Rutgers Bootcamps

My son brought to my attention the Rutgers Web Coding Bootcamp curriculum.

To make the story short, we both signed up and graduated October 2016. 

For 28 years, I was a computer software professional, then took a short

8 year sabbatical to study horology...the study of time and timekeeping. 

Time keeping, watches, and clocks are absolutely fascinating, but I  

wished to continue in computing as well.  The Rutgers program more

than exceeded my expectations for learning such great content

in a reasonable amount of time.   The instructor, T/A's, and curriculum

were excellent.   It is without hesitation that I recommend The Rutgers

Web Coding Bootcamp. 

If you are a beginner, you may think what if class is too hard to catch up with and you are the one who left behind during the course. 

"Hey, you are not alone. We are here for you!!" That's what I heard from Instructor and TAs. That made me a lot comfortable and confident. 

I tried to learn new skills, for instance, Git and React from a couple of video lectures. I followed directions from the video and had an error during the first step, server configuration. But I couldn't figure it out why and spent almost two weeks.
Of course, I asked to the instructor in video, "Hold on, I have a problem, I don't know why". The response I had was "Ok everything looks good. Next is ..., next, next". 
During the two weeks, whenever I thought I found a solution from google, I tried and failed. I kept repeating the same thing over and over. I couldn't even start the next step. As a result, I gradually lost my confidence.
I agree that when you have a problem, it is very useful to use google, however, sometimes it is necessary to be solved it in time to move forward.

In Rutgers Bootcamp, TA's always trying to help you to solve errors in time so that you can go to the next step. Someone will say that you will easily forget if you learn easily. Don't worry TAs will not give you an immediate answer.
I think they will give students a chance to think and solve it first and then explain the errors line by line.
I was impressed when TAs checked that I was able to solve the problem or not after a few days later. Yes, I really felt "I'm not alone. I don't need to be struggled with it alone for two weeks."

If you are an expert, it will be good time to make your knowledge firmly. 
In my case, I often googled to find a solution and applied to application without thinking why/what it is. Once it worked with 0 errors, I didn't care about it anymore.

In Rutgers Bootcamp, I learned the details that I didn't know before and how to write better code. In addtion, I was able to clarify the ambiguity gained from google search by checking with instructor and TAs.

There is no absolute solution in coding. As you see other ways to solve a problem, you can finally decide what to use at the end on your side.

Therefore, I highly recommend Rutger's Coding Bootcamp to those who are hesitating now.​

I came into this program with 0 background in any related field. I had a career in finance that I was not satisfied with, and after a few months of an attempt at self learning, and after comparing different programs, i decided to invest in myself and enroll in this bootcamp, and It was by far the best career decision I've ever made. 

You will quickly realize that the people that work for this organization will treat you like family and have your best interest in mind. Its up to you to take advantage of all the resources you have available as a student.

In 24 weeks i was able to learn things which would have taken me years to learn on my own. As a complete beginner it is almost impossible to navigate the myriad of "resources" available online and distinguish legitimate ones from illegitimate ones, but thanks to this programs structure and curriculum, combined with the staffs support, I was able to significantly accelerate my learning. 

The staff was always available to answer my questions and they were always ready to challenge me to become a better developer. I was able to find a job as a developer a few months after graduating, and I'm now in a career that I love, doing something I truly enjoy. 

I'd like to stress the fact that I was able to achieve a positive outcome because I chose to work hard. Its an intense 24 week program, and its 100% a "you get what you put in " scenario. The bootcamp can only go as far as providing a great curriculum and great staff, the rest is up to you. These guys changed my life and I'm forever grateful for giving me everything I needed to change my career. 

I attended as a student in Jan 2018 and graduated July 2018. I consider the education to be top notch.  The instructor Vikas Pandey was very knowledgeable and energetic. The teaching assistants were former graduates themselves wth a knack in helping you succeed. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to stay emmersed in the material to keep it fresh. I was approached to be a tutor and also a teaching assistant(TA). I found this a great way to stay immersed and make connections that will benefit going forward. I valued my experience with this program and recommend it highly.

I can not have a conversation with anyone about coding, bootcamps, or jobs in general, without mentioning the fact that in April of 2017 I was an audiobook narrator/struggling actress, and by October of 2018 I became a full-time Software Engineer.

Of course there is more to this story. I taught myself HTML, CSS & Javascript first. I had a myriad of other, sometimes fulfilling, freelance jobs in media. A lifelong love of technology, a strong foundation in High School Math and Computer Science, studying Digital Prepress/Desktop Publishing post-college, some casual coding on personal websites -- many of these factors are contributors to my current circumstance, but the main reason I was able to pull of this feat, which surprises even me to this day, was because of my bootcamp training, and my time after graduation working for Trilogy Education, both as a TA and eventually as a Student Success Manager.

Rutgers Coding Bootcamp (yes it's powered by Trilogy Education, like the ones at U Penn, Harvard, Georgia Tech...) had one thing the other Bootcamps did not---a part-time curriculum that would allow me to learn to code over 6 months instead of 12 weeks. I could work and care for my children and build a new skill at the same time, something I knew would not come easily. Because of my background, I had a keen awareness of how easy it is to be replaced by someone more skilled, how much of a rollercoaster freelancing can be, and how nothing in life is guaranteed, no matter how shiny your immediate successes. Without structure, hard work and unassailable skills, there is no guarantee of a decent life. Not in late-stage Capitalism. It's designed to crush you. But I digress...

I knew I would NEVER be able to pull this off without being in a HIGHLY structured environment that would push me to sometimes uncomfortable extremes. Tending a bit toward ADD, I knew I needed it. I welcomed it. I was prepared for it. This Bootcamp will make you feel very challenged at times, at times even frustrated. You will hear fellow students complain about the same, and you will sometimes go to cynical places, convinced you are being sold a bill of goods by people who just want your money. You will struggle with feeling like an imposter or even an idiot. All of that is fine! You can feel all of those things, but do it anyway. And the reason you do it is THIS IS HOW UNCOMFORTABLE IT FEELS TO REMAIN RELEVANT AND SKILLED IN LATE STAGE CAPITALISM. Ha ha again I digress...

I currently work with an advertising company (straight into the fiery heart of capitalism I went, the second I flew the nest,) and I've been coding in all the frontend technologies I learned at Rutgers Coding Bootcamp, and some I didn't (Angular, for instance.) It is every bit as rewarding as people said it would be. After my interview, they said they were looking for a junior level coder but that I knew "far more" than they anticipated and so they GAVE me the title (and the responsibility) of a full-blown Software Engineer. I owe ALL of that to the Bootcamp.

Coding is not for everyone. But if it's for you, and if you understand that you will be handed nothing (but you WILL be listened to and cared about, the care is genuine,) and if you are able to sometimes discipline yourself (6 months of being uncomfortable, you can do this!) then go for it. There will be nay-sayers -- in fact, I was sometimes one of them, but the proof is in the results. Even if I hadn't gotten a Software Engineering job, I'm convinced I would have landed squarely somewhere in tech, a desirable candidate for my wide range of knowledge in the most current technologies.
 

Overall, the Rutgers Data Science and Visualization Bootcamp was a great experience. Coming from someone who had no prior coding or data science experience, the Bootcamp really gives a great introduction to a field unlike any other. The instructors and TA's were subject matter experts while always providing support and assistance during lectures or outside of class hours. I would recommend the Bootcamp to anyone who is looking to change their career path or expand their knowledge and hone their skills.

The Rutgers Bootcamp is definitely for grown-ups.  Anyone with a passion for learning, and a willingness to put in the work, will thrive in this program.

I've been in IT for quite a while, but in a single industry.  Once I decided to change industries, Data Science seemed to be the closest to what I love to do, and is was in demand accross many industries that I find desirable.  The Rutgers program had all the topics that are current and future oriented.  Specifically the combination of Big Data, Machine Learning, and Data Visualization.

From the beginning I was impressed by the resources provided.  The pre-work, assigned to be completed before the course started, provided an ideal way to gain exposure to the course topics.  That made it much easier to hit the ground running on day one.  The curriculum is unabashedly ambitious, as it should be!  So this was as necessary as it was convenient.

The classroom support was amazing.  There were enough teaching assistants to keep the classes on track, while providing additional support before and after classes.  The students themselves were diverse, smart, and hardworking - I've made friends for life.

I'd say; if you want to acquire a tier-one Data Science skill-set, are willing to be challenged, and are not afraid to put in some hard work, then there can be no better program other than doing a full blown degree.  Very happy with this investment.  Oh...and do ALL the prework!

My experience at the Coding Bootcamp was, simply put, fantastic. The instructors never hesitated to take the time to make sure I fully understood a concept. There were always additional resources available to utilize to go beyond what we learned in the classroom.

One of the biggest takeaways from the class was HOW to learn instead of just learning the curriculum, ensuring that we would be able to flourish in the real world and continue to grow and develop. The support of the instructional team, my fellow classmates, the Student Success team and the Career Services team has ensured that I am prepared to thrive today's competitive market. Rutgers gave me a wonderful experience, and they can do the same for you too.

I had been learning to code on my own, then I got into Rutgers Coding Bootcamp.

This is when I realized the Rutgers Coding Bootcamp was organized and the program for me. They basically take you from zero coding knowledge to job ready. Job ready means job ready. I got my first job offer and just couldn't believe it. Rutgers Coding Bootcamp has a great career service department where they work with you and show you how to start searching for jobs while taking classes. This is proof of the confidence in their program and dedication to impact students lives.

After graduation, the great career services team included multi-functional levels of support for job seekers. From providing guidance on the polishing job ready materials to equipping you to become employer competitive. My Career Coach, Timamu Wilson started partnering with me while I was still in class, sharing tools/resources/career advice and motivation. We had scheduled 1:1 meetings to polish my resume, and portfolio, and practiced interview questions, to ensure I was job ready. 

And after graduating, she totally worked tirelessly to refer me to companies to ensure I got a job. One of those companies is now my first employer as a software developer. All in all, Rutgers Coding Bootcamp has a great career service team under Coach Timamu’s leadership.

Getting my first developer job through career services is proof that they do a great job, they keep their promise and I am grateful for that. My experience with Rutgers Coding Bootcamp has been a life-changing experience, and if you want to tell a story like me, just start by applying to this school.  

#KeepCoding

This is not a course if you are new to coding. They will offer you the world, just remember they are pretty much selling. Thats their job. When its time to look for a job everybody wants either a degree or a couple years of experience. Nobody wants to hire  a noob fresh from boot camp. When I signed up they said 90% hires. That was all BS, salesmen selling. I fell for it. You want a new career as a developer then get a degree, dont waste your money. If you already have experience and a coding job and just want to learn web development then go ahead. Otherwise you are going to waste your money.

as someone who spent 10 years getting my undergrad and masters degree in education, i knew that this was going to be a challenge learning all these topics in such short amount of time. The pace was perfect for teaching us flexibility and to be adaptive to whatever is thrown our way. The support staff, student success manager and even tutors all want you to do well and go above the extra mile for you. I learned so much during my time and I feel i am prepared to take on something new. Well worth it!