Fullstack Academy Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp (Full-Time)

I had a BS degree in Cybersecurity before Fullstack and I earned SEC+ while in the Bootcamp.  However, I was no expert in how to use my knowledge as neither of those taught me the practical, real life applicable, and hands on aspects to cyber like Fullstack Cybersecurity Bootcamp did. We were taught how to use so many new tools both in Red team and Blue team. The assessments during the course are fun and challenging but they always prepare you for them so you are ready. The class taught me so much, and gave me confidence I did not have in my skills before.  They also give you incredible job search resources and a career coach that helps you find a role after graduation. I sincerely believe even with my degree and certificate I would still be looking for work if I didn't have the experience Fullstack gave me. I found a role after networking for only month when so many in tech are being laid off currently, I am so grateful. Plus, the experience Fullstack gave me allowed me to be onboarded at a higher pay than I would have otherwise. Joining this Bootcamp was the decision that launched the final step of my career pivot and allowed me to start my new life in Cybersecurity. 

Great experience working with all the instructors at Fullstack Academy and the knowledge and experience they passed on to us during the course. A special thanks to Dezzi Rae Marshall for her resourcefulness, tenacity, and ability to motivate me throughout the program and post program. Dezzi was always there to assist and mentor when times got tuff and I attribute my success to her compassion and commitment throughout the process. Thank you again!

Before attending the Fullstack Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp, my knowledge and ability to perform industry specific skills was very minimal. I graduated from Fullstack confident and well prepared for a career in Cyber Security. I was challenged my skills were increased tenfold. Big shout out to my instructors and mentors Ned, Kyle, Greg, Neel, Lauren, Anjili, and Michael. Our career coach, Kim Wood, was with us from the beginning and really set me up for success with pursuing career opportunities well in advance of the bootcamp ending. Thank you team! 

First off, the course is challenging and absolutely requires a lot of time. (There's a reason why it's "full-time".) For most of the course, I was spending 60+ hours a week on classwork. If you enjoy learning and can put in the time, you will love it.I had the benefit of going into the cybersecurity course with a prior educational background in Computer Science and Network/Security. (Trained, but not certified in Network+, Security+, and CCNA.) While this prior knowledge helped a lot, the school makes a good effort to make the course accessible to people who don't have a background in IT. The catch is, those students will have to work that much harder to keep up.The first half of the course was focused more on building foundational IT skills like utilizing the command line, basic networking principles, and coding. The 2nd half was more security-specific. The course did not teach to any specific certification exam; however, they did provide a copy of CompTIA's CertMaster training material for Security+ and reimbursed the cost of the exam when I passed it. (The process for registering for the exam and getting the refund was a hassle, but everything worked out.)The exams were "Can you find the right answer?" using available resources rather than than "Did you memorize everything?". They also provided a balance of multiple choice knowledge-based questions and Practical Exercises like guided labs.The instructors were former industry professionals, so they were able to relate personal work-experience to many topics discussed in class. They also tied in current events and provided good resources for following up on topics or just staying informed.The career services were, overall, very good. They took time throughout the course to provide workshops on things like job hunting, resume building, mock interviews, etc. The career coaches were fantastic. They were friendly, enthusiastic and went above and beyond to offer help. Their services are also retained after graduation so you can (and will) continue to use them as you actively seek employment. The biggest problem I had was that they did not yet have a good talent pipeline for hiring students right after graduation. (I have seen other schools brag about that kind of thing.) They looked like they were working on establishing formal affiliates, so things might be different in the coming years. Regardless, the career staff sill worked very hard and helped a lot.The cost of the school was fairly comparable to other institutions. For the veterans out there, this school works well with the VA and a lot of alumni are former military.

Fullstack Academy lied to my entire cohort. Everything throughout the 3 month bootcamp for Cybersecurity was fine until graduation came and the job hunt started. Terrible. Horrible. I am so glad I didn't have to pay due to being a veteran and I was covered through VETTEC. 6 month job guarantee? Yeah, right. I have been on the hunt since before I graduated and I have come up with nothing. My recruiter, Kim Woods, gives the standard "just keep going!" and "here's a group zoom chat with an employer". None of those jobs have materialized. Also, only 33% of students from my cohort have secured employment! 33%! I did finally get a yes from a job after 7 months, and that job is Instacart. Not to be a driver, but to be an in store shopper. Thanks for nothing Fullstack. 

Words cannot describe the experience at Fullstack Academy; all experience is positive. I had a great learning experience at Fullstack Academy in Offensive and Defensive knowledge. The instructors are very knowledgeable Security Analysts with prior work experience in Cybersecurity. Some are in Offensive and some are in Defensive. We were taught everything from AWS, Linux, Splunk, Burpsuite, Wireshark, Nessus, and so on. The list goes on. They prepare students for the CompTIA Security+ as well as the CompTIA CySA+. I want to thank Kim Wood, the Cybersecurity Career Success Manager as well as Lesia Harhaj-Kudryk, the Director of Career Success for their full support during this job hunting journey. They were both equally highly had motivated me to not give up and be confident to look for a job. Their mock interviews, behavioral interviews, and career coaching had helped me tremendously. Thank you so much. 

This was an incredible Experience, to be hyper active in "round the clock" "hands on keyboard" work and attention.Thank you

Coming into the bootcamp with no prior knowledge (as well as many others in my cohort), was a little nerve-wracking. However, the instructors made us feel very comfortable, confident, and capable, from the first day - throughout the entire cohort. The cyber curriculum is in depth and goes extensively through blue teaming, red teaming, general security best practices, and amazon web services (AWS). I felt confident post-program to go out and find my first entry-level job in the field. The school provided us with a "career launch day" opportunity to meet some potential employers after the cohort was over, and I had got a job not even 3 weeks after graduation in the field. I would, and have, recommended this bootcamp to many of my friends.

 I attended Fullstack's Cybersecurity bootcamp between April 2020 - July 2020. I had an amazing experience and graduated with multiple interviews already lined up. The instructors were all amazing. Corey, Veer, Matt, and Frank were all dedicated to preparing us for our first job. Having accepted an offer at a major cyber security firm just weeks after graduation I can, in full confidence, say that I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from these four industry experts.

One thing I loved about the bootcamp was that at the end of every week there was an open class discussion on the things that worked very well that week and things that did not. The instructors took this feedback very seriously and implemented any and all changes they could. No matter what was said, each instructor put their egos aside and took it as an opportunity to improve their craft, create a better learning environment, and better prepare their students to become cybersecurity professionals. 

I think this mindset is what really separates Fullstack from every other bootcamp and this desire for self improvement is a mindset shared amongst every member in the Fullstack family. This mindset also trickles down to how instructors interact with their students. The instructors understand that the coursework is challenging and fast paced, but instead of giving up on students who fall behind, the instructors are more than happy to make accommodations and spend extra time helping students who need it.

One piece of advice for students who do attend.. There was a heavy emphasis on certifications. Don’t feel like you need to get every cert under the sun. I would recommend getting the Sec+ and attempting OSCP during cert week, and attempting splunk during Blue Team. You can pass or fail on OSCP and splunk (it won’t make or break your job hunt), start applying to jobs right after your resume is in order. There is no need for any more certs for entry level jobs. If you want to have a job right after graduation apply to jobs 1 month before your graduation date.

I loved my time at fullstack. It was an incredibly challenging experience and I totally white-knuckled my way through. They do provide an abundance of academic support as well as career counseling and social-support as well. I was very impressed with the diverse group of students they admitted to the program. Everyone came from a different background, and they were all very friendly and intelligent. I have made life-long friends and we continue to ask each other questions, and provide support for one another.

The instructors are extremely technical, smart, and knowledgeable.  This rubs off on you in a positive way.  You learn how to be technical and gain the ability to learn new technologies, which applies when you get your first job.  The bootcamp is extremely difficult but you learn a completely new skillset and are fully prepared for the job market, minus one or two things you may have to do on your own in an ever changing cyber security job market.  But, to get an entry level position in cyber security, you are definitely prepared.  It is a classy bootcamp and the career success coach and instructors do care about your well-being and success even though the pace is very fast learning because it is a bootcamp.  Very difficult but leads to excellent career so well worth tremendous effort.  Career success coaching is good but obviously cannot guarantee you or hand you the job but they are there to hold your hand along the way and the career success coach is there to advise you and support you.  I am very lucky and grateful to have gotten a job within two months of graduating the bootcamp in the pandemic so my effort has paid off.  Part of the reason of my success is my willingness to relocate.  The instructors are caring but push you.  

Words can’t describe how amazing my experience in Fullstack Academy’s cybersecurity bootcamp was.  I never thought I would learn as much as I did in such a small period of time. I am someone who had zero security experience and no degree coming into the bootcamp. After graduating, within 20 days I had found myself signing an offer letter to work for the Department of Treasury. All thanks to the amazing teachers, staff and of course Mark! Shout out to Cory and Veer for passing their knowledge to us.