devCodeCamp

I am Arturo from Chicago, IL. My experience at devCodeCamp was truly life changing, after a long background in culinary arts. I decided to do a career change and found devCodeCamp, there I enrolled in the Compuer Science Engineer course and started to learn how to code. This bootcamp helped me learn not just how to code but how to teach myself more and how to keep working on my own projects. The skills I acquired are priceless and will help me in my new career. My instructors were the best part of the bootcamp and were some of the best instructors I have ever had. The instructors were always willing to help and did not change our ideas but just built on them and made us grow them into better ones. I would have liked to do more group programming to get used to the style I will be doing the most.

After investigating and narrowing the choices of bootcamps to just two, I just had a good feeling and felt like I was already part of devCodeCamp(dCC), I completed my enrollment requirements and spoke with Meghann V. in admissions from dCC. I was nervous and unsure of how I would do. She was great at helping me with any questions that I had. After a brief conference with Mike T, I felt wonderfully comfortable with my choice.

I never looked at code in my life before this. I was a welder for crying aloud… The first week was confusing and fast, but I feel like, after I let the fear of not knowing what I was doing go, I really started to understand what I had thought was so impossible. The instructor was more than helpful, and it really was like being in a classroom where I could just raise my hand and questions could be answered as I had them. They really designed their curriculum very well and made it easy to navigate through to find past content and subjects to refer to as I needed.

One project after another confirmed that I was understanding how to do what was asked. I really had issues around week 6 when my grandmother passed away, but the instructors and classmates were incredibly supportive and really helped me stay on course. We were just starting React too! 

React was the real test that made me realize I can do this! After understanding React and finishing a few more projects, we had our capstone due! I really relied on my notes and earlier projects to complete my capstone project, but in the end, it turned out pretty darn good.

I know I owe my instructors and my partners a ton of credit to get me through this crazy yet rewarding ride. Looking back and reflecting, I was worried that 14 weeks wouldn’t be enough time to learn something as intricate as software engineering, but dCC made it possible. Not only is it possible, but 14 weeks is plenty of time to learn Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React.js, Django, Django REST Framework, Java, and Spring. You will also become familiar with MySQL, Web Services & REST API, JSON, Git & GitHub, Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio Community, Postman, IntelliJ IDEA Community.

devCodeCamp is a great option if you are thinking about a career transition or wanting to learn some of the languages and technologies they teach. I took the full-time full stack engineer course (online) and devCodeCamp was a great experience for myself. I was able to learn at a fast pace with plenty of resources available to me to reference, while also having access to an instructor when needed. The simulated class environment was very welcoming and easy to work within. My instructor was very willing to help, but also made sure I was self sufficient in finding solutions to what I needed and did not hand feed me answers. The learning curve does start out moderate but does increase the further along you go as you should be getting more comfortable with the material and concepts. The class time allotted for each day is more than enough to finish assignments and projects, but if you are determined and interested in what you are doing I recommend spending a little extra time so that you can cement the concepts into your knowledge.

I will add that before beginning my bootcamp with decCodeCamp, I self taught and familiarized myself with Python, HTML, and CSS, which extensively helped me digest the concepts  in which we learned throughout the bootcamp. Coming in with some sort of prior knowledge or slight understanding will be a great help and lighten the load of concepts that you will need to understand to be successful within the bootcamp.


Overall I enjoyed my experience at devCodeCamp, I feel as through I have learned an immense amount of knowledge in such a short period of time, and that I am fully capable of building a full stack application front to back. The Instructors are very friendly and insightful and will always help you find a solution as long as you are willing to put in the work to understand or get to one as well. I'd recommend this bootcamp to anyone SERIOUS about learning how to code!

When I was making a decision to change my career to software development I was very critical about all boot camps in general because I, like many other people, was thinking that it is impossible to be a valuable employee in just 14 weeks of education, but I had no choice. I couldn't effort any other type of education and I decided to take a shot. Since my first class day, my heart was telling me that I'm on the right path and
I loved that educational process more and more every day. I was getting all the support from the devCodeCamp staff at any time I needed it, and I was getting all the answers even if they were not clear enough, but that was done on purpose so I could find a solution by myself and remember it forever. 
At the end of the course, I was able to create my own application from scratch when I had zero experience in coding before I landed myself at the devCodeCamp. If you are reading this message and still don't believe that devCodeCamp will get you to succeed - you probably don't believe in yourself.  Since you believe in yourself - they will do everything for you to become a software developer! I am a former truck driver telling you this.
After graduation, I got all the support from career services to be able to find my first job. They will help you to get prepared for future interviews. 
The only thing you have to understand is that they won't pass any interview for you. You have to believe in yourself and do everything you can to have those potential employers stop their eyes at your profile and be willing to have a conversation with you.
I'm thankful for the devCodeCamp that I have a job that I was always dreaming about. 
If I was able to become a software developer - anyone is able too, you just need to believe in yourself, get motivated, chase your goal, and go with the devCodeCamp!

Growing up in the disaster restoration and construction industries Software Development was never on my radar as a possible job path to take. Due to some medical issues, I found myself without a driver’s license and 6 months to kill.  I did some research on courses and talked with some colleagues in the tech industry about this career switch.  A few short but packed months later I am happy to say I am a Full Stack Software Developer thanks to the Instructors and Curriculum at devCodeCamp. Going from being a hands-on Project Manager traveling the country for work to a 100% remote based school was quite the shock. Through the help and guidance of the instructors and Career Services at devCodeCamp though I feel confident in taking on a role in the tech industry. Knowing that I have a solid foundation in all of the basics involved in Full Stack Development and having the tools necessary to continue that growth has put me at ease through a tumultuous time in my life and makes the future look bright.  

I came into this program with no prior experience in coding. After being honorably discharged from active duty military, I faced a task that many fellow veterans face after leaving the service, What do I do now? I researched on tech jobs for I always had a passion in tech. This landed me on Full Stack Software Development. I then researched opportunities to learn about how to learn full stack development which then in turn put me onto devCodeCamp's landing page. I researched many other courses and none of them had the professionalism/willing to help that devCodeCamp's staff did. Once enrolled into the course, I was met with instructors that actually want to help you learn and see you succeed. The course layout although fast pace(I took the full immersion Full Stack Course) , gave me a since of direction and a plan to follow. The instructors were there every step of the way on my journey to Software Development. This course not only taught me how to build Full Stack Web applications, but how to learn, and how to ask professional questions in a development environment. Thank you to everyone at devCodeCamp and I am excited to see where the next part of my journey takes me. 

1) Overview 
Selecting a Bootcamp to go into programming can be a highly complex process. With loads of boot camps out there all vying for your attention it can be hard to pinpoint which one is right for you.  Fortunately, that is where I come in. I've been in this situation and in turn, I come here today to give you a comprehensive review of my experience with devCodeCamp. This will be broken down into detailed sections.  All of which will address the question: is devCodeCamp worth it?

2) My background 

To be as transparent as possible, I want to explain  my background, prior to entering the Bootcamp. Even though my background was in Economics, I did have programming experience in Python.  I have been experienced in Python for about four years alongside SQL(PostgreSQL) and other statistical languages like, R.  So I was not a complete novice when it came to understanding programming and the problem-solving element.

What I did lack was the consistent experience with project work and in turn, the boot camp definitely helped shake a lot of that atrophy I had with problem-solving, planning, and coding.    I also worked at Amazon in a Fulfillment center but left the job shortly when the Boot Camp started.

3) Content /course load

My program was for full-stack web development. Specifically, the MERN( stack.  That is  MongoDB, Express.js, React.js and Node.Js.   In layman's terms, this stack was taught to enable me and the rest of my classmates to build full-stack applications that utilized the front and backend. 

The first few weeks were straightforward, focusing on learning the essentials of JavaScript and doing problem-solving prompts. These were not that difficult for me as I have had experience with problem-solving prompts.     The bulk of the course work was focused on working on projects.

The complexity behind these projects started simple, like an ATM machine but eventually ramped up when we hit React.Js.   The React projects included building a social media project and a YouTube clone to eventually a Capstone project.  The former was a group project in order to simulate what it would be like working on a team.

Note each project will start incorporating more elements from the stack, like MongoDB(non-relational database for backend), Express.js, a web framework, and Node.Js. 

The course projects are laid out in user stories with point based values.  Depending on how much you complete the projects you get a score that is weighted as a grade. Note you did have an opportunity to resubmit your projects  once to get a better grade. 
You will also learn about GitHub and how to utilize it alongside MongoDB which is a non-relational database.

All I will say is that be prepared to work hard during this course. The experience was 15 weeks but it flies by and will require your every attention.  But if you are willing to be diligent, ask questions and in general, try your hardest/ learn you will do fine.

Also, devCodeCamp does offer video brush-ups on JavaScript, Python, etc. They are useful if you are rusty or new to programming.
 
4) Classmates and Instructors 

My favorite part about devCodeCamp was the instructors. Pascal was definitely my favorite, alongside Nevin(the head instructor) and Dan.  All of them were very knowledgeable in their subject fields and approachable.  However, they will force you to work for the answers. So do not expect them to give you answers.  But they did help make the experience all the more worth it, especially whenever I was stuck on a particular question/ problem and needed some help.

But they were good whenever it came to checking your progress and being alert.  They definitely helped make the experience so much worth it. Especially whenever they recorded lectures for you to listen to and whenever you ask them questions. 

My class was great. There were three members, including myself, so the class size was perfect with regards to our instructors giving us individual attention. Class sizes at devCodeCamp I know aren't that large, usually ten maximum.  But my recommendation is to go for a smaller class so as to get the most amount of attention.

The experience also included going to alumni presentations of graduates, as well as, firms, like JPMorgan Chase, recruiting for junior developers. These latter experiences were great in helping me understand what the industry wanted from candidates and helped push me to succeed.  This was definitely the best part of the experience, seeing what I could get once I left. 



5) Conclusion and takeaways

To circle back to the main question: is devCodeCamp worth it? Yes, it absolutely is. Even if you have an experienced programmer, having someone guide you through the process can make a big difference.  The instructors and project-oriented curriculum really enabled me to succeed in displaying my knowledge of the material.  Note that these projects won't always be easy and for some, it will take a lot of hard work/ effort to make it through.  But I assure you if you are persistent and willing to suspend your ego/ learn, you will do fine.

My key takeaways from this experience for those interested are such. One is if you can try to do some coding on your own, like Udemy or any free site to see if programming is for you. If you are committed,  then get organized. Make sure you free up a lot of time to be 100% committed to the course.   And finally, be open and willing to learn. Whether it be from other classmates or the instructors, you never know what you might get from the experience.

And while I'm still on the job hunting side, I feel a lot better, knowing I picked devCodeCamp given they instilled in me the confidence/know-how to really shine in the world of tech.  Take care and I hope that this review was helpful.

     I started my programming journey learning programming languages from college courses while I served in the military. As I began my transition out of the military, I decided to pursue software development and I knew I not only needed a refresher but also needed to learn current technologies and techniques. This is where devCodeCamp really helped me. The curriculum was great, moving through several languages and technologies to provide both skills and confidence in my ability to be a software developer. I never felt that I was learning stale or useless information or skills while going through this course.
     I really enjoyed the interaction with the instructors as they taught and guided the class to not only learn syntax of a language but to problem solve the assignments as well as challenges we came across during the coursework. I couldn’t sing them enough praises, from their experience that showed everyday to their patience with students, and their ability to stay engaged every day. I’m looking forward to applying the many skills I’ve learned from devCodeCamp into action as I start my new career.

Coming into a program with no previous experience is definitely a daunting task, but an opportunity to improve upon yourself if you put in the work. devCodeCamp did an excellent job of bringing students up to speed and ramping up educational materials at a consistent pace - ensuring all topics were covered in a clear and concise manner.
The instructors are there to support you however they are able - each and every one of them has been an absolute dream to work with. Anyone looking to take an introductory course in Development with the hopes of jumping into the workforce afterwards should 100% give devCodeCamp a shot!

I was looking for a career change and devCodeCamp really knew how to help me! I came in with little knowledge of  what I was coding and now after completing the Full Stack Software Engineer Program I am completely confident in what I have produced as a student. I have gained the knowledge of what I am putting together and how everything is connected, I am able to start with a blank page and the sentence, "Hello World" to a fully functional webpage. 

I also was happy that I got to carry on that support with Career Services! They stuck by me and cheered my on on my job hunting journey. They helped me stay in the loop of hiring companies, gave me great recommendations and was an overall amazing support system going into this new stage. I would 10/10 recommend this Bootcamp to anyone who is looking. 

I enrolled in devCodeCamp's Full Stack Development course after spending nearly a year researching bootcamps. I had read many mixed reviews online about coding bootcamps in general, but devCodeCamp did not disappoint. The wealth of knowledge provided by the instructors proved that I made the right choice when I picked devCodeCamp. I had many doubts after having not touched code in several years, but with the great team of instructors it was much easier than anticipated. I would highly recommend devCodeCamp to anyone regardless of a lack of experience in programming!

I am a person that needs to be constantly learning something new, growing, and adapting to feel accomplished. My previous field was in the sign industry, and unfortunately, there is not much growth in that industry. That's when I decided to make a change. I took the plunge and researched several boot camps and I was brought to devCodeCamp and I don't regret it.
     
I can say without a doubt, that not only was I served knowledge by the best instructors I have encountered, but they also served me with some life-changing skills.   You can really tell they want to help you out, and that to me is golden.  I encourage anyone who truly wants to learn to code to give this boot camp a shot you will learn things the hard way but you will definitely learn them the right way.

The one thing that really caught my attention was career services. In other boot camps, I noticed that they didn't have extensive career services and that was definitely what swayed me to use this boot camp over all others.  

I enrolled in devCodeCamp from March 2022 through June 2022. I partook in their 14-week full-stack web development boot-camp. I did a lot of research prior to attending to determine which boot-camp I should take, and I decided on devCodeCamp because their career services portion looked promising. Never in a million years did I think it would be amazing as it was. I changed careers prior to enrolling, feeling nervous and uneasy about whether it was the correct decision. I can confidently say now that I am at the other end that it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life, and I am excited to start using the skills that I learned moving forward. I highly recommend devCodeCamp to anyone looking for a life-changing experience.

 I am a former marine corps infantryman that moved to Austin a few months before starting the 12-week full stack web development course in 2022. I was also working a night job while attending dCC. I had a little experience programming before starting the course, mostly some JavaScript and very little React. I was a little apprehensive at the beginning of the course because I was learning a new language (python) and did not know how it compared to my experience with JavaScript. Megan, JJ, and Pascal helped so much in my translating between the two and understanding the differences. I learned that picking up a new language wasn’t hard at all, although I still prefer JavaScript. I was also used to programming solo and was a little nervous about programming with someone else. Through the paired programming, I learned it was sometimes essential to keep the motivation going even when we were working on a second or third refactor of our current solution. I’ve learned throughout the course just how powerful it is to work in a team that can look at a problem with a fresh set of eyes. As I moved through a few different partners, it became clear how important working in a group was. At the point of working on our capstone projects, we found ourselves checking in on each other and seeing if we could help solve some smaller bugs before asking an instructor for help. But I have to tell you, Brett and Dan are wizards when it came time to call on their expertise in fixing bugs. I’ve recently just started with the career services and I think I can be really optimistic on my future as a developer.

I really enjoyed my experience overall! I completed the part-time course in web development. It takes time and commitment to finish, but if you enjoy coding like I do, it doesn't seem like you're at school! The instructors were great, taught me a lot and provided great feedback. The course covered the MERN stack.
Allowed me to go to school while still working a full-time job. Even though I had done some self-study in coding languages in the past, I learned some new methods and frameworks and how best to use them.
With one instructor assigned to a class, sometimes the students that don't pick up coding right away seemed to fall behind the others.