NYC Onsite Software Engineering Immersive

I already had several years of experience coding but always wanted to fill any gaps in my knowledge of Javascript and React. I initially visited some NYC bootcamps, but found them to be too basic. But when I sat in on a free Node.js workshop by Will Sentence I was impressed. I always thought Node.js was a hard topic, but Will broke it down into easy to understand concepts. I also learned so much from "the javascript the hard parts lectures" that I decided it was worth it to quit my job and join Codesmith in hopes of learning how to become a better software engineer.A big obstacle to entering Codesmith is that you must pass a technical interview. Each student needed to invest time learning thru Codesmith's CSX resources to develop the technical communication and problem solving skills needed to pass.  As a result, the quality and skill level of Codesmith students is above a junior developer even before they start. A big surprise to me, was that after graduating, passing the previous technical interview months ago gave me the confidence I needed to ace a few technical interviews, and let me cherry pick the job for me - 100% remote with "best 100 companies to work for" rating.  Once I started class, I saw the care and hard work Codesmith invested into their curriculum and assessments to solidify our understanding and help us master the software concepts. Everything is done thru pair programming, so you get to continue honing your technical communication and make good friends among the cohort. It was a much more enjoyable experience working with different students than working alone.After graduating, I learned many valuable lessons from our hiring team who showed us how to get the most interviews. This team promises to help you even after you found your first job ! When I got an offer, I was told that I should ask for more (?)  Our expert negotiator scripted for me what I was to say. I was very nervous, but I learned the art of how to properly ask for more and not risk losing the offer ! Trust the process.Please note, everyone experience's is different. Since I already have experience, I got a lot more interviews with less effort, but there were a half a dozen other students who have no experience who got offers before me.

The program is intense but definitely worth it.  There is a lot of information given in a short period of time but there is a strong, supportive network of people around that all help each other.  Starting out, you build on fundamentals like algorithms and data structures and grow from there, learning all of the core technologies you'll be working with on the job.  That knowledge is solidified by working on solo and group projects, ultimately building a project that brings all of the hard and soft skills you learn through the course into a tool that is released to the world.The most valuable parts are the Hiring Program and support of the Outcomes team.  Putting together a professional resume and presenting yourself as an engineer are the real benefits.  And getting check-ins and help along the way during the process are great ways to keep motivation. Trust the process, keep pushing and it will work out.

Codesmith is magic. Come prepared, know your JS, and do all the precourse work to completion. Know functional programming and OOP, and come ready to WORK.  If you work extremely hard at Codesmith, learn the whats and whys of each technology, and use YouTube to build general knowledge about the other technologies not covered (if only to compare and contrast them), you will stand out in your interviews. There were multiple people here who had previously gone to other coding schools and unanimously agreed that Codesmith is an entirely different animal. The CIRR reports make that plain to see as well. If you want a real, high paying, mid or senior engineer job, this is the only program that will take you there. I was rather skeptical if it would work for me, if it would be worth the expense, and I only joined at the behest of a friend who believed in it more than I did; but now I’m a senior engineer who can learn anything. As you can imagine, I owe that friend quite a lot now.I have aggressively recommended Codesmith to several friends already who are looking for a career change, and will continue to do so. I would not encourage my own friends to pay the cost of Codesmith If I wasn’t absolutely certain they would land a great job immediately afterwards. If anyone’s familiar with sports, this is the New England Patriots.  When you join, you leave everything else at the door, you commit to teamwork, you trust the system, and the system wins championships.One thing I would say to anyone trying to go to Codesmith is this: the more you prepare and learn the tech stack beforehand, the more you will get out of the program. Your projects will be better, cleaner, bigger, and you will be more proud of them when you hit the job search.On top of that, the team engineering you will be capable of will be that much better. And that will be a force multiplier for your entire cohort.  This is critical, as each member of the cohort aids the others, fills in our holes in knowledge, and allows us to focus on reaching the next level. This type of learning cannot be done alone. You will hit blocks, you will get frustrated, you will want to give up; but your cohort will carry you onward. The people you meet here, the focus you put in together, will set you up for life.  The single most important aspect of Codesmith is the teamwork. You might think, then can’t I just find some friends and we’ll just do all this training and building by ourselves?  Good luck with that..... Every single person here has invested their entire future on this program. This will be the most dedicated and driven environment you will ever be a part of. We worked form 8am to midnight every day, well beyond official hours. And the salary payoff has been literally double my expectations going in.  Last thing to mention is the hiring support. They will help you until you get the job you want. They have a tried and true system for hiring, and it works. If you arrange everything the way they teach you, pass their reviews, you will be flooded with interest.  We as the cohort also shared information, tricks, tips, everything each of us learned in interviews to boost our performance. The results speak for themselves.If you’re ready to put in the work to build the future you actually want, Codesmith is the only place where every ounce of effort will be amplified and multiplied. It is the only choice for programming. I encourage you not to waste your time and money on any schools that pretend to be competitors, they’re absolutely not comparable.  You’ll likely just end up going to Codesmith after them like many of my cohort-mates. Do your research and the choice will be obvious. Good luck, future coworkers. 

Before Codesmith, I was working in front-end web development (HTML and CSS) for about 4 years. There was a point where I decided to bring my JavaScript game up to the next level and researched extensively around for a bootcamp that aligned with my goals. When I attended a free Codesmith workshop, I knew that it would be the right choice for me. What hooked me in is their emphasis on technical communication, under-the-hood understanding, and cultural growth.The software engineering program is a hyperbolic time chamber, where you learn 4 years worth of college education in 3 months. It’s set up in a way where they teach the practical side of computer science through a series of solo and group projects. The program is intense, and although researching, parsing, and implementing for 12+ hours almost everyday takes a mental and emotional toll, it’s a small price to pay for a lifelong investment in financial stability, emotional well-being, and a community that supports you throughout the process (even when searching for a job).Now after several months of job hunting, I’ve accepted an offer to be a Front-End Software Engineer at a company that shares the same core beliefs as me. I’m thrilled to start this new chapter, and this achievement reinforces a certain mindset: as long as you work with diligence and positivity, growth and success will come your way. Thank you Codesmith for changing my life.

I was skeptical of Codesmith's advertisements and actually interviewed at 5 other programs. I started attending JSHP Lectures at night and eventually graduated from the program. TLDR: The process works, the results as advertised are true, and what you learn is truly incredible. The hiring program alone is worth the entire tuition. I had a phone call with the hiring team (Eric) and was able to negotiate a higher salary- the difference in salary is enough to pay for the entire tuition of the program.Know before entering: This is not like other programs, it's very intense. For those willing to work extremely hard, pull long hours, and push your limits of learning- this program is for you. The results are there, it's a lot of work to achieve them but they are possible. You will accomplish things you may not think are possible, and have such a deep depth of knowledge coming out of the program. There are many engineers in industry who will not have the depth of full stack web development that Codesmith grads have.Highlights about the program: You'll meet people who will become true friends, you'll overcome obstacles together, and achieve some incredible final products. You learn a wide range of topics across the full stack web development space, essentially taking an idea to a fully deployed web application. The hiring program is fantastic, even after graduation there are meetings and lectures to attend, you never stop learning. The negotiation part is great.Constructive advice: I would like to see TypeScript incorporated into the core curriculum, it's an essential part for most companies now so it would be nice for it to be formally taught. Some aspects could be a little better organized and the days may be restructured to be less "interrupted", especially when building projects.Overall, I'm very happy to have gone through this life changing experience. It's incredible how much can change in such a short window of time.

Codesmith has a great academic program and it covers a variety of technologies such as React, Redux, Express, Docker, and more. Codesmith has helped me hone in on skills such as algorithms, debugging, and working in teams to build a variety products. During their hiring portion, I gained life skills for resume building, networking, interviewing, and negotiating salaries. Previously, I had no experience in the tech industry. I went from being a Substitute Teacher to a Software Engineer at a major tech company in less than a year, thanks to Codesmith. 

 TL;DR - I am glad I went to Codesmith.  When I decided to go to a coding bootcamp, I didn’t know which one to pick from these two: Hack Reactor and Codesmith. They seemed equally good in different ways. HR has been around longer than CS, so I had a good number of engineer friends vouching for HR. (I actually almost went to Hack Reactor, and I’m so glad I did not!) At that time, I simply chose Codesmith because I had a more pleasant interaction with the CS admission team than the HR admission team. I could see why so many people mentioned Codesmith culture on their reviews.  Everybody in your cohort will have different backgrounds and skill levels. You might or might not find the immersive program to be an intense/challenging experience. Either case, I think it’s important to set clear expectations for yourself. What you put in is what you get out - Are you dedicated? And what do you hope to gain from this experience? Codesmith is great, but there is only so much Codesmith can do for you. Having clear expectations will make your Codesmith experience much more enjoyable and meaningful :) Based on my experience, here is what I can guess you will get to experience when you decide to join Codesmith: 
Dave/Phil will put so much energy into every single lecture you get.
Eric and Annie will make sure you get the support you need during your job search. 
You will have awesome cohort mates throughout your journey.
You will be part of the Codesmith community - full of supportive, empathetic engineers.
 Lastly, what I think Codesmith can do better: More careful and transparent fellows selection process. One’s satisfaction level with Codesmith can vary widely depending on who the fellows are. (Most fellows I interacted with were awesome.)

Probably like you, I did extensive research when reviewing the options for coding programs in LA, including Hack Reactor and GA. I considered a lot of things, and made endless Pros and Cons lists, so the review is separated in sections that might be of interest to you.Community and SupportThis was my number one reason for attending Codesmith. From attending the weekly lectures open to the public and reaching out to Codesmith alumni, it's easy to see how strong Codesmith keeps its community. From how approachable the instructors are and how helpful and supportive the staff/fellows have been, Codesmith has all other coding programs beat. They make it fully apparent that they are there for you and want you to succeed, which plays a huge role in anyone's journey. The support is there throughout the program and especially during the hiring phase, which is arguably one of the best things about Codesmith. Even though I've graduated, I can honestly say that the people that I've met there will continue to be a part of my journey for years to come.CurriculumThe curriculum has space for improvement, but nonetheless, it gives potential software engineers the tools they need to get started as a mid-senior level engineer. There are endless things to learn in the technical industry, but what Codesmith does an amazing job at is teaching you how to learn and how to struggle. This becomes especially helpful on the actual job since, like I mentioned, you may be faced with the task of using a new technology. The struggle and unfamiliarity won't be a stranger to you by then!ProjectsCodesmith enforces its curriculum through the projects. Projects are an important part of landing your first software engineering gig. You'll learn things like git flow, agile methodology, working with others, and facing challenges with tech (ie React, Redux, Node). The experience working with other engineers for a similar goal really helps candidates speak about behavioral challenges in actual interviews. Personally, many of the things that I talked about in my behavioral interviews came from Codesmith which really paid off.--What could have been improved...To be fair, some lectures could have definitely been shortened. A lot of the learning is done through working with others and the actual units/assessments. More time spent on that would have improved the experience. Additionally, Data Structures and Algorithms in the first week is a lot of content to take in and it's quite a challenge (from an instructor's Point of View) to teach someone. These concepts are difficult and will require you to study them on your own time.

Hey!A little over a year ago, I finished Codesmith and got my first fulltime software engineering job. In general, I felt like the process is probably not for everyone, but if you can be empathetic, work hard, and push your limits, you can pretty much go as far as you want. That opinion still stands.What I'd like to add on to it, though, is what my experience has been like since leaving. The friends I made at Codesmith have continued to be incredible resources for learning, for job referrals, for professional advice, and are genuinely really great people whose perspectives and presence in my life have really continued to transform me long after the 3mo was over. We've helped each other out with algorithms, jobhunting, architecture questions, interpersonal office conflicts, and everything between.I'd also be remiss not to mention that the reason I'm writing today, over a full year since leaving Codesmith, is that the staff has continued to help me even now.  I recently found a new job, and received an excellent offer- one that exceeded my expectations and that I would have been thrilled to accept right off the bat. Before taking action, though, I contacted Codesmith's hiring support, and was coached through the process of negotiating for an even better package. It wasn't magic, but it certainly felt like it was, especially since that session got me $15,000 more in compensation than what had been initially offered to me.Since getting into the field, several of my friends and family have asked me about bootcamps, and my advice to all of them is the same- take your time, study independently, and work on your own projects. If/when you get to the point where that's not enough, you should seriously vet the available options- go to free workshops, meet students, talk to the instructors, etc. After you've done your due diligence, pick the one that's right for you. If you're like me, though, Codesmith will find its place firmly at the top of your list.

I went through the immersive program in LA and graduated in March 2020. I didn't come from a STEM background and was skeptical about whether I would actually be able to become a software engineer in just 3 months, but as I am writing this I can proudly say that I am working as a full stack engineer and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the amazing curriculum and staff at Codesmith! I will be honest and say that it is HARD and YOU have to put in a lot of work, but it is worth it in the end. The curriculum is fast paced and at times it's overwhelming, but the instructors and fellows are so helpful! You struggle together with your cohort mates and through this program I was able to make life long friends. The hardest part was the job search, but Codesmith has great job assistance and you have your cohort mates/alumni to lean on so it's nice to have that community! 

I spent nearly a year researching various bootcamps before deciding to go with Codesmith and I don't regret it at all. What first attracted my attention were the noticeably higher admissions standards and graduate salaries than all of the other options I found. My main hang-ups were the cost and the fact that I was going to have to quit my (decent IT) job to attend. Eventually I just decided I didn't want to compromise and wanted to completely go for it if this was what I wanted to do. I left my job in January making $70k/yr and just got hired as a software engineer at a major company 2 weeks ago (July) making $120k/yr, and my results aren't even exceptional (which you can see for yourself on their site). I had to take out a loan to attend, but the upgrade in salary just within the first year will easily cover the cost of the program. This was truly a life-changing program for me and my cohort mates would say the same. We still talk daily about news in the web development community, how things are going at our new jobs for those who have been hired, and job search advice for those who are up next. The network you'll build and the support you'll receive are really incredible here. It might have been the most challenging thing I've ever done, and the end of the program as well as the job search were a real grind (especially during COVID), but I'm also so proud of myself for setting this goal last year and now accomplishing everything I set out to do. I could nitpick certain parts of the curriculum and how some things were organized, but in the end it doesn't really matter because the learning style emphasized at Codesmith forces you to get comfortable diving into the unknown and figuring things out with minimal hand-holding. You will absolutely feel like you're not getting enough time covering, well, almost any of the material. But that's okay because you're setting a foundation for yourself by learning the things that will have the most impact, and then moving on so you can cover as much material as possible. If I tried to learn these things on my own I'd easily take over a year, maybe even two, to cover just as much ground because I know I'd waste time diving into every rabbit hole thinking it would make a difference when it really wouldn't. They give you the tools to continue to grow beyond the end of the 12-week program so you'll have the mindset of a real software engineer and not just another 'bootcamp grad.' They also now offer part time remote programs that take longer to complete but provide the same curriculum for people who aren't able to leave their current jobs to attend the in-person programs in LA or NY. All programs are currently remote due to COVID anyway.

PROS- The tech stack. All of the technologies the program focuses on are the major ones you'll encounter in the job search.- Your cohort mates. Everyone goes through the same interview process to get in, so there's a bar that's already established when you start. Definitely different skill levels, but I was very satisfied with the skill level of my mates.- The learning style. At CS we didn't just watch tutorials and build small apps. You were always working on a level were things felt just slightly too hard for where you were at, and that was a perfect spot to be in. - Amazing hiring program. It's really hard to make someone interview ready for jobs that pay six figures after a 3 month program, but CS really takes it as far as they can. They check in with you as you're applying, helping you tweak anything that needs to change and you'll know what you need to focus on in order to get a great job.- The overall vibe. Very hardworking community and awesome environment. I was nervous when I started the program, thinking I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull those crazy hours for such a long time. But it was great, and not as exhausting as I thought it would be, because the energy and the community was so great.CONS- A lot of time is spent being taught by fellows (people who attended the program recently). Some of them are amazing but unfortunately some of them are not as great, and it can really affect what you get out of the program. I wish CS was a bit more upfront about this.

I wasn't too sure what to expect when it came to attending a coding bootcamp. However after coming through the program, Codesmith was well worth it. You can talk about the constantly kept up to date curriculum or the high quality of instructors, but the main strength of Codesmith isn't captured in the numerical value of a review. They teach what it means to be a better engineer, which hinges largely on learning how to work well with others ( because at the end of the day,  no one wants to work with someone they don't like ). A majority of the time at Codesmith is spent practicing pair-programming in which you work with another engineer as you face unfamiliar challenges. It's an intense experience, but an important lesson to learn. The focus on block driven development helps you learn how to learn to solve problems. As a software engineer, it is your job to solve problems, and Codesmith makes sure that you are prepared to do so.

Just got a job. Job search is tough but wouldnt be able to do it without Codesmith

Codesmith was an amazing place to learn and grow as an software engineer. Everyone was as hopeful as they could be. The real learning though happens when you search for the job. The best part of the program is the friends and connections you make within the program.

Attending Codesmith helped me successfully transition my career in software engineering within two months of graduation. However, the bootcamp emphasizes a "teach yourself" approach, where the 1st half of the program contains very high level lectures on PRN and MRN tech stack and hands-on units that are meant to help you learn the tech stack. However, there is very little guidance on how to actually implement the different technologies and framework and many of us ended up resorting to additional tutorials. When I was interviewing at companies, I felt I was truly lacking in terms of my foundational understanding of various coding concepts and therefore, had to largely teach myself upon graduation. The valuable thing this bootcamp offers is the networking opportunity with other aspiring engineers, opportunity to build your own projects with your classmates which are essential for your resume, and a structure to help you successfully transition into a new career path.

I was accepted into Codesmith for the July 2019 cohort (cohort 13). When I decided to attend a bootcamp, I chose Codesmith because of their weekly workshops on Thursdays "JavaScript: The Hard Parts." The people and the way they dive under the hood of these JS concepts sold me instantly. I've never heard of execution context etc before that. The instructors are not only incredibly knowledgable, but incredibly patient and passionate about teaching. From day 1 I knew it was the right choice. You can learn these technologies anywhere, but what separates Codesmith from other schools are the people. Everyone is a resource (instructors, staff, and your seniors). They have non-tech related workshops like battling imposter syndrome, implicit bias, etc. It is a very welcoming, warm environment. Which is great, because the curriculum is hard. Extremely hard. There is no hand-holding. As a resident, you are forced to navigate the unknown and read documentation, debug, and hit those blocks (thats where the growth happens). Towards the end of your stay, and well long after you graduate, they provide support in your career. You can schedule 1 on 1's with fellows and staff to go over everything from resumes to algos. They helped me tremendously. I've since landed a Software Engineer role, and I am grateful for their part they played. 

Codesmith is the cutting edge of what education ought to be. Prior to this, I had a Computer Engineering and Economics background, though in reality at University I had very little idea of what I really wanted to do, with both an entrepreneurial spirit and also liking the technical side and hands-on work. I needed a way to master and apply these goals. I soon realized that Codesmith was my proof of concept;  it gave me drive and focus and you will learn how to embark specialization in the engineering field to acquire the strongest competitive advantage in a constantly tidal industry. The first time I attended one of Codesmith’s free workshops was in NYC, prior to permanently moving to LA and entering the Venice chapter. It was one of Will’s lectures on the hard parts and examining industry trends. Aside from having the ability to clearly explain complex concepts to many non-traditional crowds with backgrounds ranging from Ex-Finance, Ex-Law to Ex-Biology and applying them to modern applications, Will is also extremely energetic and inspiring; in a way he is much like a motivational tech speaker as well as an entertaining and informative lecturer who advocates for dynamic learning. After attending the free events and preparing for a month and a half, I applied and got into the Venice cohort for Autumn. The entire Codesmith team and existing students were extremely warm and welcoming and ensured we had access to the best resources and mentorship. The daily programming had a fluid and well thought out schedule and the team is extremely approachable when any trepidations arise. Unlike my past encounters in engineering classes or even engineering sororities/frats, I did not feel excluded or minute anymore. I felt that I had a voice and a true impact. I felt level on the playing field if not leveraged, and I felt empowered. The culture at Codesmith is what every tech firm’s culture aspires to be like; it is hosted by a community of intelligent, enlightened, tolerant people which allows you to diversify your network outlook. The culture there will become your greatest advocate as you make the advance through pair programming and project based learning. You realize that there are many different methods to the same goal, the same problem, but raining on new ideas, constant brainstorming, feedback and examination is what will make you quick to adapt and highly performant to the environment. You also acquire an ability to skillfully embed creativity into the applications and systems you build, to ideate as well as decide on the key trade-offs behind design choice. Pursuing this is what will cultivate the depth of knowledge and leadership skills to thrive with any company.Codesmith is not just a Software Engineering training program and its experience extends beyond  the bounds of the 3 month immersive. It teaches you micro and macro career planning, careful decision making, and how to design and implement scalable, efficient systems in computers and in life. We learn to constantly pivot and to feed into our curiosity to grow in the direction of personal and professional development. The hiring support is exceptional. The team consists of former alumni from Ivy Leagues, successful Entrepreneurs, Angel Investors and a range of well versed backgrounds both in and out of the field who were committed to my success every step of the way. Amid the rise of the global pandemic, Annie from the alumni support team remained just as resourceful, available, and was extremely adept at checking up on us in our job exploration and interview process. The team gave us the roadmap to success using industry knowledge and best practices to achieve our highest potential and held us at very high standards. After I received offers from different companies, Eric gave me advice and key insights on negotiation strategies for salary, benefits, equity and pushed me to have the courage and confidence to do so. As a woman and minority in STEM, I have always felt the very present stigma of imposter syndrome and the victim mentality. I’ve felt discouraged from negotiating a contract at times, that I should just willfully accept the best offer presented to me as many women who have been conditioned to feel this way can relate. However, this time was different. After having the guidance from Eric and the entire hiring support team as well as many CS(CodeSmith) Alumni who have been at the exact same position, I was able to finally realize the value of having a different background than the majority and to see that as an asset. I ended up successfully negotiating an extra $10K on an offer and accepting a Software Engineer position at my dream company!

I have to say, I am equally as proud to be an Alumni of Codesmith as I am of my Alma Mater, and in many ways I have grown more professionally and industrially from Codesmith’s impact than I have from any other traditional schooling, organization or institution. This program outlines an extraordinary blueprint for modernizing education and the way it impacts career viability, professional progression, and is an archetype of education for the future. With that being said, I think it’s time to change your future now and let no time go to waste. 

The experience going through the Software Engineering Immersive program is extremely difficult. The hours are long, you're being pushed to grow in so many more ways than just coding and technical ability. But that's what makes it a unique bootcamp amongst all the others. Of course, Codesmith teaches all the technical stuff, but its true value comes in teaching you how to learn on your own. The course is structured so that you run into blocks, and learn as you push through them. There's plenty of help and support along the way, making sure that when you leave Codesmith you have the confidence and ability to tackle any problem.

My time at Codesmith gave me a great skill set with relevant and exciting technology, but most importantly helped me develop a process to continue learning while on the job, which in my opinion is one of the most important skills to have as a software engineer. Because of the rigor and method of learning at Codesmith, I have been able to accelerate my career development and become a valued member of my team. The hiring support is an absolutely amazing part  of the program. They were able to help me negotiate great terms for my first position after the program, as well as give great advice during negotiations for a raise over a year after my graduation. Special shout out to Uncle Eric!