SV Academy

My experience with SV Academy was nothing but amazing! I applied and was accepted into the full-time SDR program which was 4 weeks and included a week long internship. It was intense and I had to continue working full-time on the weekends only. However, the courses, assignments and instructors give you a solid foundation and a wealth of knowledge. 

  Your instructors and program managers, and Cohort members want you to succeed and are always there to guide and help you. The internship was the best part and it is when everything comes together and you're able to put the tools you used into action. They help you with your resume and LinkedIn profile. I landed a full-time remote job within 3 weeks of the program ending and I owe it all to SV Academy.  Read less

Everything in the course that was taught from day one is extremely relevant to the role. I was surprised to see how much has transferred over. My interviewing process was seamless since I already had an understanding of what the Sales development role would be. Before I entered the program I had an initial idea of the the company that I would interview with, so i didn't really get to dive too far into the network that is offered. I loved the idea of having support even after we enter our new roles. I will say, if you know this is what you want to pursue then this is a great fellowship for you to attend.  Read less

SV Academy has been career and life-changing. I signed up for the program back in July 2018 after deciding to change careers. My previous profession was as an auditor for the big four accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which lasted two years. Though I enjoyed my experience as an auditor, I decided I needed a career change that would allow me to use more of my people skills. Emerged SV Academy, where I went through a three-month business development boot camp, which led to an Enterprise Business Development Representative role at SurveyMonkey in October 2018. I was a BDR for one year and three months before being promoted to an SMB Account Executive and eventually a Mid-Market Account Executive. As of November 2021, I'm working as an Account Executive for Pilot.com, a company providing financial back-office services. My new venture will enable me to leverage my accounting skills from PwC and sales skills gained through my experience at SV Academy and SurveyMonkey. For this reason, SV Academy has been career and life-changing.  Read less

I quite literally stumbled upon SV Academy. I was in my very last month of Pharmacy School, and I knew I wanted to pivot into the tech space, but I just did not know how. This program is well run, has amazing program managers, easy access to the CEO, and priceless information that puts you ahead of your competition. Furthermore, your interview committee really goes to bat for you when it comes to getting you hired and prepping you for interviews. Read less

Before I went through SV Academy, I wasn't fully aware of the opportunity available in tech. The SDR model is a relatively new phenomenon, and the SaaS industry has tremendous potential for growth, but the main way to get a job as an SDR was through referral and networking. My social network was nonexistent, so without SV Academy, the prospect of me getting a job as an SDR was extremely slim.

The structure of SV Academy is set up so no one will be disappointed. If you go through the course and still can't get a job after 6 months, you owe nothing for tuition. That part of the deal really minimizes the risk. This program is great for a motivated go-getter. The kind of person who would do best in this role is someone who is fearless when it comes to meeting new people, learning new skills, and receiving critical feedback.

The job search and the core SDR job both have a lot in common. You deal with a lot of rejection, and they put you through the wringer. So I would encourage anyone who feels under pressure not to give up but learn and do better. When I finally got my job, my recruiter and manager said they chose me for the pattern he saw in me and other SV Academy graduates and for the confidence they saw in me. They chose to hire me not for my previous experience, but for my networking skills. Read less

I applied to the course on a whim, without knowing what it was going to do for my life. Fast-forward 2 years: I'm making the most money I've ever made (now over 6 figures), absolutely love my company, have been promoted several times, and feel extremely confident in the work I do.

I was in the lucky Cohort 29 that finished the course in Feb '20-right as the pandemic hit the states. This definitely threw off many of my peers in their search for a job; however, I was lucky enough to land a job with an incredible company as an SDR! I also had received another job offer and was actively interviewing with two other companies. I think the main thing SVA did was set me up for success with interviews and understanding how to pick a solid company and team.

The training was intense and definitely unlike anything I had done before. I felt adequately prepared after leaving the course as to what my job was to be. This area could definitely be improved (and it probably has been) as the actual sales calls we made weren't super helpful and I would have liked more hands-on prospecting. Overall, the training was a quick and dirty entry into sales. 

The most impactful part of the course was networking with my colleagues. The people who get accepted to this program are the top-of-the-class, group-leaders, and forward-thinking individuals you try to keep up with! I still remain in contact with many of my peers and my mentor (several I got to meet IRL).

Seriously, apply. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. Read less

Suppose you're anything like me scouring Course Report to see if this program is legit. I'm telling you right now this is the best decision you can make for future you. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at SV Academy. It's a well-run program from top to bottom. SV Academy sets you up with tools to break into the tech industry. I was able to land a job and had a tremendous response rate and multiple offers from companies. So take that chance, and I'll see you on the other side!  Read less

Hands down the best career decision I've made this far! SV Academy is overall a fantastic community to be involved in. I really enjoyed the 8-week program where I felt included and welcomed from day 1. The live and interactive internship included in the program with a real tech company is definitely a win-win. I would recommend SV Academy to anyone who wants a new career change and to get their foot in the door for a fulfilling path in the tech industry. The mentors and instructors are extremely helpful and consistent in their connection with you. The list of employer partners SV is partnered with is super exciting. Many of them are willing to pay the majority, if not all, of your tuition when you land your first role. Five stars!! :) Read less

I was introduced to SV Academy by my niece. I was at that working two jobs, barely making enough money to taking of my family. I was skeptical about the program at first, but I still applied.  During the program, I met many kind-hearted people looking to change their lives with the training from SV Academy and the mentorships from the different career coaches. 

I have to say, with just one job, I've was able to double my income. I have the confidence to go after my dreams. I am currently working on my project, and I have time for my family and money to take care of their needs. I am so thankful to have been a part of SV Academy. Any who's thinking about joining the SV Academy program. I will say do it and watch your life change for the better.  Read less

Before SV Academy, I was no stranger to sales and marketing, but my previous experience wasn’t translating into interviews with tech startups. All of that changed within a matter of weeks at SV.  I went from wanting to be in tech sales to being flooded with interview requests and multiple job offers from companies I was thrilled to work with before the last day of my fellowship even ended.
I wholeheartedly credit my success at landing the position I did to the strength of the program. And I wasn’t alone--it’s been great to witness my peers from SV Academy be fast-tracked to promotion.
Tech sales can be a difficult world to access, but SV Academy’s commitment to democratization is serious business. This goes for how their tuition is structured, too: if you don’t get a job, you don’t pay.  There are also partial and full scholarships available from SV’s employer partners, and SV has a history of financing lower credit students off their own bank account, to try and help as many learners as possible. 
Pros:  SV will set you up with the skills you need to thrive in tech sales (cold calls & emails, standard tools in the tech stack, emotional intelligence, interview preparation, and more). SV Academy also offers a year of mentorship from experienced professionals in the field and a highly motivated and diverse network of learners who remain colleagues and friends long after the training has ended.
Cons: Not a con, but SV requires a serious time and energy commitment, even in the part-time program. My teammates and I spent many all-nighters reviewing coursework and working to finish our group projects on time. SV Academy provides instruction and support, but your success is dependent on the effort you invest in the program. Read less

What an experience! I can't think of a better program to prepare you for your career in sales. SV goes above and beyond through your course and sticks by your side when you're going through the process. A lot of material is covered but they've made it easy for you to access it on your own time.  Read less

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.  Read less

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. Read less

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. Read less

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. Read less

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. Read less