Startup Institute

Startup institute teaches soft and hard skills in four programs. It was a great experience, tons of energy and hard work from everybody. Highly recommended if you want to get a job after finishing. As with any program, you have to asses your skills and to see where the program can help to improve them. Don’t expect college classes style here because it isn’t. it is a brief introduction of the tech world, and it will help you to get a job in that industry as well. 

Many reviews below were most likely created by former employers & students who were incentivized to or coerced into leaving positive content. Don't dare to give a negative review as you'll be targeted by the employees.

As a former "student", none of the candidates in our Web Dev program were able to get a job within their field. Less than 50% of our group as a whole were able to get a job, which includes jobs outside of our field.

You will not find any hard-skills in this program, only some subjective "soft-skills". Although SI advertises themselves as having a significant reach in terms of networking, it mostly consists of being connected via LinkedIn, without any true substance between the connected. 

Although we had 2 significantly impressive instructors, we only saw them a couple times for lecture. Some came in without a curriculum or even after a night of drinking. 

We did have individual/group meetings with various employees, but unfortunately, we were immediately dropped after "graduating" and we had to fight hard for our continuous support, which was promised upon starting the program. Even still, we were constantly starting from Day 1 as the employee never remembered our status during our application processes.

Although they offered help with resumes, it would take a month to finally get a final resume ready. For example, it took an employee a full week to read the first draft with the only constructive comment, "I don't like the font of your title", despite other issues clear & present on the document.
 

With all of the issues we were having, we decided to try and have a private meeting which was then crashed by one of their employees. The fear is real as we feel isolated and caged from SI's "network" & use of unethical power.

Although they're all smiles up front, there is no real substance nor support, and it becomes incredibly cliquey in the end with sub-groups distancing each other.

Startup Institute will supply you with extremely useful resources and an amazing network. These will allow you to get a spot in the tech industry. But SI isn't just concerned with getting you the next job. It's concerned with getting you the job after that, and the job after that, etc. After going to Startup Institute, you WILL have a permanent spot in the tech industry so long as you put in the effort.

For the web development program - if you're a Ruby on Rails novice, don't expect to be an expert once you get out of the program. It's not about learning the technology from the ground up. Instead, focus on completing a tangible project that demonstrates your skills. This would typically come in the form of a Ruby on Rails webapp. As such, you should come into Startup Institute with some preliminary knowledge. If you don't have that, you should at least complete an online course (I believe SI gives you a One Month subscription).

You will work with your instructors and mentors in order to develop said project. At the same time, you will make use of the network in order to set up coffee chats and interviews. This is a TON of work, so you should expect to be putting in 60-70 hours a week.

One thing - Startup Institute assigns you to an existing startup company in which you will be doing a project for them. If that project is sufficiently technical (it may not), that can be your dedicated project that was mentioned above. I wouldn't suggest working on more than one project throughout the program.

I attended the full-time Digital Marketing program. I left SI in a much better place to find a job in marketing than when I started the program -- so overall, my experience was a success. SI does a great job of connecting you with professionals (and just basically really good people) in the startup scene. If you take your leaders' advice and work your connections, you will be able to find a job coming out of the program. In terms of technical skills/curriculum, you need to put the work in yourself to develop those skills that are most important to you. Talk to your team and instructors and ask for help and/or direction when you need it. 

The StartUp Institute prioritizes acquainting students with and ultimately preparing students for employment in the Start Up world.  It is not a place only to learn to program.  The philosophy at SIB was that coding skills (or marketing skills) are not the only thing companies look for and are not the only thing that land people a job.  The other facets of the program had to do with those other skills (social, personal, networking skills) that contribute to finding employment that you enjoy.  Even beyond that though, the institute wanted to prepare you for life in the Start Up world once you find a position.  And also how to look for positions that suit your specific personality type and preferences.  The other huge aspect was community (social events etc.) because there was a sense that you would carry your SIB connections with you as you looked for a job and then as you continued your career.  The only thing I did not entirely vibe with was the sort of inspirational stuff (hearing CEO's tell their stories) but even that had an element of accounting for useful connections.    

Overall a great experience. Met a lot of talented people that I consider to be my colleagues. Not particularly great for technical skill building, but great at building a solid network and core competency at navigating a startup environment. Made a huge career shift thanks to SI and am now at a job that I love only 3 months after graduating. A job that I probably wouldn't have if I didn't attend SI.

It is what you make it - so the real hustlers stood above the rest. I had some digital marketing experience beforehand (and signed up for the marketing track) so for me the blend of hard skills and soft skills was just right. 

The best thing, however, was definitely the networking. Industry leaders and startup leaders who are currently in the trenches came in to mentor us - and left their contact info wth the offer to grab coffee. If you put in the hustle, SI and rocket launch you into a career and network in the NYC tech/innovation scene.

I was hired by Ladder.io before the program finished, and I'm currently enjoying my dream job.

Before I ended up at StartUp Insitute, I had a variety of odd jobs all related to the startup tech scene, but I was unhappy as I wasn't able to convert into the developer world (mostly stuck as an intern or entry level employee). I had signed up into the product track (which became webdesign) - which was a mix of front-end development, UIUX design, and product development/management. Over the course of two months, the staff and team at SI Boston helped tremendously in advancing the knowledge of myself and other classmates. After graduating, within a month - I had landing a frontend developer role and first employee at a financial technology startup and ended up developing the complete frontend of their application in AngualrJS. I stayed their for a while but since then, I've advanced my developer skillset to include Angular 1.5/2, React-Redux, and Python... I just started a company with 2 of my colleagues and have fundraised and am now Co-founder & VP of Product and will be looking for SI alumni in the future for hiring! 
 

I'd heard about the Start Up Institute from previous students who were also alumaes of my college, and recommended that I attend.  As I was working at the time, I did a part time night course.   The course was an intro to coding, with a focus on Ruby.  All in all, the syllabus was very inclusive, setting up a good foundation for anyone who would want a basis in coding or an introduction to coding without having to commit a large amount of time and money to doing so.  

The course began; the building was beautiful and as I mentioned earlier, I really appreaciated the night class, as most of the people in my class seemed to be young professionals (like me) who wouldn't have been able to take the class otherwise.  

That being so, it wasn't the most enjoyable course.  This was mainly due to the aggressive sales approach, which made me partially dread coming to the course.  When I began, I had interviewed with someone from the Boston location and then received a tour of the building in the NYC location from  an NYC coordinator/sales person.  From the second class, the latter began to talk about me signing up for the full-time course or the part-time course.  I also received emails/calls about doing so while taking the course.  

I eventually told her that I couldn't sign up (aka lay off) as work was too hard and my schedule was not predictable. In fact, I ended up dropping out of the part time course, due to my work schedule.  I then switched to a job in consulting (which means far worse hours).  

After I did so, both Startup Institute contacts reached out to me.  I made it pretty clear that my hours would make it impossible for me to take a course.  The Boston representative seemed fine with this, but a couple of weeks later I received a phone call from the NYC rep saying that I needed to "get back on track."  Okay.  I ignored it.  Then, I began to get email after email.  Since I had already stated multiple times that I could not take a course, I ignored them.  No worries, because she then texted me on my personal cell.  I emailed once again stating I had no interest and then I blocked her number/email.   

All in all, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.  Not only was she more invasive than any other sales person I have encountered but it became very stressful, since apparently everything I said was ignored in favor of her getting more sales or a bonus.  After hearing about friends who had such life-changing experiences at the school, it was a letdown.  Had it not been for that sales approach, I would have tried harder to make it work, to take another course, and to recommend the school to friends.  

Overall Experience

This is one of the best decisions that I've made in regards to my career growth and development. I'd been designing professionally for several years after graduating with my BFA. I didn't have a lot of new things that I could show in my portflio due to my NDA. SI was going to be an outlet to allow me to do that and grow personally and professionally. Also, I wanted to really grow my network in a meaningful way. I was not not only able to network with many amazing alumni and industry people I was able to speak with and have coffee with founders of some amazing startups in the area.

Overall Curriculum

Days are broken up with morning standup where we learn important things as a team. Then we speak with industry leading executive level employess at the top startups in the Boston area, which is amazing. After that we do some learning that involves the entire cohort. There is a real emphasis on "not being an asshole" and having empathy and learning about the ins and outs the startup world.

In-track Curriculum

The course work for the web design track was varied and covered many subjects. However, as a person that has been in the industry for several years there wasn't too much that I didn't know, to be honest. There was some courses where I learned new subject areas and that was really cool allowing me to take deeper dives on my own time. 

Instructors

Allan, Rich and Stephanie are amazing. They are a great team and are awesome instructors and work tirelessly for all students in the program. They really went above and beyond to make me feel like I was the only one there when we had a cohort of 45 people.

Job Assistance

In my opinion, between the network that I grew and the job placement this is what truly separates SI apart from other bootcamps - that and community. The community is amazing. Not only are your classmates working really hard to help you land that dream job, SI is designed so that everything you do from the first day you get there until however long it takes for you find a job they are helping you. 

I had a great time at SIB. I learned a lot, met a large number of interesting and influential instructors, and enjoyed the company of my classmates. I also got a very strong job offer quickly - for a pretty high level, interesting, and well compensated programming position at a Boston area startup that had just closed a Series A and was (and still is) growing rapidly. I did learn a lot going through the curriculum and attending classes, but I feel that the strength of my classmates and of the alumni network are what really caused SI to pay off.

I also think potential boot camp applicants should know 2 things that separate SI from other boot camps. First, it is explicitly startup focused, which means both the student body and partner companies are a self selecting bunch that have a lot in common. Second, it is run for the benefit of the students and the startup community; its fees are far lower than most boot camps because the point is to provide a sustained influx of diverse talent to the startup community.

Startup Institute challenges its students to be honest with themselves about their strengths and what inspires them. The instructors come from industry to help students learn the real-world skills they need to be successful in either their dream job or a job that sets them on that path. The staff then works tirelessly to put folks in roles that fulfill those criteria. This is one of the most supportive communities I have ever been a part of. Cannot recommend it enoguh.

Coming into Startup Institute with a good ammount of experience and skill, I wasn't sure exactly what my take away was going to be.  What I found was an amazing community that was supportive, energetic, optimistic, and engaged in helping me, my fellow classmates, and the alumni, further our careers and pursue the things we were passionate about.  While it may not be the most technically focused course, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be involved in startups and to anyone who has really committed to a career change.  I have since been lucky enough to serve as a mentor to subsequent classes and be involved in helping the program develop.  I absolutely love them and recommend them without reservation.

The Startup Institute isn't just a career accelerator or a skill-specific bootcamp. And it's not just a hybrid of the two, as it also provides life coaching, network building, friendship making, and hands-on/real scenario learning.  The SI curriculum is thoughtfullly created and constantly being iterated upon (sometimes mid-session) to incorporate student and alumni feedback. It is designed such that you have the freedom to choose different paths within the curriculum, are tasked with the responsibility to determine the best path for you, but are granted the security that there is no wrong path. You will benefit, grow, learn, and succeed even by meeting the bare minimum. Not only do you learn skills specific to your track (Marketing, Sales, Web Design, Web Development), you learn about the other tracks, what they entail, and how they work together with respect to specific problems and larger company missions. You are learn enough about yourself--your passions, your gifts, your desires, your strengths, your areas of improvement--such that you can tell your story (from the past), use it as a tool (for your present), and use it as a compass (for your future). In addition to the tactical skills and introspective education, SI provides three more major benefits:  a network that will grow and support you until the end of time, hands on experience with real startups and real problems, and the simulation of a startup environment (thanks to its beautiful curriculum). All of this prepares you to find a job you love, stay in the job you love, and to continue to grow and thrive in the tech startup community for years to come!

Startup Institute's program is an experience that I wish everyone could take part in. The people who run the program weave technical instruction together with direction in professional and personal growth in such a way that each and every student leaves with the knowledge, confidence and tools to bring excellence to the industry.

Actually, as graduates, we never leave Startup Institute. We become part of thier community. As alumni, our cohort regulary gets together to socialize and share experiences. It does not stop there, our cohort is just a part of the entire community of graduates that come together a couple times a year to have fun, support each other, continue to grow our networks and pay forward. 

Startup Institute's cohort is a combination of students pursuing Sales, Technical Marketing, Design and Web Development. One of the best experiences is working on a partner project with students from each discipline. We work as a group to find solutions to real problems in the industry. Going to the partner's office and working side-by-side with their people provides experience unequal to any found in a classroom.

That said, the classroom work at Startup Institute provides a deep understanding of required tools and the current issues facing the industry. The classes are run by professionals who work in the field, bringing real life experience and knowledge to every subject. The classwork is challenging, bringing you up to speed quickly.

The experience comes down to the people who run it. They are truly awesome in all they do.

Upon reflection, Startup Institute didn't give me the guidance sought. Some counselors were more helpful than others. I didnt have a job for 4 months after graduation. Most jobs couldnt overlook the short term experience of only 2 months. Some counselors didn't answer my emails after the graduation. Terrible post graduation help. Their advice consisted of cold emailing random people at interesting companies and asking for coffee. There, I saved you 6K. 

Startup Institute does an excellent job of recruiting a diverse group of creative, motivated, and hardworking students.  The Sales and Account Management track gives students small-group access to instructors working at all levels of sales organizations at a variety of startups, ranging from early stage companies (scrappy three-person startups) to some of the hottest, larger emerging companies in the tech world (e.g., Twitter, The Muse).  Through a variety of exercises, from lead list generation and CRM use, to cold calling and emailing, to handling customer objections and closing, instructors take students through lessons covering the entire sales funnel with a great deal of one-on-one attention.  The program incorporates mock interviews and job counseling, and culminates in an opportunity for students to pitch themselves as valuable employees on a stage in front of hundreds of local startups.  

I attended the Startup Institute's web development track during the summer of 2015. It was a great experience. I dramatically expanded my professional network and met many of the local leaders in the tech startup industry. I transitioned into web development from an entirely different career -- I was an English professor -- and by following SI staff's advice I was able to land a half-dozen interviews, two job offers, and one career that I love. Startup Institute's support for students in their job search is real. Highly recommended.

Startup Institute is not your typical bootcamp, in that it's not just coding, but rather four separate tracks running in tandem: Designers, Developers, Marketers, and Sales. This unique structure really worked well for those ready to take advantage of the collaborative opportunities offered through the program. I went through as a developer and came out more knowledgeable about marketing and sales than I anticipated, and it's been a great boon to my job hunting skills. It's great to be able to say you're a UX designer, but to be able to show that you've done more than that and can sell the product too – that's what lands you the job!

After working to get a couple startups off the ground, I realized I needed a bigger network and additional knowledge/skills to really make a difference at a young, growing company. I found Startup Institute to be just the career accelerator to build on my business development foundation and prepare me to fuel growth at the next startup I joined.

The dynamic 8 week program introduced me to the people and companies that make up the Chicago tech ecosystem. Being immersed was energizing and rewarding for both my hard skills and soft skills development. I learned way more than I expected about early stage companies and the factors that contribute to their success.

The frameworks and methodologies I picked up at the Startup Institute by real startup practitioners have helped me succeed in my current role. I really enjoyed the hands on learning and partner projects that allowed me to quickly apply the newly acquired skills. 

The alumni network has been a huge benefit since completing the program. Startup Institute continues to host events to support the network and tech community in Chicago, and I find it to be a great way to connect with so many likeminded people. I also credit the alumni network with helping land my current role.

Startup Institute was probably the most productive 8 weeks I've ever had. I had been teaching myself web development for a few months prior to signing up and I learned more in the first 2 weeks of SI than I had in 2 months of working on my own. They did a great job of providing knowledgable instructors and just about all of them were open to helping with problems outside of the classroom time. The most valuable asset however was definitely the network and the SI community. When I finished the program I still had a little ways to go before I was ready to be a self-sufficient member of a development team and through the connections I made at the Startup Institute I was able to find a startup that was hiring junior devs to shape them into the specific brand of engineer that they needed. I still keep in touch with all of my classmates and I have, on several occasions, referred friends and colleagues from my past life to working SI alumni for jobs.

Startup Instute is a great way to get your foot in the door. You learn a ton about the Startup Ecosystem and you really learn how to brand yourself. Getting to work at actual starups was awesome. The only thing I didn't like about it was the curriculum. I would think maybe of doing away with the different tracks and just having everyone work together on projects where you have to use different skills and then you can do a deeper diver into the skills you find interesting.

There's only so much you can learn in an 8 week program. That's why startup institute (SI) spends so much of the time focusing on networking and how to network which ultimately helps you get a job.

I'll say this:

If you're going to do SI because you want to learn a new skill, I wouldn't be so certain this is the program for you. At least when I did it, the course work was really just exposure to the material with limited feedback. It did allow me to speak intelligently about some topics; however, it didn't make me a marketing expert at all. 

However, if your main priority is to work at a startup, this is the program for you. The SI community has continued to grow and grow, and at least in Boston, the SI network is everywhere and has a very good reputation. It will definitely give you a leg up on the competition for finding a job.

The networks stays with you even after you graduate. That's definitely been the best part.

Startup Institute is more than a coding bootcamp --and this is a great thing! SI beat my expectations as it was not only about coding (Ruby on Rails) but also about learning first-hand from CEOs and big players in the startup ecosystem in Boston about what made their careers tick --and what made their businesses succeed (and yes, fail).In addition, there was plenty of necessary work (especially for coders) in how to present yourself to HR, hiring managers, and possible networking contacts. This was done around a fine, super-supportive staff that really cared to find out about you as a person, as a coder, and as a jobseeker.

My advice for SI students is this: as in life, and as in the startup world especially, success will come when you raise to the ocassion. This means, do not expect to be spoonfed all you need to know. SI is not really comparable to GA or Hack Reactor as the emphasis is on creating a well-rounded person, not just an awesome coder. But if you do want to be a super-awesome well-rounded coder, do this: Once you are admitted, hit the books and try to learn as much of Ruby and web coding and databases as you can. Hit the Michael Hartl books, learn MCV, event-driven programming, add Python if you can. No, you cannot be made to learn and SI is a fast-moving program --no time to catch up later after slacking off. And everytime you need to pause to catch up, it means you will miss an opportunity somewhere (yup, the program is that intense). 

And by the way, the most rewarding part of the program is not the coding you will learn, but the bonds with your classmates and teachers (which all are active practicioners in industry) and how they look at the world. SI's strength is in diversity --embrace it. Be a better coder, but also a better person!

When I realized I wanted to change the direction my career was taking (and when I say change direction, I mean 180 degree deviation), I knew I would be starting over from scratch. I knew I just needed to get my foot in the door, but getting that chance was going to be tricky. 

I knew that the Startup Institute was the right bootcamp for me as soon as I learned that their approach to getting you a job isn't so much about just getting you placed, but about helping you discover what it is that makes you happy, helping you find the place that is right for you, and connecting you with a community of people genuinely want to help others in the same pursuit. Does a person need technical skills in order to do their job? Yes, and SI does include that in their curriculum, but it's not the main focus. We spend a huge amount of our lives at work, and with our co-workers. SI understands this, and as another part of the curriculum, works to help us understand which are going to be the RIGHT jobs to help us be happy and successful. They bring in CEOs and founders of companies from all over the area (for me it was in Boston) so we can learn about the startup community, meet and connect with people who are looking to hire, and expose us to the different types of companies that are out there. The instructors were community members who are actively working in the fields we wanted to pursue. 

The support we received, from not just the CEOs and founders, but from the SI staff, as well as from the other people in the cohort (not to mention the alumni!) was astounding. It's a network that i never would have had if not for SI. And the number one thing I hear (and have said myself) is "how can I help?" 

There were downsides. It was stressful and mentally exhausting at times. There is a lot of introspection and it didnt always feel like things would work out. And I could have learned more in the technical side from other bootcamps. SI isn't shy about admitting that. And as someone going into the development field, that was scary. 

That said, I think it was a well worth it. The Startup Institute had the balance that I needed. Technical, network, support, an amazing staff, and it's a community of people that i am proud to be a part of. 

I moved from California to Boston in search for new career opportunities and carefuly selected SI Boston. The staff was phenomenal from the interview all the way to today as an alumn. My background is in civil engineering but I wanted to transition into sales to get a better understanding of how to build a business. The 8 weeks of SI prepared me very well expecially for a entry level position in software sales. I think a more experienced indivudal will not find the classes as insightful but certainly as a great refresher. 

My network also grew exponentially and I have no doubt that if I wanted to leave my current job (which I do not) for any reasaon I would easily be able to find a number of opportunities through the SI network. I'd even dare to say that I'd look for a job through my SI network before my Alma Mater.

Startup Institute does everything, and most of it is done very well.  The skills-based courses might pale a bit to the other courses, but that's because everything else is top-top-notch.  The personalized attention and job search assistance blew away my expectations.

Very few people need (or can take appropriate advantage of) all of the experiences that SI provides.  The course is jam packed.  I knew exactly what I was looking for when I started, but many people were still trying to find the right career for them, so those self-discovery sessions were less useful for me, yet invaluable for others.  Recognize what you need and never hesitate to ask for help from your peers and staff.

Enrolling in Startup Institute was the right decision for me, and I look back on my time at SI with fondness and gratitude. Fondness for the friends I made and the support system I built. Gratitude for the safe space to grow and fail and learn that was provided by the SINYC staff and for the support they continue to give me today.  If you expect to enroll in an 8 week long boot camp and graduate with a 6 figure salary and equity in a unicorn, then contact me because I have some magic beans you might want to buy. If you realize that enrolling in a career accelerator is a step in your professional growth -- the size of which is correlated to the effort you put forth, then SI is for you.

Startup Institute was one of the best things I've ever done. I came from college with little to no experience in the job market and I honestly lacked confidence in my technical skills. After the couple weeks at Startup Institute I began to build more confidence and gain some amazing friends in the process.  Startup Institute teaches you pretty much everything you need to know about getting a job at a start up and the mind set you need to keep while in one.

Two years later I run a software development in a upcoming startup that I love! I might work a lot but I finally can say I love what I do and I make a difference. 

If your thinking about joining a boot camp, this is the right one! Trust me when I say it paid for itself %1000 times over! 

SI is one of those experiences that won't take you from zero to 100. It's that intensive experience that takes those stuck in the early stages of their career and propels them into a new bracket. You have to want it, and the return you get comes down to you. But SI delivers 5 times over what you put in. You'll fine tune more than raw skill. You'll find direction, community, and you'll figure out how to stop wasting time. If you're looking for the kind of environment that is kind before competitive, makes you feel like you have jet fuel in your veins, and creates a killer network to support you (not because they have to but because they genuinely want to) -- this is your spot. 

I was strongly recommended to Startup Institute by a close friend who was attending the program at the time. It was a big decision for me because I had to drop a stable job and move to Boston from Michigan. After doing the research and hearing students/alums experiences, my sense of risk was significantly reduced. It seemed like everyone had a positive experience and outcome. So I decided to apply, got accepted, went through the program, and now I have a job in Boston with fulfilling mission, amazing work/life balance, and even doubled my salary.

When I attended the program during Fall '15, here's what I gained from the Startup Institute experience.

Hard Skills: I was a Advertising major who went the route of working on smaller businesses for a wide range of challenges and skill development. Startup Institute helped me get caught up on current trends in UI/UX designs, terminologies, and methodologies.

Soft Skills: What are your weaknesses? What are your strengths? Can you tell your personal story efficiently? Startup Institute will explore these questions and many more to help you improve your emotional IQ to present the best version of you to the job market and working space.

Mentorship: Startup Institute has so many wonderful staffs and alums that are able to provide mentoship for your career path. They all have different strengths and specialties to help you find the right job.

Networking: Not only are you tightly connected with your cohort members in the same semester, but there are powerful staffs, many partner companies, alums in various cities, and future Startup Institute students to be connected to. There are frequent networking and fun events to make more connections or to find a door to a company you are pursuing.

Startup Environment: What Startup Institute brews within is a wave of positive culture that spreads to the working environments through their alums. They do a great job of eliminating internal competitive nature and encourage reaching success as a whole tight-knit community. These ideas and energy will carry in to new companies and influence the positive change.

The Startup Institute did its job. When I left two months after beginning I was hired by an alum as a software developer. I have been employed in this capacity ever since. I leaned some software development, and more importantly I learned the soft skills required to feel comfortable and excell in a start-up / any technical agile environment. I learned enough technical skills. The focus was not really on learning only programming. At the time I found this a tad disconcerting, but the fact is even the hardest core boot camp is not going to prepare you for being a developer.  It is not some rote facts and rules learned about object oriented programming that truly matters, It is your intellectual curiosity, and ability to learn on the job that will help you get and keep your first job. I learned Ruby at  SI and I worked with Python in my first job and now I work with Python, Bash and PHP in my current position. What has helped is the network, soft skills I learned at Start Up Institute. Start Up Institute is a great value that changed my life for the better.(cliche but true :))

Startup Institute was a great experience that really helped kickstart my web development career.  I would say it's biggest strength is the network you form during and after the class.  You make connetions with great peers, as well as great people in the industry.  The instructors are mostly people who are currently working in real development jobs, so you get very relevant advice. For me, the biggest weakness is that the cirriculum, at the time I was there at least, was not so good at helping you get a portfolio together for prospective employers.  If you are motivated enough, you can get it done yourself, which is kind of the whole point of having a loose cirriculum, but I think it would benefit from having a more structured program.  Overall, I would highly recommend this program. 

Startup Institute has been by far one of the best educational experiences of my life. I was worried at the beginning that my fellow classmates and I would be competing over limited resources (job opportunites in the city), it was quite the opposite. The phenomenon that occured was actually very intentional, a support community was created, a "family" --- sounds too good to be true right? But it is true, once you are in Startup Institute, you are in a family, with experienced parents who want your best. How do they provide you their best? The curriculum changes and refreshes based on the needs of the market, so you know you're in demand when you graduate. Most importantly, they teach you HOW TO NETWORK. This invaluable skill and the family SI creates are your lifevests in this field.

I got my first freelance gig from a partner company 3 days into the bootcamp and I landed a job at Upworthy immediately after the bootcamp through the SI Network in other cities. I made friends for life that I know I can reach out to in the future for support in any way.

Bonus: In Boston's Startup Institute, there exists a man named Alan Telio, he's the Godfather to all the graduates: best, most compassionate advisor! 

I wish I could do my experience all over again :) and I graduated in 2014!