Fellowship

SV Academy is the real deal!  Take the plunge and go for it.  I was skeptical when I first heard about this opportunity, but I truly wanted to get into the Tech Industry so I decided to go for it.  Not only am I now employed with a Tech Company, but I am also well prepared to succeed!   

I enjoyed the whole program. From how the coursework is setup to the two workshops every week for part time learners. They help you learn gradually or you can get ahead. The assignments and quizzes were good reviews of the lessons learned. The instructors were hands off, which I liked but were available when necessary. Overall it was a great experience. I highly recommend SV Academy to whoever is looking to get into tech.

I am so elated that I've found a program like SV Academy. This opportunity is rare and is so helpful for the tech industry but also life in general. The SV staff is definitely amongst the best; they lead from the heart always. This course is completely worth the hard work, time and energy you put in it. This is so special. I am leaving with new skills, friends and amazing memories. Thank you so much Rahim and Joel. 

When I enrolled. I was skeptical. Not one negative review to be found. But I took the leap, and I learned quickly why everyone is so positive about this experience...because it is AMAZING and a very positive learning experience overall!!!!!! I learned so much, met so many wonderful people, and really enjoyed and benefitted from coaching and mentorship especially. It is true that only 2% of applicants are accepted, so if you are one of those chosen few, I would certainly say jump on it and see where this journey can take you! Proud alum of SDR58. Thanks SV Academy, you guys are awesome!

I was looking to start a new career after leaving my last one. I saw an ad for SV Academy on Facebook and thought it sounded too good to be true. I did a little research before applying and it seemed to be like a legitimate opportunity. I figured "why the heck not" and applied. I knew the acceptance rate was very low and wasn't sure if I would get in or not. When they contacted me, I was excited to try out the first week without any risk. The program is fairly rigorous so don't apply if you aren't ready to work around the clock for a few weeks. But if you put in the work, the fellowship will support you every step of the way. I can't even find the right words to express how much support you get from the people involved with this program. You will learn highly valuable job skills and be ready to knock an interviewer's socks off before you even finish the program. Today is my last day and I already have multiple interviews with some amazing tech companies. The best part is, I KNOW I'm going to get job offer from at least one of them, and EVEN BETTER is the fact that I know I'm going to be ready to rock and roll on Day 1. SV Academy will change your life if you're willing to put in the work. 

SV Academy taught me how to become more trusting and vulnerable in my personal life by shifting my mindset, pushing through self-inflicted boundaries, broadening my view on how to assert myself in the world. I have learned how to develop and polish my professional skillset by becoming an emotionally intelligent leader. This experience has changed my whole life and I look forward to evolving even more as a leader in the SaaS industry!

I knew from the start that SV Academy was going to be a good fit for me and my career.  Even when others tried to deter me from signing up for SV Academy, I followed my gut instinct.  I'm glad I did because exactly 1 month after graduation, I landed a job of my dreams!  The program is very challenging and at times, I wanted to give up.  If it were not for the support of SV Academy instructors, I would not be here today writing this review.  SV Academy delivered on their promise of getting me a job in the tech industry as long as I made an effort to meet them halfway.  This is not a scam or a waste of your time.  SV Academy has improved my life and the direction of my career in only one month.

My Pm was amazing, understanding, and supportive. Whenever I asked for help he was readily available. 

I felt like if I could break into tech, I could make more money. I also thought I could find a company culture that was better suited to my values and more ‘human-focused.’ But I didn’t know how to get in. Before SV Academy, I didn’t really understand what ‘tech’ was looking for. SV helped me figure it out. I came to SV with almost a decade of experience selling to executives. In my work in Architecture/Engineering/Construction, I sold eight-figure deals to billionaires. Despite having some sales experience and talent, I did not feel confident transitioning into ‘tech.’ SV helped me understand what companies are really seeking – willingness to learn and grow; grit and work ethic. They taught me to showcase those in interviews and leverage them for growth once I found a role.SV will teach you the relevant tech stack tools and give you the latest thinking in SaaS sales, but they will also give you the edge to get hired and find success in your role. The SV courses on emotional intelligence and interview storytelling combine with live small group workshops to develop your skills beyond the tech tools. SV changed my understanding of what was valuable about my own experience and skillset in a way that was transformational for my career. With the SV coaching, I had more interview success than I’ve ever had in my life. Recruiters, managers, and executives were profuse with praise and respect for the approach to SDR work that SV helped me develop. I received three job offers within a week of graduating. Within hours of graduating I had been offered a role with my top target that also included a full tuition reimbursement. Beyond curating students, SV curated employer partners that were invested in our success and valued the training SV provides. I felt that I had dozens of top-tier options available to me. Beyond the direct employer connections, I quickly found that SV graduates are spread throughout the tech landscape and I found champions and supporters within multiple companies through the SV network. SV academy helped me transform my professional life, provided lucrative job opportunities, and also gave me about a dozen friends that I think I will have for many years. The relationships our cohort formed were substantial and critical to my success. For me, it's impossible to put a price on the experience of belonging and participating in the SV Academy community. There’s no free lunch, but this meal is worth the price.

ProsThe most helpful parts of this program are the:Program & Classroom Assignments: I got a really good feel of the curriculum and the knowledge I would need to be successful in CS. The information was sufficiently organized and succinct to where if you wanted to learn more, there was no end. The challenge of the assignments prepares you and makes you feel confident that you can do the job.Slack Communication: The connections I made at SVA were so invaluable to my career growth. I would say this is one of the most important aspects of SV because you realize you are not alone.Tech tools: Gainsight was the tool that got my foot in the door at my current job.To be an SV Fellow means to take on all the knowledge and support from SVA and use it in your career and pass it on to other learners.I have yet to start working at my job but my biggest win is my confidence in that I can do the job.Cons I would probably set better expectations for the job hunt and let people know how much they have to take into their own hands. Jobs are not just handed to you and they have to be taken by force at times. By that, I mean, learners should realize their own strength and power in getting a career in tech. No challenges so far but I know that I can face them head-on.Advice I feel that SVA is great for people who take full advantage of what is offered. I look forward to the mentorship community and I like how SV sets expectations for week 1 and does not charge for the first week of the course. I would just reinforce to students that it is them investing in themselves and SVA is trusting that they will do so in good faith. 

You get what you put in! Very intense program and wouldn't blame you if you felt overwhelmed, but it is truly worth it. The first week is the most intense and I saw a lot of drop-off from our cohort size. However, if you stuck with it, it will be rewarding. I had a great instructor and pod mates, we were all super supportive. SVX Internship week is too short and the job portal could use some work, but the market demand for SDRs is booming so keep applying and you'll land something. 

SVA's mission is admirable and its instructors care about your success. It's set up in such a way that you have the resources and network at your disposal to help you get your foot in the door in tech. Like any other program though, It's up to you to be hungry and to use it accordingly. Overall, I had a great experience with SVA. I came out knowledgeable about customer success, with new certifications, and confident that I was able to speak the lingo during interviews with tech companies. I also came out with friends in the industry that I otherwise would not have met, which is a plus. I would just caution you that if you are considering the CS program, please understand that 1) the CS program is still new and so it hasn't been perfected, and 2) the job search portion is totally in your hands! Unlike the SDR program, you will not be placed (for now anyway--SVA is working on making this a reality). During admissions, I was given the impression that I would be placed, which was in large part my reason for going with SVA. This wasn't the case, and that was clarified during my first week. That being said, we still received other forms of support with the search (and again, it's up to you to be hungry enough to use them as necessary for you).This is a great opportunity--not to have your hand held through your transition but to invest in/bet on yourself. If that's what you're looking for, I'd def recommend it.

I went from serving in a restaurant (despite having a college degree) earning $25K/year to being offered a $10K/3-month internship, then finally being offered a $75K/year position. However, I also saw that many of my classmates did not experience this lucrative of a route. We all worked studiously and networked diligently during our time at SV. Our instructors are accessible, knowledgable, and honestly great teachers because they listen to students and answer questions thoughtfully. Even with all that, maybe only half the cohort were offered internships. And half of those who *did* get internships did not want to continue full-time with the company they interned at and/or the company did not offer full-time roles to these people. If you don't land that full-time position, you have to apply for a certain # of jobs each month for 6 months, as well as actively networking and having informational interviews with people in your interested field. Otherwise, you don't get your money back. That seems kind of stressful, and I'm glad I didn't fall into going that route.I honestly feel like it was a gamble. When I first applied, it seemed like everything was going to be in the bag. But now that I have my full-time role, I feel like I was just super-duper lucky. I got a great internship, a fun work environment/community that liked me back enough to offer me full-time, a salary I can't complain about -- but keep in mind, this is not the story of every SV alum. 

The program was long and arduous, which was communicated from the start. But along the way: we leaned on our peers (through a fostered collaborative environment), learned to combat fixed mindset with growth mindset practices, fine-tuned our interview skills,and practiced cold outreach through a week-long internship.In the end, we were introduced to a network of companies/employers and received support through the job search process. Areas of improvement include managing the growing pains associated with the organization (hyper-focus on numbers and metrics), and incorporating more live role-plays within the curriculum

The SV Academy fellowship program was a great experience, although going into it I didn't quite know what to expect. I have tried so many different things in the past to try and get my career off the ground but nothing really stuck. Either I couldn't find a job or I wasn't supported, I found the SV Academy to be different though, and was sure to do my due diligence before getting started. What I loved the most about the program was the instructors and that these leaders were people that actually went through the program and could provide real knowledge and experiences with us. The workshops were upbeat and informative and structured around the community which the academy highly values.I found the program to be rigorous but all necessary to prepare us for the next step which was interviewing and starting a job. Throughout the interviewing process I really felt prepared and confident based on what we learned and the guidance we were given. Going through the program is one experience but the connections and learning don't stop once you graduate, and that goes back to what I was saying earlier about community. I suppose you can say it's what you make of it and what you want to get out of it. If you want to break into tech and get into a field that is in demand, I think the SV Academy is a great place to start. 

Serious about a career change? Need community and structure to get you there fast? SV Academy exceeded my expectations. They are the real deal. We learned the job, got practice through an internship, and built a tight-knit community in four intense weeks. If you do the program, I suggest being all in day one because it's not for the faint at heart.

I am pleasantly surprised by this program! I learned so much in four weeks and would definitely recommend it!

If you're looking for the best community, mentors, and knowledge for a role in customer success or sales, this is the place to be!

The best thing I got from SV was being immersed in an environment that demanded work ethic, social skills, tech skills and a gritty, versatile attitude. They made it clear that the opportunities are out there, but it was up to us put in the work and be the stewards of our own careers, keeping ourselves motivated and directing our own learning to fill the gaps in our knowledge. That said, I met a lot of great and inspiring people in my four weeks there, and without them I don't know if I would have made it. It was this balance of community and self-reliance that empowered me to make this transition from flower delivery guy to an SDR in the tech industry. 

My experience with SV Academy was nothing but amazing! I applied and was accepted into the full-time SDR program which was 4 weeks and included a week long internship. It was intense and I had to continue working full-time on the weekends only. However, the courses, assignments and instructors give you a solid foundation and a wealth of knowledge.   Your instructors and program managers, and Cohort members want you to succeed and are always there to guide and help you. The internship was the best part and it is when everything comes together and you're able to put the tools you used into action. They help you with your resume and LinkedIn profile. I landed a full-time remote job within 3 weeks of the program ending and I owe it all to SV Academy.