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Tech Elevator offers both full-time and part-time coding bootcamps that prepare students for a career as a software developer, starting with an Aptitude Test. Throughout the bootcamp, students learn Java, HTML, CSS, SQL, API, and JavaScript. The full-time bootcamp runs for 14 weeks, Monday through Friday, 9-4:30 pm, and the part-time bootcamp runs for 30-weeks with a mix of independent study, live lectures and small-group programming. Both programs have a low student-to-instructor ratio to ensure the best supportive environment for participants. Tech Elevator’s instruction is delivered in-person at campuses located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh. Tech Elevator offers students beyond its core markets, and throughout the U.S., class options through its National Live Remote program.
Tech Elevator’s career-readiness Pathway Program is responsible for high placement outcomes and includes personalized coaching sessions, interview practice, 12 months of placement support post-graduation, and alumni and mentor networking. Tech Elevator also offers its students and alumni direct connections to employers through employer showcases and interviewing events.
I was in the .NET (C#) class in Columbus and I graduated Friday, December 1st, 2017.
I heard about Tech Elevator from my sister. I was going to OSU at the time, working towards a Data Analytics degree, and had been feeling bogged down every step of the way. I was a non-traditional student: 31 years old, transferred from Columbus State, and just getting to the point where I could APPLY to my major and get the reserved spots in th...
I was in the .NET (C#) class in Columbus and I graduated Friday, December 1st, 2017.
I heard about Tech Elevator from my sister. I was going to OSU at the time, working towards a Data Analytics degree, and had been feeling bogged down every step of the way. I was a non-traditional student: 31 years old, transferred from Columbus State, and just getting to the point where I could APPLY to my major and get the reserved spots in the classes that I needed, was proving to be quite a nightmare. I’d been back in school (part-time then full-time, mostly at CS) for almost 3 years. And with the way things were going at OSU it looked like it would take another 3 years to get my degree. I was feeling a little panicked, to tell you the truth, because I didn’t know if I had another 3 years in me. I wanted a JOB already. And so I went to a Tech Elevator open house, hoping against hope that this program would be the answer to my prayers, the Hail Mary pass to an actual CAREER, the final pivot in my working life that would deliver me from professional mediocrity/expendibility.
I was sold by the end of the presentation, probably about ⅓ of the way through, actually. My sister works at a startup with developers that spoke highly of the program and that combined with the 3rd party verified stats of Tech Elevator graduates made me ready to go all in. I had taken 2 computer science courses at OSU and so I knew I had the aptitude required and that probably made this a little less scary for me than most, but everything after the first 4 weeks of curriculum was brand-spanking new to me. I knew about loops, and selection statements, and recursion, but I didn’t know jack squat about building a web application/doing anything useful. And the vast majority of my classmates had zero coding experience, so don’t let that throw you.
Tech Elevator was a complete joy after my experience at OSU. You’re in a small class, you get to know everyone, the teacher encourages questions and is always available to help you after the lecture. That’s just the kind of environment I need to thrive. Everyone’s attitude at Tech Elevator is: we are here to help you, please come and interupt me, helping students is our first priority.
Obviously, you cover a lot of material in the span of 14 weeks.. I definitely didn’t feel like I was struggling ALL the time (many days were quite relaxed), but there were definitely days (a couple times whole weeks) when I felt inadequate/ like I wasn’t mastering the material quickly enough. And that’s hard to go through that, but if you keep at it, stuff will almost always, eventually, start to make sense. And then you can breathe again and feel like, OK, I can do this. When you’re struggling, notice those feelings and tell yourself: “get used to it because this is the life of a developer. If you’re comfortable, you’re not pushing yourself enough.”
Now this next part is very important: THE reason that you pick Tech Elevator (and I CANNOT stress this enough) is because of the Pathway Program. That doesn’t mean that the Pathway Program was fun for me. You’ll never catch me saying that the Pathway Program was a complete and utter joy. Resumes, interviews, writing up a LinkedIn blurb that is both honest and positive AND winning AND unique is not (and never will be) my idea of a good time. It’s a little less like torture for me now, but--- not by much. But I NEEDED the Pathway Program all the more because I hate those things. The staff give you very tangible to-do items, concrete specifications for those things, and deadlines (super important). They organize mock interviews (HR, behavioral, and technical) and guide you through the entire process of gaining employment, including assistance beyond graduation if you need it. I can’t even describe how helpful all this is. A couple weeks into the program I went to a Women in Tech meetup and met several graduates from another Columbus bootcamp. They were 8 weeks out of graduation; 1 out of 5 of them had a job and the rest were still looking and I quickly ascertained from talking to them that they were out in the job market wilderness with no assistance from their program. Hopefully everyone will end up with a good job but I’d put my money on a TE graduate every time because the extensive career assistance we receive.
So… where did I end up? Well, I was very, very lucky. Our graduation date was Dec 1st and the time of year made it pretty difficult to have a job offer by then. Our employer matchmaking event was right before Thanksgiving and, consequently, many employers moved a bit slowly to schedule follow ups and some weren’t going to be hiring til the new year. I’m confident everyone will end up with a good job, but some won’t have that job locked down for a few weeks yet. I was, however, able to secure a position a week before our graduation date and I actually started on Dec 4th, the Monday after graduation. I’m working at a start up where I am the 5th employee. If I hadn’t landed this job I’m fairly confident I could have secured a position at Chase. Chase typically hires a TON of people from Tech Elevator. I’ve heard mixed things about working for Chase ranging from awesome/can’t imagine working anywhere else to people hating it. I think it has to do largely with what team you end up on and the quality of your manager as a human being/mentor. It’s a big place. But you really just need that first entry-level job and then if you don’t like it you can move on after 2 years. Anyways, the point is, I jumped at the start-up opportunity because I thought it offered the most opportunity for growth / learning. It’s also kind of terrifying. I’m expected to learn fast, largely on my own (here’s 26 hours of React/Redux video tutorials, GO!) and be able to contribute/navigate/problem solve on a very short time scale.
But I’m excited. And I’m grateful. I was able to secure an excellent job as a junior developer making almost three times what I’ve ever made (most recently before this I worked in culinary and as a nanny) after just 14 weeks of training. It’s kind of incredible.
RANDOM TIPS ( for if you end up enrolling)
-If you’re like me you will never feel like doing the Pathway Program tasks. Do them anyways. Don't ever blow it off. The coding curriculum is very important for once you’re working, obviously, but potential employers aren’t going to know who is kicking ass in the classroom. When it comes to getting job offers the people who have the most options are the ones who dedicate themselves to the Pathway Program.
-Research the companies you interview with (maybe more importantly: research the industry, and then you’ll be able to ask intelligent questions about what sets THAT company apart from its competitors; this is especially important with the small companies and it’ll help you stand out).
-Catch yourself whenever you feel resistance to change (“why do I have to do it THIS way when I already know how to handle it this other way”). To be a good developer you have to ALWAYS be open to (or better yet, actively seek out) new/better/uncomfortable ways of doing things. When we first started doing front end programming I felt a little bit like, what is this crap??? But you have to find a way to embrace it even when it feels very, very wrong. If you don’t become a lifelong learner you will become obsolete in this industry very quickly. If you’re not familliar with Carol Dweck and the term “growth mindset” I suggest you google that sh** right now. I was very much a “fixed” mindset person for many years and even now I must whisper “growth mindset” to myself about 10 times a day.
-if 10 people in your cohort all use the phrase “I want to leverage my skills in...” in their elevator pitches, for the love of God don’t be the 11th person!!! It probably didn’t actually hurt them but you can bet someone like me will be out there cringing.
-Be professional and tailor your message to your audience. The way I’m telling my story here in this review is not how I told it at meet-ups and in interviews.
-It’s fine to want to make more money, that was a not-so-insignificant piece of my own inspiration starting out, but you have to find a way to connect to a deeper motivation, because nobody cares about your bills or that you want to be able to afford to drink kombucha everyday (guilty). For me it was largely just wanting a job that wouldn’t bore the crap out of me within a few months. Then I had to take that, shellac it with positive energy, and serve it as a I’m-crazy-passionate-about-Technology sandwich. Sometimes that felt a little fake, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
-The TE staff will cover this but just for emphasis: work on your ability to solve problems with Google, stack overflow, tech documention sites, etc as soon and as often as possible. The teachers are there to help but don’t run to them without spending at least 10 minutes trying to figure it out on your own. My new boss specifically told me: do not bring me questions I can google and have the answer in 30 seconds.
In conclusion: Tech Elevator isn't magic, you can't just show up and then expect to have a great job at the end. No company will feel like they owe you after this. Like everything else in life, it's up to you to put in the effort and guarantee your success. That being said, it IS kind of magical that this college drop-out/former nanny was able to finally get a promising career started (and in such a short time). There was a time in my life when I was convinced that I just didn’t have what it takes to succeed and that I was destined to be a failure and a disappointment within my high-achieving family. It took a lot of leg work mentally and emotionally to get to a place where I was ready to make the most of an opportunity like Tech Elevator. If you're in that place where you're ready to work hard and do what it takes Tech Elevator is absolutely a wise investment.
Employed in-field | 70.0% |
Full-time employee | 45.0% |
Full-time apprenticeship, internship or contract position | 25.0% |
Short-term contract, part-time, or freelance | 0.0% |
Started a new company or venture after graduation | 0.0% |
Not seeking in-field employment | 0.0% |
Employed out-of-field | 0.0% |
Continuing to higher education | 0.0% |
Not seeking a job for health, family, or personal reasons | 0.0% |
Still seeking job in-field | 30.0% |
Could not contact | 0.0% |
How much does Tech Elevator cost?
Tech Elevator costs around $16,500.
What courses does Tech Elevator teach?
Tech Elevator offers courses like Full-Time Java Coding Bootcamp - In-person, Full-Time Java Coding Bootcamp - Remote, Full-Time .NET/C# Coding Bootcamp - In-person, Part-Time Java Coding Bootcamp - Remote.
Where does Tech Elevator have campuses?
Tech Elevator has in-person campuses in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. Tech Elevator also has a remote classroom so students can learn online.
Is Tech Elevator worth it?
The data says yes! Tech Elevator reports a 93% graduation rate, a median salary of $65,000 and 88% of Tech Elevator alumni are employed. Tech Elevator hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 506 Tech Elevator alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Tech Elevator on Course Report - you should start there!
Is Tech Elevator legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 506 Tech Elevator alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Tech Elevator and rate their overall experience a 4.91 out of 5.
Does Tech Elevator offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Yes, Tech Elevator accepts the GI Bill!
Can I read Tech Elevator reviews?
You can read 506 reviews of Tech Elevator on Course Report! Tech Elevator alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Tech Elevator and rate their overall experience a 4.91 out of 5.
Is Tech Elevator accredited?
Tech Elevator is licensed under the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools, Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
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