We Can Code IT

This bootcamp taught me everything I needed to know on how to set up a development environment and workspace on almost any machine in the first few weeks of class! This proved valuable in many situations during and after bootcamp. We Can Code IT covered all of the basics of Java in about 6 months, this was necessary in job hunting which they also played a huge part in mentoring me and enabling me to secure employment within weeks of graduating! 

I attended the Columbus campus in the Summer of 2019, shortly after deciding to leave a data science Bachelor's program at OSU.  This turned out to be a great decision.  This coding bootcamp delivered on everything it promised, and more.  I went in with a previous Bachelor's degree in computer science, so I wasn't new to programming.  However, I'd never programmed professionally before (spending 4 years in the Navy after college as an IT), so there was a ton to learn.  What impressed me most about this bootcamp only hit me after the fact, once I was employed.  The tools, techniques, and best practices (especially TDD and Agile/Scrum) were exactly what my employer was looking for, and so far the things I learned in bootcamp have had about a 90% overlap with what I've done on the actual job.  That's pretty amazing when you think about it.  What college can make that claim?

I'm a very result-oriented guy, so that's what I focus on.  But the staff were also extremely friendly and helpful, and a pleasure to learn from.  The career services they offered were invaluable, and it was through the school that I was an offered an interview that landed me a job.  If you're willing to put in the effort, We Can Code IT will teach you everything you need to know and help you find good work.  I'm sure experiences will vary depending on the person, but at least in my case I can say that this was worth every penny and then some.  Even though it's their job, I feel a debt of gratitude to all the WCCI staff.  It's obvious they actually care beyond getting paid, so if you can roll up your sleeves and push through the challenges, you can rest assured that they'll fully come through on their end and guide you to the finish line.

First of all, boot camp is only as good as you put into it.
That being said, I found an amazing community of learners here at We Can Code It. I learned Java in the flex code program while also working full time. Then they helped me get my first development position.
I realized that We Can Code It is a good basis for a developer position- I learned how to figure out logic and ways to work out technical problems along with the programming language its self.
Really, if you want to see if developer job is for you this is the route to go.

One of the best decisions I have made. I went to WCCI (fall 2019) and graduated December 2019. I was working as a software developer by February 2020 for an amazing startup in Columbus Ohio. I am so glad I made the change when I did. My previous industry was closed a majority of 2020 while, I was continuing to grow in my current role. I was able to work full time, during a pandemic, and have my children home with me. The education I received at WCCI was well rounded and gave me an amazing variety of real life tools.  The career support was perfect, well advised, and prepared me fully for the job search and interview process. I decided to go to WCCI based on their mission and what they want to achieve in the technology industry.

I started We Can Code IT knowing little to nothing about web development, coding, or networking. For me, jumping into the boot camp was a blind leap into the depths of the unknown. I made the decision to leave my safe and familiar customer service job to pursue a new path, and to date it has been the best decision I've ever made.

We Can Code IT is surprisingly thoughtful. I expected a high intensity and moderately intimidating environment where the instructors and students were all business and the weakest links would be left behind. This couldn't be farther from the truth. All students, regardless of their experience or how quickly they learn, are given a great deal of nurture and support by the instructors and staff. Every morning and every afternoon, the instructors check in with each student as a group to get a handle on how they're feeling, what they're enjoying about the program, and what things they need help with. As a heavy introvert with an innate fear of the spotlight, this scared me for about a week before my classmates became familiar faces and the fear of public speaking disappeared. We Can Code IT also provides an emotional roadmap for what students generally feel during the course, and the instructors try their best to let the students know that what they're feeling is natural and that they are capable of incredible things if they set their mind to it.

We Can Code IT also has a career services component that teaches you everything you need to know about applying for a job as a developer. A multitude of topics are covered, like interview etiquette, networking, how to search for jobs, how to write a good resume, and how to sell yourself (all things that I had absolutely no idea how to do beforehand). You learn the do's and don'ts, you build confidence, and by the time you graduate, you feel ready to take the next step in your career. Frankly, some aspects of the career services experience were uncomfortable and nerve-wracking (mock interviews and reaching out to strangers on LinkedIn to name a couple), and to my detriment I avoided them. Taking this next huge step in your life is meant to be scary, but I think I could have used a little more positive affirmation over being nudged off of a 10 meter diving board. That being said, finally making that jump isn't anywhere as bad as I made it out to be and I wish I took more advantage of the things WCCI had to offer, like the opportunity to schedule as many one on one meetings with career services as you think you need.

The curriculum is intelligently laid out. The different modules all build off of one another without putting too much stress on the students. Every step of the way, I was learning something new and fun. WCCI also provides extra instruction time Wednesday afternoons immediately after the instructional period, which helped me learn the things I was struggling with. By the last third of the cohort, I felt like I had a solid grip on web development fundamentals and had nothing but excitement for my future.

Then covid happened.

With a little bit more than a month left in the cohort, a somber and uncomfortable meeting was had on the last day that I would go to the WCCI campus explaining that classes would be indefinitely moved to virtual instruction. All interactions with WCCI staff and students, including lectures and team work sessions, would take place by video call from home. This caused a great deal of unrest and stress with some of the students, myself included. I personally learn much better in person, as my brain kind of turns off some switches when I'm staring at a computer screen. To that end, I'm thankful that we only had half of a module left to finish by the time we made the transition. Through no fault of the program itself, this period of time is where I remember the least amount of information, and my confidence in the material I learned is substantially lower. A silver lining to virtual instruction, however, is that while the pandemic is still going on, most places of employment, including the office where I currently work, are also virtual. Learning how to use the technologies to stay connected and productive with your fellow coders is an extremely valuable skill these days, and potential employers will see the potential behind hiring a developer who already knows the hoops you need to jump through to work from home. In retrospect, it was very helpful that we transitioned to virtual when we did, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Overall, I highly recommend We Can Code IT if you're ready to put in the effort. It's a program that requires a lot of learning and unlearning, but they give you all the resources and help you need. Coding-wise, I feel like WCCI covered all the bases I need for my career future. In addition, everything I learned outside of coding has made me more confident in my ability to make big changes in my life and take initiative, two things I desperately needed. We Can Code IT was a positive experience for me, and I hope it's a positive experience for you too.

Just a brief word of advice: don't forget your semicolons and make sure everything's capitalized correctly.

I've been on the other side of the line, hungrily googling, "should I attend a coding bootcamp?" and reading every review I could get my hands on, looking for a review that says, "Yes. You should do this thing now." I didn't find that review, but I did find the courage to quit a successful career and jump into tech. And it paid off. And We Can Code IT made it happen for me. The class times were convenient. The instructors didn't teach me all I know, because that isn't possible. And frankly, it's not how the real world works. They provided support, a broad base of learning, a safe space to be vulnerable and ask questions. I did the rest. The career planning staff is talented, and will be very clear about what you need to do to find a job you will love. Just getting a job isn't enough for them - they want you to be happy every Monday. The program works if you work it. They aren't going to hand you a career on a platter, but they will set you up for success if you give WCCI your energy, time and brainpower. The Columbus community for a new developer has been amazing, and I was fortunate to land a dream dev gig just 6 weeks after graduation. So, this is the review that is officially telling you: "Yes. You should do this thing now."

When I came to WeCanCodeIT, I was at a crossroads in my life. 
I'd been working in a low-level tech job for a couple years, but knew I wanted to get into development at some point. I started looking around at local bootcamps and really connected with WCCI's mission to help diversify tech. I went to one of their information sessions and met some of their staff and was struck immediately by how much they cared for their students (both present, and past). 
I seriously can't say enough to fully encapsulate how incredible the staff of this bootcamp is. They are smart, empathetic and care deeply about their jobs and the success of their students.  
I enrolled in the hybrid-bootcamp course, so I could continue working full-time. The curriculum was excellent and engaging and I was always excited to get to work on the weekly projects and learn something new. The instructor encouraged us to be as creative as we wanted, which kept the work interesting and led to vastly different-looking results among classmates, which was so fun to see. 
In addition to the development piece of the curriculum, we had sessions with a success advisor. These sessions were incredibly helpful in crafting a good developer resume, preparing for technical interviews and generally growing confidence. It was clear from the beginning of these sessions that they wanted each of us to figure out what we wanted from a job and make sure we landed at a company where we'd be happy. It was refreshing to never be pushed to interview at an enterprise company just to get the job placement numbers. 
I started my first developer job roughly a month and a half after graduating from the bootcamp and have never been happier at work. I wouldn't have gotten to where I am without WCCI, and I would urge anyone looking to get into development to seek them out. My experience with them is by far the best educational experience I've ever had and I'll never stop being grateful for it. 

I had an amazing experience at We Can Code It. I did the in-person, 14 week, full-stack web development course. It was a challenging but very rewarding experience where I was able to collaborate on a wide variety of projects with other students learning to code. I met some really great people through We Can Code It and I would highly reccommend it to anybody that is looking to get into the tech industry. 

I attended We Can Code IT's FlexCode program after trying to teach myself to code (and then being unsatisfied with my progress). The FlexCode program let me learn at my own pace with modules done on my own time online, and meet with classmates and the instructor every other weekend. It really was the best of both worlds! Working on a team for our final project taught me teamwork and reinforced good source control practices, too. I studied and worked on projects while taking care of my kids, without any big changes to their routines, which was a big plus for me.

The instructor was patient and available for questions and problems pretty much all the time. He clearly loves teaching and helping students. The career services counselor had great advice and was so supportive, even after I graduated. The program helped me with my resume, interviewing, portfolio, and even set up some visits from local employers. This personal attention and mentorship really helped me succeed.

I landed a great job about a month after I graduated, as a direct result of networking organized by the school. We Can Code IT helped me move from stay-at-home-mom to developer! I highly recommend it.

I pondered attending a bootcamp for a very long time and after attending an orientation session at We Can Code IT, I made up my mind. I initially joined the part time program, which was switched to the FlexCode Hybrid Program. That switch was a lifesaver. The coursework was rigorous, and I have no idea how I would have been able to attend classes in the evenings during the work week while working full time and caring for a baby. The cohort was the first to go through the flexcode program and there were a few minor issues that were ironed out along the way. Everyone was very open to not just listening to feedback, but implementing it immediately.

The instructors were knowledgeable and encouraged us to figure out a problem ourselves. The curriculum touched on all the topics required to graduate as a full-stack developer and, most importantly, the curriculum was tailored to the way companies nowadays approach development. 

The career service was great as well, from resume reviews, to mock interviews, to constantly forwarding and announcing job openings, opportunities and events. 

I thought that after graduating, the attention would all be on the next cohort and I would not get the support that I had when I was at the bootcamp. I was wrong. I had reached out to We Can Code IT for very specific documentation required by my employer for tuition reimbursement. Not only did I get a response, but they worked with me to get said documentation which met all the criteria. 

After We Can Code IT, I have had more interviews than I had in all my time job-searching. I landed a job a month after graduating. If you are enthusiastic about code and are willing to put in the hard work, attending We Can Code IT is really worthwhile. 

My experience was positive overall, and I graduated with a full-time job as a Software Engineer. There were 20 people in my cohort when the program started and 19 graduated. It was diverse group of students in terms of professional backgrounds, but I was one of only four women when the program concluded. I chose We Can Code IT because its mission of “Equity through technology” aligned with my values. I think it would be nice to have a presentation about the need for diversity and inclusion in technology as part of the curriculum for students, especially for those who may not have chosen the program specifically for the inclusion aspect. That presentation would be beneficial in most workplaces and other bootcamps, as well.

The instructors were great – really informative, always available, and willing to help. The curriculum was relevant to what I have been doing in my career. I think the Java focus is good for the Columbus job market. I work with someone who graduated from another bootcamp in the area at the same time as me. Comparing our knowledge and instruction received, it seems almost equivalent. So, We Can Code IT definitely teaches competitively when stacked up against other bootcamps. Also, the scholarship offered to women in minorities made it the more affordable choice in the area.

My one suggestion would be in terms of the career development program. My professional background is as a Technical Recruiter. So, I have a decent amount of experience in the IT Job industry market, which may be why this was where I saw the most need for expansion. The current program is good, but the job pipeline seems to be heavily with a select few companies. I think having a career meet-up day prior to graduation with more companies could be useful networking for students. I know the Columbus campus hired a new full-time career coach since my experience. So, they are already making strides. I would definitely recommend We Can Code IT!

I attended WCCI - Columbus Campus, i was in Java full time Cohort

I'm glad i made a choice to join WCCI, it was a great experience and the best decision i have ever made. The instructors were awesome they made sure they answer every single question and move on when everybody is on the same page, Staff members were very proffesional, they provided us with every single resources they could get, my favourite was having Speakers (people who had been on the tech industry for a long time talking about their experience and gave advice on how we could catch up in the industry and they would answer all of our questions we had), Career services was great not only to make sure everybody is getting ready for interviews but also connecting with the employers and recruiters coming to talk to us and we had an opportunity to showcase what we have achieved and how potential we were in the industry. Im glad i made this decision i had my first offer exactly one week after graduation, thanks WCCI for making this possible.

I was very happy with program. By going all in on everything I was taught at We Can {Code} It I was able to get a great job just over one week after graduation. The program provides a great foundation for the understanding of full-stack software development and provides the skills to locate needed information for a given situation. That being said, and this will be true for the rest of your career in tech, it's up to you to be enthusiastic about technology and dive as deep as you possibly can into the material because you will never stop learning in this field. This program is the beginning of your career in tech. I utilized the skills and techniques learned from career services to land my first job in software, and I do not have a a 4 year degree.

We Can {Code} IT has a very solid program that provides both the skills and knowledge to start working as a developer along with the assistance in searching for a position. 

They don’t just teach how to program but also how to find answers and solve problems. The weekly projects reinforced what was taught. Often when the project was assigned it would seem very difficult but it would always prove that I was learning. The final three week project taught time management and team work skills. 

The career search assistance was just as valuable. This went beyond assistance with resumes, LinkedIn and interview skills but confidence building and self awareness.

The instructors and staff want you to succeed and are available for assistance to even outside of normal hours and after graduation.

Over the past year I have finished 2 microcredential courses and one bootcamp. My time completing the We Can Code IT full-stack development bootcamp was one of the most intense but most fulfilling experiences I’ve had. I went in feeling super intimidated but by the end felt confident that I had a solid foundation of skills. The staff were all super helpful and genuinely want to see students succeed. I definitely recommend We Can Code IT.

We Can Code It is a great program. I wanted to completely change careers and the full stack java part time course allowed me to be able to maintain a work and school balance. While the course work was challenging the instructors took the time to be there and help with any issues we had. The class structure was fast paced and engaging. Our instructor, Cliff, worked to tailor the course to our needs depending on where the class needed more work as a whole. I cannot recommend this boot camp enough.

I recently graduated from We Can Code it in September of this year (2021) and had a great experience. Before We Can Code It, I had relatively zero coding experience. I tried learning myself on Free Code Camp before thinking there had to be an accelerated way. That's when I discovered boot camps.  The magic of WCCI, and what set WCCI apart for me, was the diversity within the program. The diversity of cultures and work experiences and the diversity of thought here is just so rich. I really wish I could replicate it in all areas of my life. 

I also can't say enough about the instructors. Our cohort had individuals working day shifts, night shifts, weekend shifts, you name it. And still, it felt like our instructors were always available. In addition to our classroom sessions that ran four days out of the week, instructors made time during the days and evenings each week for study sessions, and they had daily office hours for 1 on 1 meetings. It really was above and beyond. 

In terms of career readiness, We Can Code It had us create things you would expect, like a resume, a cover letter, a LinkedIn profile, but other things go much beyond that. We also created a list of our non-negotiables, in terms of things that we want in our next job, a list of questions important to us individually to ask in a job interview, and we even did some mock interviews to practice our skills and interviews with people in the tech industry already. 

Overall, I really couldn't have asked for more out of a boot camp. My experience was great.

I had only basic html experience going in. I found the weekly projects too easy. I was not prepared for the coding tests I encountered in job interviews. The school also vastly oversold our salary expectations for the central Ohio job market. At the end of the boot camp the only classmates I knew of who got job offers also had college degrees, so a pricy certificate alone is hardly a job guarantee. I ended up going back to my previous career. I’m now making double in another industry what the recruiters were talking about on graduation day at boot camp.

WCCI greatly exceeded my expectations. The instructors' actions show that they are clearly passionate about clean code and helping us learn. They are very, very good at what they do, always nudging us towards a clearer understanding of concepts rather than just giving us the answers. 
 Ben taught test-driven design (TDD), which is not only a valuable body of skills but a rare one. Since graduation I’ve observed that TDD is often little more than a buzzword at many companies. But I came out of the program knowing unit testing and integration testing like the back of my hand, and it makes the code all the more maintainable and easier to read. (TDD just happened to tip the scales in my favor when I got my first job out of boot camp. The onsite technical evaluation was literally two hours of Jest testing as I solved a kata for the proctor. Two hours!) The career guidance is priceless—you just can’t find that kind of local information on the internet, and working with Lacey to polish my resume and prepare for interviews was an absolute joy. 
 
 One thing I should add is that the program is very much oriented towards learning by doing, and the emphasis was on building high-quality, clean apps as quickly as possible. This came at the expense of say formal knowledge testing or theory, which are by no means trivial; I say this because of the 100+ positions I applied for, quite a few employers grilled me on Java theory and object-oriented theory. This is something to be aware if you plan to apply to companies known for quizzing applicants on theory, and there certainly are plenty of those around town. JP Morgan Chase is one of them. I wouldn't say this is a shortcoming of the program, but a recruiter from one consultancy downtown said that in his experience, WCCI grads are strong on practice, weak on theory. I personally would have liked the daily morning quizzes that they reportedly had at Tech Elevator.
 Anyway, the environment at WCCI is supportive, and the expert curation and guidance make this place worth every penny. I also made friends with my classmates, which was especially important since I had moved to Ohio two months before taking the course and didn't have any friends in town before then.

I attended We Can Code Flexcode program in 2019. I had been trying to get into an IT program for a while but with a family to support, I could not afford to quit employment. This program allowed me to remain employed and take care of my family while going to school. This made it even more intense and I basically had no life outside or school and work for 16 weeks. I have to say however that this was the best decision i could have ever made for the sake of my career growth and while the coursework was intense, I was very fortunate to have been a part of an amazing cohort with brilliant and hardworking team members, dedicated instructors and career coach. I love that even after graduation, I remain a member of WCCI and they are always willing to provide extra coaching and mentorship. I got a great job right after graduation and have nothing but great recommendations for this program.

We Can Code IT is a fantastic program to help get a career in software started. You will learn many things about how to be a successful developer. The flexcode program also teaches you skills on how to manage your own work without someone looking over your shoulder all the time. You are responsible to make sure your work is done during each section of the course. The instructors are very knowledgable and friendly. The administrative staff is also involved and will help you in any way they can.

Post bootcamp is where to real work starts. Learning how to code is one thing, finding a job and applying yourself to the industry is another. The bootcamp will set you up with many opportunities to do well, but ultimately it is up to you to take the correct steps and go on the interviews and speak to that recruiter for the company you want to work for.

If you are a self motivated person and want to really learn a new skill and break into a new industry I strongly recommend this bootcamp. They will give you all the tools you need to succeed.

As a former journalist and editor, I've always wondered how company names are created.

When I first heard of this school, I was confused by the title: We Can Code IT, and I kept wondering why IT was all-caps. Did they forget a copyeditor? Did their caps lock get stuck in the down position? But then I realized it was a reference to the Information Techology industry.

And it's an industry that I'm now proud to be a part of, thanks to the learning tools and skills I gained in my 14-week cohort at the school. I left journalism and editing because I wasn't being challenged enough, so my accountant told me about coding schools in February 2018. One of his clients went to WCCI and successfully transitioned from a botany major to tech developer. 

That spring, I looked at rival bootcamps and while they were just as qualified as WCCI I felt like I was just a number. So I ultimately signed on with WCCI and went through the admissions process in August. I started the Fall Full-Time Cohort on Sept. 4. The school has locations in CLE and Columbus and I chose the Columbus campus, nestled in a lovely brick upstairs office in Old North Columbus.

Note: There are two options--the full-time cohort, which meets M-F from 930-330--or FlexCode, which meets on weekends twice a month, as well as in-person sessions with instructors during one weekday. Columbus classes use the Java language, while Cleveland classes use the .NET language.

The classwork was very challenging. The first few weeks were spent in a console app, Eclipse, and then we transitioned into building projects through Springboot MVC and the Gitbash command line system. Eight weeks were spent on core Java, and the remainder of the class was spent on React/Javascript, some HTML/CSS5 and a day on SQL. We focused on test-driven development and pair programming throughout as well.

The last three weeks of the class were spent on the final project. Our 14-person class was split into three teams and we worked on building practical, functional apps with cross-functionality. The app my team built was a cooking timer application, and we presented it to employers at Demonstration Day on 12/14.

Throughout the class, we also met with Lacey N., who was our Career Services manager. She was extremely helpful in our weekly sessions regarding job interview preparation, and I credit her with helping me land a job three days after graduation, making about 16% more in salary than my previous job. She taught us job skills that progressively built on each other--not unlike how we learned coding skills--such as basic interviewing, behavioral responses and body language, resume creation and cover letters. That culminated in mock interviews, and then actual interviews with real employers.

I can tell you that the cohort got along well, the instructors were excellent and took time to help us, and the program itself was cohesive (both tech and career services).

As a former journalist NOW TURNED tech developer and coder, it doesn't matter how the name was created. The only thing that matters now is getting the word out about how good WCCI is, and how it can change your life as well! YOU can code IT!

I completed the boot camp in the Fall of 2018 and started a Web Developer job January of 2019. You can definitely find success through this boot camp! You learn A TON of information. You get what you put into the program. All the resources are there, but it's up to you to use them to learn and understand the material. 

My advice is for anyone considering a software coding bootcamp:
1. SHOW UP. Don't be late to class and pay attention! Try writing down notes in class.
2. Ask questions! Teachers and classmates are willing to help you. (also Google!)
3. Do extra practice/research at home/out of class hours.. Take advantage of any tutoring, even if you feel you understand the material!
4. Lastly.. NETWORK! Do what the career coach tells you to do and you won't regret it.
 

My experience with We Can Code IT had some speed bumps with teacher changes, but at the end it taught me how to deal with unexpected changes which I'm sure I will face in ' the real world '. It's a fast pace course and you'll have to make adjustments. The teaching staff was always willing to help out and answer your questions or clarify any of your confusions. They really want you to succeed but it's up to you and your desire for your own success!

Went to We Can Code IT's full-time spring bootcamp from mid-January to late April 2018.  Enjoyed it far more than any previous academic experience, including both undergrad and grad school.  All three instructors were knowledgeable, relatable, and fun, and my entire cohort got along really well.   We all came together as a team to help everyone do their best and handle the huge amount of learning that needed to be done in only 14 weeks.  I was able to ask all the questions and get all the feedback necessary to suit my  learning style, and given how many questions I ask, that says a lot.

The coursework consisted entirely of real-world practical skills and knowledge, and I got the large amount of hands-on coding practice necessary to feel reasonably confident when trying to get a job in the field.  Repeatedly coding increasingly-complex projects from scratch every weekend was a valuable exercise that got me used to both writing code and managing my code with GitHub.  Ditto for the final team project, only doubly so.   It's turned out to be equally valuable that I got to learn both HTML/CSS/Javascript for front-end development and Java for back-end development, because I've actually needed all of that on the job so far.  I was originally a computer science major for my first two years of undergrad about 15 years ago before burning out on it, and I learned more in the first three weeks of this program than I did in two whole years of traditional computer science courses back then.  Those college courses consisted way too much of largely inapplicable theory; nearly everything I have learned at WCCI, I have already put to good use.  

It was also helpful to have job search support every week, so that I had a well-polished resume and was prepared to do interviews.   Having some idea of where to look for jobs, what employers were hiring, what they were looking for in applicants, and how to highlight my strengths were all very important.  WCCI inviting different companies to come in and talk to us directly on several occasions was likewise valuable, and being able to demo our team projects to an entire room of prospective employers was great.  Nothing makes a good impression like showing off something cool that you've just finished creating with your teammates.  Getting started building a network is difficult, especially if you're like me and you're not normally inclined toward that sort of thing.  WCCI's connections to local businesses made a lot of difference in that regard.

Specifically for me, though, the employer visit that mattered the most was when Nationwide sent a recruiter to come in halfway through the program, and I was very impressed by what I heard.  He encouraged us to apply for lots of positions there, which I did (I think about 8 of them), and offered to forward our applications to the appropriate hiring managers.  That worked out better than I could have hoped for, because I graduated from bootcamp on Friday, April 20th, went in for an interview at Nationwide the following Monday, they offered me a job on Tuesday, and I started work about two weeks after that, on May 7th.  Interestingly enough, the position I got was unrelated to the recruiter who talked to us, and none of the three members of my team who interviewed me had heard of WCCI.  I still got a job offer, anyway.  I didn't even have to rely upon the fact that Nationwide had hired half a dozen former WCCI grads before me.  That says that the quality of what I learned was high enough that I could stand entirely on my own.  I know that not everyone who goes through the program will get hired quite that fast, but I can at least serve as evidence that it's possible.

Long story short, We Can Code IT did exactly what they advertised - they taught me how to be a strong enough coder in only three and a half months that I was able go out and get a job right away.  I've now been at Nationwide for almost half a year, and I've enjoyed my new career very much.  It's a good job at a good company with coworkers I like and very solid pay and benefits.  This is the career I wanted to get into right out of high school, and I finally made it.  That's a five-star rating, right there.  Can't argue with results.

My experience at WeCanCodeITwas not atypical, I'm sure.  

 

Someone without a coding background is told that a coding is a solid, lucrative career change.  I walked in the doors of WeCanCodeIT unsure, yet with confidence that I could make a change to my life.  From end to end I engaged with friendly, thoughtful individuals who were ready to provide an education they believed in.  

From week to week, I learned new concepts from industry professionals, applied them in class, and produced a working product to show my budding mastery over them.  I truly believe that I have invested in a life long skill that will keep my brain working  morning, noon, and night.

WCCI's space, is perfect for exposing a nascent coder to the business of coding, and if they take advantage of it; an excellent networking tool.  I would and have recommended the boot-camp model to my friends(specifically WeCanCodeIT).  

As I continue to grow, I feel confident that I can call on the instructors there for advice.

I decided to go to We Can Code IT after attending an info session on campus. I met the instructor, Pete, and student success coach, Melissa, and they were both really transparent and friendly and made me want to to go there. 

Pete was our instructor for the whole cohort. He was extremely knowledgeable about all of the course materials, but his teaching style is what set him apart.  He is very invested in each student's success, and is always available to help, even on slack late at night and on the weekend.  He is always very energetic and excited about working with students, and he kept our class engaged and supported the entire 14 weeks.  I felt like he was able to adapt to all of the different learning styles in the room so that no one struggled, and he did everything in his power to accommodate everyone's needs.

Our student success coach, Melissa, was also with us throughout the entire class.  She came to check in every morning to help keep us on track with preparing for our job search, and made sure to spend a lot of individual time with each of us outside of the time she spent with us as a class teaching.  She answers us on slack all the time, and has been just as available since we graduated.  She brought employers in throughout the program to help us network, and had a large group attend our demo day when we graduated so that they could see our work.  She did a lot to find new employers to connect with, and to connect us to the right people to help us land a job, and introduced me to the person I'm working for now.  No matter how silly I thought a question or fear was, I always felt comfortable coming to talk to her and knew that she would help.  Her role wasn't just limited to career support, she (and Pete) were a great emotional support system for my whole class the entire time we were there.

Mel, who is the founder and CEO, was also a presence on campus, which I didn't expect.  She actually taught some of our classes, and always took time to answer coding questions, and even helped a few of us with extra tech skills that we wanted to learn outside of the normal curriculum.  This was a really great feature!

I didn't know anyone in my class when I started, but my closest friend and (now) business partner graduated with me.  I also made other really great friends during my cohort, and working with them over 14 weeks and especially final projects was a great experience.

Overall, I'm really glad that I came to We Can Code IT.  I'm very grateful for everything I got out of this experience, especially the relationships I developed and the confidence that the program and staff helped me build.  It has changed my life for the better!

I needed a career change in my life and heard about WCCI on NPR.  I went to a meet n greet, enjoyed it,  and shortly after I was at my first day of class.  I was in the part-time cohort at the Cbus branch and loved every minute of it.  The instructors were very knowledgeable and patient with the new students learning an entire new skill.  The pace is fast but not impossible...you will work hard.  They start with the very basics and work up to full stack applications and by the end of it you can't believe what you have achieved.  Career services help you from day one setting up your professional portfolio and preparing you for networking and interviews. The founder, Mel McGee, stopped in numerous times just to see how we're doing, pick our brains, and help out with any questions.  The vibe that I got from day one was that WCCI doesn't care about the quantity of students they are providing to the IT workforce, it's the quality of students.  They truly care about how You are doing as an individual and want you to succeed. By the way I graduated this past Friday, I have been made an offer from a prominent company not even a week after graduation.  I could not have asked for a better output from this Bootcamp.  I will never forget the experience I had here, Thank You WCCI.

Attending a coding boot camp has launched my career in IT, in roughly 4 months total. If you work hard, are proactive in the job search, and use the resources provided you too will be successful after completing this program. It is very much "what you put in - is what you get out." 

I landed a web developer job about a month after graduation with two other offers on the table. I owe huge thanks to the career services at WCCI and the employer relationships they provide to their students. 

I had a very good experience with my instructors, who were patient to explain the curriculum which is very important when teaching students who have no background in development. One thing I would have liked to see more of from the instructors would have been better after class availability for one on one help. 

The curriculum certainly provided me with the basic knowledge to launch my career as a developer.  Although it moves fast at times, there is a schedule that the class needs to stick to and necessary material to cover, so I would say if you sign up for this course expect it to move FAST. My biggest downside in the curriculum would be the lack of SQL coverage and the after class study session that had little to no direction. I had high hopes of those study sessions to supplement the classroom time and that was not the case.

The career services are great. If you are proactive about job hunting and interviewing many opportunities will come your way. The most important thing is to have a positive and open mind about any opportunity that comes your way. In regards to the job guarantee, like with anything else, I would reccomend reading all of the fine print. But if you are performing well and are proactive about applying you will land a job! 

If you are looking for a career change I recommend WCCI!!

We Can Code IT is an excellent bootcamp for anyone who is serious about learning to code.  I was particularly impressed with my instructors as they were able to move at a pace that was manageable for people who were new to coding, but also challenge others who already had some experience.  The curriculum and projects were also well-designed to accommodate various levels of achievement.  The instructors were helpful and encouraging and made the class interesting and fun.  I was pleasantly surprised by the level of support the career development team (especially Cynthia Trotta) provided.  Not only do they provide help with resume preparation and interviewing, but they teach you how to network effectively and even expose you to some prospective employers.  Because of their training and committment, I was fortunate to receive an offer just prior to my graduation from the class.  One word of advice I would give a prospective student is to make sure that you clear your schedule so that you can fully devote yourself during the bootcamp.  It is time-intensive and, like most things in life, what you get out of it will be directly related to how much effort you put into it.  If you don't have any experience with coding, it might make sense to do some free online tutorials first to make sure that coding is something that you are excited to learn.

I'm so glad I attended the We Can Code IT boot camp. The instructors are very experienced, funny, and are good about paying attention to students' emotional needs as well as their technical understanding. Career services give the strategy and knowledge necessary to brand yourself as a business-of-one, and the confidence to ace the tech interview and pursue networking opportunities (which was what led to my job offer).

The instructors do a good job of teaching students to research and master new topics on their own (which is a very valuable skill, since tech is always evolving, and we won't be in training programs forever). They are always available and willing to help students who are struggling, offering tutoring and going above-and-beyond by staying after class and making the space available on weekends. Students are encouraged to collaborate and experience peer-programming, so no one is ever truly alone or lost for long.

I do hope that in the future the bootcamp might be extended a few weeks because sometimes it felt like there was too much to learn in the time allotted. I also hope that they get someone local for their Columbus career services because it doesn't seem ideal to have this person commute and be physically absent (though available via web conference and phone) most of the time. Despite these issues, I couldn't be happier with my decision to attend this program.

Caveat: it is intense. It's likely that at least once you may second-guess your decision to join, or doubt your abilities, but this is normal. You will need to do a lot of reading and studying outside of the classroom, but if you do, the teachers will help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary for your success. As a frame of reference, I studied 3-4 hours every night and spent most of my Saturdays on campus. By week 5 or 6, your confidence will be much higher than when you started: heaps of new information will seem exciting instead of impossible. I had a job offer on week 9 of the 12-week boot camp.

I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who is serious about breaking into the industry.

Thanks, WCCI!

I know that this is a cheesy and cliche way to start, but We Can Code IT changed my life. Prior to starting the program, I was working a full-time job that did not offer me the opportunity to grow as a professional. I was also on a career path that I did not find fulfilling.

After considering going back to college for a CS degree, I decided to try a bootcamp instead since it would give me more hands-on experience working with code. I am SO glad I made the decision to attend We Can Code IT. I experienced a cohort that inspired me to learn and challenge myself. The entire staff was so helpful and supportive.

Thanks to the amazing career coaching I received during the program, I received an offer prior to graduation. I'm now making more money, I'm excited to go to work every day, and I have the opportunity to advance my career.

If you're ready to put in the work, then I highly recommend this program. Well worth the investment.

My experience was quite valuable with WCCI. I  started out with absolutely no experience, and walked away knowing a tremendous amount.  It was a challange that I will cherish because I learned an enormous amount. These skills were a result of the wonderful staff that were willing to take the time to help you work through any problem. The instructor was extremly knowledgable and was always willing to help. He made it professional, challenging and gave us skills we will use through out our careers. I would recomend WCCI to anyone.

Like many others that enroll in this program, I came from a degree completely unrelated to computer science. The instructors at the boot camp do a great job of ramping you up to be able to develop functional programs. I came in with no experience in development, and I left with the confidence that I would be able to contribute effectively in the Cleveland IT workforce.

The only downside to this program is that there is not a comprehensive SQL curriculum. Many companies look for SQL database design and SQL query knowledge. There is a way to teach yourself the basics that the program providies, but I believe that SQL should be taught by the instructors as well.