Startup Institute

I attended the Startup Institute's web development track during the summer of 2015. It was a great experience. I dramatically expanded my professional network and met many of the local leaders in the tech startup industry. I transitioned into web development from an entirely different career -- I was an English professor -- and by following SI staff's advice I was able to land a half-dozen interviews, two job offers, and one career that I love. Startup Institute's support for students in their job search is real. Highly recommended.

Startup Institute is not your typical bootcamp, in that it's not just coding, but rather four separate tracks running in tandem: Designers, Developers, Marketers, and Sales. This unique structure really worked well for those ready to take advantage of the collaborative opportunities offered through the program. I went through as a developer and came out more knowledgeable about marketing and sales than I anticipated, and it's been a great boon to my job hunting skills. It's great to be able to say you're a UX designer, but to be able to show that you've done more than that and can sell the product too – that's what lands you the job!

After working to get a couple startups off the ground, I realized I needed a bigger network and additional knowledge/skills to really make a difference at a young, growing company. I found Startup Institute to be just the career accelerator to build on my business development foundation and prepare me to fuel growth at the next startup I joined.

The dynamic 8 week program introduced me to the people and companies that make up the Chicago tech ecosystem. Being immersed was energizing and rewarding for both my hard skills and soft skills development. I learned way more than I expected about early stage companies and the factors that contribute to their success.

The frameworks and methodologies I picked up at the Startup Institute by real startup practitioners have helped me succeed in my current role. I really enjoyed the hands on learning and partner projects that allowed me to quickly apply the newly acquired skills. 

The alumni network has been a huge benefit since completing the program. Startup Institute continues to host events to support the network and tech community in Chicago, and I find it to be a great way to connect with so many likeminded people. I also credit the alumni network with helping land my current role.

Startup Institute was probably the most productive 8 weeks I've ever had. I had been teaching myself web development for a few months prior to signing up and I learned more in the first 2 weeks of SI than I had in 2 months of working on my own. They did a great job of providing knowledgable instructors and just about all of them were open to helping with problems outside of the classroom time. The most valuable asset however was definitely the network and the SI community. When I finished the program I still had a little ways to go before I was ready to be a self-sufficient member of a development team and through the connections I made at the Startup Institute I was able to find a startup that was hiring junior devs to shape them into the specific brand of engineer that they needed. I still keep in touch with all of my classmates and I have, on several occasions, referred friends and colleagues from my past life to working SI alumni for jobs.

There's only so much you can learn in an 8 week program. That's why startup institute (SI) spends so much of the time focusing on networking and how to network which ultimately helps you get a job.

I'll say this:

If you're going to do SI because you want to learn a new skill, I wouldn't be so certain this is the program for you. At least when I did it, the course work was really just exposure to the material with limited feedback. It did allow me to speak intelligently about some topics; however, it didn't make me a marketing expert at all. 

However, if your main priority is to work at a startup, this is the program for you. The SI community has continued to grow and grow, and at least in Boston, the SI network is everywhere and has a very good reputation. It will definitely give you a leg up on the competition for finding a job.

The networks stays with you even after you graduate. That's definitely been the best part.

Startup Institute is more than a coding bootcamp --and this is a great thing! SI beat my expectations as it was not only about coding (Ruby on Rails) but also about learning first-hand from CEOs and big players in the startup ecosystem in Boston about what made their careers tick --and what made their businesses succeed (and yes, fail).In addition, there was plenty of necessary work (especially for coders) in how to present yourself to HR, hiring managers, and possible networking contacts. This was done around a fine, super-supportive staff that really cared to find out about you as a person, as a coder, and as a jobseeker.

My advice for SI students is this: as in life, and as in the startup world especially, success will come when you raise to the ocassion. This means, do not expect to be spoonfed all you need to know. SI is not really comparable to GA or Hack Reactor as the emphasis is on creating a well-rounded person, not just an awesome coder. But if you do want to be a super-awesome well-rounded coder, do this: Once you are admitted, hit the books and try to learn as much of Ruby and web coding and databases as you can. Hit the Michael Hartl books, learn MCV, event-driven programming, add Python if you can. No, you cannot be made to learn and SI is a fast-moving program --no time to catch up later after slacking off. And everytime you need to pause to catch up, it means you will miss an opportunity somewhere (yup, the program is that intense). 

And by the way, the most rewarding part of the program is not the coding you will learn, but the bonds with your classmates and teachers (which all are active practicioners in industry) and how they look at the world. SI's strength is in diversity --embrace it. Be a better coder, but also a better person!

When I realized I wanted to change the direction my career was taking (and when I say change direction, I mean 180 degree deviation), I knew I would be starting over from scratch. I knew I just needed to get my foot in the door, but getting that chance was going to be tricky. 

I knew that the Startup Institute was the right bootcamp for me as soon as I learned that their approach to getting you a job isn't so much about just getting you placed, but about helping you discover what it is that makes you happy, helping you find the place that is right for you, and connecting you with a community of people genuinely want to help others in the same pursuit. Does a person need technical skills in order to do their job? Yes, and SI does include that in their curriculum, but it's not the main focus. We spend a huge amount of our lives at work, and with our co-workers. SI understands this, and as another part of the curriculum, works to help us understand which are going to be the RIGHT jobs to help us be happy and successful. They bring in CEOs and founders of companies from all over the area (for me it was in Boston) so we can learn about the startup community, meet and connect with people who are looking to hire, and expose us to the different types of companies that are out there. The instructors were community members who are actively working in the fields we wanted to pursue. 

The support we received, from not just the CEOs and founders, but from the SI staff, as well as from the other people in the cohort (not to mention the alumni!) was astounding. It's a network that i never would have had if not for SI. And the number one thing I hear (and have said myself) is "how can I help?" 

There were downsides. It was stressful and mentally exhausting at times. There is a lot of introspection and it didnt always feel like things would work out. And I could have learned more in the technical side from other bootcamps. SI isn't shy about admitting that. And as someone going into the development field, that was scary. 

That said, I think it was a well worth it. The Startup Institute had the balance that I needed. Technical, network, support, an amazing staff, and it's a community of people that i am proud to be a part of. 

I moved from California to Boston in search for new career opportunities and carefuly selected SI Boston. The staff was phenomenal from the interview all the way to today as an alumn. My background is in civil engineering but I wanted to transition into sales to get a better understanding of how to build a business. The 8 weeks of SI prepared me very well expecially for a entry level position in software sales. I think a more experienced indivudal will not find the classes as insightful but certainly as a great refresher. 

My network also grew exponentially and I have no doubt that if I wanted to leave my current job (which I do not) for any reasaon I would easily be able to find a number of opportunities through the SI network. I'd even dare to say that I'd look for a job through my SI network before my Alma Mater.

Startup Institute does everything, and most of it is done very well.  The skills-based courses might pale a bit to the other courses, but that's because everything else is top-top-notch.  The personalized attention and job search assistance blew away my expectations.

Very few people need (or can take appropriate advantage of) all of the experiences that SI provides.  The course is jam packed.  I knew exactly what I was looking for when I started, but many people were still trying to find the right career for them, so those self-discovery sessions were less useful for me, yet invaluable for others.  Recognize what you need and never hesitate to ask for help from your peers and staff.

Enrolling in Startup Institute was the right decision for me, and I look back on my time at SI with fondness and gratitude. Fondness for the friends I made and the support system I built. Gratitude for the safe space to grow and fail and learn that was provided by the SINYC staff and for the support they continue to give me today.  If you expect to enroll in an 8 week long boot camp and graduate with a 6 figure salary and equity in a unicorn, then contact me because I have some magic beans you might want to buy. If you realize that enrolling in a career accelerator is a step in your professional growth -- the size of which is correlated to the effort you put forth, then SI is for you.

Startup Institute was one of the best things I've ever done. I came from college with little to no experience in the job market and I honestly lacked confidence in my technical skills. After the couple weeks at Startup Institute I began to build more confidence and gain some amazing friends in the process.  Startup Institute teaches you pretty much everything you need to know about getting a job at a start up and the mind set you need to keep while in one.

Two years later I run a software development in a upcoming startup that I love! I might work a lot but I finally can say I love what I do and I make a difference. 

If your thinking about joining a boot camp, this is the right one! Trust me when I say it paid for itself %1000 times over! 

SI is one of those experiences that won't take you from zero to 100. It's that intensive experience that takes those stuck in the early stages of their career and propels them into a new bracket. You have to want it, and the return you get comes down to you. But SI delivers 5 times over what you put in. You'll fine tune more than raw skill. You'll find direction, community, and you'll figure out how to stop wasting time. If you're looking for the kind of environment that is kind before competitive, makes you feel like you have jet fuel in your veins, and creates a killer network to support you (not because they have to but because they genuinely want to) -- this is your spot. 

I was strongly recommended to Startup Institute by a close friend who was attending the program at the time. It was a big decision for me because I had to drop a stable job and move to Boston from Michigan. After doing the research and hearing students/alums experiences, my sense of risk was significantly reduced. It seemed like everyone had a positive experience and outcome. So I decided to apply, got accepted, went through the program, and now I have a job in Boston with fulfilling mission, amazing work/life balance, and even doubled my salary.

When I attended the program during Fall '15, here's what I gained from the Startup Institute experience.

Hard Skills: I was a Advertising major who went the route of working on smaller businesses for a wide range of challenges and skill development. Startup Institute helped me get caught up on current trends in UI/UX designs, terminologies, and methodologies.

Soft Skills: What are your weaknesses? What are your strengths? Can you tell your personal story efficiently? Startup Institute will explore these questions and many more to help you improve your emotional IQ to present the best version of you to the job market and working space.

Mentorship: Startup Institute has so many wonderful staffs and alums that are able to provide mentoship for your career path. They all have different strengths and specialties to help you find the right job.

Networking: Not only are you tightly connected with your cohort members in the same semester, but there are powerful staffs, many partner companies, alums in various cities, and future Startup Institute students to be connected to. There are frequent networking and fun events to make more connections or to find a door to a company you are pursuing.

Startup Environment: What Startup Institute brews within is a wave of positive culture that spreads to the working environments through their alums. They do a great job of eliminating internal competitive nature and encourage reaching success as a whole tight-knit community. These ideas and energy will carry in to new companies and influence the positive change.

The Startup Institute did its job. When I left two months after beginning I was hired by an alum as a software developer. I have been employed in this capacity ever since. I leaned some software development, and more importantly I learned the soft skills required to feel comfortable and excell in a start-up / any technical agile environment. I learned enough technical skills. The focus was not really on learning only programming. At the time I found this a tad disconcerting, but the fact is even the hardest core boot camp is not going to prepare you for being a developer.  It is not some rote facts and rules learned about object oriented programming that truly matters, It is your intellectual curiosity, and ability to learn on the job that will help you get and keep your first job. I learned Ruby at  SI and I worked with Python in my first job and now I work with Python, Bash and PHP in my current position. What has helped is the network, soft skills I learned at Start Up Institute. Start Up Institute is a great value that changed my life for the better.(cliche but true :))

Startup Institute was a great experience that really helped kickstart my web development career.  I would say it's biggest strength is the network you form during and after the class.  You make connetions with great peers, as well as great people in the industry.  The instructors are mostly people who are currently working in real development jobs, so you get very relevant advice. For me, the biggest weakness is that the cirriculum, at the time I was there at least, was not so good at helping you get a portfolio together for prospective employers.  If you are motivated enough, you can get it done yourself, which is kind of the whole point of having a loose cirriculum, but I think it would benefit from having a more structured program.  Overall, I would highly recommend this program. 

Startup Institute has been by far one of the best educational experiences of my life. I was worried at the beginning that my fellow classmates and I would be competing over limited resources (job opportunites in the city), it was quite the opposite. The phenomenon that occured was actually very intentional, a support community was created, a "family" --- sounds too good to be true right? But it is true, once you are in Startup Institute, you are in a family, with experienced parents who want your best. How do they provide you their best? The curriculum changes and refreshes based on the needs of the market, so you know you're in demand when you graduate. Most importantly, they teach you HOW TO NETWORK. This invaluable skill and the family SI creates are your lifevests in this field.

I got my first freelance gig from a partner company 3 days into the bootcamp and I landed a job at Upworthy immediately after the bootcamp through the SI Network in other cities. I made friends for life that I know I can reach out to in the future for support in any way.

Bonus: In Boston's Startup Institute, there exists a man named Alan Telio, he's the Godfather to all the graduates: best, most compassionate advisor! 

I wish I could do my experience all over again :) and I graduated in 2014!