Tech Elevator

Prior to TE I spent 20 years in academia performing life sciences research. However, I had gotten to a point where I was no longer satisfied with the work I was doing, and I wanted to do work that had real-world applications. I had a discussion with a... Read More friend, who is a programmer/microbiologist, and he suggested that I consider learning to program through a bootcamp. I chose Tech Elevator for a number of reasons. First, I read online reviews from former students, and they were *all* positive. Then I attended an informational open house to learn more about the program. I was particularly impressed with the depth of the Pathway Program, which runs concurrently with the technical program and teaches the soft skills that are important for maintaining a successful career. Finally, I had the opportunity to attend a Learn To Code Meetup event that was co-hosted by Tech Elevator. At this event, I got a taste of what it would be like to be taught by one of TE’s instructors. John Fulton spent a few minutes explaining a particular concept, which many of us in attendance were confused by (despite the best efforts of the other instructor, who was not from TE). In those few minutes I was able to clearly grasp what John was explaining, and I thought to myself, “If I am going to learn programming, I want to be taught by instructors like this!” I fully expected the program to be more challenging than graduate school, and it most certainly was! Going through TE was one of the hardest things I have ever done, BUT also one of the most rewarding!!! I hadn’t been that mentally challenged in a long time, but I loved it, and importantly I learned so much. Even on the days when I was mentally and physically exhausted, I had such a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction deep inside me. The support and encouragement that I receive from the admin staff, instructors (I had Brian and Rachelle, who are fantastic), Pathway directors, and the other members of my cohort was continuous and uplifting. If you are ready to go all-in, work tremendously hard, and, “Trust the process,” then Tech Elevator’s program is the right one for you. I did, and I received 3 job offers before graduation. I am now almost 2 months into my new career and loving every minute of it. My education at TE has set me up with a solid foundation on which to build a software development career, and I couldn’t be happier. Please feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn if I can help answer any questions: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-moyer/

My instructor and Pathway Directors believed in me more than I believed in myself at times. They were always available for pep talks or extra instruction- even after the cohort ended. I am thrilled with my decision to attend, and couldn’t have asked for... Read More a better outcome.

I don't think I could have timed this better if I planned it. I quit my restaurant job in the summer of 2019, took out a loan, and became a full time student at Tech Elevator in the fall. I learned Java and the basics of JavaScript, Vue.js, PostgreSQL,... Read More HTML/CSS, REST, etc. The beauty of this "bootcamp" was that it wasn't just teaching us coding, it was teaching us how developers work together both in theory (TDD, AGILE, etc.) and in tools (we learned a lot of GIT). And a good chunk of each day was spent learning how to interview well, how to pitch ourselves to recruiters and employers, how to build a LinkedIn presence and a resume. My teacher was knowledgeable and funny, engaging in a way that I really appreciated. We would spend the mornings learning, and the afternoons working on homework and projects. The teachers were always available to help us think through problems. The Pathway program helped us prepare for interviews and it helped us go through our first interviews right there, onsite. Matchmaking day was like a speed-dating-esque version of interviews, with quick 15 minute interviews at a building filled with company reps who were looking for new talent and knew that Tech Elevator produced grads well grounded in the basics of programming and well-equipped to continue learning. I would not have the job I have today, had I not had the Pathway Directors there to help me. I was asked to come in for a follow up interview with one of the companies I spoke with at Matchmaking, and was offered a job there. But there were a couple hiccups along the way that I doubt I would have handled on my own. I was hired in December of 2019, before I'd even graduated. My first day of work was February 10th, 2020. I was able to work in the office for a month before we were all sent to work from home. I am so grateful that I chose to change my career when I did, and that I now have a job with a future I can imagine, that I have the luxury of performing from home. My manager has been consistently impressed with my abilities, but also with my ability to reach out for help when I need it, and to articulate my ideas clearly to others. I think that not only did Tech Elevator help me learn to code, it helped me get back into the habit of constantly learning.

I came into this program from a career in the music industry with virtually no programming knowledge. 14 Weeks later, I found myself a competent full stack developer with the first of multiple job offers. The coding instructors in this program are fully... Read More committed to giving their students the knowledge specifically geared toward entering the job market. I had high hopes for the tech instruction in the program, but what I didn’t realize beforehand was how extensive the “Pathway Program” was. From week 1, there was extensive work with every student to make sure they are prepared for the job search, job interviews, networking, and everything else necessary to be prepared for the job market. I could not more strongly recommend this boot camp to anyone interested in switching careers.

Tech Elevator met my expectations and beyond. I pursued Tech Elevator as a way to get back into the tech industry. Prior to Tech Elevator, my background was in IT Consulting (manual software tester and BSA) from 2010-2015. I left the industry for about... Read More 5 years, and I wanted to return to tech as a software developer. I approached Tech Elevator with technical experience. I did extensive research on coding bootcamps and narrowed it down to three: Flatiron School, General Assembly, and Tech Elevator. My choices were based on location, cost, and what's offered in the program. My decision with Tech Elevator came down to the curriculum and the Pathway Program. I honestly don't have very specific con's. The programs was very challenging, fast-paced, and it was a stressful 14 weeks. But that's expected. The time flies, and everyone is very supportive (more on this below). I also wished we were in-person, but given the current pandemic, remote was also expected. They were so great at facilitating a remote learning experience, though. Here are the highlights of my experience (e.g., my pro's): - Community and support. This was huge for me. Everyone on staff is willing to help, give you the space you need to discuss ideas and vent frustrations, and find the clarity you need to learn and move on when you're stuck. It's fast paced and intense, and you need the support to remain clear and agile. For instance, I thrive through mentorship, so I asked my instructor if we could setup a weekly 15-20 minute touch-base to chat about anything on my mind related to the course work, my career ideas, etc., and he was very receptive and helpful. As for community: all of the staff encourage and facilitate connection and getting together for homework and social time (remote at this time). - The curriculum. In my opinion, Tech Elevator's approach is very well-rounded and up-to-date. More on this in my suggestions below. - Networking. It's pretty remarkable how much exposure and access you have to alumni, recruiters, and different folks from the tech industry. - The Pathway Program. Tech Elevator does a great job at explaining what their Pathway Program entails, so reach out to them for specifics. But from my experience, the Pathway team sets you up for success. I'll describe this highlight with an anecdote: a good friend graduated from one of General Assembly's coding programs about 6 months before I started Tech Elevator, so I picked his brain about his experience at General Assembly and his experience job hunting. After General Assembly, he spent about 2-3 months job hunting diligently, applying everything I was learning from the Pathway Program. His approach was very methodical (just as the Pathway team advises), and he landed a great job. Now, this is not meant to be a generalization of anyone's experience outside of Tech Elevator. My point is: you are going to do what the Pathway Program prepares you to do regardless of the bootcamp you attend. For Tech Elevator to include this career readiness piece as part of the bootcamp, with daily guidance and support along the way, is extremely valuable. I landed a great job with the help of the Pathway team. In addition to pro's and con's, I want to offer some suggestions based on my experience, as you continue reading reviews and make a decision: - Wherever you decide to go, the experience will only be what you make of it. Tech Elevator is a gem of a program, but if you don't show up and do the work, it is invaluable and a waste of time and money. To that end, think about what resources (learning material and staff) that you will have access to and can leverage when you decide on a school. - Be curious, ask questions, and approach everything with beginners mind. - Do you need to learn with others and have the accessibility of an instructor? I did, so Tech Elevator worked for me. However, there are many self-learned and self-trained developers who are successful. Think about what you need and what your turnaround time is. If you have the time and discipline to learn on your own and start your career: great! You have many free and cheaper options. But, if this not the case for you, then there is nothing wrong with pursuing a coding bootcamp. Your journey is your journey, and you have to do what you need to do in order to achieve your goals. - In deciding on what to study: unless you're set on studying a specific coding language or working with a particular stack, the important thing is to just start learning how to code. Again, what Tech Elevator offers is very well-rounded, and you will also gain the ability to learn other programming languages and frameworks outside of Tech Elevator. It will prepare you for the continuous demand of software developers. But do your homework and figure out what market you want to be in and what you need to get there. If you continue to be unsure or uncertain about what to learn, reach out to software developers and ask questions! Connect with other developers through sites like LinkedIn, Stack Overflow, and Reddit. - Finally: have a "self-care routine" and some balance in place. This is a big endeavor, but remember to make it a fun and enjoyable journey. Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps! Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn if you have more questions.

I can't speak positively enough about my experience at Tech Elevator. Everyone at my campus was amazing, and I could tell that they were personally invested in the success of the students. Before attending Tech Elevator, all of my work experience was... Read More in the service industry. I had no prior experience with programming whatsoever, but that wasn't an issue at all. The instructors were patient, helpful, and approachable, and were always happy to answer all if my questions (I asked a ton!). The Pathway program was essential for me. I was more nervous about my resume and interviews than anything else, and now I'm comfortable with both. We had tons of interview prep, mock interviews, resume workshops, and networking opportunities. In the final weeks of the program, we had interview opportunities with several hiring partners, and I'm now working as a junior software developer with one of those companies!

Amazing experience from the start to the finish and beyond. The curriculum is extremely detailed and catered to becoming knowledgeable in many different aspects of web development. On top of that, the Pathway Program laid out the necessary tools to start... Read More a new career with resume prep, LinkedIn instructions, and the ever-important mock interviews. Coming from a non-technical background, the curriculum was a little overwhelming at first, but everybody at Tech Elevator kept the positivity going and encouraged me to stick with it!

I attended remote Cohort0 in Tech Elevator. Prior to start I have checked a lot of different bootcamps and I am very glad I have chosen Tech Elevator. It was my best decision ever! I had almost zero knowledge in coding. After 14 weeks program in Tech... Read More Elevator I was able to write code, test it and so much more. We have learned Java, SQL, Vue.js, REST, HTML, CSS, Scrum, and completed 4 real world projects. One of the best features of Tech Elevator is that you have a complex program learning technical side of your future profession and preparing for your job search. When I graduated I was prepared for job market. Instructors: The course overall has a very good organized system and curriculum. The instructors are experienced, dedicated and extremely helpful. Our instructor Andy was always ready to help and explain everything I was struggling to understand. He was there for us even in the evenings and weekends. Career Program: Also I had a great experience with Pathway Program. Our Career Coach Peggy Kachevas supported us during the cohort and helped in job search after the graduation. We had showcases with a lot of companies, that was a great chance to learn more about companies culture and meet hiring managers. I received an offer during first month after graduation. I highly recommend Tech Elevator! If you are ready to put a lot of work and dedication, their team of professionals will help you to succeed.

I came to Tech Elevator through a friend who found a successful career right after graduating. My process took about 1 month longer, but Tech Elevator remained supportive and communicative until the day I received an offer. I even reach out to my old... Read More teacher some times for coding help! If you are brand new to coding, or have some background you would like to expand, I cannot recommend Tech Elevator enough!

I have been a stay at home mom for the last decade. For quite some time, I had wanted to restart my career but didn’t know how to go about it. Tired of not getting anywhere with my attempts, and inspired by the reviews of TE alumni, I decided to take... Read More the plunge and enrolled at TE. In a little more than 3 weeks since graduation, I have received 2 job offers, negotiated a raise in salary (again with guidance from TE), and have come to know many people I can reach out to in the future. I have also gained confidence in my strengths, and the technical knowledge that I have amassed at TE. Now a bit about the process that brought about this transformation for me :) First, the program was fully remote for my cohort. I was uncertain about how effective and rigorous remote learning could be, but from the comfort of my home, I felt like I was fully engaged in all the activities at TE. I got to work closely with people, and was amazed by how much could be accomplished virtually - we attended classes, employer showcases, panel discussions, presentations, worked in teams for our capstones and paired assignments, participated in whiteboard sessions, interviewed with companies, etc. Second, the technical curriculum is very well organized, and is updated regularly. During technical interviews, I came to learn how relevant the curriculum at TE is to current industry needs. My instructor was clearly an expert in the subject matter covered, and moreover, would often give tips about standard practices in the tech industry, stress upon which material was important to know for interviews, etc. Over the course of the 14 weeks, I came to deeply appreciate his availability, concern and respect for each of his students, and his knowledgeable answers to (and endless patience for) my many questions. I interacted in some form or another with each of the Pittsburgh TE staff, and found every one of them to be informed, helpful, and clearly invested in their students’ success. Third, the learning process at TE involves much more than technical knowledge. We created resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and “elevator pitches”, and learnt how to make contacts and apply for jobs. We also practiced interviewing for HR, behavioral, and technical interviews. Each one of us, as we are receiving offers, get guidance through ensuing negotiations. Fourth, TE has a relationship with many local tech companies, and this gives its students a distinct advantage over other candidates for jobs available with these companies. Many of these companies have hired TE graduates, been happy with their hires, and now return regularly for more hires. Closer to the end of the cohort, TE organizes an event called “Matchmaking”, where students interview with companies that are actively recruiting for jobs. This is an invaluable event for the students and leads to job offers for many of them. Fifth, students (even remote ones) get to work with others on a regular basis. Paired assignments were given every week, and I got to work with a team for each of the 3 capstones. The last of these was two weeks long, and we followed the Agile methodology (which is practiced by many companies), complete with a product manager and scrum master, daily standups, demos, post demo discussions, and a final presentation to everyone at TE. If all of this sounds a bit much for 14 weeks, it’s because it is :) However, it is entirely doable if one treats TE like a full time job, works hard, and trusts the process. Attending TE was a truly unique and wonderful experience for me… I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in revamping/ starting out their career in tech!