posts, a TON of free down-loadable guides, career development webinars with industry experts, and job-post emails with current postings that go straight to your inbox.
Though I am still working through my Web Design Blueprint, I have signed up for the WordPress Developer Blueprint, and I cannot highly enough recommend Skillcrush for anyone considering learning tech skills. It is the lowest threshold to a professional education you will find, and it is the fastest way to enter the tech world so you can pivot quickly.
Check 'em out! www.skillcrush.com ROCKS!
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Antoniya Dimitrova
Visual Design Rocks
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I was a stay home mom with great ideas but outdated skills or at least that's how I felt when it came to looking for a job that was going to fulfill all my creative needs. All the posting out there were requiring a skills I didn't have, using fancy terms that drove me away and discouraged me. Then I accidently stumbled on Skillcrush Visual Design Blueprint right before my European vacation that I was going on with my 5 years old son. I was immediately attracted to their promising offerings..."Learn how to code and get a high paying job" Wow it even rimes! I have never taken any online courses just to be clear, so I told myself "Why not, what you have to loose?!" So I enrolled in Visual Design Blueprint witch fit's in my Visual Artist background( drawing, sketching, illustrating). After all they were promising that the class are for total newbies and it will take about an hour a day. Well it was PERFECT for me! Although some lessons took me longer than hour... 😕 maybe because I was over thinking it or maybe because I was on Vacation😊 but every part of it is well planned and was packed only with the most important needed information. I loved their Video tutorials with Randle (hope I spelled it correct) Even though I had to pause them about 1000 times and watch them over and over again. Hey I'm proficient in Photoshop and Illustrator this is not only a geek territory anymore... I'm in! 😄 They boosted my creativity, encouraged me and gave me plenty of resources to freelance at. I would do it all over again!
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Tatiana
Front End Developer Blueprint
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I'm probably in the older than the typical learner "crowd". With Skillcrush, the pace of the learning and variety of ways to learn is actually helping to push me ahead.
The instructional videos are short, sweet, and funny clips you can watch when you have the time. The hands-on practice sessions are challenging and fun. When I have a question, I can participate in an online group where students and instructors can pitch in, or I can email an instructor directly.
Each day I receive an email from the instructor and a list of tasks. As I complete a task, the screen visually records my progress. Further, Skillcrush provides a lot of bonuses like online resources, coaching for job search, thoughtful enthusiasm and encouragement that makes you feel that you can do this!
If you want to start a new chapter like myself this is the place to start.
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Dalton Ying
Web-Developer Blueprint
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This is a great course. You are able to proceed at your own pace. The lessons are very straight forward and to the point. If you want to learn how to code, this is the place to learn it. The instructors know how to code and know how to teach others how to code. Knowing how to code and knowing how to teach it are two different things and something that I was worried about signing up for a coding course. Skillcrush knows how to do both of these and I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to learn how to code. Worth every penny.
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Deena
Sign Up For A Blueprint!
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For several months, I wanted to take their Web Designer Blueprint but I was also just starting my online marketing business so time and money were tight. In August, I finally signed up and started taking the first module (Design). It was awesome. Just the right amount of material was given during each day's lesson so I could spend about an hour learning/practicing, and then move on with the rest of my work day.
Everyone was super helpful and friendly. My instructor, William, was very prompt in answering questions and it was great chatting with him and other classmates during Office Hours (Google Hangouts). I've moved onto second section of the Blueprint, (Coding) and am finding it really enjoyable. I highly recommend them. Their courses are top notch!
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Carla
Fantastic course!
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I was really intimidated about learning how to code. Having tried a few free courses online, I knew I needed a more structured program with a complete end game, that's what Skillcrush is.
The staff is very helpful and responsive, even more so than I've seen in some in-person settings.
As I work through the program I realize coding is not as hard as it seemed, and the challenge to master different sections is really invigorating.
I highly recommend this course to anyone who is just getting started and isn't sure where to go or what to do. If you're serious about learning to code- this is the best bang for your buck.
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Crystal ONeil
On the CSS Express!
I am really enjoying the way the course is outlined. The videos make it easy to understand. Challenges that follow allow you to implement everything you learn. -
Adam Rosenblum
Awesome Ruby on Rails Blueprint!!!
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So I didn't know anything...that may be a bit harsh, but when it came to Ruby it is more than fair. After just two weeks I can easily say that this class is far exceeding my expectations.
Everyday you get to learn a little more in bite-sized chunks that lead to more and more knowledge. The progression and the lessons make sense without a giant leap that will leave you confused, but if you do their is more than enough help to get you back on track. The exercises will make you think and once you've completed them you can give a huge sigh and pat yourself on the back that you did it...you actually programmed something (other than the DVR).
I love the daily emails, and the encouragement...you aren't in this alone and both Adda (and Max) let you know this. Max even responded on a Sunday...you really can't beat that!
If you are thinking about learning Ruby / Rails then you really do owe it to yourself to give this a shot.
Bottom line: I can't tell you what to do, but I am extremely happy that I signed up for Skillcrush and would do it again!
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Miranda
Web Design Blueprint
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I debated on starting this course for about a year before I took the $400 plunge and I'm so glad I did. I read books on HTML & CSS and web design and those were helpful, but I wasn't able to practice very well on my own. This course broke all of that important information down for me, gave me structured lessons and helped me build a portfolio I was really proud of! I'm also super excited about landing a JOB when I was just halfway through the course! Taking the initiative to learn these skills on my own was enough to impress my interviewer and now I'll get to keep developing these skills. I plan to take the Wordpress Development Course next!
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Suzanne
Skillcrush
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I had already received a diploma in Web Design from an online college but had HUGE gaps in my skills and no freelance training. Skillcrush has great little morsels of knowledge every day that are never too much to learn at a time. Easy to follow instruction with a really personal feel that I have not had with any online learning before. The school forums and freelance knowledge of the instructors are helping develop the confidence and the skills that I will need to actually get hired.
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Christina Zeni
Exactly what I needed
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I cannot express to you how valuable Skillcrush has been to me as a resource. I signed up for THREE blueprints when I found out I was losing my job a month ago. I am about halfway through now. I'm in Front End Developer, Wordpress Developer and Visual Design. And once I get through these courses, I will be ready to start freelancing. I'm actually hoping to pick up my first project as soon as next week!
In addition to the courses, Skillcrush creates a wealth of resources in the form of blog posts, Ultimate Guides and webinars. Let me tell you, if you want to get into freelancing, you have to WATCH THE WEBINARS !!! (and those are free!) The Skillcrush community is awesome and supportive, and seeing all these women who have learned these skills and paved their way to success will show you that you can do it too!
Get the hard skills in the Blueprints. And learn how to run a business or land a job by listening to those who've done it. You can't lose. :)
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Amber
Visual Designer Blueprint
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I absolutely loved this blueprint. Feedback was constructive and very useful, and the instructors really kept up with each posted assignment in the Google Group. The software-learning lessons were actually fairly useful refreshers, and I loved how each project tied in with the other. This blueprint made for some very strong portfolio pieces, and I'm very excited to show potential employers the work I've done! I definitely recommend this course for anyone trying to concentrate on branding and identity design.
The instructors are super friendly and make it easy/comfortable to ask questions. Interacting with other students was also incredibly valuable. 5 stars!
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Cady Jacoby
Visual Design Blueprint
I just finished the Visual Design Blueprint, and it was awesome! The way the classes are structured for feedback is great- I got almost immediate feedback every time I posted class work or a question. And the actual feedback sessions were cool - Google hangouts made it super easy to not only get, but to give feedback and interact with instructors and other students.
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Ky Trang Ho
The Only One That Makes Coding Fun
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TL DR
I love it! have tried tons of online boot camps and Skillcrush is the only one that makes it fun -- complete with jokes, silly sound effects, music, analogies and cheerleading. The platform is the most well designed I've seen from a technical, aesthetic and pedagogical perspective. The founder and instructor, Adda Birnir, is very inspiring and lovable.
I recommend taking "Learning How to Learn" by UC San Diego on Coursera before embarking on an educational endeavor. After taking this short course (rated 4.8 stars with nearly 17K ratings), you will see Skillcrush applies the principles of effective learning very well. It breaks big concepts into chunks, uses analogies and metaphors, gives quizzes frequently, has you practice on your own and reviews what you just learned. Listening to a lecture and then reading the material helps cement the info because you're reinforcing what you've learned in multiple ways.
The Whole Shebang
Since embarking on my coding journey nearly two years ago, I have read a truck ton of reviews on Quora, SkilledUp, Course Report, Reddit, etc. I also tried just about every online coding school with free trials:
- Dash
- Scratch
- Khan Academy
- Codecademy
- Rails for Zombies
- Code School
- Udemy
- Udacity
- CodeCombat
- Treehouse
- FreeCodeCamp
- Flatiron
- The Firehose Project
By nature, I thoroughly research and compare all potential options because I am an aggressive shopper/bargain hunter and a business reporter. (Check out my coverage of Shark Tank and investing for Forbes! :0) I got addicted to test driving online boot camps in search of the holy grail of coding schools. I would do several modules on one site and then get seduced by another school's ad for a shiny new course or discount offer.
I never completed a full course at one school. The material was over my head a few lessons into the Ruby on Rails and JavaScript classes. I would get stuck and look up answers in the forums but I never fully understood the concept because the answer was spelled out for me. I was constantly looking for something better and I couldn't decide which language I should learn first. I was also unsure whether I should pursue front-end, full-stack, data science, Wordpress, etc.
At first, I felt like a loser for being a professional quitter but I really shouldn't be. After all, I can't know what works best for me until I try it myself. Online reviews are helpful but they cannot guarantee you will have a similar experience. We all have our idiosyncracies when it comes to learning. As the Japanese saying goes, "10 people 10 colors."
In an effort to buckle down and see a course through, I decided I should attend an in-person boot camp. I figured the teachers would keep me on track and I wouldn't get easily distracted. I signed up for newsletters and interviewed with a handful of the major schools. I also visited one school in LA and watched many group webinars. I made a monster spreadsheet with Google Docs comparing 25 schools in my area and online.
My got a "women in tech" scholarship from one school in LA but it would still cost me $8,000 to attend -- far more than some online schools. I was reluctant to try Skillcrush because of a few bad reviews on Quora. But I tried it because of the good reviews on Course Report. I just started and I am nearly finished with the second week of the Front-End Web Development Blueprint at Skillcrush. I love it! It's really the best I've seen and I've seen a lot. I intend to finish it.
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Shay
Front end developer blueprint
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Living the html&css course right now. The lessons are easy to understand and I am breezing through the material. I love it! I've already recommended it to a few friends and family members. I do wish there was a separate section outside of the lessons where I voted practice creating the codes more, instead of just inputting the missing data that I just learned. It's great while going through a lesson but not so much for a cumulative learning program. Again, I am still in the beginning stages of the course so there may be more practice later.
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Mariela Madariaga
Learning a lot at my own pace!
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I am really happy with the lessons I have finished so far. It is really good for me to complete lessons at my own time since I have a full time job and just found out I'm pregnant! So fighting the sleeping attacks takes a lot of energy but I am doing my best to finish all the projects and classes.
I am really enthusiastic about a career change and I feel Skillcrush will help a lot with it!
Thank you!
Mariela
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Morgan
Front-End Developer Blueprint
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I was very excited to sign up for one of Skillcrush's Blueprints because I admired their mission and purpose. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the curriculum and structure of the course. I am more of a visual learner and I thought I would get that kind of instruction in this course. Instead, I would watch a short video of the instructor speeding through her explainations of how students are expected to implement the code. Following the video, there would be written instructions of what the instructor quickly explained in the previous video. After I would complete what I was instructed to do, the written instructions displayed what my code should look like. To my suprise, I would see other class names and new properties added that I was not told to include in the written instructions nor had I ever seen them prior to the lesson. It was a common thing for me to see new concepts added without any thorough explaination beforehand.
I did well in the first section on HTML & CSS in the course because I'd already done the HTML & CSS course in Codecademy. Plus, the explainations and instructions were more thorough in that section. However, once I got to the Responsive Development (Skillcrush 206) section, things changed. There were a lot of gaps in lessons, meaning videos and lessons were not very in depth, and I like I mentioned before new concepts would be added without prior knowledge or explaination. I felt like the course went, "Ok, you know HTML & CSS, now you're on your own."
Anyone who decides to sign up for Skillcrush, I would advise them to have some knowledge of Web Development beforehand or you will get lost and have to use outside resources often. Remember that you have 30 days after signing up for their courses to get a full refund so make sure to go through at least the second section of the course to determine whether you like it or not. Sadly, I did not find out how the remainder of the course would be until after the 30 days and it was too late to get my money back.
One good thing I can say about Skillcrush is the instructors would respond to my emails within a few days and helped a great deal, but I often was able to find the solution to my problems quicker in Facebook groups and on stackoverflow.com. Skillcrush's blog posts also offer great content and I read those often but I was very disappointed and not at all impressed by their Front-End Blueprint.
I switched to Treehouse and I like their courses much better. They offer a monthly subscription which I prefer over paying one rate of $399 for Skillcrush, and they break down their lessons more and explain every little detail which I appreciate. Honestly, you can find much better courses for a lot cheaper and gain more knowledge about Web Development.
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Daria
WordPress Developer Blueprint
I´m currently enrolled in this course and I absolutely love it. I´ve been trying to find a good Wordpress course for a while and nothing seemed good enough until I found Skillcrush. The lessons are fun and very informative. They have a lot of resources that they share with their students and separate videos for future job preparation. Totally worth it!
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Virginia
WordPress Blueprint
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I'm currently enrolled in the WordPress Blueprint and extremely happy with the results. I had been trying to teach myself Wordpress by redesigning an old site for a friend of mine, but I was floundering a bit with the details and sometimes gerry-rigging something I knew wasn't a best practice. The WordPress blueprint. has taught me all of the basic structure of a custom WordPress page, as well as how to set up a professional workflow. It's full of professional development, too, and I can't imagine a better preparation for starting to freelance. The only downside is that it can be a bit too easy--they will often give you the option of writing your own code or copying and pasting a chunk--but it has helped me stay on track with the lessons despite a crazy schedule. If you're looking for a course that's full time and super technical, this is not for you. If you're looking for practical know-how to start freelancing as a WordPress designer--sign up!
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Amber Lovell
Front End Developer Blueprint
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I enrolled in the front end developer blueprint. I enjoyed the videos with Adda and the uplifting attitude she has. I tried to learn while working a full time stressful job, which was very challenging but I got through it. I think that this bootcamp is the most cheerful out there, which makes a big difference. There is a large amount of effort that went into the courses which I appreciated. I am glad that I took a chance and was able to become part of the skillcrush community. I did not enjoy 206, I found it to be overwhelming, way too fast paced, and I felt thrown into the deep end of the pool with no assistance, which caused some feelings of discouragement and resentment towards the work, and I now think coding is not for me after going through the entire blueprint. I think that if you are interested in becoming a developer, you should definitely take a blueprint, whether it's the front end dev or wordpress dev or web dev; if nothing else, going through the challenging world for 3 months with Adda cheering you on in the videos will help you to make a truthful decision about where you're at with this field!! :)
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Bianca
Visual Designer
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I learned so much in such a short amount of time with Skillcrush. The way the information was presented each week was very organized and helpful. I loved that the weekends gave us a break and time to catch up with the lessons. I also enjoyed how after each section we were given a week break to work on the final projects. Skillcrush introduced me to a community of experienced and new designers that are willing to share and help with each others work. I enjoyed the webinars that gave me that extra boost in knowledge and helped me figure out how to start a real freelance career once I am done with my blueprint. Between the videos and the design resources, I feel like I have the tools to continue to flourish in my skills at my new job as a social media manager. I can't wait to apply my new skills to a real freelancing career.
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Michele
A true class act
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When I started in the hospitality industry 15 years ago, I thought I found my calling. The high energy, dynamic, fast-paced job was perfect for the 20 year old me. Each day was different, and I had the opportunity to be part of people's lives that put a smile on their face. I started working at a prestigious hotel and years later found myself working for Events. The rush of experiencing an event from the conceptual phase to completion is next to none. I have been fortunate to have been part of teams who have delivered small events such as meetings and conferences to enormous concerts and festivals bringing hundreds of thousands of attendees.
In 2012, my life changed. I met the love of my life and just over a year later we welcomed our son. My priorities instantly changed. The commute to work and the long (grueling) hours spent away from my family started to take a significant toll on all of us. I have spent the last 3 years struggling with the possibility that the industry may no longer be the right fit for me. There is an unsaid rule in the event / hospitality industry for those of us on salary; don't count your hours. Ever. I ignored that rule and figured out that I had spent over 80 hours working in just one week.
The hours and the stress started to affect my health and general wellbeing. I decided that I needed a change. I started scouring the internet for alternatives and discovered there was an industry which thrived on remote employees. This seemed like a no-brainer. I needed to figure out how to get 'in'. I found Skillcrush (insert lightbulb and 'ta-da' music here)!
While completing the free boot camp class I noticed the hop in my step had returned. I never imagined that I could be interested in 'tech', let alone be excited by it. I read through the blueprint descriptions and signed up for Front End Development. As a problem solver and one who lives to make things 'fit', this seemed like the right blueprint for me. Did I mention that I have absolutely no tech experience? Well, it's true.
This is the first online course I have taken and did not know what to expect. We are now into the second week of the blueprint and I am beyond impressed with the caliber of the course. The material progresses at a great pace. The course is built to engage each learning style. Each section includes: a video, examples, step-by-step instructions, an exercise, and a really handy quick-reference guide. The interactive google group dedicated to each cohort is a great way to interact with fellow classmates and expand one’s perspective. The group is monitored by a Skillcrush team member who steps in when needed, and ensures responses are correct.
Last week we received a timely e-mail which I felt was written specifically for me. It outlined tips and tricks for staying on track with the blueprint and how to practically fit the course into your existing schedule. With a fiancé who works shifts, a very busy 3 year old, and a hyperactive collie, this could not have come at a better time. This is just one example of many which make me feel like the Skillcrush team is cheering me on.
I am looking forward to completing this blueprint and will likely sign up for another. I recommend Skillcrush whole heartedly and can’t wait to see how my new career path unfolds.
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Imre
Front End Development and Web Development Courses
After 3 weeks of studying at Skillcrush as a web development and a front end development student I have to say that the courses are as flexible as were promised to be (perfect for those who work fulltime), well structured, easy to follow, engaging and they've got plenty of useful resources. Not to mention that the staff is friendly & reacts promptly to inquiries.
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Shayla
Great Resource
The team at Skillcrush wants to see you succeed. The curriculum is easy to follow, with many resources for learning provided to you. Skillcrush makes learning about tech interesting, straighfoward and accessible.
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Liz
Front End Developer
I think these classes are great for anyone who wants to learn anything tech related. I am able to understand what is being said and then apply it to the practice each day. The quizes at the end really help me remember what I need to know. They also give you some great tricks and cheat sheets!
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Sally Woodcock
Skillcrush is inspirational!
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I have been so impressed with the entire Skillcrush experience, from the moment I signed up for the first free emails right through to the excellent tuition I am now receiving on the Front End Developer Blueprint, I have felt hugely motivated and supported by the Skillcrush team. The accessibility and quality of the lessons makes learning a joy - the course is structured very thoughtfully, so that each new challenge feels perfectly pitched to give you a sense of real progress without overwhelming you. I feel like I have a team of cheerleaders on my side, willing me to succeed and boosting my confidence, which is so important to me as an anxious coding newbie!
Having previously tried to learn to code using free online resources, I cannot stress enough what a difference it has made to have Skillcrush's help in navigating through the vast swathes of information and jargon that can be so intimidating and confusing if you don't have a trustworthy guide - I really think that it's worth paying the very reasonable Skillcrush tuition fees to have access such inspiring and well-paced courses.
I really appreciate the way that the lessons can be completed on a flexible schedule and I have had no trouble keeping pace. Aside from giving you access to Skillcrush's own resources (including downloadable cheatsheets and guides), I love the way the course integrates and references other resources that are available online - the expertly curated list of links and suggested reading is really helpful and reinforces the sense that you're joining a wider coding community all working together for a better tech future for everybody!
As an international student (I'm in the UK), the only downside is that some of the job-seeking resources are focused towards those looking for work in the USA, but that is a minor quibble and Skillcrush has given me the confidence to reach out to find local networking opportunities.
For anybody considering learning to code, I cannot recommend Skillcrush highly enough.
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Kismet
I love the Skillcrush HTML & CSS 101!
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This is a great course for a busy single parent like me! I took a few web development classes at a nearby community college after my divorce, but didn't feel confident afterwards to practice what I had learned. In just two weeks, this HTML & CSS course has elucidated several concepts that have been deterring me from exploring this field further. I signed up for the class on a whim, or perhaps a gut instinct, and I'm so happy I did.
The lessons don't take much time and they are easy to follow. They're also full of online resources that I have been bookmarking like mad. I am already envisioning some made-from-scratch sites I can build where I can practice these skills. My interest in web development and programming in general was quite strong when I was trying to decide what to do professionally after my divorce, but I was so underconfident and worried about making mistakes that I couldn't get anywhere. Now I feel like I have the confidence to move forward and see what I can do with my skills, and see what else I can learn. I also feel more confident about trying out web development professionally, once I have some kind of portfolio under my belt.
Overall, the course is well thought-out and comprehensive, organized and completely do-able. I've seen a lot of training videos on Treehouse and Lynda that are dry as toast and just a tad standoffish, so I also appreciate the occasional humorous asides built into Skillcrush's lessons.
Well done, Skillcrush!
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Angela
Skillcrush Front-End Developer Blueprint
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I am currently enrolled and participating in the FED blueprint and I will be enrolling in the Wordpress Developer Blueprint once I'm done. But I am so glad and fortunate that I took the chance to enroll in a Skillcrush program. I initially tried to "teach myself" code, but I lacked focus and a clear cut structured path. Skillcrush gives me just what I needed along with an amazing group of others seemingly from all over the world. I enjoy the lessons. They are somewhat fast-paced, but still allows you to work at your own pace. I just like to keep up. There are quizzes at the end of each lesson plan to test your knowledge, plenty of examples on the assignments and it pretty much walks you step-by-step. During my week break I will go back over the lessons to make sure I'm feeling really comfortable with what I've learned so far. I can definitely say that Skillcrush has given me a brighter outlook on my future in technology and I couldn't be more pleased.
If you're contemplating on a structured path to get your feet wet and get moving to obtain a finished product with thorough guidance, then look no further and did I mention it's a a really good price!
I'm pleased and I hope you will be too.
Angela
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Daphnie Donnell
WordPress Blueprint
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I am currently taking the WordPress blueprint. I completed the web developer blueprint previously. There is so much help and support with Skillcrush. I had a little CSS and HTML experience before the blueprint but the course made me truly understand each subject. The course provides cheat sheets and references. There is a Google group that allows students to ask questions about each lesson. After completing WordPress I will try the visual design blueprint. The courses allows students to learn about the various areas of specialty in technology.
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Dannie
Front-End Developer Blueprint
I am currently taking the Front-End Developer Blueprint as part of the WordPress Blueprint package. I am building on my previous knowledge of HTML and CSS. I don't have much experience coding, but each lesson is clear and easy to understand.
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Jamie
Approachable and Fun!
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I am in the second month of the web design blueprint and loving it! The apprentice style program allows you to learn a specific skill while you feel like you're on the job. All styles of learning are covered from visual to hands on and the videos are so helpful and hilarious. I have really enjoyed Adda's personality coming through in all the lessons and is why I decided to include approachable in the title. It's like learning from a friend :) The daily work load is just enough to keep me wanting more, (and I usually work ahead of class because I'm just that excited!) while being light enough to manage with other full time responbilities.
So far I have learned HTML and most CSS. The course concludes with the task of creating your first website which also happens to be your portfolio. While I'm not sure I'll have enough content in it to get hired somewhere, I feel confident I will have the building blocks to expand that portfolio into something I'm proud of. I appreciate stepping into the tech world at the age of 30 and not being overwhelmed, but enthused.
I would definitely recommend the blueprints to anyone and am excited to continue my journey with skillcrush!
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Stefanie
Web Developer Blueprint - love it!
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For me this is my first real experience with learning to code and I love it. And that is mostly because of the way Skilllcrush teaches, in a fun, inspiring and exciting way. Already before I started the Blueprint I was charmed by the way Skillcrush communicated with me, online throught their website and 1-to-1 through email. It shows their personal approach and commitment to really help their potential customers and students. The lessons are presented in a clear and creative way, which makes it easy enough for a beginner to follow. If my budget lets me, I would love to take another Blueprint after this one. Good job Skillcrush!
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Victoria
Front End Developer
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I've tried learning to code with many different resources but this is hands down my favourite. Each lesson is explained using very visually appealing videos followed by a text round up and then a challenge where you can try out the lesson you've just learned. Then each class has its own community with class instructors where you can post your work and questions for feedback, there is also the opportunity to engage in google hangouts meetings with other students and your course leader about twice a month. The free resources that come from skillcrush are also incredibly valuable and the weekly job listings are amazing!
I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who is looking to try and learn some tech skills or brush up on ones that they already have