Codeup

Just wow…

So much to say about Codeup! It was a life changing 22 week experience. 

I had always had an interest in coding and math. I spent almost a year through the pandemic trying to teach myself Python. I just couldn’t do it. Yes, there are loads of free resources and videos but there was no structure to help hold me accountable. I was eight months pregnant and about to graduate with my BA in Mathematics when I found out I was being laid off from my job. 

I took the opportunity to save up money and apply to Codeup. I was able to use what I had left of my GI Bill which helped so much. Codeup also helped me get a grant from the local employment office to help with the cost as well as a scholarship.

I started Codeup shortly after giving birth. To say the idea of attending an immersive coding bootcamp was intimidating and challenging is an understatement. I went from knowing very little about data science and programming to being very comfortable with the entire pipeline and fundamentals of it. 

From the admissions process all the way to landing a job, my experience was phenomenal. The school was challenging. I often felt like we were being water hosed with so much information but through the process, I created an amazing camaraderie and friendship with my teachers and classmates. We trusted the process and the curriculum. By the end of the 22 weeks I was surprised at just how much I knew. I was by no means the top of the class and I still had such a great foundation of data science and machine learning as a whole.

I learned all the foundations of data science, programming languages and relevant libraries, statistics and machine learning methodologies etc.. Every day we had a lesson on something new, then group exercises that followed. After the whole section, we either had quizzes, projects to present, or both. We created so many hands on projects that really helped us all learn so much and build up a huge portfolio. The process was a bit nerve racking but it made me so confident in the end.

Searching for a job was both exciting and scary. I had great support from Stephen in applying for jobs and preparing for interviews. In the end I landed my dream position at my number one choice company. I never in a million years would be where I am today without Codeup. There is nothing like the Codeup staff, instructors, curriculum, hands on projects, amazing portfolio, friends and knowledge you come out with. 

No, paying the tuition will not suddenly change your life. 

To further understand where I'm coming from, let's go back in time to what I was doing before I decided to enroll in Codeup.

I graduated with an MBA 1.5 years earlier than the typical course set up with a nearly perfect GPA. My first job (that I've been working at for over 5 years) was going to be destined to promote me, right? No. However, I think sometime after graduating with my Bachelor's and before the graduate degree, I realized that my 'perfect' and young resume wasn't doing me much good. I felt like I kept going to school to buy time in order to blow off rejection after rejection. So I decided to change the game up and learn how to code. There was no way (in my mind) that I would get rejected after this. I had interest in coding growing up in STEM programs, but I wouldn't be able to sit at computers for prolonged periods of time---until I discovered blue light glasses! 

So I enrolled in college again to do computer science the following semester after I graduated, but what I realized was that I didn't really want to redo college and have it not work out again. It's a lot of time to put out of my day when it was becoming more important that I start taking care of my financials. I looked into Codeup because my brother had did the web development program and it inspired me how quick he was able to get a great job through the program. 

But if you're interested in web development; then maybe the rest of this review won't be what you will experience. I chose to do the data science program, it's kind of more up my ally. I hope that it will help regardless! 

Okay here it goes: 
It is true: you don't need prior coding experience or domain knowledge to do Codeup, it helps, but I didn't even know what data scientists did until after I started the program, I just had a very abstract idea. However, if you think just doing Codeup will land you where you want, then let me tell you: it's not magic. Being accepted is one thing, completing the course is another, but you need to put in the work. It will not magically land you the career of your dreams, and truth is that's where the individuality comes in. How easy or hard it is to land a job depends on personal preference, Codeup doesn't have an arsenal of catered jobs awaiting for you by the time of graduation---they could (depending on the job market) but again, it's not a magic spell that changes your life when you get the certificate. You'll still have to put in the work during the class, while you job hunt, and Codeup provides you with most of the skills you'll need to be in the running. 

Here's how the experience was: 
My instructors were great, they really take time to get to know you and will help you with whatever you need. I even reach out to them for help post graduation---and they're still super cheery to go over anything! I've had a lot of teachers/instructors/professors in my life, and the instruction team here is so engaged. They go way above and beyond! If you feel like you're struggling, reach out to them immediately. I don't know how many times I've been frustrated for prolonged periods when they cleared it all up in a couple of minutes once I asked. 

The curriculum: use it every day. If you're just getting into tech, just know it grows so fast. Is it every skill you will need? Depends on the company. However, what they are able to teach in the 22 weeks is an amazing foundation. If you need to learn more, it will probably stem from what Codeup teaches you. Unlike college, you'll have access to the curriculum/notes/solutions even after graduation. The projects you do in data science are realistic, you'll probably refer back to them a lot! 

The placement team: I don't know too much about all of them, but Stephen will take into account your personal preferences for jobs. He has set me up with valuable connections, and directed me to the position I have now. 
The job seeking process is mostly your own, you have to go out and find what you want to apply for; but when Stephen found me a job that would incorporate my business degrees and my data science education, he sent it to me right away. Again, it's not a magic spell. The Codeup certificate doesn't get you in the door, but it will give you the skills you need to land the job and be in the competition. 

You will be challenged, and maybe if you're like me, you'll cry a few times along the way. Upon graduation, I didn't end up getting a promotion with the company I've devoted years of my life to. BUT! I work in a completely new field, life's exciting, I feel valued, and I'm super thrilled. I would have never had this without going through the Data Science program at Codeup. 

If you're going to put in the work, and find reward in lifelong learning, then this program is right for you. Nobody will let you fall here. 

But once again, do not do this program if you think forking over the tuition is an even exchange for a career in 6 months. The kinds of jobs people land, the salaries, or the amount of time it takes to get one, vary! 

My review and experiences are limited to the Data Science program, which I attended remotely, in San Antonio.

Codeup is an amazing organization, to say the least. The program is split into two phases : 

• the instruction phase 
  • This is the 22-week section that provides the 670+ hours of instruction into SQL, Python, machine learning techniques and models, and so much more. You will be running through the entire data science pipeline (planning, acquisition, preparation, exploration, modeling, delivery) and creating real-world predictive models with actual data.
  • I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of the instructors in this program. They all possess the ability to break down the material into a digestible size, and they empowered us to become the data professionals we are now.
• the job hunting phase
  • Once the instruction phase is complete, you will be primarily in the hands of the job assistance team. Everyone will have different needs and expectations for this part, so going into specific details is pointless.
  • What I can say is that the job placement coordinator is great at what he does. He is always professional, guides you through searching for opportunities, and provides excellent support for all your job hunting needs. 

Getting into Codeup is difficult but if you are accepted it is 100% worth it. With a guarantee like this:
"This professional development is an ongoing, standard part of our curriculum, and continues even after graduation. Get hired within 6 months of graduating or 100% of your tuition back." The out-of-pocket cost is naturally high but there are a lot of resources to help offset or cover the cost. Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits or Vet Tech to pay for the program along with the monthly BAH stipend, San Antonio Workforce Solutions also has some great programs that can help you financially with the program.

I have already recommended friends to attend this program!

Going to Codeup was the best decision I could have possibly made. I had no prior experience with computer programming or data science. I chose to leave a successful seven year law enforcement career in order to change my family’s life. I knew that through Codeup’s Data Science program I would be able to start a career with more physical safety, better benefits, likely better pay… all around more piece of mind for my family. I was able to secure a job with an amazing company two weeks before graduation!

It is a tough 22 weeks! You have to put in the work, study, ask questions when you get lost, do not procrastinate… it is difficult BUT it is so very worth it. The admissions process is difficult (for data science) but there are resources to help, especially if you’ve never done data science before (like me). The instructors are amazing. The job placement coordinator works with you to get you jobs that will truly interest you. 

I can’t say enough how much I am thankful to Codeup for changing my life! Highly recommend. If you aren’t sure, just call and chat with admissions. It’ll be worth your time! 

If you are in San Antonio and looking into learning to code... either learn on your own through YouTube or choose a different boot camp. While you do learn a lot of information here, its not information that isn't already available on the internet for free. They do not care about you or your future career. The instructors are arrogant and condescending, the career placement teams do no research on the positions they just shove you into a position at one of their employer partners even if it has absolutely nothing to do with web development. Sometimes the placement team doesn't even keep their appointments with you and suggest you apply to X amount of job postings per week. Dimitri will post jobs that require Masters degrees and 10+ years of experience in the field in the slack channel in a bootcamp full of jr devs or devs still learning and disrespect you in front of the entire institution when you ask if there are any jobs that are more attainable. The instruction is completely unstable because the turnover rate for the instructors is extremely high. I had 8 instructors and 7 of them quit during my time at codeup. There are students who fail EVERY SINGLE EXAM, but still manage to graduate with you even though their final project is not even complete. The turn over for the placement team is just as high as the instructors turn over. If you ever have a question you could never go back and ask the person who put you in the position because they will have another job shortly after placing you. All in all... I shouldn't have wasted Vettech's money coming to this subpar institution and I hope no one else waste their time or money here either.

I first saw Codeup at the San Antonio Airport while I was working as a a travel technician for Wind Turbines. That was right around the same time I was beginning to think that I needed a change in my life. I wanted to be closer to home and do something I had a strong interest in, which was computers and technology. After researching Codeup, I found that they had a good record of their students getting hired. I also enrolled into the program because they had “in class” instruction. However, when the pandemic hit, I ended up doing the program 100% virtually and it did not affect my ability to learn. I went through the accelerator course and not only was I taught how to be a full stack web developer, but a Professional Software Engineer. I was taught and given tools to become a successful entry level software engineer, I do see the difference of how well prepared I am compared to others who came from different schools or backgrounds. I feel highly confident with the information and knowledge of coding in my new career at my new company. I highly recommend Codeup, trust the system they have in place. Trust the process, failure is the process. I can genuinely say Codeup is the Standard of Career Accelerators, especially in Software Engineering. 

CodeUp is an amazing boot camp for learning Software Development. They are also great with working with veterans who transition out of the military. As a veteran myself, they made the transition to civilian life seamless. They helped me with everything I needed to get done for the VA as well as help on getting a resume set up. The teachers do a great job of explaining the material as well as going in to further detail if you need it. They also provide extra help outside of class if you are stuck. I came to CodeUp with no prior knowledge of coding or how to use the terminal and they helped me understand a tremendous amount of new information. The hiring manager did an excellent job in getting me prepared for interviews, creating resumes, teaching professionalism, getting me connected to different companies and going to hiring events. He works with a passion to help each person succeed and it shows in his quality work. You can’t ask for a better team when it comes to the team they have there. From just out of the military to hired at USAA before graduation, CodeUp was one of the best investments I ever jumped on.

I attended Codeup as part of the Curie Cohort for Data Science from Feb 2020 to June 2020. I'm currently working as a Public Safety Innovation Specialist for the City of San Antonio.

First, if you are wondering if you should go to Codeup, short answer, absolutely. You could spend less money elsewhere and take 2 - 5 years to get where you want, or you can make the investment now and be there in 5 months. Easy choice.

A little background on me. I went to college for 3 years to get a Bachelors in Chemistry, but didn't finish the degree. I worked in security for 3 years, all the while slowly learning programming from online resources. It was a hugely inefficient mess. You have to research everything yourself and hope that what you are learning is up to date. If you do spend money, it is for an online certification that only means as much as the projects you have to show for it. You are usually dealing with pre-recorded lectures if there is video material at all. You will have to create a lot of your own projects without a lot of guidance. You will have to figure out how everything is done in the real world on your own by digging through other practitioners' projects. And you will make tons of mistakes along the way without realizing them because you don't have someone to help. All of this, and you have no guarantee that any of this time, money, and stress will ever get you a job.

CODEUP IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED.

You will make more progress in 20 weeks than you could anywhere else. You will have instructors who are creating and adjusting the curriculum based on real interviews with employers and graduated students, so you know the material is up to date. You know the money you are spending is getting you a certificate that has value in actual companies. Your lectures are live and with a small class so you can get help whenever you need it. You will be given real open-ended projects that will prepare you for the real world. You will learn the correct standards for how work is completed so that you can hit the ground running in your new job. You will have instructors and your classmates to help you see your mistakes so that you can correct them quickly before they become bad habits. 

All this, and they have the only job guarantee that I have ever seen that isn't dependant on your background and is a full tuition refund. Many other services offer a job guarantee, but when you read the small print they require that you have a bachelor's. You really can't get any better than this.

So honestly, help your future self and get that application in now. You won't regret it.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after leaving the military, but I knew I wanted to do something related to code. I loved the one coding class I took in high school, and throughout my time as an analyst for the Army I could see how code could help improve the work flow around me. I wasn't sure at first if Codeup was worth it to me before I started the class, but now I can safely say Codeup is the reason I'm successful in the tech field today. 

I came to Codeup with no skills in python, and zero knowledge of what Data Science tools were out there (excel doesn't count and it knows it). I walked out of Codeup confident in python, and an arsenal of data science tools. Codeup's Data Science course will absolutely turn you into a competent data scientist.

The teachers are fantastic, having designed the course work themselves rather than pulling from textbooks. My experience with the instructors is that they are very engaged with you and will try to get you to be the best that you can be.

Codeup is a fast pace, fast learning environment. The course work is absolutely geared towards experience being greater than theory. You'll have hands on knowledge of the things you're learning very soon after hearing about them for the first time. Something I've seen in the tech world post Codeup is college graduates come into the work force having written papers about the concepts which Codeup students have worked with directly. It's been my experience that a Codeup grad will outclass the vast majority of college graduates who have had under 3-5 years of experience in the field.

After a short period at Codeup, the pandemic hit. Codeup responded rapidly and kept everyone very well updated on how they would respond to the pandemic. Shortly after it became clear CVOID would be a threat to have students stay in the building, Codeup made the decision to move to remote, and the transition from local learning to remote was very smooth. This for me showed that Codeup was committed to keeping our education on track, while ensuring the safety of its students. 

My time at Codeup was short, but those 5 months felt like a year of growth, learning, and extreme productivity. If you're wondering if Codeup is worth it, I assure you it is.

Codeup changed my life.

As a single father of three, I saw the ceiling in my (then) current occupation and wanted better for my family.  So in a matter of three weeks, I went from running job sites in construction to sitting at a desk in a room full of people half my age and eager to learn.

The curriculum is rigorous: in five months you go from having only heard of 'The Cloud' to becoming completely proficient working within it.  To say it was 'like drinking water from a firehose' would be a disservice to firehoses, but the staff... oh, man.  The staff is phenomenal.  

From top to bottom, the minute you walk into Codeup (or remote in, depending on the situation), you are welcomed as an individual, and not just as a student.  The lectures are practical and straight-forward (hilarious, even) and each professor codes live, so you get to see the coding process first-hand from talented and competent individuals.  They are warm and approachable, and welcome real-time feedback throughout the day.
 
Yes, the tools you learn are powerful and applicable, but - more importantly - they teach you HOW to learn other languages / programs when you get to your new job.  Since Codeup emphasizes embracing coding mishaps as part of the fun, learning new software and programming languages is much, much easier, and the transition to your new work team is that much faster.

And on the 'job' part: they are sincerely committed to placing you after your graduation from their program.  Before your final project, you are coached on your resume and interview skills, even having mock technical interviews with staff who aren't afraid to ask really tough questions.  Within the first one or two weeks, you are being interviewed by people from both large and small companies who are actually excited to talk to you.  Codeup's reputation is solid, and employers all over the place are waiting for the new crop of grads to take their companies to the next level.  
 
There are other schools out there, sure, but none of them could possibly match the service and commitment of the entire Codeup Team.  Best money I ever spent on my education, and my life is immensely better because of it.

You have a degree, so now what?Endless emails or online job applications with no response?What about your resume, does it pass the initial test? 

This was my story and it became very frustrating.
I felt like I needed something more, so I started taking self-paced, online courses. Some were ok but when I was stuck, the only form of communication was the online community and help was hit or miss. A lot of times the versions that were used, were different than what I had installed. Basically, to do pretty much anything was a waiting game. 
That was when my VR&E rep told me about CodeUp. At first, I was like, ‘not another bootcamp’. But, CodeUp was different for me, for the initial walkthrough to graduation, they were there for you. The staff explains everything about the school and what is expected. CodeUp even has free weekend workshops so you can get a feel for how the course will be, including the instructors.
The instructors, what can be said, they are amazing. They are not there just to show you how it is done, but through real-world projects, ensure you know how to do it. CodeUp is not a paint-by-numbers, challenging but the result is very rewarding.
The projects are ones you will see in your life as a Data Scientist and they are great talking points on your resume. Plus, you individual passion projects you will find yourself doing, will be both rewarding and satisfying.
On top of all of this, the business department works for you like no other. From helping you to create an amazing, eye-catching resumes, to the tireless refers to great job post. 
Thank you, CodeUp.

I attended the first class of Codeup's Full Stack Web Development in Dallas. We started the cohort near the end of Feb 2020 and 2 weeks later the pandemic lockdown started where we transition to fully remote. Based on my own experience, they still delivered the necessary instructions and training necessary to become a successful developer. 

After graduating, job interviews were lined up from Codeup's job network. They prepared us for the interviews during the course with mock interviews and resume assistance from our career coach - make sure to listen to them and follow the process. Overall, I truly enjoyed the experience and the curriculum, and the skills that I gained from their instructions are valueable to my current job as a software engineer. Please reach out to me if you have any specific questions or just want to chat. I also looked at Course Report prior to deciding on the coding bootcamps and want to help anyone on the fence :)

Codeup is world-class in the three primary criteria one should consider when evaluating a technical school.
 
The instructors are seasoned data scientists with expertise in a variety of fields including computer science, business intelligence, machine learning, education, and engineering. The Codeup data science staff are true partners of their students spurring their pupils on towards excellence throughout program and making time for mentorship thereafter. These folks are exceptionally talented data scientists, invaluable mentors, and compassionate teachers who take a genuine interest in their students. You will be ready to excel in your next career thanks to the instruction provided by Zach, Maggie, Ryan, Faith, and Ravinder.

The curriculum offered at Codeup is highly relevant and constantly evolving in accordance with the ever-changing data science landscape. You will learn the ins and outs of technical tools like Git, SQL, python, Jupyter Notebooks, and Tableau while applying your new skill set to various projects designed to emulate real business problems. By the conclusion of the course you will have gained competencies in applied data science methodologies such as Classification, Regression, Clustering, Time Series, and Natural Language Processing to name a few.

Perhaps most importantly, Codeup's primary differentiator among the vast landscape of coding bootcamps is their corporate development/placement team and policies. Codeup is no joke. If you don't find a job within six months of graduation they guarantee a full refund of your tuition. But let's be honest, you're primary ambition is not getting effectively free world-class data science instruction. You're considering Codeup because of the hope of a new opportunity that awaits you on the other side of the program. The money back guarantee merely aligns your interest of getting a great new job with Codeup's interest in getting you placed in that job, which is exactly what Stephen and his team are for! You will be primed for your job search thanks to the professional development component of this program. You will not only craft a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile updated with your new skills, but you will also have the opportunity to show off your knowledge during mock interviews and, of course, during your capstone presentations on Data Scientist Day (an event designed to showcase your talents to an audience of Codeup's network of employer partners). 

Finally, Codeup is not like other bootcamps where you sign an income sharing agreement (ISA) based on your future salary. Codeup is not in business to be a hindrance to your career. Codeup's primary ambition is your success. Codeup is the Yoda to your Jedi in training.

Come ready to learn, open to constructive criticism, and full of ambition each day and you will be bound for success!

You're sitting there considering four or five different options - not even bootcamps or coding accelerators.

Should I go back to university?

Should I just try to get another job?

Should I go to this bootcamp or that one?

You've made Pros and Cons lists, you've talked it over with everyone that will listen to you babble on about it again and again. My simple message to you, Codeup or Shut Up.

Codeup's exceptional experience starts during the admission process. The first thing you'll realize when you start the process is how much everyone cares about you and your outcome - which is key. The admission process is not easy, and the cost to attend Codeup is not cheap. You are not a number to the Codeup team. They fully understand the investment you are making in your future by considering Codeup, which is reflected from the first conversation you have with them.

After you've made it into the program, you're given extensive pre-work to do prior to starting with your cohort - which is important, and shouldn't worry you. It is difficult, but is laid out in a way to prepare you for your time at Codeup. Once you start it is a whirlwind of daily introductions to new concepts, techniques, methodologies, and technologies. It is a testament to the incredible instructors that all of this is not insurmountable, but manageable.

Have you ever found yourself trying to learn guitar from a friend that's an amazing player, yet they can't seem to translate their knowledge and ability to you in any discernible way? That is the problem with so many bootcamps and accelerators. Those teaching are knowledgable and capable, but translating that information is the game-changer. Codeup has data scientist practitioners, that also have the teaching chops to backup the skills. The curriculum is incredibly robust, but what sets it apart is all the practical, real data science work that you'll do. Having been in the industry now, I can tell you that there is a massive difference in knowing facts and trivia, and really being able to put in the work, AND THEN PRESENT THAT WORK. The number of data scientists that I've seen coming out of other bootcamps, accelerators, or universities that can't speak professionally, with business focused insights, about the work they've done is crazy. Codeup teaches you what it means to be a professional, doing real world data science.

Now we'll touch base on what you've all really come here for, dat job tho. I would put Codeup's placement team up against absolutely anyone else's, and expect nothing less than pure domination. I'll let them talk about guarantees of delivery, what they plan to do, etc. What I'll tell you is, all they are focused on is YOUR OUTCOME. At the end of my time with Codeup, the world was eyeballs deep in a pandemic. Unemployment and jobless numbers were looking bleak. Was it easy to find a role straight away? Sure it happened for some of those in my cohort - many in fact. That wasn't the case for me. But, Codeup's placement team was in lockstep with my  tenacious and effort because they were focused on my outcome. During what many would consider a tumultuous time, Codeup's placement team was there with employer partner introductions, interview prep assistance, feedback on resumes and cover letters, and so much more. They were never further away than a text, Slack message, or phone call.

To this day, I still marvel at the time and effort everyone took along the way. From the free workshops, that got Codeup on my radar (btw, definitely attend those!!!), to the help understanding financial aid assistance from the admissions team, to the instructors, the placement team... that time the CEO came into a breakout room and talked with a few of us for almost an hour. Its an organization that runs with care for the tech community from the top-down, and it shows in every way possible.

In my cohort we had people with degrees in mechanical engineering, former NSA analyst, an all-source intelligence analyst, a guy that played guitar in a band professional for a decade, a former stand-up comedian, etc. Myself, I have an extensive background in marketing and business development - without a degree. They can't do any of it for you, you have to come in and work your face off. You will be uncomfortable most of the time. You'll learn new programming languages, statistical methodologies, data science techniques and technologies. You'll do it in a truncated timeframe. But, if you are as dedicated and focus on your outcome as Codeup is, you'll make it through to the end with the skills and ability to achieve great things in a career as a data scientist.

If you want to become a data scientist that can hit the ground running within any organization lucky enough to have you, then Codeup should be number one on your list of considerations.

This program is AMAZING! I had no previous tech experience and Codeup brought me up to speed quickly and thoroughly. The instructors are experienced, thoughtful and deliberate about everything they do. Every single assignment, presentation, exercise, line of code I wrote had a distinct purpose. Codeup as a unit is flexible and reacted to the changing work environment due to COVID with real finesse while still delivering quality "hands on" instruction. The staff and instructors actually care about getting to know you, fostering your strengths and smoothing out your weaknesses. They are open to feedback and actually act on it in real time in the interest of their students. The placement team at Codeup up and especially Stephen Salas deserve a big pat on the back. He worked tirelessly around the clock, starting before I even graduated, to help me (and the rest of my cohort) land amazing jobs despite all the roadblocks put up by the pandemic. That's the true value of Codeup. They don't just teach you what you need to know, they help you use it in real life at an actual job. Last year I had no career and no clue what I was going to do. This year I have a career path I'm stoked about and it's all thanks to the hard work of everyone at Codeup.

Im not very good at writing my thoughts but here it goes. I started on my coding journey about 2 years ago, I like many others went the self taught route to save money. After about 1 year of self learning I was having the hardest time getting in front of employers and many of the recruiters even ask if I heard about coding bootcamps. So many months pass by and I see the Codeup billboard which I then wonder over the next few weeks if its for me. My wife and I look into it to discover the price which scared me away instantly because of some schools on the news that took others money year back (no name drops here). I was able to get my wife on board by begging her to take a shot on it and hopefully on the best investment for my future. The best investment I have ever made!!! The course is 20 weeks which went by way to fast and I built so many great relationships. I graduated Dec. 2019 and started working for one of the biggest companies in SA a month later. Today I make about 5x what I use to make and I work remotely. I am living the dream and I cant stress this enough. Codeup has changed my life in such a way that I cant even put it into words really. All I can say is thank you for all that ya'll have done for me. I am building my first home which will be done in about 6 month and this was all because of Codeup. I will continue sending everyone I know there to help change their lives like mine was changed. P.S. Some other bootcamps actually hire Codeup students to teach their classes. So if your looking for a bootcamp I would take the one that builds teachers for other bootcamps. Just my thought.

Codeup changed my life!

Prior to Codeup, I had been working as an administrative assistant in a law office for 9 years managing case files and drafting legal documents. Although I enjoyed seeing the difference I was making in helping people in difficult situations, I knew that law school wasn't for me and that I was no longer growing at work. I had a job, but I was missing a career.

So, I started searching for a new career field that was in high demand, and I eventually came across the IT industry. Realizing how diverse the IT industry actually is, I discovered the allure of web development. Web development seemed so fun, and I learned it was a field that is accessible and achievable without the need for a 4 year degree due to the existence of coding bootcamps. Researching bootcamps in the country for web development, I discovered that by fate, I had access to a bootcamp in my own city of San Antonio, Texas.

Contacting Codeup was extremely easy, and I was invited right away to come take a tour of their facilities and to see the classes. I witnessed the teachers instructing the students and observed the students as they were working through their exercises and asking follow up questions and receiving additional guidance from the instructors. The instructors even came out to greet me and allowed me to ask them any questions I had about the curriculum and the bootcamp in general. I was extremely impressed with the learning environment and the knowledge of the instructors. I knew this is where I needed to be.

I enrolled in the 20 week Web Development Full Stack Java program, where I learned about so many fundamental and integral pieces of web development, from different computer programming languages, to computer programming and testing tools, to creating real applications and even presenting the product in a demo to potential employers. The experience and curriculum was first rate, and the instructors were amazing!

Not only did Codeup "teach me how to fish" by providing me with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to always continue learning, they also worked with potential employers who would interview the students for potential job positions. One of these interviews led to me receiving a job offer from a large company that offers fantastic opportunities for self-improvement, training, and certifications in various IT technologies.

Although I absolutely love and enjoy my coding job and all the freedom and support I have from my company to grow my skills, most of all, I love that I finally have a career I can truly call my own. For that, I have Codeup to thank.

If you have struggle to teach yourself python through the endless trap of free coding tutorials online, but you are still committed to learning all the skills that a successful data scientist needs - then you should really consider Codeup. I, like many people, came into the program with no coding experience. I had endlessly tried to teach myself by watching Youtube tutorials, but I felt that I wasn't really grasping anything. 

Once I joined Codeup though, I immediately started noticing improvements. I went from struggling to write a "Hello World" print statement, to building complex command-line apps in a month, and that really was the beginning. While at Codeup, I learned how to successfully build machine learning algorithms to help answer a wide variety of problems. However, the reason why Codeup works so well, is because they don't just teach you how to write code and then move on. There is a considerable amount of time spent on how to actually tackle business relevant questions, and how to communicate your insights in an effective manner. These soft-skills, while might not look as good on a resume, will certainly give you an edge once you get employed, as these are the skills that every data scientist also needs to be successful. 

The last thing that is worth mentioning is the fact that they have a phenomenal team dedicated solely to get you hired after you finish. Even before you are done with the program, you get one-on-one guidance to help understand what your goals and desires are for a job, and they work closely with you to help you achieve those goals. Even during the middle of the pandemic lockdown, their team helped me get a job offer within a month of finishing the program, and I really owe it to not only the preparation that the program has given me, but also the work that goes into helping you make connections and facilitate the job interview process. 

If you are really serious about transitioning to a data science role - I highly recommend you consider Codeup, as it will give you the skills necessary to be successful, and they will help jumpstart your career by actually helping you transition into a professional role. 

As I think back through my time at Codeup, I am pleased to say that every second of my attendance was valued by the staff and utilized for growth both mentally and professionally. Codeup staffs well-versed employees in all divisions of their company, including technology, strategic partnership, and product managing. By doing this, they can provide the best caliber education possible. In every city, the market slightly differs, and Codeup is aware of its surroundings. They are open to new evolving technology that is sought after, therefore producing a product like myself that will provide benefits to large corporations. Attending Codeup is more than just a prestigious education, you become part of the Codeup family and get to be apart of the Codeup name which rings highly throughout the walls of many technology companies. I highly recommend Codeup, if you are unsure, give them a call and you will immediately recognize the difference.

Looking at a career transition is tough. Even after I knew I wanted to focus on a career in software development I still had the task of deciding how to proceed. Even once I decided that the boot camp approach was what I was going for I still had to decide on the best program for me. I visited campuses of 4 boot camps in the area, Codeup being my last. My mind was made up after my initial visit and chat with admissions.

I made my way through the prework as my first day of class approached, becoming more and more excited. The very first day was a whirlwind of meeting new people, getting your tech set up, and getting a general lay of the land. We then immediately jumped into the learning and didn't stop. The instructors even went out of their way to provide us some Holiday Challenges during the break to keep us on our toes. The whole experience wrapped up with a capstone project which forces you to complete a full-stack web application from start to finish and then to demo this project as the culmination of your learning over the past six months to a room full of family, friends, and potential employers. 

I'm very happy with my outcome from Codeup and what I learned during my time there. Codeup did a great job of promoting immersion, "learning by doing," and would not only teach us how to code but also how to ask the right questions, how to be autodidactic, and how to market yourself as a developer. All this combined with the technical skills ensures that my fellow Codeup alumni are ready to tackle anything; problems don't scare us, they excite us. 

You get out what you put in... and I put in a ton but I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Thanks, Codeup, go Deimos!