Makers Academy

A really well put together and well thought out course, delivered by knowledgeable and helpful coaches. Excellent opportunities for group and pair projects with great support throughout. Both during and after completing the course, there is fantastic... Read More careers support helping you into a career in tech. You can study online only, or hybrid giving great flexibility to the course. Highly recommend.

Pros:
- High quality course content and materials
- Great support from technical coaches
- Great support from Careers team
- Great support from EQ team

Cons:
- Speed/intensity can be overwhelming for some
- Fully remote students miss out on working from office... Read More culture

Makers was a great experience that helped me quickly develop my skills as a software engineer. I got hands-on with various technologies, including JavaScript, Python, and cloud engineering principles. Through test-driven development (TDD), pair programming,... Read More and real-world projects, I improved my problem-solving and collaboration skills. The bootcamp gave me a strong foundation in software development and the confidence to keep learning and building!

I recently completed the Makers bootcamp and found it to be an invaluable experience for transitioning into tech. The program was challenging but well-structured, with coaches who excel at both teaching technical skills and developing the mindset needed... Read More for software development. As someone who started with no coding experience, I appreciate how the curriculum builds strong foundations while teaching crucial problem-solving skills. The collaborative atmosphere created a strong learning environment where we could support each other through challenges. While demanding, the program delivers on its promise to prepare career changers for the tech industry, as long as you're committed to putting in the necessary work.

The coaches are skilled, caring and supportive. They get to know you and really care about your success and wellbeing.

The course is very comprehensive and at times intense but not as intense as I was expecting. It was manageable and I learned so much... Read More in such a short space of time. I wouldn’t say I felt totally prepared for that first role as a software developer but that’s more because of many companies’ unrealistic expectations on Junior Developers (and maybe a little bit of a self-confidence issue, too - I was a teacher with zero coding experience before making the switch).

If you put in the work, you can make that career switch with Makers. They came highly recommended and I saw why.

Attending Makers was a transformative experience that not only equipped me with practical programming skills but also reshaped my mindset toward problem-solving and continuous learning. This immersive bootcamp excels in cultivating not only technical... Read More abilities but also the adaptability and resilience needed in the software industry. I did the Software bootcamp specialisation after the initial general 8 week foundation course, however, there are other specialisms as well - please do check the makers website for more information and they do run some taster sessions (taster tuesdays) to experience a summary of what they cover in these programs for free, so definitely worth checking that out too!

Pros:
Comprehensive Curriculum: The bootcamp covers a wide array of programming fundamentals and practices (OOP etc), from Python, JavaScript (including hands on experience with non-relational and relational databases) to test-driven development (TDD) and pair programming. Every concept builds on the last, ensuring a solid foundation.

Supportive Learning Environment: Makers creates a space where everyone, regardless of their starting point, feels supported. Mentors are not only highly knowledgeable but also approachable, and they genuinely care about your progress.

Emphasis on Real-World Skills: Beyond coding, Makers focuses on essential soft skills, including communication, collaboration, emotional intelligence and problem-solving. By the end, you’re not just a developer—you’re a well-rounded professional.

Strong Alumni Network: Makers has a robust network of graduates who are helpful, and upon graduation this network opens doors to opportunities and mentorship after the bootcamp.

Job Support: The careers team provides invaluable support, including mock interviews, CV workshops, and LinkedIn tips, which continue even after graduation. This support was crucial to me as I entered and manoeuvred the tech job market - ultimately helping me land my first role.

Cons - not much as negative as it is more considerations to be aware before you get involved:

Intensive Schedule: Makers is an intense 16week program, and balancing the workload can be challenging. Be prepared to put the work in and a high degree of commitment required. The pace can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to coding - I found the pomodoro technique very handy to cope with this.

Cost: Like many coding bootcamps, Makers is an investment - an investment in yourself. While I believe it’s worth it, the cost may be prohibitive for some. The return on investment, however, is strong if you’re committed to a tech career and there are financial options as well (i.e. stepex etc)

Self-Motivation is Key: While Makers provides resources, the bootcamp’s self-directed approach requires a lot of initiative. You’ll get out of it what you put in, so it’s essential to be proactive and ask questions.

In summary, Makers is an outstanding choice for anyone serious about starting a career in software development. It is challenging, but the reward is really worth it. The skills and support from this journey have been invaluable to me, setting me up for a strong start in my first tech job. I wholeheartedly recommend Makers to anyone and everyone looking to career transition to the tech world.

I attended this coding bootcamp, and coming from a traditional learning background, it was a bit of a shock to adjust to the Montessori-style approach. There were no grades, so I never knew exactly how well I was doing, which made it challenging at first.... Read More However, in hindsight, this method helped me develop strong skills in breaking down and analysing technical requirements, which was especially valuable since I already had some coding experience.

I would definitely recommend this bootcamp to anyone looking to sharpen their coding skills and get job-ready. However, for absolute beginners, unless you pick things up very quickly, you should be prepared to spend an additional 3 months to a year perfecting your skills after the bootcamp, especially in today's competitive job market.

Expert knowledge from coaches and amazing support from other staff. A very inclusive and fun environment to learn in and progress towards a new career. The curriculum is challenging but rewarding, with hands-on projects that push you to grow. Highly recommended... Read More for anyone serious about coding!

Things I loved:
1. Focus is on broadly applicable tech agnostic coding practices such as TDD, Pair Programming, Debugging Methods etc. things you can't get from tutorials.
2. Careers service is exceptional with workshops, one on one help with CV and cover... Read More letters, regular check-ins and interview practice for technical and competency-based interviews.
3. Everyone involved is genuinely invested and wants you to succeed. Coaches, career counsellors, wellbeing support staff will all go above and beyond to help you land a role. Even the CEO took time out to help me write a personal pitch for an interview.
4. There is a sense of community which persists long after you leave the course. The network and relationships have been just as valuable in terms of generating opportunities but even just to check in, stay motivated and share insights. These became particularly valuable when it came to interview time as you have a much better chance when learning from each others' mistakes.

Things to be aware of:
1. It's an entry level program so if you are a proficient coder already, don't expect the course to go into great technical depth. The technical elements are more of a framework to learn the approach. The breadth is quite extensive and you have the freedom to dive deeper/ complete extension challenges in your own time.
2. It's fast-paced. It's helpful to do some practice on the basics before you start as it can be challenging to catch up when the course picks up pace (around Week 3).
3. You have to work extensively with other people at differing levels of ability. Some people found it challenging but I would encourage you to lean into it. Ultimately it's these skills which you get asked about at interviews and if you're a career changer, it's super helpful to be able to demonstrate them in technical context.

The Makers Program is perfect for anyone wanting to kick-start their career in the tech industry!
The course is extensive and positively challenging, the coaches are extremely knowledgeable, kind and will instil in you, the qualities needed to succeed... Read More in this industry and the people you meet along the way will (hopefully) become life-long friends!

Wish i could do it all again!