Yeah a bootcamp could be appropriate. Look into the top ones and see how they work and which approach is right for you.
I see a "Codesmith." comment and it's a top one or consider but look into how it works. Most people said things like "it changed my life" but don't explain how it works... it only works for certain people that will stretch the truth in their resumes (even most people here who say they went there and didn't do this often "stretched the truth")
If time is not an issue I would also look at Launch School. similarly it's a solid program but look into hired it works and see if that's good for you.
Also look at "career accelerators": Formation, Pathrise, Interview Kickstart. these are typically for people with SWE experience already so I probably would not recommend at all in this market, but you should look at them to compare "how it works" to how bootcamps work.
u/WVAviator wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I did exactly that - I went to Codesmith not really knowing that I was already good at this stuff (I guess I had to meet other learners to realize I was actually any good).
It was ok. I mean, I learned some other skills like how to interact with other developers, review code, le
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
Hi! Can you comment on your perception of Codesmith before and after joining? If you could share some things you perceived before starting that were as expected and not as expected that would be super helpful based on the questions people ask me daily.
I'm very much on top of Codemsith on here because it attracts both the right people and the wrong people and I want to make sure everyone ends up at the right place for them and gets past marketing.
u/WVAviator wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I did exactly that - I went to Codesmith not really knowing that I was already good at this stuff (I guess I had to meet other learners to realize I was actually any good).
It was ok. I mean, I learned some other skills like how to interact with other developers, review code, le
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
Also a +1000 for how often I get similar messages privately to your analysis.... They have marketing efforts to brand it as the solution for anyone great to get a 130K salary but it's really no where near that level of program, it as a bootcamp, it's fantastic.
I wish Codesmith would realize this. Several staff members call their leaders delusional and have left or are leaving shortly but haven't told them yet. Instead of being so delusional that you are creating mid level and senior engineers in 13 weeks, be honest with yourself and be honest with residents, everyone will be better off... go back to why you are doing this to begin with..m
i.e. this https://vimeo.com/42713491
u/twaccount143244 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
My understanding is that bootcamps are actually pretty bad at supplying career support. They do a better job of teaching you the basics, but if you’ve published an app you probably know those.
Another thing to do is to take the codesmith technical interview. If you pass that on
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
Want to know something crazy but Codemsith often rejects people on their first try even if they are qualified so they can prove how much they want to go to Codesmith. If you really want to go, you'll fight to get in.
So that said, yeah if you get in your first try, you have no hope in a bootcamp and run for the hills.
u/corrosivewater wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I unfortunately have not. I had to resort to getting a job in my last career in order to make ends meet. I was applying/studying/working on projects basically 8-10 hours a day for the past 10 months but that doesn't quite pay the bills. Still working on it but not as hardcore.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
The most insulting thing is this will qualify as a placement. If its on your LinkedIn, it will likely be included as a placement even if you ghosted them.
u/Cute_Replacement666 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
This. My experience is exactly this. They taught me great and new coding experience but their “amazing unique in-network job support system” sucked. They helped in job mocked interview, resumes, and occasionally put out job ads from other alumni but those were usually 1 per week
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Hi! Can you explain more your expectations beforehand vs reality? I see their marketing making people feel like they can become mid level and senior engineers in 13 weeks.
u/corrosivewater wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Wow I did not know this. I knew they screw with the numbers a bit if you ghost them but not actually count it if it’s a non-swe job. I always answer their “monthly checkup” emails to let them know I was still looking so they wouldn’t do things like that. That is so slimy.
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
If you are answering the check in emails and saying you didn't get a job then they won't count it. If you entirely ghost then they will try to find you and have any friends you had on staff text you to see how life is going and try to get info.
CIRR has two fields to try to counter this:
1. Salary unavailable (so if they count it as a placement because of LI and you ghosted them it would show up in this field)
2. Job placed out of field. The definition is if the skills you learned are needed on the job or not. Codesmith teaches 5 things and only 1 is programming skills, the rest are soft skills, so not sure how they interpret that rule.
u/corrosivewater wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I heard this as well when I was interviewing. Everyone I spoke with during that time said they had to do all three interviews and someone had mentioned they make everyone do all three regardless of how well the first one goes. Gives the illusion that it’s a high bar to entry.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
I mean it works... you see how crazy strong many people support Codesmith and it's because of little things like this. If you fought for months to get into a program, you're more likely to be all in.