The document summarizes key lessons learned from attending a coding bootcamp program. Some of the expectations presented before the camp were not fully accurate, such as job placement rates and the level of competency obtained. Upon completion, the document's author found that the types of technologies taught did not fully align with what employers were seeking. Additionally, the level of post-graduation support from the school was less than anticipated. Overall, the document serves as a cautionary tale for properly managing expectations when attending a coding bootcamp program.
2. ● Recent Graduate, Full Stack Web Dev, BrainStation
● Instructor, Sheridan College & Mohawk College in Web
Design (including WordPress) and Capstone Project
● Serial WordCamper. Went to 7 the last three years,
including Mumbai. Including Co-organizer, WordCamp
Hamilton, 2015-6, Toronto in 2015 and Milwaukee 2016
● Contributor, The WPCrowd
● “Lead Dudette” defined as: "a young woman or girl who
is very popular or admired by her peers”. Thanks
@modmatt!
About Me
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4. 1. 80% of grads were hired within 30 days of graduation,
95% within 90 days
2. Upon completion, competency as full stack web
developers
3. There were partnerships with companies that would hire
grads from the program
4. That there was post-graduation support
Expectations
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19. 1. 80% of grads were hired within 30 days of graduation,
95% within 90 days
2. Upon completion, competency as full stack web
developers
3. There were partnerships with companies that would hire
grads from the program
4. That there was post-graduation support
Expectations
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20. 80% of grads were hired within 30 days of
graduation, 95% within 90 days
● Actual numbers: 66% within 90 days of
graduation.
BrainStation has since changed this expectation as of August, 2017 to say 92% within 180 days,
85% within the field of study.
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21. WDFT June 2017 Cohort Stats
21Thanks to Sholan Narine for providing these stats.
22. Upon completion, competency as full stack web
developers
● “Full Stack” is not what I thought.
● Impossible to learn in 10 weeks
The types of technologies that are being sought are not what I was taught.
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23. Only 14% teach .NET, 39% teach JS 23
Source: 2017 Coding Bootcamp Market Size Study
24. There were partnerships with companies that
would hire grads from the program
● The school didn’t provide the leads to the
companies that would hire us that I thought,
including the parent company
More on this in a moment...
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25. That there was post-graduation support.
● This is on me. I should have done more
research on what they provided as support
after graduation.
But hey, you’re going to learn from my mistakes
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26. ● How to survive a coding bootcamp and maximize your chances of getting hired -
Per Harald Borgen
● DevTO #69: Everything I Need To Know About Life I Learned At Code School -
Open Mic (July, 2017)
● Student Outcomes Report - BrainStation WDFT August 2017
● Why Coding Bootcamps Don't Work - Geoffrey James, August 27, 2017
● Want a Job in Silicon Valley? Keep Away From Coding Schools - Bloomberg,
December 6, 2016
● 2017 Coding Bootcamp Market Size Study - Course Report, July 19, 2017
References & Reading
Here’s some of the stuff I used to come up with this presentation.
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