Code Platoon

Originally, I was completely unaware of Code Platoon as a coding bootcamp option. It was appealing for a few reasons: VET-TEC approved, follow veterans and spouses, full stack web development and a full-time remote option. If you have no prior experience... Read More in programming, you will not be left behind. However, you will need to put in several hours outside of lecture and beyond the homework. The best thing to help your progression will be learning how you learn. I watched a lot of YouTube tutorials prior to starting new languages, frameworks or libraries to get familiar. Reading documentation is also extremely helpful and underrated. You will more than likely be overwhelmed at the beginning and at additional points.
Once you start learning, you get exposed to an exponential amount of computer science disciplines. This isn’t new information if you have been reading up on attending a bootcamp, but I want to make it clear there will be stress involved. The staff and teaching assistances will help you understand the material, not just complete it, and will answer all your questions. The bootcamp is still working 100% remote due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety. Therefore, you need to make sure you ask questions. The program sets you up for success with an excellent curriculum, which is not limited to development. It also includes internships, job placement assistance, resume assistance, budget management, investment strategies and one-on-one mentorship. These are all great benefits if you take advantage of them. Find your motivator and hold to it throughout the program. If you do that, Code Platoon will help you with the rest to start a rewarding career in software development.
It took me nearly six months to get placed after regular applications and interviews. They will attempt to find a career for you in your area with the help of Rich and the Chicago staff. They consistently work with you to work on interviews, resumes, networking and introductions to potential employers. The bootcamp does not end when you graduate, and they support you to remain on task. I could not state enough how helpful it is to have someone keeping you on track and motivated, especially in this current economic climate. The strategies we developed together, and the consistent communication were crucial for my successful placement at an excellent company in the Boston area.

Code Platoon is absolutely a vehicle to make your life better, as long as you're willing to work hard. If you pay attention, learn, and don't quit, you can become a software engineer. Code Platoon has dedicated personnel to help you through the application,... Read More the course, and the job search afterwards. There are teaching assistants available most nights to help you with any work not completed during the normal school day which is hugely beneficial. The day to day instructors Tom and Noa are great! If you just show up and do the bare minimum, you will not receive the full benefits of the program. If you are willing to do what it takes, you will be employable. My class was fully remote due to Covid, and although I would have enjoyed being in person, being remote had no effect on the high quality of the course. The pictures I've seen of the building and classroom look really nice.

Code Platoon is committed to helping all students in the program succeed in transitioning into software development and related careers. Outside of learning different programming languages, I also had the opportunity to learn from industry experts through... Read More the mentorship program, career coaching, and interview skills workshops. The instructors, TA's, and alumni are always available during and after classes.

Overall, the program exposed me to programming best practices that are in great demand in the industry such as Agile development practices. After graduation, I feel better prepared for my next career adventure.

If you are a veteran or a spouse of a veteran and looking to get into the software engineering field, applying to attend this program should be the only thing you consider. I am a recent graduate and not only did they teach me the relevant skills to dive... Read More into a post-military job, they also taught me the soft-skills needed to land one (resume / linkedin reviews, mock interviews, etc...). I am so happy I found this program. I was a DoD SkillBridge remote attendee, so I didn't qualify for post-course internship opportunities, but that program is available for in-person students who decide to reside in Chicago.

The experience here at Code Platoon was amazing. The overall curriculum was great as it incorporated both technical and softs skill curriculum which helps students learn to be a better overall software engineer. Before Code Platoon I didn't have a good... Read More resume, a strong Linkedin, or any idea on good interview practices such as white boarding and answering behavioral questions. Now, after graduating I feel I have obtained all the necessary knowledge and confidence to continue to grow as a developer and enter the work force.

Code Platoon supplies so many resources and opportunities to the students such as, Mentors and TA's who are volunteer industry professionals, Instructors that always makes sure students are understanding the material, as well as an ability to obtain a AWS certification while attending. If you are a military veteran or spouse willing to put in the long hours of work for the next 4 months to become a software engineer this bootcamp is for you.

If you are thinking of breaking into software development this program is a must. It offers a fantastic curriculum and great instruction. I had no coding experience at all prior to enrolling and the program, while challenging, was very rewarding. There... Read More was always help when I needed it. No student was left behind in my cohort, even students like myself that were starting from nothing. What surprised me the most about the course was the career development and post-course opportunities. Internships are offered after the course and if you don't get placed in one of those, there are plenty of networking opportunities that you can take advantage of to ensure timely employment in the tech industry. Along with the instruction, Code Platoon has excellent alumni support, daily TA volunteers from within the industry, and mentorship that lasts throughout the program and beyond. This program far exceeded my expectations and has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Code platoon was a great experience. The curriculum is intense but rewarding. The amount of support given in incredible. Instructors, TA's, mentors, and other alumni all want you to succeed. The camaraderie established between the students in our cohort... Read More was a sight to behold.
Code platoon also prepares you for the job hunt with soft skills prep, white boarding, resume writing, mock interviews, etc. Overall, the hours are long, the course work can seem overwhelming at times, but that makes it that just more rewarding at the end. If you're a military veteran or a veteran spouse, i would suggest code platoon.

Value:
• CodePlatoon (CP) offers best value for money - no other bootcamp can match that.
Career Prospects:
• If you are thinking of applying through Job Boards or companies' career postings - you are doing it wrong. You will be among hundreds of applicants... Read More for entry-level positions (college grads with Computer Science degrees, other bootcamp grads, and other junior engineers).
• The best way of getting a job is through your network! A lot of times great positions in good companies are unadvertised and/or are filled through referrals.
• CP has a massive network of staff, alumni and volunteers who are professional software engineers. Once you graduate, they become a part of YOUR network.
Instructors and Volunteers:
• Since CP is tailored for veterans and their spouses - it is a very exclusive bootcamp and class sizes are small.
• You can get attention and assistance from several full-time instructors, teaching assistants, volunteers.
• For example, during a normal day I could ask for help from 2 instructors and at least 5 TA's - all for a class of 20 students. Compare that with a bootcamp where you are a one of a 100 other students.
Curriculum:
• No video tutorials, no fluff, just the stuff you need for work.
• A lot of hands-on programming and exercises!
• The curriculum is always evolving - to adapt to job market requirements, and with the feedback from prior students.
Internship Program (for Chicago students):
• This is the secret sauce – you get to interview with the best companies in Chicago and get a shot of landing an internship with them immediately after graduation.
• The best part is that they come to you! They come to Code Platoon and interview you!
• I have never ever heard of any other bootcamp or even CS grads getting such an opportunity.

Coding bootcamps are designed to be extremely challenging, fast paced, and rewarding. If you prefer watching YouTube tutorials and working on coding challenges at a leisurely pace, the full-time program probably isn’t for you. The instructors will explain... Read More a concept, demonstrate how to implement the concept with code, and then give you coding challenges to further ingrain the concept into your brain.

Code Platoon does an excellent job preparing you for a career in software development. You’ll have access to career coaches, weekly “soft skills” briefings, and meetings with potential employers. Additionally, there have TA that will assist you with any challenges you may face.

Though it’s a long and challenging program, the results are undeniable. You’ll have the knowledge, skill, and ability to create full-stack applications. If you’re on-the-fence about whether or not to enroll in the full-time program – just do it! This program is definitely worth it.