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About FastTrack

Location: Memphis, Nashville

FastTrack offers full-time, 9-week software development course in Memphis and Nashville, TN. This program is entirely free to students and is designed to help skilled coders become enterprise-level developers.

FastTrack strives to give graduates both... Read More

During the course, students will learn a dynamic set of skills including Java, OOP, Maven, SQL, GIT, HTML, CSS, NodeJS, and more.

Upon graduation, students receive comprehensive job support with access to an extensive employer network.

FastTrack partnerships include FedEx, American Express, and ServiceMaster. FastTrack is part of Cook Systems, a recruiting and developer training program organization focused on building highly skilled developers and strong relationships within the technology industry.

Courses

FastTrack Developer Training

Cost: Free
Duration: 6 weeks
Locations: Memphis, Nashville
In-person Only
Course Description:

Cook Systems IT training FastTrack helps skilled coders become enterprise-ready developers. The training is held in person in Memphis and Nashville, TN. Candidates are taught by developers with experience working for companies like FedEx, ServiceMaster, and others.

Over the course of 9 weeks, candidates are taught the technical and interpersonal skills that will help them launch into a career as an enterprise level developer. The primary areas of focus on the technical side are Java, Javascript, Spring, and React.

FastTrack is different than other code schools because students don't pay any tuition to get trained. Because of Cook Systems' unique partnership with both clients and candidates, they are able successfully to place developers in positions with great companies.

Prior fundamental knowledge in programming is not required, but applicants will complete a predictive index assessment, a technical assessment, and an interview. FastTrack help you jump start your IT career absolutely free.

Subjects:
CSS, Git, HTML, PostgreSQL, Java Database Connectivity (JBDC), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Maven, Java, React.js, Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB), SQL, JavaScript, Spring MVC

FastTrack Reviews

Average Ratings (All Programs)

FastTrack logo

4.7/5 (20 reviews)

JH
Graduated: 2019

10/29/2019

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

Overall

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Job Support

"Fast Track'D was a great experience!"

Very intensive 10 week program. Not much sleep or time to relax as we were always learning new stuff. It was well worth it though because I learned the React JS/ Java Spring MVC web stack from top to bottom along with a few classmates in this short time.... Read More

Peter Zastoupil
Technical Coordinator | Graduated: 2013

5/25/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

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Curriculum

Job Support

"Transformative and Eye-Opening"

I came to the 3rd session of FastTrack'D with most of a CS degree and very little knowledge of real-world development. The class gave me incredible hands-on experience with web and server-side development, and after I graduated, Cook Systems continued... Read More

Yolanda Thompson
FastTrack'D Education Director | Graduated: 2013

5/25/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

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Job Support

"FastTrack'D Changed My Life..."

The FastTrack'D program helped me transition from one career to becoming a software developer. My original plan was to go back to school and major in Computer Science, but found this program instead. After successfully completing the program, I worked... Read More

Anonymous
Graduated: 2014

5/21/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"No prior experience necessary"

Good way to start your career based on what you already know and aptitude even if you have no prior work experience in IT.

James Markham
Senior Software Analyst | Graduated: 2014

5/9/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"The Opportunities of FastTrack’D"

I was a member of the 4th FastTrack’D class back in 2014 and all I can say is that no single experience has created the opportunities for me in the way that the FastTrack’D program has. I will not lie, it was challenging on every level. It was a grueling... Read More

Anonymous
Software Developer | Graduated: 2016

5/8/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"A great program for learning or filling in the gaps!"

The FastTrack'D program really help me bridge the gap between college and career. The course was as fast-paced and rigorous as advertised, however, the instructors were great at providing support and answering any questions I had. I would definitely recommend... Read More

Anonymous
Software Dev | Graduated: 2017

5/8/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"A legit opportunity to grow your skillset and get a Dev job"

I came in having attended a previous coding camp and without a college degree. They do a good job of teaching students best practices. The job support is straightforward and moves quickly after graduating.

Gregory Hill
Software Developer | Graduated: 2017

5/2/2018

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Intense but thorough training"

I came to the program with an AS in Computer Science looking to kickstart my career without going into debt. I went through the Aug 2017-Oct 2017 class and started a contract through Cook at the start of January. My personal experience with the program... Read More

What you need to know going in:
1) The course contains a lot of information. If you are not already familiar with the fundamentals of programming in order to have some sort of framework to put the new information into, then you will have a hard time.
2) You will need to be willing to work a full stack, at least during the course. You will have your hands on the database, the server, and front end.
3) You'll get out of the class what you put into it. I saw several classmates with minimal-to-no CS background work very hard and pass the course with flying colors. If your solution to problems is to copy and paste a Stack Overflow solution and call it a day you won't pass.
4) The starting salary is below industry standard, though it does include benefits and fairly large scheduled raises. You aren't on payroll until you pass the class and are found a contract. Wait times after the course to the start of a contract vary quite a bit, but a month or two seems to be about average.

While the first 3 points above might be daunting, they are precisely why I appreciated the class so much. Coming out of the class and starting a contract I am working on projects which are full stack Web Services. With the training from the course I am able to write code that matches or exceeds code that I encounter in production environments on the job.

Preparing for the course:
1) Brush up on your core java skills. Understand how object oriented programming works. If you are confident in your java knowledge then the first week of the course will be mostly a review and help your settle into the pace of the course.
2) Understand some basic html/css/javascript. The hardest section of the course for many of us was the AngularJs section, in large part because many of us hadn't spend a lot of time with javascript so the step to a front end framework was pretty large. I believe the course is moving towards ReactJs which shouldn't be as difficult to pick up as AngularJs, but basic html/css/javascript skills are still essential.

This information is current as of May 2018 as far as I am aware. From what I've seen Cook doesn't stay stagnant and is always trying to improve their curriculum so as time goes on the technical aspects of my review may be out of date.

Andrew Rossow
Software Developer | Graduated: 2017

5/2/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Great way to get into the industry"

I graduated college with a degree in computer engineering and struggled to find a job in my field because I did not have any industry experience. After working a little over two years doing physical labor jobs, I came across FastTrack'd and started Mid-End... Read More

Nathan Gilman
Seeking employment | Graduated: 2018

4/26/2018

Course
FastTrack'D Developer Training

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Job Support

"Waste of time and money"

First, there was an online assessment with three problems - it presented a problem, and applicant had to input the answer, without having to “show their work.” The problems were challenging for me, but not impossible - google and stack overflow helped.... Read More

I’m not sure why Cook lies in the interview/enrollment process, but they do. I asked more than one person, during the interview process “if I apply myself, am I likely to fail?” They said no. “Is the class taught in a way that builds on small successes?” They said yes. Those were lies, plain and simple.

I did apply myself, and the first assignment would not have been a small success for me had I been capable of finishing it - it would have been a huge victory. I was shocked at how little help the teacher actually gave. After about the same amount of instruction/help on the second assignment - I was asked to leave. But why was I there in the first place?

They present this as something like a coding school - as if you “teach” coding. The technical interview consists of a for-loop. That is not difficult - not even a little challenging - even for me, who clearly is not very good at coding. The technical assessments/interviews make it seem like a little knowledge of coding is all that’s needed. That’s not true. If the applicant is not quite proficient in coding, they’ll waste their time and expenses for travel and food, and Cook wastes money on the hotel. Why?

I couldn’t figure out why the “teachers” offer NO help on assignments.

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