While it was an intense couple of weeks, the skill that I gained from this program are priceless. The support and guidance that was provided changed my life. I believe the course work and classes matched so well. This course has provided me with an opportunity I never even thought was possible. 

My time at SVA has been very intense. They go through A LOT of information fast. The instructors are always willing to help with any questions or reservations and they are quite knowledgeable. There is a lot of work and it takes time, but it pays off big when looking for your first gig. The interview prep, combined with the different software you need to learn, mush it all together with the internship for a real company; and you have a plethora tools at your fingertips for starting in the Tech industry. Do it.

I enjoyed my time at SV Academy. You get a lot of information and a short amount of time so take notes. The class work is rigorous and I learned a lot. The instructors are there to help you every step of the way, however, It seems like they are overextended at times. The instructors really do care. Be responsible and accountable. You’re  not always going to get high quality individual focus unless you book time to speak with an instructor. They may take a day or two to get back to you. I recommend this program to anyone who has tried to break into tech, and failed due to lack of experience. As soon as I put SV Academy and Talend on my résumé, recruiter came  beating down my door, so the speak, via LinkedIn. Of course, I have extensive  experience in sales in marketing, but I know that having SV academy on my resume is attracting these high paying SaaS job recruiters. I have 4 offers on the table right now. The mentorship is a key component to getting a job as well. I highly recommend that you vet your mentor prior to accepting them. A couple of my classmates were matched with a terrible mentor who constantly cancel the appointment and wasn’t of help at all. It’s almost like he did not prioritize this volunteer role. Also, I have not heard from the career success team at all. That kind is kind of bothersome. Do your research and ask questions. 

 

Overall, this Academy is amazing and will train you how to excel as an SDR. After you master that position you’re able to move around In Tech. This program is for those who are motivated to learn to maintain a growth mindset. SV Academy is filled with a wonderful team of bright, talented, caring, and professional humans who are here to help you succeed in landing a high paying role in tech. But it all starts with you. I really appreciate the transparency in the organization.

Another note - there is a 2K finance charge to the living stipend that sometimes they forget to mention.

SV Academy is a uniquely progressive experience of immediate application of what you are learning and preparation for imminent employment.  The coursework with interactive videos, the introduction of tools and simulated real-life application through the internship, helped me feel much more prepared. I am moved by the intentional mandate of assisting more people of color access the skills and tools to be better able to gain entry into the tech industry through SV Academy's hundreds of company partners. 

 I especially enjoyed learning the self rebranding processes and the use of LinkedIn for both personal and work-related applications. It does require a lot of self-discipline and commitment to get through the materials and assignments on time.  I actually started the coursework a week ahead of the actual starting time for the course as I reviewed the curriculum ahead of time and decided to get a head start as I wanted to get through the information quickly.  I was also starting a new job so decided to manage my time better.  

The staff and managers I have worked with so far are awesome and very responsive and supportive.  The mentorship program is great too as I am enjoying learning from a VP of Sales at one of the top companies globally in the User Generated Content Software space and so his immediate life experience and coaching are invaluable. I wish I had found SV Academy a lot sooner to redirect my career, but I also believe that nothing is a coincidence and God's timing is always on time.  Grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to growing a career in the tech industry starting as an SDR.

SV Academy provided me with an excellent resource to pivot my career to Customer Success - through expert instructor guidance, various industry events and guest speakers, as well as an incredible mentorship program. 

SV Academy has made a profound impact in such a short time. My 4 weeks in the program have been intense but well worth it. I love the way everyone was encouraged to navigate the world as their authentic selves. Even teaching us to be mindful and take time to ourselves for work life balance. Not to mention to hands on insight and training throughout various workshops and internship, teaching us the tools and hands on experience needed to succeed in the SDR role. SV Academy has provided us with the launching pad necessary to break into the tech world.

Overall just very helpfull. Powerful and delivers results that are guaranteed for satisfaction. 

I had a wonderful experience with SV Academy. The program managers were on target with everything they taught us in cohort 51. I am now on to the next step in my career thanks to SV. 

Pre-SVA me:  Skeptic
Post-SVA me:  Total acolyte of SVA

By far, the most grueling, exhilarating, rewarding, enervating, transformational learning experience I have ever gone through.  SVA will not only teach you the skills you will need to prepare you to break into the tech industry, they will also teach you the life skills to make it a well-rounded experience.  For so long, the workforce has been acclimated to the compartmentalization of career and personal life.  SVA teaches you how to approach that you do not have to choose which area to thrive in.  You can have both.  The mindfulness approach to a career, the embracing of the commitments of Conscious Leadership are just the tip of the iceberg to prepare you for your career in tech.  

With skilled and empathetic, talented and unique program managers, each of their skills and expertise completely complementary of one another, every day in class was chock-full of information.  The program managers are the best.  They know the field and they know how to teach it at a level that everyone will understand.  They are open and accessible, supportive and empathetic.  Everything that a learner will need to go through a life-changing course like SDR course in SVA.  The curriculum, though excellent and comprehensive, felt like the least of what I had to learn.  The program managers exemplified and practiced what they thought.  They love what they do and you can see it with the way they care for their learners.  

The staff of SVA, especially the visibility and participation of Rahim (the founder) in a leaner's journey, for me was the cherry on top.  Where else would you find a busy founder still find time to interact, share, and teach learners?  The support that I felt in that community is tremendous.  The school is not afraid of feedback.  They take feedback and examine it, always finding ways to improve.  And it is just getting better.  

I was looking for a career shift and what I found was a life transformation.  It's by far one of the best decisions I have ever made.  

I came into this program with a vague understanding of how to utilize my personal life and professional work experience. I realize now I was pretty much lost when it came to knowing how to apply everything I've done in the past and apply them to my future endeavors. I have always been insecure about the quality of my linkedIn, resume, cover letter, and narrative. This is the first time in my life that I can display all of these components with pride and confidence. I have SV to thank for that. SV didn’t just tell us how to restructure and re-draft our documents, they literally taught us how to be a walking talking example of everything we have learned in life. 

SV academy gave me an opportunity to prove myself to myself. They not only gave me the tools to succeed in a specific industry but also taught me how to analyze multiple past versions of myself and how to pick the best qualities of each version. 

Up until now I feel like I have been running in circles trying to find a career path. This program has finally given me the ability to see clearly. I now have short term, mid term, and long term goals and am excited to finally be able to pursue them. I now have a very solid set of skills that will never leave my arsenal. 

The "CS You" program is an intense month of training and self-reflection.  I'm sure one aspect or another will be a challenge but, you will gain practical knowledge of the work of Customer Success within the SaaS industry and discover your unique value proposition.  The job hunt is competitive, and SV Academy's tools will prepare you to stand out.  Everyone involved will have your back if you put in the work because they reflect the growth mindset that's encouraged.  As a perpetual student, I can say with some authority that SV Academy is doing it right.  I applaud the audacious goal to diversify the tech industry, let alone their success in establishing a virtual community that grows stronger with each graduating cohort.  

To get the most out of your experience with SV Academy, you must go in with an open mind. When I began my journey with SVA, I realized that this was going to be hard work. But the best part about this is that it will open doors to opportunities I would otherwise not have. SVA taught me how to navigate the world of tech with experienced mentors, leaders, and trainers. The coursework was always very engaging and instructors would be open to feedback. 

SV Academy helps you with your job search and makes sure to give you the tools you need to succeed in your new job. Three years ago I was at a job that was barely over 50k and now I'm trending to hit 100k for the first time in my life. I would highly recommend SVA to anyone thinking about a career change or to start their professional career in sales.