Zip Code Wilmington

The instructors were pleasant, kind, but also very firm and tough (A healthy balance). You will learn what you need to be successful in the industry. I made life long friends here, we worked together, struggled together, learned together, and I never felt like I was alone in this journey. I had no prior experience in coding before this bootcamp, and I landed my dream position within 2 months after completing the program.

This program is tough, you must put in the work and the time. Follow through with what the instructors are teaching you, and trust them. If you follow the game plan, and trust the process, you will succeed.

This bootcamp was a life changing experience all around. Showing up on day one was a terrifying and looking back I truly had no idea what I was in for. From day one I always felt behind in my coursework because there was always so much to do and learn and simply not enough time. This pressure forced me to be my best self and give everything I had for three months. Over the course of those months, I learned and became proficient at developing 3-tier web based applications, improved my professional persona and made life long friends. At Zip Code you are not a class of students but a cohort of colleagues/friends and everyone moves together as a group to develop their skills and tackle projects. I HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone who has a desire to better themselves by taking on a new career in technology. Not only does Zip Code Wilmington teach you how to code, they also put you in the same room as local industry professionals which gives students the perfect opportunity to stand out and possibly land a job. Overall, this program has changed my life in so many positive ways and provided me the tools and confidence I needed to excel my career. TAKE A CHANCE ON YOURSELF!

Zip Code Wilmington doesn't just emphasize a single coding language, attempting to pass you off as an expert in a short time frame. ZCW focuses on not just providing you with core concepts, but teaching you how to teach yourself with just a single thread to start with. My learning path in the course was Java, and then using a bit of react and javascript. My job after Zip Code is based entirely in C# and Angular. I was nervous at first but after my first day and looking through codebases, I realized that anything I didn't understand about what I was looking through, I knew how to learn about, because Zip Code ensured that. They do a good job of letting you speak up as you need help, rather than assuming everyone wants the same kind of assistance. In addition to the staff supporting you when you have questions, ZCW always reiterates the importance of working as a team of peers. The expectation is almost never that you can't share information, and almost always a matter of sharing knowledge you've gained with others in the course who haven't picked those skills up yet. It's a very busy 3 months, but they're incredibly worth it. 

First things first! Zip Code is a way of life for 3 months. Say goodbye to your friends. If you’re married with kids, make some plans because your partner will become a single parent while you study all hours of the day. However, at the end of those three months you WILL become a software developer. It WILL change your life. There is one caveat… Zip Code is unlike any course you have ever taken. It is not high school, it is not college. You are going to have to work harder than any other time in your life. You will be working until midnight at least once or twice a week. You will want to give up probably more than once. Thankfully, there are other students going through the same thing as you. Rely on your cohort and you will all prosper. At the end of three months you will probably be closer to your cohort than you are to friends you have known for years. In the end, Zip Code is not about passing grades or getting a fancy certificate, it is about learning how to learn… and learning Java. Put into it what you want to get out of it. Work hard and try to keep up!

I am absolutely amazed at this program. I went in with a lot of skepticism, but it rapidly dissolved. Before our first day in we had a meet and greet with former students (completed 3 weeks before) and half of that data cohort already had job offers.

I graduated on January 21 and on January 28 I had a very good job offer (starting 2 weeks later). This is for a full time permanent position.

The teachers were excellent, always able to both keep us on track while also indulging our questions and expanding on concepts as we were interested.

The 3 month program was very intense (I spent 8am to 10pm focused on school or eating during the week with significant weekend hours too) and broken into 3 sections each roughly a month. Part one was learning Python at a very fast pace, part 2 was learning data analysis and engineering tools and libraries with Python, and part 3 was working on a personal and a group project with daily checkins and a few classes.

Aside from the technical classes there were professional development sessions that I found very valuable. Once we were about half-way through we also had the opportunity to do mock-interviews so that we were ready to show our best selves and get hired at the end of the course. Most students had at least 5 mock-interviews and there was the ability to have significantly more.

The week after classes is reserved for interviews with hiring partners of the school in which I had 4 interviews that would credibly lead to job offers (one of which did, one of which I flubbed, and two of which could have gone somewhere perhaps). These were not interviews that were just to show effort, they were legitimate interviews with local companies or remote positions from places that had a relationship with the school and had hired past students.

The people in charge are constantly in touch with industry making sure to cover the skills that are in demand. The curriculum is fresh, and I have the impression that it is constantly evolving rather than getting stale and then being updated.

If you can dedicate the time and put in effort, Zip Code Wilmington provides both in the education and the job support.

Before Zip Code Wilmington (ZCW), I had a background in Accounting with little to no coding experience. I was considering a change and like what you may be doing now, I looked into many different coding bootcamps to get a feel for the topics covered, time commitment, and the overall costs. The work is challenging and consistent effort is needed to really make the most of the 12 weeks. This will look like 80-100 hours every week attending lectures, working through labs and group projects, practicing for mock interviews. You might be thinking, well gosh, is it really all worth it?

Having completed the program, I can say ZCW is 100% worth the investment. What you get out of it are the fundamental skills to be successful in a tech role. You learn how to learn, how to communicate with people from all different backgrounds and experiences, and how to put in the effort to succeed. The program's curriculum is designed to give students exposure to relevant technologies used in the industry. The professional development side helps you create a stellar resume and enhance your interviewing skills through workshops. In addition, not only do you get a chance to connect with experts in the field, you also gain access to an invaluable network of alumni. Many of the alumni take the time to give back because of what the program has helped them achieve.

The staff and instructors also truly care about each and every student's success. They work tirelessly to help students land their first job in tech. I am so grateful for the support as well as the wonderful connections I made with my fellow cohort members. I can more clearly see myself achieving personal and professional goals that I did not think were possible any time soon. If you have the drive and are willing to put in the effort, Zip Code Wilmington is the place to be!

Zip Code Wilmington was the best decision of my life, and I don't say that lightly. In some ways it seems like the people who work for ZCW or graduated from there are pedaling a fantasy: "Change your life in 12 weeks and gain new skills and a lucrative career." But that is exactly what happened for me, I had little coding experience prior to applying to ZCW and started with a limited understanding of Javascript. Graduating with a good base understanding of core Java, JavaScript, Spring, HTML + CSS, and a little React is amazing to me. I won't lie, I did struggle along the way and wish I could have attended in person but due to the current situation my classes were strictly online. As a former Math teacher I know first hand how difficult lesson planning and teaching virtually can be and my instructors never missed a beat. Although this program is extremely challenging (and more so if you like me had no coding background) it was worth it. I love being challenged, and being under pressure. I bonded with my cohort mates over late nights and complex problems. That was another great thing about the program, the collaboration and group projects. Working in groups can be difficult because of work ethics and communication styles but in the real world of software engineering, no one works in a silo. Getting the chance to experience this at ZCW definitely gave me a leg up when joining my team at my job. I understand agility and scrum, peer programing, and stories. 

Aside from the programming aspect to ZCW, one thing they do exceptionally well is their professional development. The team that works with the students on this is superb. Weekly you will have the opportunity to connect with experts in the field and learn about exciting technologies, or hear amazing backstories that will inspire you to strive to do your best. They will work with you on your resume, interviewing skills, and other soft skills that will make you competitive and attractive in today's job market. 

ZCW has many great resources including the instructors, and professional staff but one hidden gem is the alumni network. ZCW has graduated over 500 students in the last 7 or so years. That is a lot of people, most of whom are still in the Delaware area. This is amazing because not only are these zip coders working at all the big name corporations you are probably aiming to work at, they have the unique shared experience of being in this brutal, intensive yet rewarding program. I have met so many awesome alumni through different events and lectures and the advice they give is invaluable. When I joined my team at my new job I was delighted to learn that there was a zip coder on my team, she graduated about 2 years ago and welcomed me with open arms. The connections and job opportunities that the alumni can open up for you is a huge perk. I am so proud to be an alumni myself now and continue to return to ZCW to help the new class of cohorts. 

The last thing that I want to touch on is diversity. While in ZCW I was so happy to see that diversity matters to them and not just because it is currently relevant but something that was ingrained from the start. 

If you are considering applying, stop considering and just do it. Take that step. 

To say that Zip Code Wilmington was a life changing experience feels like an understatement. The program is intense, as the word 'bootcamp' suggests, however you will get back every ounce you put into it and then some.

This program teaches you more than just how to code. The faculty (who are all absolutely wonderful) support you with programming fundamentals, professional development, and networking, in addition to teaching you the tools and mindset to become a successful software developer and work on a professional team.

I personally began the program with zero coding experience, so if that's you, please know that you truly do not need experience to succeed. However, you do need the drive and passion to want to make it through all the way. Expect to spend more time coding with your cohort than doing anything else in order to get the most out of this program.

Education-wise, it's the perfect mix of instruction and self-learning, since in the professional world, you'll need to learn most new things on your own. If you think about learning to ride a bike, it was much like that. More guidance towards the beginning while you're still very new and then the instructors slowly take off the training wheels. By the end of the program, I felt like Zip Code gave me the tools that given enough time, I could learn any new programming language or try out any project I wanted to. 

For professional skills, they help you with your resume, hold interactive lectures with industry professionals, and prepare you for interviews. Even if you tend to be shy or quiet, this is a very safe space to practice those skills and will help you out immensely in the long run.

Overall, the program is incredibly well-rounded and filled with people who genuinely want to see you succeed. I absolutely cannot recommend it enough.

If you are willing to put in 3 months of hands-on and highly intense work, this is the program for you. As a husband, and a father of two children, I needed the best possible opportunity. Zip Code Wilmington provided that oppurtunity.

The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, easy to communicate with, and willing to help. The Professional Development and Career Coaching are just as valuable as the Sofware Engineering skills you will develop.

The only thing I would change about the curriculum:
- More end-to-end Data Pipeline projects.
- More hands-on labs/projects using AWS.

Again, if you are willing to put in the time and energy, Zip Code will do its hardest to give you a shot at landing a job in the tech field. They don't get you jobs. They prepare YOU to get a job.

I received and accepted a job offer on the last day of the program for more money than I've ever made in my life!

Advice for preparing (3-6 months before you start):

For both Java and Data Engineering:
- LeetCode (paid version): at least one problem a day.
- Get familiar with AWS (Amazon Web Services).

Java Program:
- Invest in and complete a Java course prior to starting on a learning platform like Udemy. Here is one I'm currently taking: https://www.udemy.com/course/java-se-programming/.
- Get comfortable with JavaScript and Web Development concepts (Youtube, Google).

Data Engineering Program:
- Get comfortable with Python and SQL (Find courses on Udemy).
- Get a high-level understanding of Data Engineering concepts like Data Pipelines, Data Storage, EDA, and ETL (Youtube, Medium, Google).

Prior to enrolling in Zip Code Wilmington, I was unsure about how successful I would be at transitioning into a career in tech. I have a background in neuroscience, research, psychology and education. I had been endlessly searching for a suitable job to which I could adapt all my skills. Zip Code not only provided a welcoming environment for me, as a student, but it also provided me with the professional knowledge and confidence to be able to market myself as a software developer while integrating all my past experience. The work is challenging, the first few weeks seem endless but consistent effort is a key asset, along with being willing to reach out to peers and staff for help. By the end of the program, I was offered multiple opportunities to interview with a number of reputable companies.  It was a life-changing experience to say the least. Although 12 weeks is a short time to be able to build an elaborate full stack portfolio, it was enough to get my foot in the door and springboard into a career in technology. 

This coding boot camp is the best one to join in 2021 and beyond. Before joining I did a lot of back ground research on all the coding boot camps available in the tri-state area and I encourage you to do the same. Every other bootcamp I spoke with was trying to hard sell me. They're always saying "dont think about it! put money down and join now before spots run out!". It felt like they're just trying to make a quick buck off of me. Not Zip Code though. The first questions they ask you are "why do you want to do this and why do you think you are the right person for this". This alone sets them apart from the rest because they have certain criterias for who they're looking for because they want to ensure that you're successful once you've joined.  

Joining this boot camp was one of the best decisions I ever made. The staffs really care about helping you grow as a person both professionally and coding skill-wise. The program consist of 12 weeks of training and broken down into professional development and coding. The coding portion teaches you the right way to code (yes there are right and wrong ways to code) and many other skills you wouldn't learn in even with 4 year degree from a university -- like how to set up your backend, how to structure data, design patterns, which database to use, frontend, version control, git, how to deploy your application, etc. They give you a ton of projects and labs to put on your resume. The projects are structured to work exactly the way it would if you were at a real job.  The professional development side teaches you how to seek out current professionals in the field and make meaningful connections with them that can lead to future job prospects. We are introduced to top level executives in the field every week to learn about what they're doing, how they got there and how you can get yourself there. The connections that you are exposed to here is priceless in terms of getting your foot in the door with some of the biggest tech and finance companies anywhere. 

I began my boot camp in June 2021 and have just graduated in Sept 2021. Full disclosure, this is not something that you can cruise by and expect to be successful. I put in 10-12 hours of work everyday including the weekends and if I had to do it all over, I would. Your success is your own, no one can give it and no one can deny it from you. I am proud and happy to say I landed a high paying job one week before graduating. I also know of other people in my cohort who landed 6 figure jobs as well. If you are trying to make a change in your life and are trying to decide which boot camp to join, look no further, this is the one.