Tech Elevator Reviews
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Kolton Nay Verified via LinkedIn
Fantastic Program with Tons of Post-Grad Support
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In terms of curriculum and education, this Bootcamp has what you need for sure. I came out of it prepared for the majority of interviews and with many projects to demonstrate my work to potential employers. They don't get into high-level concepts like code efficiency however. Most employers I spoke to understood I would have a limited understanding of that, but some technical assessments had an efficiency variable to them that I always struggled with. There are certainly concepts that you need to research on your own to push your employability over the edge. One negative thing I will mention is that the instructors are gearing their expectations of you toward people with very little experience in technology. As someone with a technology background, I could have been pushed much harder, but instead, I was often assured that the work I was doing was difficult and time-consuming and to not push myself too hard. I'm sure that advice is much-needed for many Bootcamp students, but I think one major failing of the curriculum was not treating differently the students who were excelling, and sometimes I could feel stagnant. The best way to make up for this is to help others who are struggling a lot. It gives you confidence and a better overall understanding of the content while helping out your newfound friends. Teaching us to pair program and "mob" were invaluable, and I talked about my love for those styles of programming with many interviewers who were excited to see a team-player and someone who could easily fit into a team.
I want to end by saying that by far the most valuable part of this bootcamp is the Pathway Program (Job-search assistance program). Tech Elevator has connections to an incredible amount of tech companies in their locale, and the support that I got after graduation was comprehensive and always available. I wouldn't have landed the job I did without being set up for success by the Pathway team. Not only do they help you prep your interview skills, resume, etc., but they will often land you direct interviews with employers whether or not you had formally applied there. The chances you get to prove yourself in interviews are numerous, and the Pathway team never stops providing those opportunities until you get a great offer. They even have connections to tons of hiring managers directly so they can help put on you on the right track when places are starting to hire or looking for something specific. I'm really happy with my choice to attend Tech Elevator. I'm confident I made the right choice in Bootcamp, and I have now received an offer to be a Software engineer with a credible company, sporting the best salary I've ever had. -
Preston Ramsay Verified via LinkedIn
Software Developer Associate
Tech Elevator is a wonderful program that allows you to grow close with your fellow students while developing both coding and behavioral soft skills. The program is diverse in its curriculum and provides extensive assistance with job placement critical for junior developers new to the field. -
Tim E Verified via LinkedIn
Remote [0]
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Tech Elevator's fully remote program is incredibly accommodating, especially in these times of health concerns and increased social distancing. To ensure all students start with the necessary tools, Tech Elevator will send a laptop (and optional extra monitor) pre-loaded with all the necessary software that will be used for class. Should any issues arise, tech support is fast -- they understand that the bootcamp moves quickly through concepts and lessons, so tech issues, if they arise, are usually resolved within a week.
Though the description says the program lasts 14 weeks, there are about 2 weeks of pre-work to complete before classes even begin. For those jumping in with no coding experience, significant time should be devoted to the pre-work.
The first 2-3 weeks of classes cover basic concepts of coding as well as basic syntax and logical methods. Again, it's important to note that for those with no prior coding experience, devote your time to the bootcamp and utilize your study groups. These first few weeks are intense -- they don't use the word "bootcamp" lightly; IT IS A BOOTCAMP. Trust that if you can make it through the first 2 weeks, you will have what it takes to make it through the whole program.
The Pathway Program (Tech Elevator's career program) is only as valuable as the effort put in. Your career coach will meet individually and review your resume, LinkedIn, and elevator pitch in depth, often highlighting and fleshing out details that make one stand out from the rest. There are also events in which hiring managers come to showcase their companies and students are put fact-to-face with recruiters. Because of these events, it's not uncommon for some students to receive an offer even before graduating the program. Again, it should be emphasized that this Pathway Program is only as valuable as the effort put in.
Finally, after graduation, alumni still receive career support for up to six months to land that first coding job. Personally, it was about 10 days after graduation until I received my first offer.
To sum up, Tech Elevator is for those looking for a career change in tech, can afford the tuition, and most importantly, can afford to focus on classes/homework/projects full time for 16 weeks (including the 2 weeks of pre-work). It most definitely takes a lot of commitment, but if completed, the results are worth it. -
Elle R Verified via LinkedIn
Learn More Than Just Coding
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I graduated from the summer 2020 Java cohort in August and had a great experience! My 14 weeks were fully remote due to COVID-19. While I was bummed to miss out on the in-person experience, I had no issues learning or interacting virtually with fellow students, instructors, and staff. My instructor was extremely knowledgeable, and took the time to try and understand my specific thought process before just giving me a one-size-fits-all answer. The coursework was challenging, but not to the point that it felt punishing. I learned all the skills I needed in order to land my first job as a developer. The gem of Tech Elevator is the Pathway program. I came to the cohort with what I thought was a STELLAR resume. Wrong. So wrong. The Pathway program is vital to landing a job. From resume revamping, to elevator pitches, to mock interviews - I felt so prepared and comfortable when it came time to actually interview for jobs I was interested in. At the end of the cohort, I ultimately accepted an offer from an employer I interviewed with as part of the match making process. I would (and do) recommend this program to anyone interested in a coding bootcamp. Wherever you land, please make sure there is some version of the Pathway program!! -
Kevin McHugh Verified via LinkedIn
If you are interested in a career change to software development, Tech Elevator is a fantastic choice
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Before Tech Elevator, I have zero prior coding experience, but I was interested in making the career change to software development after having had the interest for a long time, but not acting on it. I began doing research on coding bootcamps to determine if they were legitimate or not, and I heard mixed reviews. What set Tech Elevator apart for me was the curriculum, their career services, and most importantly, their commitment to their students.
When I first started at Tech Elevator, I had no idea what to expect, but I was quickly overwhelmed by the avalanche of information that was dumped on me. The experience is not for the faint of heart, but because of my drive to change my life and career, I embraced the challenge. 14 weeks later, I graduated, and was able to secure a position with an investment firm as an entry level developer using the tools and resources Tech Elevator provided.
If you are interested in a career in software development, I can't recommend Tech Elevator enough. They will provide you with all the tools you need to succeed, however, it is your job to put the work in. If you do, you will get the results you are looking for. -
Brandon Murphy Verified via LinkedIn
Experience exceeded expectations, but..
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I'm going to do a full breakdown below my review, because I wish someone had done that when I was researching Tech Elevator (TE). Here I'll just do a generic review: TE is incredible. Their process for admittance almost guarantees that if you are admitted, you're capable of completing the program. The instructors, pathway directors and anyone else you come into contact with are fully committed to your success. It's clear that it drives them from day one of the program. When you're in week 10 you'll think back to the questions you asked in week one and you'll be awed by how patient the instructors are, from start to finish. This is something you'll read over and over again, but it's true: the Pathway program is what separates TE. You can be the best developer in the world, but if you don't interview well, you're not going to get a job. This sentiment is important to remember, because when you start the program, most students (myself included) are so focused on learning code that the Pathway events tend to be an afterthought. This is fine for the first half of the cohort, but after that, your focus needs to shift. Which brings me to my "but..." part of the review:
I was surprised to find that many fellow students had at least a bachelor's degree. I did not. I received and accepted a job offer two months after graduating, but I believe it would have been quicker for me if I had a degree. One issue with COVID is that less companies are hiring; so while you will be happy for your classmates that find jobs, in some cases you'll be going after the same job. In those cases, everything else being equal, if I was a company I'd choose the student who also had a degree. Something to keep in mind and a reason to push yourself harder, especially with regard to Pathway. Someone without a degree may get less interviews, so knocking those interviews out of the park is critical.
Overall going to TE was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The staff, fellow students, alumni and other partners (hiring and not hiring) are all amazing and all root for you to succeed. You come out of TE with a full blown starter kit for a tech career: technical skills, soft skills and a network. If you're thinking about doing it, do it - it was less work for me than the full time job that I left, and I got to learn new skills that I'm passionate about. The biggest determining factor for how the cohort will go for you is how quickly you "get it" - the instructors reference it early on, but some people can navigate the cohort successfully putting in 40 hours per week. Some need 60 hours per week. Some in between. The interesting thing is that you can struggle all cohort and feel like you're not getting it as fast as other people, and then it's possible to land a job immediately if you nail the interview, which is why Pathway is so critical. I cannot recommend Tech Elevator enough.
Below I will break down the cohort from my perspective to give a better idea of what you may be getting into (note: the curriculum can change, so this is just what I experienced in the Summer 2020 cohort). If you do the bootcamp, I would recommend coming back and reading this breakdown again once it starts:
It starts with attending a virtual (or in-person, without COVID) open house to learn a little about the program. From there you do a small assessment used to determine your aptitude for problem solving. If you pass that, next is a face to face interview, with a longer version of an aptitude test. If you pass those, you're in. Once accepted, you will be given some exercises to complete prior to the start of the cohort - the purpose for this is to make sure everyone starts the cohort on a level playing field (some people may have experience writing code, but most do not, so don't worry). These exercises just cover the basics. If you struggle with these, DO NOT worry - all of this is covered during the actual cohort. You will also get informed about the student book, which is a companion to the course. More on that below. You will also have a Google calendar shared with you for Pathway events and other miscellaneous events throughout the cohort.
The first week introduces the basics of coding, either in C# or Java (I did C#). If you don't know which to pick, one nice tiebreaker could be going to LinkedIn and searching for "java developer" and ".NET developer" and seeing which has more open positions. Otherwise I would tell you .NET, but that's just me. You will have lecture from 9am to anywhere between 12pm-1pm, depending on what all needs to be covered that day. The morning starts with a review of the prior day, and a quiz for you to gauge where your understanding is (this quiz does NOT impact your actual grade, it's just so you and the instructor can see how you're doing). These quizzes were one of my favorite parts of the cohort because it allowed you test the knowledge that you just learned. After the quiz it's on to new material. For COVID, these lectures are in a classroom via Zoom and were recorded - however, I found taking notes the old fashioned way helped me retain the information. Why not type them? You will have a laptop and second monitor provided by TE if you need it (I used a TV for a second monitor). You'll want the lecture on one screen, where your instructor will be sharing their screen so that you can see what they're doing and how they're doing it. You'll also want to follow along with what they're doing on your screen at the same time, so that you can get used to doing what they're doing (and what you'll need to do for your homework). For me that meant handwriting notes in a notebook, which helps me retain information anyways. Other students typed notes. Some didn't take notes. Some followed along, some didn't. Following along AND taking notes helped me, and I generally picked up on things pretty quickly, so take that for what it's worth.
Once class ends, you'll have a homework assignment and you'll want to check your calendar - there will usually be a Pathway event at 3pm. The homework assignment can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours - depends how quickly you picked up the material and how quickly you work. Once I had an assignment that took several hours, I began working on them the minute the lecture ended. One thing they caution you against is spending too much time in front of a computer - taking breaks can be good - I preferred to get everything done and then not work on anything until the next day, but I also have a 2 year old who I wanted to spend time with in the evenings. That worked for me; for others, multiple breaks helped them get through it. You'll have to figure out what works for you, and if it's in-person that probably further changes the conversation.
Remember that student book? You should read the chapter tonight or tomorrow before class for what will be covered in tomorrow's class. It helps wrap your mind around some of the concepts. Tutorials also starting coming out, and for me a good habit was book the night before, tutorial before class, class, lunch, homework, Pathway, homework, done by 5pm on most days. -
Randy Proctor Verified via LinkedIn
Amazing Experience
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I was a part of Tech Elevator's first completely remote cohort in their Cincinnati location. It was amazing to see how quickly they became adaptable to such an unforeseeable hurdle. The instructors are caring, passionate, and always present for help. The curriculum is presented very professionally and covers a diverse spread of relevant technologies. The career guidance was incredibly thorough and help was always available. After I graduated I had regular meetings with multiple staff members who continued to do everything in their power to get me employed and connected in the tech community. My life changed after going to Tech Elevator. -
Karim Eldessouky Verified via LinkedIn
Start your career the right way!
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When I was getting ready to register I was reading reviews here and thinking: "This sounds too good to be true". Boy was I wrong! Tech Elevator deserves this great reputation. Everyone that works at this bootcamp is thoughtful, passionate, knowledgeable and driven to help you succeed. Every. Single. Person!!
First: The Pathway program was helping me improve my resume, online footprint, practice interviewing as well as the Pathway directors helping find us opportunities and bringing in wonderful companies that wanted to hire us! Vinny, Ben and Katie are the kind of people you need in your corner! They're constantly looking for new opportunities for us, even after the bootcamp is over. They're always there to help or offer advice. Sometimes even after hours! and They will be looking out for you from day 1! Pathway is underrated.
Second: My instructor Steve Carmichael, is probably the best instructor I could ask for!! his teaching style was thoughtful, fun, engaging and We all found ourselves looking forward to lecture every day! Steve would always make time for me when I had more questions. He also brings a wealth of experience in the field that he so generously shared with us. I came out of this bootcamp knowing how to code. But more importantly, due to his wisdom and experience, We all left the class knowing how to continue to grow in our careers and how to continue to excel even in our first, second and third roles. This type of mentorship and wisdom is an unexpected bonus that is priceless for anyone who wants to excel! Steve is a treasure!
Third: Other instructors like Matt, Brian, John, Margaret, Rachelle and Matty were always willing to help! Even if you're not in their class, they were there for you to help you get unstuck, practice technical interviews and make sure you feel confident and prepared!
It is obvious that Tech Elevator focuses on hiring great people. I'm happy to report that Tech Elevator also focuses on admitting great people into the program! I left the bootcamp with a huge network of talented, passionate, inspiring and dedicated peers. We worked long nights together, helped each other understand difficult concepts and became friends along the way!
If you're reading this, please understand that you will have to work hard. However, if you are willing to do the work, this team will help you succeed. Keep in mind this all happened during COVID-19 and the odds were stacked against us. This program was worth every penny. -
Jeff Manns Verified via LinkedIn
Unparalleled career prep. Job offer within 1 week of graduation
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I have nothing but good things to say about Tech Elevator. Before enrolling, I was skeptical that you could learn a whole new career skillset with no prior experience in 3 and a half months and secure an exciting, lucrative software development position right away, but Tech Elevator proved it's totally possible. I had a high-paying job offer within 1 week after graduating from the program.
What makes Tech Elevator stand out and above any other bootcamp I looked into was their career preparation services called the Pathway Program. A lot of bootcamps give you some help changing your resume a week before you graduate. The Pathway Program however, is a whole separate curriculum beginning in Week 1 that continues until after graduation, that students go through alongside of the coding curriculum. From resume and LinkedIn profile makeover, to frequent behavioral and technical interview practice, to helping you create a winsome elevator pitch, to employer showcases and industry expert panels, to Matchmaking Days where they schedule interviews for you with multiple hiring managers in the tech field, I had interviewed with 9 tech companies before I even graduated from Tech Elevator.
The staff is amazing and makes themselves available to lend extra help with anything you need. Their 95% graduation rate and 92% job placement within 6 months, are verified by the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting - a third-party firm that gives you peace of mind that you can trust the results. They make sure you get the job of your dreams. So thankful for Tech Elevator for changing the trajectory of my career forever. -
Ingrid O'Connor Verified via LinkedIn
Exceeded My Expectations!!
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Before attending Tech Elevator, I was working as a server and in retail jobs. I never finished college and found myself in a loop of lower wage jobs and was considering going back to school, but my degree was in the arts and it didn’t seem like the most sustainable career route for me considering I had watched many of my friends graduate with BFA’s and even MFA degrees fall into the same spiral of customer service jobs.
I wanted to enhance my career opportunities, but I did not want to get stuck in a dull job that would not allow me to be creative. I came across Tech Elevator via a friend who was attending and some online ads and thought I would look into it, so I attended an Open House in Detroit. The Open House was run by Margaret, one of the instructors and I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of being back in college classes and it was very engaging. I immediately knew that I had to look more into coding. (Side note, I had very minimal coding experience prior to this bootcamp aside from making my own Tumblr themes in high school, which I didn’t even know was coding at the time lol!) When I got home, I decided to look into some free coding resources online such as freecodecamp (I would highly recommend messing around on there if you are considering Tech Elevator) and SuperHi. Shortly after this, I decided to set up my admissions interview with Tech Elevator and anxiously awaited their response.
A few weeks later I heard back from Jeff (the campus director) that I got in and I continued to self teach until the course pre work began.
I attended the Summer 2020 cohort of Tech Elevator, so Coronavirus did cause our entire cohort to be remote. Initially, I was a bit nervous to start remotely, since there seems to often be a “human” aspect that is missing with online classes in my experience. I was very impressed with how Tech Elevator handled the remote learning experience. Lectures were live on Zoom and the instructors made themselves CONSTANTLY available for homework after class and would hang out in their zoom “classrooms” for extra help and study questions.
Additionally, I feel like my cohort as a whole really took advantage of the resources available to study together (Zoom, Google Hangouts, Jitsi, etc). It was surprisingly very easy to build bonds and friendships with people and every day students would spend time hanging out after class in a Zoom working on homework and helping each other with questions or just shooting the breeze.
The Pathway Program was a huge selling point to me when deciding on this bootcamp, especially considering my background was mostly in food service and not as much in professional career-type jobs. I found this part of the program equally as challenging as the coding, but also SO BENEFICIAL. Caitie, my Pathway Director put in a lot of extra time coaching me on interview prep especially and was always there to answer any questions I had about presenting myself to possible employers.
I am now 6 weeks post graduation from this bootcamp and I already have a job! If you had told me this would be my reality a year ago, I would not have believed you. Tech Elevator has changed the course of my life for the better and exceeded my initial expectations by helping me get a Web Developer job so shortly after graduation and during a pandemic and down trodden economy nonetheless.
If you have the opportunity to attend Tech Elevator DO IT! It’s 4 months of forcing yourself to learn sometimes difficult concepts everyday (often for 10+ hours a day), but if you commit those 4 months to the program, it WILL pay off. -
Charles Cooley Verified via LinkedIn
A return on investment in not only money
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I was sick of my job out of college, I wasn't being challenged and felt like I was stuck in the same routine. I knew I had to change course but did not have the resources to go back to a 4 year institution. Tech Elevator was the perfect middle ground to do something that could change my career and I also did not have to invest as much as college. When the pandemic hit, I was very nervous about my job prospects, and the program needed to readjust to online learning, but TE helped all the way to the end and gave me the direction needed to land several interviews and eventually a job. The combination of teaching you what you need to know, as well as landing the job switch made TE totally worth my time and money, and not only will I have a return on the money and time at my new position, I feel I have acquired new technical and life skills, which is priceless. -
Tory Mitchell Verified via LinkedIn
Java Boot Camp - Graduate
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Prior to deciding to complete a boot camp I had no coding experience. I mainly worked in the service industry and made this change because that industry has a pretty low ceiling if you aren't interested in continuing to live and breathe that world. I explored many boot camp options multiple times before committing to Tech Elevator. Overall, I found boot camps hard to judge given that many have the same number of good and bad reviews, and most offer limited or overly stipulated career placement programs. The decision to commit to Tech Elevator was based on the following:
1. I had a friend that successfully completed the Pittsburgh program, and was immediately hired by a global bank at 80K/year (this was my personal confirmation that the program works).
2. Tech Elevator focuses on two intense stacks that most large company platforms are built on, Java and .NET. This is because their goal is to teach you 80% of what you need to begin in any junior software developer position. Many other boot camps I researched offered up to 12 programs (making me question the quality of all), and often left you specifically qualified for 1 role, versus generally qualified for any.
3. The style of Tech Elevator's program is friendly to those with no previous coding experience.
4. Tech Elevator has the most comprehensive job placement program (The Pathway Program).
5. Tech Elevator's reviews on all sites are 95%+ positive. THEY GET PEOPLE HIRED.
6. (Learned during the program) Companies know Tech Elevator, and they wait for their graduating classes. Large companies (like Chase) have hired TE grads, and are very impressed. The network of committed and experienced hiring partners that TE has is great, and actively growing).
My experience at Tech Elevator was amazing. I participated in the combined Phili/Detroit cohort with two teachers (Rich & Margaret), and one pathway director (Caitie). Each were inspiring in their constant commitment and availability. Each ensured at every level that you had everything necessary to succeed. The program was intense, so definitely be ready for it. I planned on 10-12 hour days for 3.5 months. If you learn quickly and apply yourself, this is only necessary in specific sprints, but you should be ready for it regardless. This is a 3.5 month program that nets you a new career paying the same as an experienced nurse. Overall, Tech Elevator has put in the work to write their own text book, and design a curriculum that makes sense. Each new module combines what was learned previously, culminating in a project at the end of each. These projects work to solidify the information learned through each module.
Going into this experience with no coding background, I was not sure what to expect. It was incredibly difficult in the beginning (and admittedly at the start of each project), but I (and my team) made it through each one, proud and a bit surprised at how capable we became in such a short period of time. I can't speak to any other programs, but I can say that Tech Elevator is 100% worth the cost and then some. You get what you give it, so give it your all. The pathway program is an active piece from the beginning; meeting with alumni, developers, and others from different companies, re writing your resume, and learning how to interview behaviorally and technically. You are given an immense amount of material technically and related to hiring to ensure you are prepared. While this program requires a lot of self teaching and discovery (similar to the real world), the staff pays attention to your progress and checks in regularly. Your success is their success. I thoroughly enjoyed that this program is not sold as some pseudo college experience. This program has one goal, to get you hired.
I was hired prior to graduation as a Software Developer for a successful investment firm. I can state personally, the program works. -
Dennis Bembenek Verified via LinkedIn
Get Your Dream Job!
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Tech Elevator is as advertised. It's not easy but if you stick with it, you can land your dream developer job.
I'm not going to go into detail of what the curriculum offers, the price, or how the program is structured (all of this information is available to you when you go to their website or one of their open houses -- and I would definitely advise you to do these things first if you are considering attending). What I will do is let you know how my personal experience was in terms of my interaction with the program through the Detroit campus in the remote version of the program.
I had a background in financial services and commercial real estate and was seeking something that would allow me to be more creative while still utilizing analytical problem solving. So I knew computer programming was the right career path for me. The next step was finding the right school/boot camp. Tech Elevator reviews really jumped out to me and all the research I did told me it was a legitimate path into coding. All my research proved true.
I received an offer from PNC, for a Software Developer Associate role, the first day after I graduated. I also received a testing role offer from Waymo two days after I graduated.
Getting a job is why you sign up for the program but beyond that I can say the most impressive thing to me about Tech Elevator is how invested the staff is in its students. The instructors and Pathway director are 100% invested in your success. Every step of the way, they will offer guidance and support.
Also the nature of the sacrifice it takes to put your life on hold and invest the money necessary for the program, attracts gritty, intelligent, creative, friendly people. I genuinely believe every single one of my fellow students in my cohort exhibited these qualities. It's not by chance. Success in a program like this requires those qualities. You will need to be able to collaborate to succeed especially if you are going through the program remotely.
A bit of advice for anyone who has small children or other time intensive family obligations - make arrangements so that you will have 45-50 hours a week of uninterrupted time to commit to the program. I have two children under the age of 3 and the time constraints got to be incredibly difficult to handle. I barely survived, literally.
So in summary if you are ready to commit the money, a lot of uninterrupted time, and a ton of effort and have the right qualities then this is the perfect program for you. You will have an amazing staff to support you in finding your dream job.
I hope this review is helpful to those researching the program.
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Adam Brennan Verified via LinkedIn
The people make the program
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The support that you receive while attending this boot camp is what stood out to me the most. Instructors and staff are among the kindest people that you'll meet, and really know their stuff. I always felt prepared for the challenges and rigors of the coursework thanks to the instructors, and the professional development lead was incredible in her coaching. The pandemic of course brought challenges, but we all navigated remote learning together and I personally had a great experience. -
Lace Williamson Verified via LinkedIn
Well Worth It!
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You can't put a price on bettering yourself... but if you have to: It's whatever amount Tech Elevator is charging for tuition. Taking control of my future through TE was well worth the time and money. It was the best decision I could have made.
I specifically attended the Cleveland campus in the midst of the pandemic, when we were forced to transition to full remote learning, and even in the midst of that madness the TE experience was smooth and controlled. The instructors and staff are phenomenal and will bend over backwards to help you succeed. I can't give enough thanks to these people, they've changed the course of my professional life forever. -
Zeb Larson Verified via LinkedIn
Best Career Move I've Ever Made
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Tech Elevator is worth every penny. I came to this with a very unusual background (I was a university lecturer and a freelance writer) and was worried that I wouldn't be cut out for it because I'd been away from math for so long. I couldn't have been more wrong. The level of instruction is incredible, and the support I got from the instructors helped me overcome some of my early fears about whether or not I could handle the work. The professional development is equally important, perhaps moreso, and it did not disappoint. I had more instruction and support in a summer at Tech Elevator than I had in all of college and graduate school combined. Yes, it's a fair amount of work: you will be run pretty ragged for fourteen weeks. Yes, it's scary to transition from what you know to what you don't, especially when you're always taking in a lot of new information. But I also grew a lot as a person by tackling the unknown, and when it was all over, I got a job in a new career I'm happy with. If you're unhappy with your current career track and this work sounds interesting to you, it's worth taking the plunge. -
Dan Fries Verified via LinkedIn
Great Experience Overall
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I attended the .NET/C# program at Tech Elevator in the winter cohort at the Cleveland campus. Attending the boot camp was one of the best experiences of my life I met so many awesome people and had a great time developing my coding skills. Unfortunately my particular cohort was happening right in the middle of the covid pandemic so while we started in person we had to finish the boot camp remotely. Despite the change in plans things still went really well and the team at Tech Elevator did a great job making sure the transition to remote learning went smoothly.
After graduation the Pathway team did a great job with sharing job opportunities and getting my resume out there as well as setting up numerous interviews and special events to help with the job search. Unfortunately, it took a little bit longer than I would have liked to land an offer but again this was due to the covid situation and companies slowing or freezing hiring. After a couple months and life beginning to return to normal again I landed a great offer with a great company near the top end of our expected salary outcomes with great benefits. I am looking forward to starting my new career as a software developer and if you are looking to do the same I strongly recommend you check out Tech Elevator to help you get started. -
Charlie Peterson Verified via LinkedIn
If you are interested in Tech, this is the program for you.
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Tech Elevator was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The curriculum covers everything you will need to know to get into your first role as a software developer, and the instructors do a great job at managing the pace and helping you if you get behind or if you're just stuck. The staff are fantastic people who go out of their way to both teach necessary networking skills, as well as resume building, LinkedIn layouts, elevator pitches, and more. The employer showcase is a great experience that allows you to both learn more about employers in the area, and also get your name and face to them through a very friendly interview. -
Alyssa Hernandez Verified via LinkedIn
Yes, Do It
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Career Differences Yes, going to Tech Elevator is absolutely one of the best things you can do for your career. A year ago I moved to Philly and I was applying for writing jobs with salaries around $30-45k. Most were closer to $30k, similar to the $28k I was making before moving here. Exactly one week after graduation, I accepted an offer at a global company tripling what I was making before from a company I met at matchmaking. Aside from finally being able to afford paying off college debt, I actually do something for a living that I love. I'm nine weeks into my job as a software engineer and the relaxed environment still baffles me, especially compared to previous positions where I spent all day on the phone. I mean, I'm able to listen to music or an audiobook while I work; I always have help when I need it; I'm encouraged to spend time at work learning new things outside of my day-to-day responsibilities (like using Pluralsight); there are so many opportunities to attend random events that I'm interested in throughout the week (PRIDE meetups, AI meetups, etc); and I could go on and on. I started virtually, of course, but when asking others about the office culture, I was told my team takes ping-pong breaks, works on puzzles together, brings in food for each other (all pre-covid). Comparing it to a traditional office job... it's still hard to wrap my head around. I enjoy working and coding for hours because my employer wants employees to be happy at work - who knew enjoying going to work was a thing? The People Some of my best friends were made at Tech Elevator, starting from week one. Throughout the program, there are many pair programming assignments, and you always work with someone new, so it's easy to get to know everyone. With assignments that can take hours and capstone projects that take days, you really become close friends with people. I know things are virtual right now, but the in-person campus was my favorite thing. There were so many nights where I went on a mini-lockdown with friends, staying up very late trying to finish assignments, playing games, enjoying food the staff would bring in for us, etc. My cohort did things like going out to lunch, grabbing drinks, going to karaoke, going to a museum, playing games together, etc etc etc. As for the staff - they were absolutely wonderful. The instructors were extremely accessible, especially when we went virtual halfway through the program. They both had a lot of experience in the field and were such great teachers overall. I gathered other students for a group project (highly recommend doing a group project if you want to stand out to employers!) and they spent hours and hours helping us with it, even though it was completely outside of the curriculum. The Career / Pathway Program One of the reasons I chose TE over other bootcamps was how impressive the career services were in the reviews and statistics I read. Other bootcamps in Philly mentioned career prep help, but I can't imagine it was anything even close to what TE offers, especially after reading reviews on Reddit about Philly bootcamps. Imagine having someone push you for 2-3 days out of every week to get yourself together and prepare for a job, starting from day one. I remember thinking, "Why are we starting so early? We have nothing to prepare with??" Yeah, it was necessary to start that early. The coursework picks up so quickly and 14 weeks seems like a lot of time to prepare for a job, but you need that long if you want to prepare the right way. I remember giving my first elevator pitch for an employer visit or talk and my social anxiety was the worst. I almost forgot my name. The idea of matchmaking later on in the program--meeting a handful of employers in only two days--was terrifying, but when it came time for that, I felt really prepared and confident in my abilities and hey, it worked! Those rounds of mock behavioral and tech interviews, the resume reviews, the elevator pitch practice sessions, the employer advice events--I mean, we had everything we needed to succeed. Even with those, Caitie, the pathway director, was absolutely one of the biggest reasons I was able to land a job within a week of graduation. She makes sure you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, and that you're doing it right. She's obviously an expert in what she does, and I knew when I met her for my Tech Elevator interview that she is truly in this position because it makes her happy. I still keep in touch with her occasionally :) Despite the economy completely crashing and most employers closing their hiring doors, at Tech Elevator... it almost seemed to not make a difference. Some employers backed out of matchmaking, yet most (all? I haven't checked in with other students lately...) found jobs fairly quickly, most through the companies we met through the program. Coursework I'm still wondering how I was able to learn so much, so quickly, AND be qualified for a software engineer position with only 14 weeks' worth of experience. A lot of my computer science friends from college who graduated around the same time as the bootcamp ended are still searching for jobs, and they have years of experience over me. In talking to my coworkers, it seems like the ability to learn so quickly is more attractive in a candidate than how much you know. Of course, you still have to put in the work to show them how much you can learn in a short time. The first few weeks were spent learning basic programming principles and intro to java stuff--the need-to-know material. Seriously though, make sure you're reviewing these basic concepts every week because you there's a 100% chance they will come up in an interview. We moved on to some database stuff, which was pretty interesting and necessary to learn if you move to a full-stack position. After that, we moved onto servers and web stuff. Ah, the good stuff. My one critique, now that I'm out and about in the real world, is that what we learned at the time was fairly outdated compared to working applications. It was a weird transition going from Spring MVC to regular Spring Boot. The course also teaches Vue.js, which I also learned isn't as popular. I don't think I saw it in more than one job posting. Despite learning tools that weren't directly applicable to a lot of jobs, I still learned the fundamentals of how databases and web frameworks work. Plus, interviewers were genuinely interested in hearing about technologies they've never used, which contributed to a nice conversation. Regardless, as I mentioned, what's more important is that you're able to learn the given material and apply it, because that's what's going to happen on the job anyway. Going Remote for Covid-19 Honestly, going remote was a very smooth transition. The first few days were kind of weird to adjust to, but that was mostly because it was so sudden. I think it was a Sunday afternoon when I got an email that said we're going remote the following day? IIRC the staff found out pretty last minute too, but even with that, I really enjoyed virtual classrooms. It was much easier to pair program when you're screen sharing, and it's easier to work together from home/remotely when you don't have to worry about catching a trolley or train on time etc. The difference in learning environments was mainly that our instructor had to screen share instead of writing on a whiteboard, but the quality of teaching/learning didn’t change. Compared to Other Philly Bootcamps I didn't look too heavily into other bootcamps--maybe three or four--but I noticed many of them aggressively try to sell you into their program. They seemed to care more about making money off of their students, rather than educating them. With Tech Elevator, they only accept students who they think will do well in the program. They want to make sure you have what it takes. After comparing curriculums between a few local bootcamps with the help of my friends who are software engineers, Tech Elevator definitely outranks the others in that realm. I will note that Tech Elevator did not once reach out to me by phone or email with promotional material, unlike the daily phone calls and emails I received from other bootcamps. Anyway, it's clear Tech Elevator doesn't have to have a sales department to push people to apply and spend thousands of dollars. Students don't need to be pushed to apply to Tech Elevator; it's the clear choice. Conclusion If you like coding, and want to do what you love for a living, then do this. The curriculum gives you the knowledge you need to impress employers on your skills, but the Pathway Program is designed to help you tackle your individual professional weaknesses and highlight your strengths. If you put in the work, you will succeed. -
Mason Crum Verified via LinkedIn
Amazing Opportunity!
Going remote was seamless and easy. Career services actually WANT to help you find a job. Doubled my income in the matter of four months. Life changing experience! -
Alex Verified via LinkedIn
:)
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This review is from the perspective of someone who graduated from TE Pittsburgh over a year ago and loves her job.
My background involved absolutely zero coding experience, as I graduated from Pitt and then worked in mental health for about 8 years. I was burnt out, and was lost about how to get out. My brother is a developer and I like to make sure that I can do whatever he can do, which is what planted the seed in my head to learn to code. I didn't even have a real interest in tech but I knew I needed to change my life's trajectory. I heard about Tech Elevator on the radio and just like everyone else, began looking for evidence of scams or horror stories about bad experiences. There wasn't any. Figured this was good news. I talked to a friend about it who connected me with someone who graduated from an Ohio campus, which helped quiet the feelings of impending doom as well. I didn't fully trust course report because when I interviewed, Pittsburgh was brand new. Course report's reviews were all from the Ohio campuses. I was worried about the instructors and the quality of a new campus. BUT, I did it anyway. Took the test, interviewed with Justin, and was accepted. I was in the Java class and all of the instructors were helpful and knowledgeable. You learn all the necessary basics of coding during the first week or two, so if you have no experience, it really sets you up with a solid foundation for the future modules. We had a bit of an instructor change mid way through, and the new hire was a welcome and fresh perspective on the tech world. Gotta admit, I second-guessed myself every step of the way. I compared myself to my crazy smart friends in the program and wasn't sure I had what it takes. I think this is common. But, leaning on peers (and educators) and offering support in return really helps to ease the anxiety surrounding the course. The Pittsburgh campus has a rooftop deck, which I highly recommend you make use of to both decompress and work.
The other part of the boot camp is called the Pathway Program. This is where you learn to be super profesh and build important skills to land you a job. It could be daunting at times and if you hate public speaking (like me) this will force you to get over that. You craft an elevator pitch which you then repeat in front of all of your peers and various company reps weekly. Often, multiple times a week. Matchmaking was incredibly important in building confidence in your interviewing skills. They will probably tell you at times to get some experience outside of the program, like attending meetups, in order to work on networking skills and appear well-rounded in your interviews. I never landed a job with any matchmakers (although I did get second interviews). Surprisingly, what did end up getting me 3 promising interviews and a job was networking with employees of various companies at WIT meetups. So, I heavily suggest if you attend TE that you work on networking, especially if you are an anxious and awkward interviewee and do better in a less formal setting. Like me. Pittsburgh has a lot of meetups and I'm sure they have converted them into Zoom meetings in the age of Covid. And as a side note, even if you don't have previous coding experience, TE prepares you well enough that you can learn Java at TE but then immediately switch to C# upon landing a job. So don't let that make you shy away from a job offer should that be the case.
Now, a year in, I can safely say this was the best decision I could have made for myself in terms of career and growth. I work at a small start-up where I am the only developer (aside from my coworker-boss, who focuses mostly on business these days). This job seemed incredibly daunting at the start, but now it is incredibly daunting. However, I love what I do, the product that I get to help create, and all the various roles one plays at a tiny start-up. It pushes me to keep working on being a better developer and have confidence in myself. I was lucky to get a job where I get to work as a full stack developer, so most of the things I learned during boot camp come in quite handy.
If you are on the fence, just do it already. -
Madi Verified via LinkedIn
.NET Student
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Overall a great experience. I made lifelong friends, not just in other students but in the staff members as well. The instructors are incredibly knowledgable and amazing at sharing that knowledge. A job is not guaranteed once you graduate but they have some of the best placement numbers around. I obtained my current position through the matchmaking process, which is probably the distinguishing factor for Tech Elevator versus other bootcamps and very valuable as a new member of the tech field. I highly suggest the .NET course; John Fulton is hands down the best teacher I've ever had the honor of learning from and Matt Eland is on his way to be of the same caliber. I went from never looking at a single line of code to being a functional full stack developer in the span of a few months. It was exactly what I was looking for in a career change. -
Chido Ezeilo Verified via LinkedIn
All boot camps are not created equal
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There are few cases in life when certain things you think too good to be true ,actually turn out to be that good. Tech Elevator is definitely one of those rare ones. Hind sights 20/20 and looking back, i realize what a unique and great opportunity it was. Have no illusions about the hard work it would demands, but the instructors and career coaches are nothing short of amazing, encouraging and very very competent. You will struggle to catch your breath but its ok, because bootcamps are designed to keep in your boots 24/7. I cant recommend tech elevator enough after my experience. -
Brian Verified via LinkedIn
Alumni/ Software Developer
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Tech Elevator is split into 2 parts. 1 part teaches you to program, and the other part teachers you how to get a job. The programming part is broken down into 4 modules with a capstone after each module. There are 2 classes c# and Java. You will be in one of the 2. I was in c#. The 4 parts for me were broken down by in the first module c# programming language in depth, and finish up with object oriented program, and learning how to design programs. The second module is learning to use databases, third module is learning to front end development, API's, and MVC, and the 4th module is learning javascript with vue as a component based language. The day to day starts with a 3 hour class lecture, followed by a lunch break, and the individual or pair programming exercises for that day. At night there are daily readings that cover the materials that you will go over for the next day.
The job search is what gets you put into a job. Here they teach you to interview, make and use Linkedin, construct a resume, as well as a elevator pitch. The program has a match making event where you interview with companies looking to hire the students of the cohort. Most of the cohort receives an offer from this event, or a company that is part of this event. The programs hiring network is what makes the program so strong, because you have over 90% chance of landing a job. After your cohort ends Tech Elevator has events that involve alumni that want to participate, and is always good networking. The job searching, and interviewing skills you learn in Tech Elevator will help you the rest of your career. I was very prepared going into my first programming job out of this program. I would recommend this program to anyone that has a Tech Elevator in there area, and is interested in a Tech career. -
Irna Tin Verified via LinkedIn
Java Bootcamp Graduate
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I have been looking how to get into the software engineering field from my dead-end career in real estate for about 2 years. Tried online courses, videos, even went to NYC for one week JavaScript Fundamentals class and didn’t like the vibe of that school. Got back to Pittsburgh, keep working in real estate, and one day in July had a really tough day at work and started looking for local bootcamps. Found out about Tech Elevator, read reviews, took aptitude test, scheduled interview with Justin (campus director), passed both interview and another aptitude test, and in July of 2019 I knew I was going to start in January 2020. I had doubts but decided to take a leap of faith and believed it would work out if I were to give it all I had.
Tech Elevator staff made my heart melt on Day 1. They treat you like family, pull you out of your comfort zone for your own sake, and make you do what they know is the best for you. All you have to do is to trust them and work hard. The campus atmosphere is unbelievable. Somehow people you see for the first time in your life, become your friends very quickly. We worked hard and pretty much spent most of our time together, usually coding and drinking coffee/eating.
COVID-19 happened when we were 3/4 down the program. We were worried and exhausted. Everyone (our instructors, our Pathway Directors, Campus Director, Admissions Coordinator, teaching fellow) was there for us at all hours. We had to switch to remote learning and kept pushing. By the graduation day most of people from my cohort had offers in their pockets. We still were able to get a job meanwhile other people had to face difficulties during the pandemic. The only thing I sometimes think about is why I didn’t get there earlier but that’s a different story.
This was by far the best educational experience I personally have had and I’m very grateful for that! -
Devin Beichner Verified via LinkedIn
A great start to a new career
Tech elevator was an excellent place to learn a new skill. The instructors are extremely knowledge and are able to convey coding concepts in a way that makes sense to anyone. The Pathfinder program really brings it up a notch by prepping you for the job hunt and helping you to land your first big role -
Bill N Verified via LinkedIn
Overcoming Fears
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Let me start this review by stating I had no coding background before TE. I was a philosophy major in college and never finished my degree. Devastated by my inability to finish I became a career nomad. I tried several different industries including car sales, hospitality, low level management, retail, and real estate. I found myself at a dead end with every move, my income ceiling was a lot lower than expected and any hope for advancement came with a four year degree. I first heard about TE through an acquaintance who had finished a philosophy degree and was now a full stack dev for a local consulting firm. I simply brushed it off as something I could never do. Weeks passed and the daily grind continued. I came home one day to my room mate exclaiming he had been accepted to TE. I got the thought "man maybe I should do this". I was completely terrified, I knew nothing about hardware or software, no more than playing Civ IV and League of Legends. I took a complete risk, and it really paid off. I had no idea if this was something I could do. I was worried about not finishing like college, or not being able to grasp the concepts. I had my interview and to my surprise I was accepted. I still was unsure of myself and struggled through the pre-work. Fast forward to my first couple of weeks and I am really at a loss. I struggled and I struggled hard. Every day was spent putting in the work and listening to every detail the Pathway program presented. Tom A my instructor challenged me to think, he challenged me to overcome my fears of failure. At the start of Module 3 COVID hit. We were disbanded from our normal brick and mortar classroom and moved to Zoom classes. My fear kicked back in. Now the worry was getting a job during the start of a global pandemic. Ellen and Jennifer reassured me that if I trusted the process and did my best everything would be okay. I put my fears aside and trusted the people at TE. I was offered a position before graduation. I have been working in the field a couple months now and couldn't be happier. TE gave me the skill set to work in the tech field but it also gave me a true framework for overcoming those fears of the unknown, failure, and rejection. I still have my moments as we all do. The stat's prove this process at TE works, follow logic and not emotion. I went from a low level real estate position to being a Jr Software Dev with nothing but a chance. TE really did change my quality of life. If you are considering applying, just do it. Set aside those negative thoughts and take the chance. -
Sean Verified via LinkedIn
Dedicated Staff
The staff at Tech Elevator in Columbus was amazing. I was a Java student with Steve Carmichael and could not recommend his classes enough. From day one he prepares you for interviewing and really drives home a wealth of knowledge. Vinny, Ben and Katie make an excellent career help group, they are driven and devoted to ensuring you get placed. -
Tom Phillips Verified via LinkedIn
Tech Elevator Was a Rewarding and Transformative Experience
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My Background: I graduated with a degree in Music Performance six years ago and worked as a freelance musician before Tech Elevator. I was teaching lessons, touring the country, recording, and doing all sorts of musical odd jobs. It was a very rewarding career, but I found that I hit a point where I had hit all of my goals and no longer felt challenged. I wanted a new career that was mentally stimulating and rewarded hard-work and continued learning, but would still allow room for creative problem solving. Last summer, I took a few online courses on Edx in different topics that interested me to explore the idea of a possible career shift. One of those courses was Harvard's CS50, which introduced me to coding. I found that the abstract thinking and deep thought required to code was very similar to the creative headspace of composing music and felt at home. Around that same time, I met Jeff Jeung, Campus Director of Tech Elevator's Detroit campus, at a local event in Detroit and heard him do a presentation on their curriculum. Tech Elevator had just opened in Detroit and their Fall cohort was about to begin so I decided to enroll.
Admission Process:
The first thing I noticed about Tech Elevator was how seriously they took the admissions process. I was surprised that Tech Elevator's admissions process felt more thorough than when I had applied to college. It was clear to me that they only let students into the program that they believe can succeed. I took an online assessment made up of logic puzzles and then attended an open house event to learn more about the program. After that, I went back to the campus for a 60 minute interview where I discussed my story, my goals, what brought me to Tech Elevator, and was asked behavioral questions. The interview was a very pleasant experience and was very conversational. After that, I had to take a more comprehensive 90-minute assessment. After receiving the good news of my admission and deciding to enroll, Tech Elevator sent out approximately 40 hours of pre-work that covered the basics of coding.
Why Tech Elevator?
I'm inherently not a risk taker in life, so the thought of spending a lot of money on a program that had no guarantee of landing me any job had me skeptical at first. I did several weeks of research on various bootcamps, in Detroit and in other cities, and spoke to bootcamp grads to try and gain a picture of what it would be like, whether it was worth it, and what to look for in a bootcamp. The two biggest things I found in my research were to look for programs that are transparent with their job statistics and look for programs that are selective. Tech Elevator works with a 3rd party auditing company to verify all of their statistics, which made it a lot easier to trust their statistics and I've already mentioned how thorough their admissions process is.
At the time, I was also considering self-learning and going back to college. I thought that four years and spending a lot more money seemed impractical for my situation, and while I'm confident I could teach myself coding with all of the great available resources online, the idea of actually getting a job seemed intimidating. In the end, one of the final turning points for me was coming to Course Report and reading a review from a past TE student that had come from a very similar background as me and found success, so I hope to whoever is reading this, that this review helps to guide your decision too!
What Part of the Program Helped Me The Most?:
What sets Tech Elevator apart from other bootcamps is that they have what they call the Pathway Program, which is a parallel course to the coding curriculum that teaches you how to get a job. We started with writing and rehearsing elevator pitches, and then moved on to creating LinkedIn pages, going to meetups, learning to network, resume workshops, and doing mock interviews. A lot of these activities put me outside of my comfort zone, but being pushed to do five rewrites of your resume or being assigned to send three private messages to potential networking contacts on LinkedIn was invaluable to getting a job. Pathway was led by Nicole, who did an incredible job making me feel confident and provided invaluable feedback. By the time it came to applying for jobs, I felt really prepared with the whole process so that I could put all of my focus on interviewing and showing off my best side, instead of stressing about the little things.
The Pathway Program culminated in a Matchmaking Event where each student interviewed with a half dozen hiring partners in the Detroit area. Prior to Matchmaking, each company came in to do a presentation about what they do and what they're looking for in an employee, which made it easier to prepare for the interviews. I was lucky to receive an offer that I ended up taking from Matchmaking.
Coding Curriculum:
Tech Elevator's curriculum is divided into four modules: core Java, databases, server-side web development, and client-side web development. Each module is several weeks long and culminates in a capstone project that is completed with one or more other students. Each day begins with several hours of lecture, followed by free time to work on the assignments. Outside of the lectures and homework, the days are also filled with Pathway events, review sessions, and special seminars to learn skills like Test-Driven Development. You'll find yourself staying late most days working on the homework and collaborating with other students and the instructors. Learning to collaborate and solve problems with classmates is invaluable and is a skill that will definitely come in handy in the real world. Andy and Margaret, the instructors, are both exceptional people and have unlimited patience when it comes to answering questions and troubleshooting bugs. It's safe to say that every student's success is very important to the instructors.
Getting a Job:
As mentioned before, I was very fortunate to secure employment during the program during the Matchmaking event. I was hired as an Associate Technical Consultant for a company called Perficient. They came in to do a presentation early in the cohort and returned for matchmaking. During matchmaking, I had what was mostly an HR interview where I was asked about why I was changing my career and some behavioral questions. After that, I was given a coding assignment to complete in one week. My second interview was presenting my project and walking through the code and answering questions. After that, I received an offer.
My job started with two months on-the-job training in a project-based setting and then I was put on my first real project doing web development for a major automotive company. So far in my career, I am wearing a lot of hats every day. I'm doing web development with AEM and React, working as an Automation Engineer writing scripts with Java Selenium, as well as some QA Lead responsibilities.
How Well Did Tech Elevator Prepare For My Job?
An important thing to understand with bootcamps is that no program can teach you everything you need to know to be a successful web developer. There is so much to learn and technology is always changing to the point that someone who has been working for decades is still learning everyday in their job. However, the most important thing you can learn from a bootcamp is how to be a good learner. If you can successfully consume and learn Tech Elevator's curriculum in fourteen weeks, it's a good sign you'll be ready for anything a job will throw at you. When you're new to coding, it seems really important to learn as many languages and frameworks as possible, but really what's important is learning to think like a software developer, using good patterns, and how to ask the right questions. At the end of the day, I'm not necessarily using specific skills I learned at Tech Elevator everyday, but I've learned how to pick up new skills quickly, how collaborate and communicate well with my team, and how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Advice to Prospective/Future Students:
It's important to understand that simply attending Tech Elevator and completing the assignments will not guarantee you a job, but if you keep yourself accountable and push yourself there is a really good chance you'll find a lot of success. The best thing about enrolling in Tech Elevator is that you've committed fourteen weeks of your life to deep-diving into an exciting new world. It's rare in life to have such an awesome opportunity to focus entirely on one thing, so it's really important to make the most of your time. You'll learn a lot everyday in Tech Elevator, but you should still do your best to follow your curiosity outside of the curriculum. Anytime you see any word or line of code that you don't understand, google it. Any time that you're stuck on a problem and don't know what to do, ask a class mate or an instructor.
Personally, I made a concentrated effort to stay ahead of the readings at all times so that every lecture was reinforcing my knowledge, instead of hearing information for the first time. It's really important to try and work on a side project, even if it's small, so that when it comes to interviews you have something to talk about other than what you've learned in the bootcamp. I made a simple Tic-Tac-Toe game with Java and was able to talk about it in the interview that got me my job. Do your best to attend meet ups and network outside of class, it will be really helpful to have some contacts when it comes time for job hunts. I met someone at a meetup during Tech Elevator who is now a friend and a coworker. The time will move really quickly, so make sure to make the most of it, but also remember to enjoy the journey. Your classmates will feel like family by the end of the cohort and you should expect to form lasting friendships.
Also, I would recommend taking Harvard's CS50 before the bootcamp. It's free, will lay a great foundation, and will let you know if coding is for you.
Bottom Line:
Tech Elevator was definitely a life-changing decision for me, and a really wonderful experience. I'm incredibly lucky that I was able to successfully shift careers in only a few months and it would not have been possible without Tech Elevator's help. I made a lot of great friendships with my classmates and the staff and always look forward to seeing them. Tech Elevator will be a very difficult experience and at times you may doubt your ability to succeed, but if you work hard and persevere, you will find that you're capable of doing amazing things.
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S. Michael Robinson Verified via LinkedIn
Great Experience and Unmatched Career Support
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I choose Tech Elevator after reviewing sites like this one; I was impressed by their outcomes and commitment to independently reporting their results. I decided to make the change, and having completed my coursework, I can say there is no place where Tech Elevator did not meet or exceed my expectations. I’m now about to start my dream job in 2020; That in itself speaks volumes about the quality of instruction and career support.
Tech Elevator will not be easy for anyone; I came in with a fairly solid technical background and found the work challenging. That said, anyone admitted can complete the work; the point of the immersion environment is to stretch your abilities in critical thinking, commitment, and collaboration skills. Plan for the challenge and be prepared to commit to the work. Soft skills are every bit as important to the program, so expect those to be developed as well.
I could not be more impressed by Tech Elevator’s dedication to placing TE graduates. Despite having to adapt to a hiring environment where everyone was suddenly going remote or going into a hiring freeze, Tech Elevator’s staff worked tirelessly to help the members of my cohort find jobs, even reaching beyond the usual regional contacts to support a truly national job search for 2020 grads.
If you feel passionate about technology and want to make a real career in software development, this is the place to go. If you’re just starting out, or looking for a career change, Tech Elevator will help you make it happen.
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Andorra Verified via LinkedIn
Reinvented My Career and Opened a New Chapter
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6 months ago, I became unemployed and took stock of my life. I hadn't reflected before because I always made a decent income and had never been without work. I realized the world was moving ahead so fast, but I'd been standing still. Without being part of the tech world, I felt I'd become old and out of touch. I didn't complete my Bachelor's Degree, and never had any sort of coding nor computer science in college. After researching education possibilities, I decided on Tech Elevator's 14-week Java program. Personally, there were a lot of reasons their program appealed to me:- Full Stack: I had no idea what a stack was, nor what front end and back end were. This program has allowed me to see the big picture and discover what kind of career path I'm interested in, what part of the stack I liked, and what technologies I had a knack for.
- Full Time and On Site: I wanted to learn as much as I could as quickly as possible. I had always been a crammer, feeling most interested when I could fully immerse myself into a project or subject without distractions. The amount of time dedicated to this program is NOT FOR EVERYONE. I often spent 60 hours in a week working on campus (and at home during COVID). The best thing the campus director did for my education was to warn my family that I would disappear for 14 weeks, and that their investment in my future was to support the disappearance. I preferred the on site classroom at the time because I felt that networking in person with the professionals and students would be valuable for my future in the industry. I have made lifelong friendships with brilliant people.
- Industry Experts as Instructors: The instructors come from the real world. They knew what current industry trends were, and taught in a way that we could gain a solid foundation while learning how to keep up with tech evolution. They taught us how to identify problems and what to research to find solutions.
- Job Assistance: Tech Elevator's Pathway Program helped us write great tech resumes, create impressive LinkedIn profiles, rehearse elevator pitches, apply for jobs, and interview with companies from a behavioral aspect as well as a technical aspect. This turned out to be the most important thing. I HATED doing this stuff, and the program had us building on these things a little at a time. I had the opportunity to get personalized help from the Pathway director, and she pushed me to complete the things that seemed unimportant while my priority was learning to code. The educational and Pathway support continued full-time even after graduation. The program also set us up with a number of interviews with local companies that were open to hiring boot camp grads. This "Matchmaking program" is where I connected with a great company and was offered a job a couple of COVID months after graduating. I can't appreciate this particular opportunity enough because I was so used to my resume being ignored due to not having a Bachelor's Degree. Given the chance to interview, I was able to prove that my work experience could make up for that.
I have nothing negative to say about my experience, but want to offer something constructive:- Detroit is a new campus, so I hope they continue building up the Matchmaking companies. More interviews with both large and small companies will be most valuable.
- There were a couple of summary classroom days that provided light bulb moments that put things together for the slower students (me). I wished there had been a couple more of these (although they have been provided after graduation!).
On a side note, the program was very very intense. I'm not a delicate person, but it broke me emotionally more than once, and I felt angry more than once. The support and encouragement that I received from everyone, especially the instructors (one of whom we dubbed "Mom"), other students, and the Pathway director pulled me through and made me a better person. This was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I feel like the luckiest gal in the cohort. -
Joan C. Verified via LinkedIn
Best Decision Ever!
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As a creative person, I always thought that computer programming was way too analytical to be a career option for me. But I went to an event hosted by Tech Elevator in which they showed me how I could utilize my creative genius to create beautiful websites! I took the test and signed up for the Spring Cohort.
I had several months to hash over my decision... "Did I do the right thing?" "Was the risk going to pay off in the end?" I went through with it and I am so glad I did!
The instructors are out-of-this-world amazing! The curriculum is incredible. But the best for me were all the amazing people I met that I now call my friends. The pathway program is the best and within a month of graduating I was able to land the most amazing job I have had in my life!
If you are concerned whether or not it is worth the risk, I can assure you, it is more than worth it! I don't regret a single thing and have already recommended it to a friend who is currently in the program and loving it. Even with Covid-19, they work with you and help you become the best you could be. Thank you Tech Elevator! -
Austin Zani Verified via LinkedIn
Tech Elevator Delivers
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When I chose to come to Tech Elevator to become a Full Stack Developer one of the large draws was the in person instruction. After trying multiple online courses I knew I needed that personal connection with an experienced, knowledgeable developer. I was a student in the spring of 2020 when COVID19 hit. When we had to transition to a remote classroom I know there were some reservations by a lot of us in the program but Tech Elevator came through and delivered a great experience like they do in all other areas. I still got live lectures with my instructor every morning and was able to interact with them in the same capacity. They were always available to help out and answer questions I may have had about lecture or an assignment. Tech Elevator also set up several virtual spaces for me and my classmates to collaborate and socialize during a time of social distancing. Throughout this entire transition Tech Elevator was extremely transparent and incredibly supportive to all their students. I couldn’t be more happy with my choice to enroll at Tech Elevator! -
Jake Verified via LinkedIn
Graduate
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Preface: Upon starting the program at Tech Elevator unemployment was at a record low. By graduation unemployment was at a record high. Let that sink in. That’s a BIG deal but not news to any of you. I understand we’ve all been affected by this pandemic. Tech Elevator...where to start? They have a beautiful campus, absolutely gorgeous but halfway through the cohort I was told that I’d be going remote in response to covid-19. That was a hard pill to swallow. I had many doubts but to my surprise it went very well. Class still went on, our inside jokes continued, the relationships I had built in the classroom continued to grow stronger. I could also now go back and replay lectures if there was anything I needed to spend more time reviewing (super helpful!). This begs the questions of why not go to one of the many 100% remote boot camps out there? The reason I’d say is because Tech Elevator has, and continues to build, strong relationships with local hiring partners. Also, the curriculum Tech Elevator teaches is the most valuable for employers and extremely flexible to transition to most roles in software development and/or engineering. I also must mention how amazing their career pathway program is too. LinkedIn, resume, elevator pitch, interview prep, interview practice to mention a few all make landing your dream job that much more promising. Backing up: my career before TE was in “facilities” aka housekeeping. I was a housekeeping manager at a local university. I had no experience in coding or software development outside of some online tutorials I did before joining. While working in housekeeping I was deeply dissatisfied for years, I was looking for something more, something I was proud of, something I could say I use my intellectual abilities to solve problems. After some rough times, I was laid off. At that point I felt very low but then realized that it was time for me to make a career change and do something I was proud of, enjoyed, felt challenged, and paid well. I’m a research fanatic so I did all the research in the world and landed on Tech Elevator (trust my research and save your time. This bootcamp WORKS). I did not have a job offer upon graduation. Remember this is during record low unemployment. During this time after graduation, Tech Elevator, was so committed to doing what’s best for their students they allocated 2 instructors to run a remote refresher/continuing education classes. This was running alongside with something that basically mirrored their pathways program. These dedicated instructors have lecture and office hours to keep students sharp. This was huge, I truly felt Tech Elevator wanted what was best for their students, but this was the true test and they passed. Fast forward to today I have an offer for my dream job. When interviewing at Tech Elevator hosted - Matchmaking- I told the interviewer my 3-5 year plan was to become a project manager or scrum master. Just 10 days after graduating I received a call offering me a job where I’ll be shadowing a project manager and have their best scrum master as my mentor. As you can imagine I am beyond happy but honestly my journey has only just begun and this time it’s my way, this is my story. How are you going to write yours? -
MIKE S Verified via LinkedIn
STOP QUESTIONING, READ MY REVIEW, AND PULL THE TRIGGER!
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As stated in the Title, STOP QUESTIONING AND PULL THE TRIGGER!
Hi, My name is Mike and I attended Tech Elevator Cohort 13 (January 2020 - April 2020). Let's start at the beginning, The feeling of "Should I get into this field?", "Should I go to a boot camp or a university?", "Is this really worth the money?".
I get it, I LIVED THROUGH IT AND I AM HERE TO PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE. So let's get started!
I will start off by answering what is probably your first question in your head.....Did I have a background in IT or coding? The answer is a flat no. Although growing up I was always tinkering with computers and just about any electronic I could get my hands on, I never actually coded or had worked in any IT job or field. Let me give you some background. I was and still am a Nationally Certified Critical Care Paramedic and Ohio Firefighter. I have worked for 2 different local fire departments over the course of a few years, as well as working in the emergency room within the Cleveland Clinic as a Critical Care Paramedic. I tell you this because even though I did not attend any coding classes or IT jobs prior to Tech Elevator, the reason you will succeed in this boot camp IS BECAUSE OF YOUR DIVERSE BACKGROUND! Tech Elevator and Coding in general will require many skills that are not related to IT in particular, but actual soft skills I guarantee that you have used in whatever career your are coming from. Tech Elevator and the IT field in generally actually LOVE the people that can come from another career and implement those skills from prior careers and jobs into your new career in software I promise you will love! Good at Multitasking? Communication? Critical Thinking/Analyzing? Love solving problems? Your looking at the right career and the right boot camp.
Alright, I know what my next big thought was when I was in your spot....."$16,000 for 14 weeks? NO WAY!".... Well, WAY, and there is a reason for it and I am here to tell you that I would spend every penny over again if I had to, here's why. When you agree to put your life on hold to start fresh and apply every ounce of sweat for 14 weeks, So does every single staff member at Tech Elevator. The staff at TE are there for you every step of the way....and then some. From your instructor for your class, to Valerie the pathway director, down to the classmates that are sitting next to your going through the same crazy and nerve wracking experience as you are. You are not in this alone what so ever. You will learn multiple new concepts every single day that you are at class. You will then have that afternoon and evening to grasp the concept, apply it to your homework and be ready to build on that concept the following day in class. Now back to my $16,000 point. You will be fire hosed information on the daily, However you are going to learn everything you need to know to start out as a successful Junior Full Stack Software Developer within 14 weeks. NOT 2-4 YEARS at University.
I want to touch two more bases you need to read this one twice because if there is anything you take from this review in which you are basing your decision, it should be this. This brings me to The Pathway Program and Match Making. Split Tech Elevator into two programs. On the left side is Tech Elevator's Coding Bootcamp/Class in which you will learn, comprehend and apply concepts. On the right side, is a whole another program called Pathway. This is just as important as class. This is a flawless program ran by Valerie and Marty. They work around the clock to help you land a job by the end of the cohort. You will have workshops that will involve working on your resume, LinkedIn profile and even your personal brand or image! I know what your thinking... "Well my resume is good, and i can make a LinkedIn profile"....eehhhhhh but not like these. By the time of weeks 10-14 and you are applying to jobs and attending Match Making events, YOU WILL STAND OUT more than many students across all the universities and boot camps, I guarantee it! Did I mention you will have Mock interviews with instructors and even real recruiters?? Ya, It's for real. I have one important message in which I will close out this rambling review with and please read this about 10 times:
YOU WILL ONLY GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN!
With that being said, You will hear the instructors/directors say one phrase over and over again and that is:
"Trust The Process"
I stand here still as a Certified Critical Care Paramedic/Firefighter and NOW as a Full Stack Developer/Programming Analyst working in a full-time position in which I accepted on the day of my Tech Elevator Graduation.
I am here to tell you that someone who has suffered with major anxiety their whole life, YOU CAN DO THIS!
If your are on the fence and would like to pick my brain..... Yea, here is my actual email I created specifically for you to ask me anything about Tech Elevator or even the field in general! Softdeveloper6698@gmail.com
"If it doesn't scare you, your not pushing yourself. No progress in personal improvement was ever elevated by staying within your comfort zone."
-Mike S
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Charles Ireland Verified via LinkedIn
Thank You
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For those of you considering joining this program and thinking to yourselves, "I'm not a tech guy, I don't write code, I can barely understand what those errors on web pages mean!" You aren't alone. When I was first told about this program, I brushed it off at first, thinking that it just wasn't for me and that I simply wasn't smart enough, or good enough to get through it. However after I spoke with a recruiter in person, and seeing the high number of graduates that stem from this curriculum, as well as the possibilities at the end of the tunnel, I had to apply. Not gonna lie, the first few weeks are tough, but because every other person in your cohort is there because they're trying to change their lives, you support each other, and you share the struggle. Tech Elevator introduces you to experts in the IT Industry, as well as hosting mock interviews with both staff for practice sessions, and top-level companies to demonstrate what the process will actually look like once you start interviewing for jobs at the end of the program. I went from working a job making less than $20k a year to being offered a job at more than four times my previous salary, working for a company that has global reach and offers boundless career advancement within the industry. I know it's scary to put your life on hold for 14 weeks, to be uncertain of whether or not you've made the right choice in enrolling, but trust me, the process works. Take a chance on Tech Elevator, because if you're able to get in, pass the aptitude tests and interviews, then that's proof you'll make it through to the end, and experience a completely new change in your career. -
Scott Kirschner Verified via LinkedIn
Found my passion
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I was at a crossroads with my career path. I was in between jobs and searching for what I wanted to dedicate my time to. I previously worked tech adjacent but felt pigeonholed in my career as a marketer and was concerned about starting from scratch in a new field. I really did want to get into software development but was unsure how to get started. I took many free online courses, and some paid, to learn the basics. However, I never knew how to apply what I was learning to real life situations. A colleague recommended looking into boot camps, so I decided to take the leap!
I chose Tech Elevator because it seemed to have the most well rounded full stack curriculum in the Detroit area. I had familiarity with python and my perception at the time was that it was the modern language and that learning Java seemed deprecated in the job market. So I was reluctant to choose this course. I quickly found this to not be the case. On top of the cutting edge techniques I learned at Tech Elevator, I am now able to apply the principals to so many different technologies. The greatest part about the course is that it is not all about learning the specific language, framework, or skill, but it is learning how to learn.
In 14 weeks I went from building archaic html web pages to creating full stack applications, and it is all thanks to the amazing instruction that taught me how to learn, the Tech Elevator way. I was able to watch how my instructors thought about and implemented writing code everyday in lecture and then apply those techniques to my own programming. Have I mentioned that the instructors were amazing to work with? Andy and Margaret made the class feel like family. They were there to help guide me through any problems I faced, but made sure to not out-right give me any answers. They dedicated time in the evenings and on weekends in order to make me feel confident in what I was learning. It always felt like they were 100% invested in my future success.
Another amazing feature of Tech Elevator is the Pathway Program. Companies came in weekly to recruit so I was constantly working on my networking skills. The guidance from the Program Directors ensure that if you follow the path, you WILL get a job on the other side.
The Twist!
9 weeks into the boot camp the US went into full lock down mode and I was now faced with having to finish the course in quarantine. This was very concerning to me, not just with the pandemic scare, but one of the main reasons I chose Tech Elevator was because it was taught in person. However, the entire staff, including members from other campuses, ensured that we would receive the same experience and benefits as if we were still meeting face to face. My skepticism faded fast and I was able to get the exact same quality of education from home. We had lecture daily via zoom and the instructors made sure to keep zoom rooms open for students to meet and work together. We even met with companies via zoom to do matchmaking interviews and spoiler alert, this is in fact how I got my current position!
I couldn't be happier with my decision to enroll in Tech Elevator. I truly feel like I found what I am supposed to be doing with my career. I have never been so excited to develop my skills as a software engineer and it is all thanks to everything I learned at Tech Elevator!
TL;DR
A life changing experience! Absolutely worth it!
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Christina Caruso Verified via LinkedIn
Learned to code and gained so much more
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INTRO/BACKGROUND
I came to the conclusion that I needed a career change, and that coding was what I wanted to pursue. My background was in purchasing and supply for 8 years, with very minimal HTML experience. After attending a few open houses and doing research on full time bootcamps in the Detroit area, it was clear Tech Elevator was a cut above the rest and had more to offer, especially with their Pathway program. After acceptance, I decided to attend the Winter 2020 Java bootcamp.
CURRICULUM
I am SO happy I chose this route. The curriculum covered more than what I could have ever done on my own. Both instructors (shout out to Andy and Margaret!) are amazing instructors and awesome people. They put in so much time to help each one of us and devoted so much of their energy to their students. Both of them are very passionate about Java. They always pushed me to believe in myself, and helped me realize how much I really learned and understood programming. With their course being a full stack program, I was finally able to understand how the different pieces (server side / client side, backend / frontend) all worked together. Whereas before TE I was only understanding bits and pieces but not how they all fit together. We also covered many industry standards like Agile methodology, Pair programming, and TDD (test driven development). The curriculum also teaches you to continuously push to learn and improve. This is an ever-changing industry, and it is such an important mindset to have. The curriculum is HARD, but when you put in your time (this could and will probably include some extra time on weekends) and energy into it you will benefit so much from it.
PATHWAY
Pathway is an amazing program and I have never seen any other bootcamp offer one that is as in depth as Tech Elevator. We had a Pathway Director who was dedicated to helping us craft our resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and interview prep to showcase our newfound technical skills and experience. As someone who had worked in recruiting (first job out of college) I had some basic knowledge how to present myself and considered myself pretty skilled at this, but it was daunting to do this task while searching for a career in technology. Pathway really prepped us with technical mock interviews with real professionals in various development / engineering industry. TE also held panels, showcases, and an event for us to interview with some of the top employers in Metro Detroit to really give you an opportunity to hit the ground running in the industry.
OUTCOME
My cohort had a huge curveball thrown at us, with COVID-19 mandating a switch to virtual classes for the last module and for graduation. Tech Elevator did a seamless job with this transition. I did not think it was possible for our instructors to put more into the classroom, and they did! They had made extra notes, recorded sessions, and anything you could think of to make everything accessible to everyone as we all navigated our different situations at home. Within a week of graduation, I was offered a position at a digital consulting firm, as an Associate Technical Consultant. It is exactly where I wanted to land in my new career, and I would have never been able achieve this without Tech Elevator. I have also made some life-long friends who shared all the laughs, struggles with homework, confusion, success, coding jokes, and much more during this journey. Tech Elevator is a great investment, and they will also be invested in you. I am so happy to be a TE alumni and could not recommend it enough!
If you have any other questions or want to know more about my experience please feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn. -
Travis H Verified via LinkedIn
Worth It
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I graduated from the Tech Elevator Cincinnati coding bootcamp in April 2020 as part of the .NET class under the instruction of Katie D. The first 10 weeks of the cohort were done in person and then, due to covid-19, the last 4 weeks were done remotely. I strongly recommend this program to anyone who is willing to put in the hard work and dedicate the necessary time needed to give their full attention to this program for 14 weeks. Katie, David, and Joe were an amazing resource of knowledge and instruction for the program and will always be willing to help you when you get stuck and can't figure things out by yourself or with your classmates. They also are very selective with who they accept into the program and it shows - I made friends for life and worked with some amazing people that all seemed like they were in the right place.
The Pathway program is an incredible resource and helped me get a job within 2 weeks of graduation. If you follow their advice, even on the stuff that may seem odd or uncomfortable to you, you will land a job. I went through many interviews and it is very apparent to me that Tech Elevator had me well prepared on the technical and on the soft skills side. Jessica H. was the Pathway director in Cincinnati and working with her will get you where you want to be.
It isn't a cheap program but I assure you that if you put in the work, it will be well worth it. -
Steven Roy Verified via LinkedIn
Excellent Program
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I had been trying to break into the programming field for several years by the time I started seriously considering bootcamps. Stagnant office jobs that paid the bills but left me bored were all I could seem to find. I was caught in the old catch-22 of needing experience to get experience. Knowing that programming bootcamps were focused on getting entry-level positions for their students, I came to the decision that I'd give one a go. After doing several weeks of research, including open houses and reading plenty of reviews, I finally decided to apply to TE's Cleveland campus, and joined the Fall 2019 class. The technical instruction was stellar, and thanks to Mike, Josh, and Craig I learned more about programming in a few months than I had in the prior eight years.
But the real ace up TE's sleeve is their Pathway program, which was ultimately the reason I went with them over similar bootcamps (including the one from my alma mater). They focus on the soft-skill portion of job hunting, with a laser focus on the tech industry in particular. Resume crafting, interviewing, social media profile building, and pitching yourself--all things I kind of hate doing, but that are vital to actually landing a job, no matter your technical skills. Val, Marty, and Kelly are some of the most dedicated people I've ever met, always available to help and eager to push their students into improving those sometimes-uncomfortable areas. Not only do they arm you with the skills (and practice!) to sail through interviews, they've built up a wide network of contacts with the northeast Ohio tech community, and use those connections to help you get a foot in the door. Easily the most important factor in choosing TE over others.
Over three quarters of my class including me were placed with jobs before the bootcamp had even ended, and after four months in my new career I'm still having a great time. I'd highly recommend the program to anyone who's looking to get started in programming.