The Tech Academy Reviews
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Bryce Tucker
Excellent boost to academics for career change
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I had a really positive experience at The Tech Academy in Portland Oregon and I believe it was integral to me getting hired at Hewlett Packard as a software developer within four weeks of my starting my job hunt. This is a career change for me, I was an officer in the Coast Guard for 11 years doing project management for IT systems, now I will be a software developer and I am looking forward to the change.
I chose the Tech Academy for the more comprehensive approach to software development, specifically the idea that a broader understanding of computer science would provide a better foundation for a career in software development. I figured a wider understanding would allow me to continue to learn different programming languages as technology continues to change.
Also, the Tech Academy was more affordable than alternatives and it has a rolling start date so I could start when I wanted to instead of having to wait until the next course began. The program was flexible and individual so I was able to complete the work at my own pace and on my own schedule, while they provided a work space and instructors who could provide assistance when I needed it. I was also provided with a laptop to use during the course.
My learning style is more solitary, so I found the videos and exercises to be very good. However, I also really enjoyed and learned from the two week group project at the end of the course. We worked on a real application for a real business. In this case an inventory system for a restaurant. It was a great opportunity to apply what we learned and to work as a team.
I would recommend the Tech Academy to anyone looking to become a software developer, but I would suggest being in the Portland area so you can be on site as much as possible. Direct interaction with the instructors and other students makes getting past any roadblocks much smoother. I also found it motivational to go to the study area to work.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Sep 01, 2017
Hey Bryce, thanks for the review! Very well done on landing a job within 4 weeks of finishing the program! Very well done, and best of luck in your career with your new skills! -
Sean Elliott McCrea
Great Software Developer Bootcamp!
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I am still in the middle of working through this boot camp, but I would like to express that thus far it has been a great experience!
I began this boot camp because I felt that I needed a change in career, the current job I was in was good but it wasn't really getting me where I needed to go financially, I really wanted something that gave opportunity to excel in a field where I could really grow my professional career into something great. Going to school for many years to get a degree seemed like somewhat of an impossibilty with the logistics involved in having 3 daughters in combination with school, so the fact that the Tech Academy would be an opportunity to fast track to a specialized career path was ideal.
I was a little hesitant at first going into it because it was essentialy something very different then anything I had done before and a financial risk. After discussing the program with the School, I liked what I heard about what it entailed and how it was run. On the onset of going through the courses nearer to the start I was feeling unsure if I had made the right decision, maybe I didn't have enough passion for this or maybe I just wouldn't be able to figure it out well enough to apply it within a job. As I have progressed I've begun to feel more and more confident in my abilites and have become interested in the subject of what can be done in coding and how one goes about it. What's amazing is that this school has actually blown away my worries about if I can code or not, I know I can and I'm not even finished, (halfway through or so.)
Some things that really make it a great experience:
- Practical applications all throughout, code challenges, essays, multichoice tests.
- Flexible full or part time scheduling at any time no enrollment cutoff dates.
- Hands on instructor help when needed, remote or local(they are very friendly, patient and willing.)
- Helpful in all ways needed to start your career: they help with everything from computer course supplies needed, resumes, job placement, interview training.
- Course is broken down in such a way as to gradiently give you all the knowledge you will need bit by bit from simple to complex.
- All along things are setup to give you hands on experience at searching for answers on your own and breaking apart your code to find solutions and if you hit the wall to many times the instructors are more then willing to help guide you, (if you ask for help) without doing it for you.
This is a great place for anyone who wants to jump into a career in programming!
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Aug 14, 2017
Hey Sean, thank you for the review! You are progressing very well through the program, so keep up the great work. -
kyle Adcock
Good course, great job assistance
Very flexible, persistent staff helped keep me on track even when I didn't want to be. I believe having the Tech Academy on my resume helped land me a job as a Web Developer.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jun 26, 2017
Hey Kyle, very well done on landing your job as a Web Developer! I'm glad to know we were able to keep you on track, even when you didn't want to be. :) Best of luck in your career! -
Daniel Wallace
A great learning experience!
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I am a recent graduate of The Tech Academy in Portland and I have a very positive review of the program and the staff.
The flexible, self paced nature of the program was perfect for working around my busy schedule; allowing me to quickly progress my skills while remaining balanced in my life.
The course work is challenging and constantly evolving to stay up to date with this fast paced industry. I now have a solid foundation in .NET MVC framework, C#, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. The course also includes an introduction to computer basics, an overview of the software development industry, version control, and project management, and concludes with a two week live project in a team.
The staff and instructors have all been amazing. Everyone is friendly, professional, and most of all, helpful.
While there are many online resources for learning development, I strongly encourage anyone interested in bringing their skills up to a professional level to take advantage of the program. Being in the school has introduced me to the tech community here in Portland, a resource I was sorely lacking prior to my enrollment, as well as given me a firm uderstanding of what to expect as a developer.
Upon completion of the program, the job placement assistance has been amazing. Help with crafting a resume and cover letter, building a network, interview practice, and helpful insight into landing that perfect position have been invaluable. They even hired me on as an instructor while I continue my career search!
If you already love to code or have hardly touched a computer in your life, The Tech Academy's program can help you achieve success in this amazing field of opportunity.
Thanks Tech Academy!
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jun 26, 2017
Hey Daniel, thanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed the self-paced aspect of the school, and that you were challenged by the curriculum. And we are very happy to have you on as an instructor! -
John O.
Great value!
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I attended the Tech Academy because I wanted to make a career change. I chose the Tech Academy because I needed to keep working at my old job while studying for a new one. Having the option to go part-time after work and on weekends was a huge plus for me! There were instructors available when I needed them and I could move through the curriculum at my own pace. The lessons ran the gamut from computer basics to HTML/CSS and included programming languages like Python and C# - definitely a wide-range of topics! This made the Tech Academy a great value (and great experience) in my book.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
May 26, 2017
Hi John, thank you for the review! Making it through the program while still working a full time job during the day is quite a feat and reflects your persistence and determination. Very well done, and best of luck in the career ahead of you! -
Jason
Tech Academy Program - Remote
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I had some experience with coding in college, and after a few years out in the real world, I started trying to teach myself new languages. I found that I was a little bit all over the place and wanted to get a solid base and some projects under my belt. After a couple days of research, I decided to join The Tech Academy because they offered a part-time remote option, and they had some back-end development in C# and SQL.
The program delivered as far as providing me a base level knowledge of multiple languages, and some projects to show to potential employers. I was surprised at how many interviews I got right off the bat after finishing the job placement course at the end of the curriculum.
After finding a job, I walked into my first meeting expecting a lot to go over my head, but I actually had a good grasp on everything based on my experience with The Tech Academy.
My only qualms with the program are that I wish I could have had a little more feedback on my code throughout the course. I got a lot of responses of "great job, you passed" and I would have liked to have a little bit more of a critical eye on my code.
If you have any kind of a coding background, then the recommended timeline for finishing can definitely be much shorter. I definitely still got a lot out of it, and I can see how this is good for people of varying levels, but you should breeze through the first couple of courses if you have a technical background (though still fun and interesting).
My last issue with it, is that as a remote student I feel that it was tough to get a hold of people at times. I had to send multiple emails and follow-ups, and sometimes I feel as though my requests for help fell through the cracks. But when I did get through, instructors were very helpful with projects and job placement.
All that being said, I do think this is a great way to get a solid base in web development, and get started in a new career in coding!
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
May 05, 2017
Thanks for the review Jason! Thank you for the feedback on your remote experience. I'm glad to hear about your rapid success in finding a job after the program! Best of luck in your career ahead of you! -
Georgia B
A guide to Junior Development
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Overall, my experience with The Tech Academy was very positive. Even though I was studying remotely, they did an excellent job at providing a cohesive course of study that built on itself, got incrementally more difficult, and gave me the skills required to land my first job as a junior developer.
One of my main reasons for choosing The Tech Academy was that they have flexible start dates and allow you to work on your own schedule, they indeed were very understanding when life got in the way of my studies.
While they provide you with a multitude of resources and a logical order to complete things in, they do not hold your hand all the way through the process. They intentionally force you to practice your google fu and try to figure things out on your own, but the instructors are friendly and helpful when you need them. With that said, you will only get out as much as you put in.
The Live Project and Job Placement courses were essential for finding a job after completing the bootcamp. The Live Project provides valuable experience to put on your resume while also building your confidence by giving you an opportunity to apply the skills you've been working on and learn some new skills. The job placement course is also extremely thorough and provides information on all parts of the job hunting process. The instructors also provide critiques of your resume, cover letter, github, linkedIn, and personal website to make sure you're putting your best foot forward when applying to jobs.
The Tech Academy is perfect for anyone who is extremely self-motivated and looking to make a quick career change while studying on their own schedule.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Apr 27, 2017
Hi Georgia, thank you for the review! I'm glad that you enjoyed your experience with our program! It's good to hear you appreciated the tough love, and I certainly hope your "Google fu" is pretty awesome now. :) Best of luck in your new job and new career! -
Shelly
My Tech Academy Experience
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The Tech Academy was just the right bootcamp I was looking for. It allowed me to start as a remote student, and then study locally when I moved to Portland. It also taught me how to be a self-motivated learner and enabled me to develop problem-solving skills. In addition to teaching coding knowledge, the school also teaches students how to look for answers and approach problems on their own. Instructors are always available and willing to help, but they also guide students and teach them how to solve problems, rather than giving out answers right away.
The curriculum was very well-rounded and I was able to explore the different areas of fullstack development, from HTML and CSS, to C# and Python. This was someone with very little programming background like me, this was extremely helpful because it gave me a solid foundation in software development and gave me the opportunity to explore the different areas and think about what I really want to work with.
The school is also very supportive of students after they finish the curriculum, and assist all students with the job search. The Job Placement director continues to stay in touch with students for the job application process. Because of the practice interviews I had and feedback I got on my soft skills and resumes, I was able to gain more confidence during my job interviews and received a job offer in the tech industry.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Apr 14, 2017
Shelly, thank you very much for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed your experience here. Very well done on your persistence, and on landing your job! Best of luck in your new career! -
Corey
My Tech Academy Experience
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What have you gained from doing The Tech Academy?
I gained confidence in different forms. I gained the knowledge of programming. I gained the knowledge of how to research and find solutions to issues. I gained the confidence to know I will find out how to overcome an error/issue as long as I keep searching and don't give up! I have gained a new Junior Software Developer position at a company that shares similar values and goals. I gained some new friends that have helped me reach the goal of learning how to code and becoming a developer. How has what you learned at The Tech Academy helped you with your transition? The Tech Academy help me to dive in head first in to coding by making me find the answers/solutions myself instead of just giving me the answers/solutions. It helped teach me how to keep trying until I succeed by the encouragement of the instructors. What do you think of the curriculum? I really liked the diversity and amount of the languages learned. The Tech Academy offered more languages than many other bootcamps. I really wish the HTML, CSS and JavaScript classes combined to make a solid personal website. I feel that at the end of the bootcamp I should have a dynamically functioning website/page that I could use as a portfolio. I would have liked a personal website to be an actual assignment that is pass/fail. I thought the Database/SQL class video series by Joes to Pros was the best out of any course. I also really would have like more Coding Challenges. I thought the coding challenge was a great way to display my skills and work on a small project with a deadline. How has it benefited you so far? I start a new Junior Software Developer position in March. The Tech Academy helped me get this job by teaching me programming and effective error research. The live project class helped me put together all of the skills I learned throughout the bootcamp which allowed me to solidify my skills. The job placement department helped connect me with past successful graduates and was vital in my preparation for the interview process. What things do you like most about the program? Amount of languages, decent price, online convenience, part time convenience, instructor encouragement and guidance, job placement support and guidance, live project real world experience, coding challenges, simple student newsletter, the online guest were pretty good too. All in all I am very pleased with the outcome of this bootcamp which is being offered a junior developer position with a great company.Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Mar 17, 2017
Corey, it looks like you covered it all! Thank you for the review and very well done on getting through the programming and breaking into the industry. Best of luck to you at your new job and new career! -
J.M.
It was OK...
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Pros
- Flexible studying: The Tech Academy has a learning management system (LMS) where you can take the course work at your own pace and spend up to 30 weeks on the curriculum. This allows for people to spend as much time as needed on each course until they feel comfortable moving to the next one.
- Exposure to a lot of technologies: The Tech Academy provides you with a lot of exposure to various different technologies, whether it be SQL, Python, C#, HTML or JavaScript. Going to The Tech Academy helped me figure out what I wanted to specialize in.
- Job Assistance: The Tech Academy has a job placement instructor who helps out with resume review, holds weekly interview preparation and supports students through finding a job. I found that to be very helpful as I began looking for a company to work for.
Cons
- The coursework: While it has some good points, the course work is in need of an overhaul. There are modules that teach outdated methods for learning software development, especially in the C# course. I know The Tech Academy is looking at revamping many of the current modules (and may have completed them by the time of this writing), but they left a lot to be desired. I ended up using a lot of outside material to supplement my learning of the basics, such as Treehouse, which I thought should not have to do. I also believe they should focus more on project-based materials so students have a larger portfolio at the end of the program.
- The instructors: Many of the instructors are recent graduates of The Tech Academy. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it means their helpfulness outside of the scope of the curriculum is very limited.
- The final project: The final projects provide you with real-world experience, but they are limited in scope to The Tech Academy's Prosper IT consulting business. This constrains the choices of projects you can choose and also the length of each project. The Tech Academy should work with companies in the area who need interns, so students can get experience from a variety of different technologies for a longer time frame. This would make students more employable.
Summary: All in all, The Tech Academy is a school where you become the jack-of-all-trades, but the master of none. It helps you figure out what you want to specialize in, but expect to put in a lot of work outside the curriculum, especially if you haven't coded before (like me). I ended up finding a job that I am passionate about, but I would say about 75% of it was due to my previous experience, and the other 25% from the things I learned at The Tech Academy.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Feb 10, 2017
Hey JM! Thanks so much for your feedback.
Thanks for acknowledging the pro's. Yes, we are flexible and accommodate for people of all different schedules and locations. And you do gain exposure to the main basic areas that you'll need to know about in any software job. And thanks for acknowledging the job placement team.
As you predicted, we've updated the C# Course since you did it. It goes a lot deeper, with the students building more projects throughout it. We also make regular updates to the rest of the curriculum to keep up with the most current technologies.
Again, thanks for the review. We wish you the best of luck at your new job and to your future career! -
Adrian Dabat
Wouldn't be where I am now without Tech Academy
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The Tech Academy was the only bootcamp in Portland that offered a flexible schedule, allowing you to work part time and take the course as well. The instructors are very helpful and promote self-displine whilst going throught the course. Although some of the courses could be re-worked, they are constantly trying to improve the courses they offer. The job search portion was intense, but managed to find one in Portland under two months in December (slowest hiring season of the year)! Wether in the course or job searching, the team is very supportive, and will do their best to get you what you want, provided you show effort and motivation.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Feb 03, 2017
Hi Adrian, thanks for the review! I'm still so happy about the job you landed, and very impressed you did so in December, when most companies aren't hiring as much. Very well done on your persistence on the program, and good luck on your new career! -
JC
Brand new to software development and loving it
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I'm still fairly new to the Tech Academy program, but so far I'm loving it. I am historically bad at self-teaching, and despite the guided atmosphere fostered by TA, I was still apprehensive when I began because of the high focus on independent study. My apprehensions have all washed away, though. The coursework is set up in an intuitive way that has actually helped me believe I *can* self-teach (sweet!). TA provides me with the resources I need to independently study their materials, but get help the moment I need it from an instructor. This integrated approach to learning is new to me, but has been surprisingly effective. I find that I'm digesting information easily and have already found a few instances where I've put it to work for me in my personal life.
The Tech Academy also has an encouraging focus on building each of their student's job acquisition skills, with weekly round tables, tech talks, a job placement coach and an entire course dedicated to job placement. I'm especially grateful for this arm of the program, as finding employment after this program will be such a high priority. The Tech Academy makes it clear they have your back on it. Perhaps the most resonating factor so far, though, is that TA gives me confidence. The atmosphere and attitude is can-do, the material and coursework is quality, the people are caring and informative, and the tools you learn invaluable. It makes me feel like coming here was the right decision.Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 27, 2017
Hey JC, thanks for the review! I think it's awesome that you've gained more confidence in self-teaching since being here. That's definitely a skill all software developers need to have to make it in the industry, and is definitely a skill we seek to develop in all of our students. Very well done on the great work, and keep it up! -
FP
The Tech Academy provided me with precisely what I was looking for.
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When I was looking for a coding boot camp, I was searching for one that would provide me with three main things: - Experience using a range of languages and tools that are commonly used in software development. - Experience writing code for a project to which I made contributions as part of a team. - Assistance in finding full-time employment after I had completed the program. The Tech Academy has provided me with all of these things and more. My only criticism of The Tech Academy is of their lack curriculum focusing on algorithms. There are many exercises designed to teach students their offered programming languages, but I had to search on my own for language-agnostic challenges such as implementing specific types of sorting algorithms. For me, even a nudge towards a site like HackerRank would be sufficient. However, aside from this one small critique, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Tech Academy. And I feel it would be a disservice to not mention that the staff and instructors are always willing to help and easy with which to build a rapport.Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 20, 2017
Hi FP, thanks for the review! I'm glad that you got the three things you were looking for at our Boot Camp. And glad that you felt the instructors and staff were willing to help. If you need any more help with algorithms, let us know and I'm sure we could provide you with some more help on this. Best of luck to your future career! -
Nate S.
The Tech Academy is an excellent program for software development
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I am currently a student at the Tech Academy and have had an excellent experience. I took a few computer science courses at a local university and they weren't really for me. However, I knew I wanted to learn software development, so I decided to look at some bootcamps. The Tech Academy was the most highly regarded bootcamp I found so I took a tour, met some great people, and I knew this was a great program. I am the sort of person who benefits from being in an atmosphere where I am surrounded by a bunch of great people who submerge themselves in the material and have a passion for it. The staff and all the students I have engaged with have been knowledgeable and very supportive. Not only have I learned a lot of valueable skills, but I've made some great friends along the way. I already have gotten a job and things are only looking to get better. This isn't to say it's all fun and games. You definitely get out of it what you put in. But if you are motivated, looking for a great environment, and want to learn some awesome skills for a great field, then I highly recommend exploring The Tech Academy.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 11, 2017
Thanks for the review Nate! I'm glad you've had a positive experience here, and happy you brought up the point of you get out what you put in. That's definitely a factor which allows students at The Tech Academy to get through the courses faster (if they put in a more intensive schedule) and get more out of their experience here (by going more in-depth in technologies of interest) than what they might get from another boot camp. With greater flexibility comes greater discipline. But as you mentioned, there definitely are a ton of great staff and instructors that are there to help you through the process with guidance and motivation. Well done on your success so far, and keep it up! -
Rachel
I learned a lot at The Tech Academy
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Here's what I've gotten out of doing a couple of the courses so far at The Tech Academy: I gained an understanding of databases and specifically of SQL. I did a lot of thinking while doing the drills about comparing the concepts to large data databases. I learned the importance of good organization and structure of data, that the results from data queries be meaningful and that the data results are accurate. I realized the importance of writing good code and code that would prevent SQL injections.
I enjoyed the course, so i may want to use it more. I like front end design and am interested in aspects of user interface design. However, i like the idea of having variety and that there is also logic and design on the backend. It would be nice to incorporate both aspects and that the academy gives a chance to learn both is great. Also on a more realistic level i like the salary figures of backend. I enjoyed Python and find it useful as an automation tool, and very versatile for many uses, like Django as a website framework. Also there are many ways and many industries in which Python can be applied. I liked the libraries and other modules that other users have contributed and being able to create my own personal modules. I think that it will a very useful tool for me as a software developer. (p.s . I also did a previous review on what i learned in JavaScript)Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 11, 2017
Hi Rachel, thank you for the review! Glad that you liked the Python course and you became proficient in it! Keep up the good work! -
Kaden Sanchez
Just Got A Job!
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The Tech Academy is a great institution, the instructors are attentive and helpful, the curriculum is set up perfectly in that it starts out very basic but comfortably turns into more specified and challenging assignments, but not in a way that left you in the dust with no idea what you were doing like some other self-paced schooling. The Tech Academy taught me a great deal of the practical skills I will need for software developing, giving me a solid foundational knowledge, and more importantly it gave me the ability to learn more on my own and grow my own skills, but on a more personal level while attending I learned to get a hold of my procrastination problem and to become a better student and improve my work ethic over all.
The one issue I ran into with the Tech Academy surfaced right before I was to graduate, and the issue was that I was getting very worried that in this line of work I might get a little stir-crazy, as I am an incredibly social and talkative person who thrives on interaction, so a job that did not have a considerable amount of that human element involved isn't something that I would be successful at. But luckily a job fell into my lap just recently that perfectly fulfilled my requirements, as it is a job in sales that would keep me constantly engaged with people and in a dynamic environment, and on top of that shortly I will be starting to work with the IT department on a project concerning their database.
So while my path didn't go exactly where I planned post-graduation, I do not for a second regret attending the school and very much look forward to incorporating my skills to my new job. All in all the Tech Academy is an excellent school that provides a great learning environment with instructors that are more than willing and able to help whenever they can.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 11, 2017
Hi Kaden, thanks for the review! I'm glad that the concepts in the curriculum built up at the right gradient for you. And very well done on landing a job that seems to be the perfect fit for you and what you want in a job! Coding skills translate into many other skills, and can be incorporated in so many different positions. Awesome and getting the perfect one for you! Cheers -
Beau D Yates
Change you life for the better
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I want to recommend the Tech Academy to anyone interested in technology and computing who wants to begin or change their career path. No prior experience or education in programming is necessary whatsoever for the incoming student.
I myself am in the process of changing careers at just a few months shy of my 40th birthday. I researched coding bootcamps for several months and came to enroll in The Tech Academy for the following reasons:
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The Web is replete with resources for self learning many disciplines especially software development. And this is both beneficial and problematic. There are simply too many options and too many points of entry into this field of study. I needed a structured, curated curriculum and The Tech Academy has provided this.
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I don’t have the luxury at this point in my life to return to a traditional four year university degree program. The Tech Academy’s course of study takes 15 to 20 weeks.
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I needed specific training on employment acquisition. The Tech Academy’s job placement team provides weekly instruction sessions to prepare for the technical and personal interviews as well as resume construction and information on networking opportunities in the Portland metropolitan area. I didn’t have this resource at my college and graduate school.
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The cost of tuition at The Tech Academy is at least half of the amount (if not even less than that) that many other bootcamps nationwide charge.
The curriculum structure is perfect for the coding newbie, even an absolute newbie like myself. The coursework begins with the fundamentals of computing and builds in logical succession. The content itself is broad spectrum covering both front-end and back-end web development languages and frameworks. This is a great benefit to me as I am still in the process of determining what direction I want to professionally pursue. The team of instructors are very kind, patient, and accessible. I am more than halfway through the content and have not met any concept or coding challenge that could not be understood and overcome. The study schedule is as flexible as needed for the situation of the individual student. I can recommend The Tech Academy to any interested student without reservation.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 06, 2017
Thank you for the review Beau! We love having you here, and I think it's great that the flexible schedule, the increasing difficulty in the curriculum, and the training in soft skills and technical interview prep has been a good fit for you. Keep up the good work! -
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David
Just got a job!
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The coursework starts off really basic, which is exactly what I needed, then quickly progresses to full stack web/software development. I learned the fundamentals and was given assignments that forced me to do my own research. It really helped build my confidence to do my own research and figure things out myself. They do have staff available to help, everyone was very encouraging and I never felt like they were talking down to me, which was really important since it was all new to me. I’m not sure if other students felt the same way, but the coursework seemed to keep me right on the edge of my ability, always pushing me to learn just a bit more on my own to complete the projects.
After completing the software development curriculum, they have Job Placement Directors to help with job hunting. They don’t get you a job, but they help with everything job search related like resumes, where to look, how to network and mock interviews. The skills and knowledge I learned at The Tech Academy allows me to not only work in web/software development, but added to my sales and customer service background and apply to a broader range of jobs. Ultimately, the position I accepted doesn’t involve actual coding, but having studied web development and databases helped get me the job.
I really don't have anything negative to say about The Tech Academy. I admit that I wasn't the model student since I couldn't devote full time to studying, it took me quite a bit longer to complete than most students, and I wasn't available to be there for a lot of their group discussions and presentations, but they always happily worked with me to use my time wisely and get the coursework completed.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 06, 2017
Thanks for the review David! It's cool you pointed out how the coursework was always on the edge of your ability. Our curriculum was designed to increase on a gradient of increasing difficulty. Very well done on getting through the program, and best of luck for you in the future. -
Paul R. Chapman
Just Arrived but Here to Stay
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This is still my first week at The Tech Academy though I just wanted to share some history. I have an A.A.S. in Computer Technology from Heald College and it can asked, so why am I here? Well, not every road leads us where we want to go. I was working 40 hours + a week and Heald was my night school. This was well before I was confirmed having ADHD and also, I graduated right after the dot com crash. Not a good plan? It sure sounded like one at the time. Thinking that between my good GPA of 3.25 and the word on the street about the market bouncing back... Uh no. It was just bad timing which lead me away from technology. The next several years devolved into mainly the electrical trade with varying side jobs. Nothing really culminating into a cohesive career much less training plan. It paid the bills but was really not a future. Now jump to the present. I recently became involved with ReBoot NW which, after winning a lottery or being a veteran like myself, provides federal grants to people wanting to get into either advanced manufacturing or technology. I chose technology to unearth and reinvent my career in computers. It truly was the best choice I could have made given my work history and The Tech Academy fit the bill. While attending a two-week ReBoot NW course I had my pick of three final presentations. I choose "training providers" and became my group's project lead. Since the goal was to make use of federal grants, this made sense to me. Using metrics to distill viable options, which of course was self-serving aside from a presentation, I deduced that Epicodus and The Tech Academy were the front runners. The selling point for the The Tech Academy was watching that student introduction video by Erik Gross. The lessons were laid out in a way that really resonated for a person like myself. Very procedural and building upon themselves. Coding? What's coding? Doesn't matter. It does if you have a genuine interest in software development. Commit to the opportunity that The Tech Academy has laid out before you. It does not a bright person to figure out their past has not served them well. Writing code. Yes I already knew what that was - I had simply never done that professionally. My point is a cliche; When opportunity knocks, answer it. Yes we all have heard that but, most times we do nothing to further ourselves. Vacillating over possibilities and regret are nothing but mental exercises. Take the necessary steps and commit yourself to your own future.Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 06, 2017
Sometimes cliches speak soothe. And I'd agree with you Paul, you pulled in a killer opportunity, especially with the Reboot program. I look forward to seeing your progress on the rest of the program! Thanks for the review. -
CTL
Changed my life.
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I took much longer to complete the program than most. I was working 60 hour weeks with a wife and two kids. They worked with me and allowed me to work at the rate I could manage. I had been teaching myself programming for a couple of years before attending. The tech academy helped me fill some gaps in my knowledge, but more than anything helped me overcome my 'imposter syndrome' and coached me on interviewing and marketing myself. I was assigned a coach who did mock interviews with me several times a week toward the end of the program and offered encouragement and advice. It took me two months to land a job as a remote full stack software engineer and I'm nearing my one year mark with the company. I went from working 60-70hr weeks and rotating shift work in factories to working 40hrs/week at home. I see my kids more than ever and am happier than ever. It's an immense challenge both intellectually and personally, but with perseverance, you can do it. I highly recommend The Tech Academy to anyone looking for a change in their lives.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Operations Manager
Jan 06, 2017
Wow this is a truly heart-warming story. Your perseverance to get through this program, on top of working 60-70 hours a week and supporting your family is astonishing and commendable. Very well done on your success, and thank you very much for the review! -
Tom S.
Current Student review
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I have been attending The Tech Academy for about a month now. I have an English Degree from the U of O and had worked a few jobs since graduating, but decided that I needed to change careers and chose The Tech Academy as the means for starting a transition into a brand new field.
The thing that I like the most about The Tech Academy is the environment provided by the school. Everyone has their own scheduling confilicts and The Tech Academy allows for all students to be able to put in the hours that they can. I have a wife and child (1-year-old) at home and find it hard to get a lot of work done with the distractions of home, so I appreciate that The Tech Academy provides a nice place to concentrate with plenty of instructors on hand whenever I have questions. For me I come in early and put in about 8-10 hours a day and then can get home at a decent hour and can still be the huband/father that I want to be for my family.
The course material is thorough while still moving along at a decent pace. It is not overwhelming for someone like me who does not have much of a background in the tech industry. There is also a big focus here on developing the skills (technical and social) necessary to find and get jobs. Overall my experience so far has been very positive and I would recommend The Tech Academy to anyone thinking of jumping into computer programming.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Nov 28, 2016
Hi Tom! Thanks for the review! I'm glad to hear that the flexibility of our program has been working out for you and your family. Keep up the good progress you've been making! -
Yuchin Pan
If you put in the time and effort it's perfect
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At the Tech Academy I was given a huge breadth of not only technical, but personal skills. They have solid structured curriculum covering many of the top languages and skills to create a very strong base for a developer or coding career. On top of all this Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are interview practice sessions that proves to be incredibly helpful in honing interview etiquette or just keeping them sharp. With a personal interest in Business Intelligence and a possible data future, The Tech Academy was my choice for its focus on SQL, C# and Python.
The most important thing to remember about The Tech Academy is that you can easily breeze through if that's your goal, but what effort you put into the program is what you will gain out of it.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Nov 15, 2016
Thank you Yuchin, for your review of the school. I'm so glad that we've been able to provide you with both technical and personal skills. -
Jun Zhu
Database and SQL
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From doing the Database and SQL Course, I gained the skills to create, populate, and manipulate tables in a database using Microsoft SQL Server 2012. I also gained the knowledge to write code to query information from database tables that met the parameters requested. As a developer, I can use my knowledge of SQL to create dynamic websites that draw from databases. I would like to also use my learned knowledge to further study the LAMP Stack in order to order to utilize the capabilities of Open Source collaboration. My studies at the Tech Academy has laid the foundation for a future in software development. The curriculum and instructors are highly recommended! -JunDanny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Nov 15, 2016
Hi Jun, I love your feedback from the Database/SQL course! Yes, knowing databases is vital in pretty much any role you have as a software dev, so knowing them well is certainly worth your while. Keep up the good work! -
Ryan
Great for those who work full time
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I gained a lot of self discipline from the Tech Academy. You learn that the information is out there for you, but no one is going to spoon feed it to you, you have to go out there and learn it. If you're like me where learning new things takes awhile, but once you get it - you get it, then the self-pace setup at the Tech Academy is perfect. I worked a 40+ hour a week fulltime job, so scheduling was very important to me. Looking at other boot camps, the Tech Academy was the only viable with my schedule, and luckily so because I was able to teach myself and push myself to do a part-time contract very closely to a what a fulltime student would have done. Overall, that was my main gain, knowing my limits and when to push and when to hit the brakes.
It allowed me to put great content on my resume. Only having customer service and retail on my resume made it impossible for me to look good on paper to potential hiring boards. Completing the course work, linking my github, and working through building a great resume was the best take-away. Having the ability to speak to what certain code could do, or what programming language to use in a certain situation felt good. There is no better surprise than when you surprise yourself with what you know.
I felt like a broad spectrum in mulitple languages is the best way to approach boot camp style learning. I'd rather know 70-80% about numerous languages than 100% in only two. The instructors are there to help should you hit any snags - though you are encouraged to really try and find the answers yourself. Almost every Friday they have Tech Talks where they highlight individuals or companys that will come in or Skype in and talk about the current market, and their experience with it. It's available to remote students as well. I will say though, a lot of the instructors are super talented, and while I know it isn't structered like a classroom, it'd be great if the instructors took portions of the curriculum and "taught it" to students. I know that even thought I had finished Python, if one of the instructors reached out and said they were going to highlight a portion of the language, I would absolutely want to be a part of that. Basically while it's up to the students to immerse themselves in languages I also think it would be helpful to have instructors offer that from time to time as well.
The job placement portion, which I felt like was the most important portion of the bootcamp was excellent! I worked with Michael as I was a remote student, and he is honestly on top of his game 100% of the time. By far, he offers the most tools to his students and stays on top of the group to make sure they are working just as hard as he does. I honestly feel like it's because of Michaels diligence that I pushed myself to be a programmer even though I wasn't in a job as one. I worked at my job, then I went home and worked as a coder - for seemingly no one, but knowing that some day all that freelance programming I was doing was only going to help me in the end - something Michael harped on. He wasn't wrong either, and within a month of looking for a job I was able to procure one.
The Tech Academy was a great experience for me overall. I am now able to be in the career I always thought I couldn't be in because of fear of leaving a secure job, or being too old to learn new things. Being able to tackle the curriculum at my own pace and my own hours really made my dream possible too. The instructors are really great and they will absolutley help you when you really need it. Again, my only feedback is that I think it would also be helpful to see a little more outreach from the instructors from time to time too almost like a mock classroom type of setting where students could attend and ask questions and get into the nitty gritty of the language - or something like that. Again, I went into the boot camp hoping I would leave with a change of career by the end of it, and that's exactly what happened.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Nov 15, 2016
Wow Ryan, thanks! Very well done on getting through the program while working a full time job. That's not an easy task to pull off! Yes, it definitely takes discipline. Thanks for your kind words about Michael. Thanks for the review, and good luck in your new career! -
Christian Cochran
Student Review of The Tech Academy
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TECH ADACEMY REVIEW
1. What did I gain from doing The Tech Academy ?
I got the right kind of start for a computer programming beginner: I learned the basics so Icould then become a self taught software developer. Since I have no previous
programming experience, I would have never figured it out on my own.
.It's so much better to have a curriculum, instructors, and classmates who will help you
learn what matters . Without that kind of help,it's easy to become confused, or at least
waste a lot of time, trying to sift through the overwhelming amount of information that's
available.
2. How has what you learned at The Tech Academy helped me ?
Since I'm a beginner who is working off of a limited amount of developer skill,learning to
be extremely practical, and not a time wasting perfectionist, is enormously helpful when it
comes to being a good problem solver. The job market has proved that we get hired by
proving that we are a good enough problem solver. According to
Erik Gross, The Tech Academy's Founder, when it comes to solving a software problem
that we've just been handed, talented software engineers are often at as much of a loss
as junior software developers are in general, when it comes to immediately having all the
information we need. So despite the fact that I'm not a software
engineer, my Tech Academy curriculum has forced me by necessity to do the same
things we need to do at a developer job: solving the problem I've been handed by using
whatever technical skills I possess, as well as being a good teammate, so other people
will like me enough to answer all my questions.
3. What do you think of the curriculum so far ?
It's great that we are being exposed to enough of the programs and programminglanguages that get developers hired. Being able to demonstrate that we have a
basic understanding of HTML/CSS, GitHub, Javascript, SQL, Python, Visual Studio, C#,
and the opportunity to develop in PHP or .NET, is ideal for proving that we are ready
or trainable enough to get hired as a developer.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Nov 15, 2016
Hi Christian! Thank you for your review! -
Tom T
Confidence
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I attended the Tech Academy to catch up on modern programming techniques to augment my Software Sales and Business Development background. I needed renewed confidence be more competitive in today's job market.
The .net framework, website design and SQL databases have evolved since I started my career and the Tech Academy courses were a perfect way for me to learn and apply new techniques and the self pace is ideal for my lifestyle. The instructors are fantastic and go out of their way to help you solve problems. They do not just give you an answer they teach you how to find it on your own.
The coursework was very helpful in landing a job as a Sales Engineer recently. I had much more confidence and made a much better impression on many prospective employers.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Confidence is key. Glad to hear that the program was able to give you that confidence. Thank you for the review! -
Garrett
Recently started at the Tech Academy
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I'm a current student at the Tech Academy and have been participating for a little over a week. So far I've been completely blown away. As a relative newcome to programming I was hesitant at first to enroll in a coding bootcamp rather than a more traditional program, but I can confidently say now that I made the correct choice.
The sheer amount of work I've been able to accomplish in such little time is staggering. I've felt supported and encouraged at all times in the program, both when I was working remotely and in-person.
Not only have I been impressed at the pace and clarity of the learning materials, the Tech Academy seems to have well organized and effective job placement department. They hold weekly roundtables just to practice technical and soft skill interview questions in addition to personalized mentorship.
I would highly recommend the program to anyone looking for a fast track to learning how to code, but be forewarned- you will have to work very hard! If you're looking for a challenging but supportive environment, you've found the right place.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Thanks for the review! Glad to hear things are going well for you so far and you're being challenged at the right level. Keep up the good work! -
Diana
Just started at Tech Academy
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I've just finished Tech Academy's first course, Computer Basics. A very intense and thorough overview of computer science for anyone, no matter what your previous knowledge. A large part of proficiency in any subject is having a good understanding of the common vocabulary of that field. This course of FULL of vocabulary and succinct descriptions.
This class gave me a good review and I've already started learning and understanding new stuff. I come from a background in computer science, but wanted to freshen up my skills and move into something new. I know what I'm saying when I say this is good material!
Sometimes the walk through the forest is so thick it's impossible to see where you're going,and it was kind of amazing to see such simple, understandable explanations and examples. This information can be used as reference material going forward and I'm looking forward to the next classes. I'm very sure I made the right decision to study here.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Wow thanks for this review Diana! I completely agree with you on the importance of understanding the vocabulary in computer science. That definitely was one of our breakthroughs on this program - defining complex technical terms in simple ways that anyone can understand. It's so awesome to have this validated by someone with a computer science background like yourself. -
Matt C
Worth
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After my second term at Oregon State studying Computer Science, I felt I was not learning enough for my intended profession as a developer, so I decided to search for other options. The Tech Academy had the most extensive coding school I could find in the Portland area, so I decided to give it a shot.
In the six months it took me to graduate, I developed a really strong base in multiple coding languages. Because you learn the skills for web language, databases language, and general-purpose languages, you can get an idea of what you want to specialize in.
One thing to keep in mind about the Tech Academy is that you learn what you want to. The instructors are very helpful, but its important to be self-motivated and not expect hand-holding throughout. You are being held to your own standards while being provided great resources.
The job placement folks are also really helpful and supportive.
The Tech Academy was a great way for me to get my foot in the door at a software company, and overall a good experience.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
Matt, I couldn't be more stoked for you and your new job! You're paving the way for younger talent taking the path of doing a boot camp and then breaking directly into software development, as opposed to the four-year degree. Your initiative and tenacity truly impress me! Best of luck in your new position and to a successful career! -
Gordon Mannen
A Good Starting Point
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For some years I had contemplated making a detour on my career path to software development. But my background was accounting and finance and I did not acquire a great deal of programming experience in the business world except as an end user of many different products, and some very straightforward things such as SQL queries, some Visual Basic, and so on.
When I went to research coding schools in the Portland area, as I compared them I was looking for a school where I could acquire a broad base of software development knowledge, methodologies, and experience with some key programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, and C#. I was able to find all of these things offered by The Tech Academy of Portland and at a price that was very competitive with other coding schools in the area.
Additionally, I really appreciated the fact that the program is structured such that it is a great starting point for students regardless of what previous exposure they have had to computer science and software development in general. It also offers a flexible platform on which to study and learn whether you are local to the Portland area or not by allowing for remote study and allows the student to have some flexibility with their study hours by remaining open for a wide range of hours during the day, evening, and even weekends. This allows for the student to study full or part time depending on their situation while still having access to the instructors when they need it most. Learning and gaining skills in software development has been a great experience and I highly recommend checking out The Tech Academy if you are interested in finding a starting point for your journey.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
So glad that we were able to help you switch careers into something you were more excited about. And of course, who doesn't love coding? Good luck in the rest of your career! -
Eric Nguyen
My First Experiences
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Walking into Tech Academy and receiving my interview upon enrolling into this school was a very fun experience. All the staff members were very helpful, funny and chill. In my experience going through high school and a few years of community college, it made me realize something about myself regarding learning. Some people like myself, learn at their best potential when they are in an “intimate” atmosphere. Meaning all the students, instructors and employees have a good relationship with one another. After my older brother graduated from Tech Academy and shared his experiences with me, I knew this school would be the perfect choice under my current circumstances. The self-paced, full-time/part-time, and remote or in-person schooling is a great option for students that are working at a job on the side. If you’re looking for an affordable school that will teach you all of the essential Software Developing knowledge in a concise and candid manner, with awesome peers and instructors, then this is place for you!
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
Hi Eric, thank you so much for your review! Although I don't get to see our registration staff as much as I'd like to, they really are a dynamic bunch. I'm glad to hear that you're off to a great start, and although I haven't had the chance to work with you very much yet, if you're even remotely similar to your brother, I'm sure we'll get along great and you will have continued success on the program and in your career! -
Will
Great school for getting your foot in the door
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The Tech Academy was an integral part of my current employment. The courses are sound and informative, the instructors are very kind and helpful, and the overall atmosphere is amazing. A long held belief of mine is if you want to know more about something, go look it up. Research it, find a mentor/teacher, and become the best you possibly can at whatever it is. From my experience, the Tech Academy supports this belief, and facilitates it wherever possible. For those people out there with the drive and ambition to gain mastery in coding, this school will help you to focus and funnel that energy into success. I learned so much from these wonderful people, and am grateful for their generosity and knowledge. Work hard, follow the guidelines they set, and you *will* succeed.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 30, 2016
Hi Will! I couldn't agree with you more. That's the intention of our school: to give you the essential skills and knowledge needed, so that you can go in the direction that you want. The curriculum was specifically designed so that our graduates wouldn't get "pigeon-holed" into only using one or two languages. Instead, we ensure students learn the core fundamentals of computers and computer programming and teach them 7 different programming languages, so that learning an 8th or 9th is no problem. With that versatility and understanding and willingness to work hard, yes, you *Will* succeed. -
Benjamin Livingston
Best Opportunity to Learn Software Development
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I am currently graduating the Tech Academy. I found there program to be the best method any prospective software developer can use to enter the tech field. I learned software development on my own in my previous work experience and looked into degree programs to formalize my training after leaving my previous employer. This program can take anyone with the ability and interest from only knowing how to turn on a computer to a deep understanding of C#, Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Agile/Scrum development methodologies. They cover the basics of numerous languages with the resources to learn as in depth as a student wants with a constant focus in job placement and thinking like a developer.
With the assistance of their job placement specialists I was hired as a full time software developer before even completing the last steps of the program. They work with my schedule to allow finishing the studies at night, remotely from home, or on weekends understanding that I am interested in completing my education. I cannot emphasize enough how fantastic the experience was at the Tech Academy and highly recommend it for entering any IT field or just getting the knowledge as a manager to understand their development team. There is no better opportunity for the cost effectiveness, and the time it takes (about 15 weeks at 40 hours of studying per week).
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
Ben, I want to thank you for your review and for your contributions to the Tech Academy itself. I remember numerous times in our soft skills interview practices, where you gave not only very good demonstrations of excellent interview answers, but deep insight into your own job experiences that I believe really helped the other students. I'm very happy about your new job, and I wish you the best of luck! Please come back soon to speak at one of our Friday Tech Talks! -
Andrew Earls
Know What You Are Looking For
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My name is Andrew Earls and this is my experience at The Tech Academy:
I have taught myself many computer languages and most of my experience with coding has been unprofessional. I have always desired to go to school for software development, but always lacked the funds and time. After working a high paying job for a company that had just gone under I was presented with enough time and money to attend a software boot camp. The Tech Academy having the highest ratings and offering a discount drew me in.
The curriculum is work at your own pace, which is nice. The approximate time of completion that is posted on the website and every curriculum, I feel may be a bit of an exaggeration, as I completed in nearly half of the time, however I can understand how someone not knowing anything about programming may take longer to complete the course. As the industry changes so must the curriculum, this leads to a lot of info constantly being changed and updated, which in my opinion is much better than paying for a five year old book that has lost all value and is no longer relevant.
The instructors were all very helpful and focused on connecting with the students, this is great if you come into class everyday, but also helps if you work from home. Some of instructors have not completed the course and even would join us in our studies. This was interesting and unconventional, but honestly it helped in making the environment a great place to study.
The job assistance. I am a shy guy. Interviews are not my thing. But these guys never gave up on me. They worked hard to help me perfect my resume, cover letter, website, and soft skills for any interview. At the beginning of my time at The Tech Academy, I was afraid of talking in front of people, but by the end of The Tech Academy I was sharing and interviewing like a pro, with confidence.
My overall experience, I was looking for a school that would teach me the skills I needed to know to land a job and start my career. What I thought I needed to learn and what I actually needed to learn was complete opposites. I thought once I knew the languages I would easily get a job, also not true. The curriculum was easy and it is my belief that children can learn how to code. Knowing enough to get a job and getting a job are two different beasts. The Tech Academy taught me what I needed to know to get a job, but they also gave me so much incredible support as I struggled through application after application. I would have never landed my job if not for their support.
The Tech Academy, unconventional, continually adapting, and very supportive. It is not what I expected, perhaps not what I wanted, but it is what I needed.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
Thanks for the review Andrew! I'm glad you were able to get through most of the courses in half the approximated time. You are a pretty sharp cookie! Very well done on your persistence on your job search, and I hope you're doing well at your new job! Here's to a satisfying career! -
Coder
Got a job!
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The main reason I attended this boot camp was to land a coding job. Here's my experience:
1. It started with talking with the Registration staff about the program. They were helpful and not pushy (which I appreciated). I wasn't into the entry testing but I did it and passed.
2. The first course was computer basics. For me this was beneficial because I hadn't written code before. The first 2 or 3 courses really helped me understand computers and programming and I felt more confident that I could learn coding.
3. Most of the rest of the classes were on coding (Python, JavaScript, C#). It went pretty smoothly but there were some rough patches. The instructors helped out when I needed it. I had to wait a couple times but most of the time help was instantaneous.
4. The live project was awesome. I got to help on an app they were making and it allowed me to use some of my skills and I found out I had a bit more to learn... It was nice to do a real life project.
5. Finally, I got into the job placement section. They have a short class on job placement and a job placement director to help students. At first I had thought that I would just be handed a job but this wasn't the case. I had to apply at various places and it was rough for me because I'd never had a tech job before. Luckily the school helped me out a lot and after 3 weeks I got hired.
I am now making three times what I made before going to The Tech Academy. Anyways, I basically went from never coding to having a coding job. I am glad I went here. There you go
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Wow! Your jump in pay-grade is very impressive. So happy to hear that you had an overall positive experience here, and that you ultimately achieved what you wanted to and now you're coding for a living. Congrats to you! Thank you for the review! -
Jesse
Great SQL Course
The course on SQL was my favorite. It's a very well-designed curriculum. I went from knowing very little to being very confident of my knowledge and skills. I like the focus on actual practice to build skills.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 30, 2016
Hi Jesse! Thank you for the review. Yeah, a lot of people going into development don't realize how important it is to know databases. No matter what you're doing, you're bound to have to deal with databases here and there, if not every single day! And not all coding boot camps teach you about coding. So, yes, emphasis definitely is put on the essentials you will need in a real world. -
Jessica
What I Gained From Taking The SQL Course
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I learned how to create databases and to manage the data within. I also learned new logic for how to program in these databases, which I believe will be a good precedence going forward for other languages that I will learn, even if the syntax is different. I also learned how to really dig into sites like Stackoverflow and the like to help me find solutions to problems that I may not have been able to do otherwise. By learning how to research solutions I believe I'll have an easier time on the job in the future, as I'll be able to dig up my own knowledge without having to ask questions all of the time.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Awesome to hear what you got out of the Database/SQL course Jessica. And it's great to hear that you learned how to dig into different sites and get solutions to problems. You're totally right that that skill and ability is crucial in actual practice on the job. -
Peter
The Tech Academy
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I learned that Python can be used for just about anything in software development and that it does it quite well. I plan on using Python to create a website with a database attached. I also intend to write some "Quality of life" scripts with it. Scripts that could cut out endless "copy + paste" tasks and maybe even a script that updates my desktop background automatically. I'm also interested in what games I could create using the PyGame module or a similar one that focuses on game development.
I gained confidence in knowing a programming language and the ability to start writing a program without much hand-holding. The drills near the end of the course were great practice and I feel much more proficient at how to google for answers, which is a skill in itself. I also feel that I have a great jumping-off point for getting into other languages due to being able to compare ideology from something I already am familiar with. To summarize my experience, knowing the bigger picture of how a language works and what it can do was a real eye opener. I feel as though a door has been opened and I've taken my first big steps into creating original programs. I would highly recommend to anyone in this course (or any course for that matter) to create an account on Stackoverflow.com. It's an incredible place to ask questions and a community you'll benefit greatly from as a developer.Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Welcome to the wonderful world of Python! Yes, there's so much you can do with it, and great to hear your enthusiasm to get going with it! Well done on completing the Python course, and good luck with the rest! -
D.K.
My Experience
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Python was my favorite course so far. The versatility of python is amazing. Using python to connect to databases and write other types of code (like HTML/CSS or SQL) is VERY powerful and I can only imagine the possibilities. Because of how versatile Python is, I anticipate using it in various personal and professional applications.
I gained a lot of 'thinking like a developer' from taking this course. For instance, the ability to plan out how to use Python to achieve certain goals/functionality within an application and then, piece by piece, making that happen. More importantly, I learned a lot about what it means to be committed to finding a solution. In one of my drills, I spent a lot (perhaps too much) time trying to figure out what was WRONG with my code. Learning to follow along with tracebacks/logs and make changes based on the errors given can save a lot of time and headache when you think critically about what those errors really mean.
A lot has changed in my life from when I started Python at The Tech Academy until now so this was a big achievement for me. I'm proud of what I learned and I hope the critical thinking and problem solving skills I've exercised during this course will follow me into all aspects of my life.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 30, 2016
Hey D.K.!
Thank you so much for your review! Yes the Python course is definitely a life-changing experience. One-for-one students run into a brick wall on that course, and then have to figure out how to get through it. Very proud that you're through it and through the rest of the curriculum now. To your career ahead! -
Jordan
WordPress!
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I discovered WordPress and received a good overview of how it works. I also gained some knowledge in what current website designs look like, which is valuable even though it is likely in a state of flux.
If so many large and well known websites were made using WordPress, then I would very likely be working with it in the future, if not directly through WordPress then with the coding that WordPress creates. Additionally it creates a basic idea of what sort of layout design might be needed to make an idea work. (oh well wordpress does it like this, I know how to make that happen with the code, I can do that or something similar.)
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
Hi Jordan, thanks for sharing your recent success after finishing our WordPress course. I agree, it's amazing that 20% of the websites that exist today were made using WordPress. Glad you got so much out of this course, and good luck on the rest of the program!