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About Alchemy Code Lab
Alchemy Code Lab is Portland’s most advanced software development training program, going beyond code school to develop the whole person, including comprehensive career services that consistently place grads directly into mid-level developer positions... Read More
Our course offerings evolve constantly to reflect innovations in software development. Students hit the ground running with the most current toolsets in the field. You’ll collaborate with experts and organizations in Portland's tech community, providing insider access to the industry nationally.
This six-month immersive program is led daily by senior level developers. Every day, you’ll interact with a curious, bring cohort of future developers to gain the technical and interpersonal skills you need to be a valuable member of a professional team.
Our holistic approach to teaching offers not just the ability to solve problems, but teaches future developers and engineers how to produce quality code that can build products with meaningful impact. The team at Alchemy lives what they teach, supporting each other in passion projects and creative endeavors.
Alchemy drives real opportunity and diversity in tech by providing tuition financing opportunities including scholarships for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students, acceptance of US Veteran Benefits, and an ISA program that can allow you to defer payment until after you’ve been working for 6 months.
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Courses
Average Ratings (All Programs)
4.87/5
- Henry Oliveira
- Graduated: 2018
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"Best thing I've ever done for myself"
- Susan Puckett
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2019
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"Great place to learn to code collaboratively and gain job-hunt skills"
Coming from a microbiology background in academia and transitioning to coding, I learned a ton of things at Alchemy that I didn’t learn in a traditional school setting or coding by myself online. For example, I learned how to code using agile practices... Read More
Alchemy gave me the knowledge and confidence to get and perform well in job interviews. My Alchemy experience allowed me to have a much better idea of the salary I could ask for. Shannon was such a positive support throughout the process that I always felt someone had my back. Both Megan and Marty also provided invaluable support and advice even after I completed the program.
A huge plus was the Alchemy community. My fellow cohort (19 people total) was such an interesting and wonderful group of people from all different backgrounds and ages. A highlight of my experience was mob programming with them, in groups of 3-5. The TAs were graduates of the program and also provided emotional as well as instructional support.
It is a big money investment and there are times when you feel the collective struggles of the group and individuals. There are times when you may struggle a lot yourself. It’s not easy, and outsiders (like your friends and family) may not understand what you are going through. However, I found it to be a huge personal growth experience that has paid off. I just accepted a job offer (with higher salary than I have ever made before) this past week, and I am so excited to continue to code because I feel like I can actually contribute and excel at it.
Comment- Tyler Corbett
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2019
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"I wish I came here instead of going to college"
I've attended regular college in the past but Alchemy takes education to a whole new level.
In just 6 months I went from someone who knew next to nothing about software to having in depth conversations with industry veterans.
I had the chance to work in... Read More
Not only that but I had help from their career consular to help me get hired. Shannon doesn't just give you tips on your resume - she gets you interviews.
I remember reading these reviews before considering joining the program just like you're doing. I would highly recommend the program to literally anyone.
Comment- Dirt Deodara
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2019
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"Life changing...in a good way."
- Noah Puckett
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2019
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"Difficult, but incredibly rewarding"
- Lance Merrill | Software Engineer
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2018
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"Best bootcamp in PDX"
10/10 would attend again. Best bootcamp in Portland and probably the PWN. The program is twice as long as most other bootcamps and because of that I was competent/confident when I entered a software engineering position.
Comment- Injoong Yoon | Software Engineer
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2018
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"Intensive and rewarding coding bootcamp experience"
I attended Alchemy Code Lab from April 2018 to September 2018, taking the full course - Bootcamp Part 1, Bootcamp Part 2, and the fullstack JavaScript Career Track (SwitchUp seems to want specific reviews for each section, so I've selected Career Track... Read More
The course itself is extremely rigorous and intense - more than fulltime, Monday thru Friday from 9am-6pm, and I often found myself doing additional work or studying after I came home. However, I can't imagine it working as well any other way, since you're learning an enormous amount of specialized and complicated skills in an extremely condensed timeframe. Knowing your own limits and taking care of yourself when you need to are key to succeeding in the program.
The people are wonderful. I was lucky enough to be in an amazing cohort and my peers were all extremely supportive of each other. Marty and Ryan were both great instructors, patient and helpful and able to explain the more difficult concepts well. Shannon, the career services director at the school, was vital in helping us stay connected to the larger tech community in town and make the connections necessary to get our foot in the door for job interviews. I was able to land a job at a software development firm roughly three months after I'd finished Alchemy, and I apply what I've learned from the program on a daily basis. I genuinely don't believe that I'd be where I am today without having attended Alchemy. The price is high (in terms of money, time, and work required) but I found it to be absolutely worth it.
Comment- Kristin Hortsch | Fullstack Software Engineer
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2018
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"Fantastic, learning-filled experience!"
I became a developer because I didn’t want to teach anymore. I chose Alchemy because it seemed like an incredibly comprehensive program when compared to the other options in PDX. I was sold when I went to visit it in person. left that in-person visit... Read More
The school definitely prepared me to enter a job as a software engineer. The topics covered in the short 6 months turned out to be quite spot on in terms of what would be useful or relevant once joining the workforce. Also, the instructors are incredible. Ryan, who teaches the 3 month Career Track portion, is a GENIUS, but also happens to be the best teacher I’ve ever had in life, in any context. He has this incredible ability to explain any programming topic, no matter how complex or difficult it is, in a manageable way that actually leads you to a solid understanding. Of course you can’t learn everything in that short amount of time, but Alchemy gave me a SOLID foundation that I’ve been able to build off of as I continue to learn in my job.
Side note, I got a legit job as a fullstack JS dev in an awesome Portland company within two weeks of graduating. Cheers ya’ll. I definitely would recommend Alchemy Code Lab above all the other Portland options.
Comment- Ryan Bowers | Student
- Graduated: 2019
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"A Enriching Experience"
The web design course was very enriching and informative and the content of the classes was entirely accurate.
Comment- Mike Lambert | Software Engineer
- Career Track: Full-Stack Javascript
- Graduated: 2018
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"I wish I had more thumbs up to give"
Alchemy Code Lab's average rating is 4.87 out of 5.0 based on 60 review(s).
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