I attended the final traditional Metis Data Science Bootcamp before they separated it into four distinct tracks. TL;DR My experience was very positive in terms of the curriculum, sense of community, and level of instruction. Sure, there are issues with the very nature of bootcamps, and learning remotely is a challenge in itself, but if you are considering a data science bootcamp, Metis is the best. Before Metis I tried to hack my way into learning data science online. I spent nearly two years dabbling with free online resources to learn Python, SQL, stats, linear algebra, deep learning, you name it. I picked up some stuff but struggled to build a project portfolio or learn the material deeply, and I sacrificed a fair amount of my spare time outside of work seemingly getting nowhere. Metis provided a tightly curated curriculum that made me confident I was learning the right stuff, plus Metis instructors are quite knowledgeable and experienced in the field and are always willing to help. The social pressures cannot be understated either. Being in a group of likeminded individuals trying to learn the same material proved invaluable. I really appreciated the sense of community. Everyone was very nice and, to my surprise, I made lasting friendships with people I met on Zoom. The project-based curriculum ensured I had a robust project portfolio to show employers, and now I feel confident in creating projects from scratch using real data - an essential piece when interviewing and something I really struggled with while trying to learn this stuff on my own before Metis. My job search is going well so far, all things considered, and a few people from my cohort have already landed jobs! I started hustling before the bootcamp ended. I did not come from a technical background, but I did have a few years of work experience under my belt. I considered myself one of the least credentialed students in the cohort, but I learn quickly and have a certain amount of grit and resilience. Networking is key. The alumni network is vast and has been very helpful so far - lots of people up for informational interviews and willing to give referrals. Careers has been helpful. But you have to network. You have to hustle. No one's going to hold your hand after the bootcamp is over. The job search is messy and inefficient and unfair and systemically broken and all that, but it is what it is. I did a significant amount of research before enrolling, speaking to admissions and graduates of several bootcamps as well as hiring managers in the field. It is a big decision, not to be taken lightly, as you are investing a lot of money and time into learning new skills. But these skills are in high demand and are only growing in importance. It's a gamble. You need to be ready to invest in yourself and do even more work after you graduate. You need to be honest with yourself, driven, highly motivated, and ready to treat this experience like an actual bootcamp to get the most out of it. It's extremely fast-paced and intense. If you do it right, it will grind you up and spit you out, in the best way possible for personal and professional growth. You will be tested cognitively, emotionally, and probably physically (might need to invest in that standing desk after all.) You need to really know how to learn, which may sound obvious, but it's essential because the material is dense and difficult to absorb if it's not reflected on and consolidated through application. Data science is not meant to be easy. Doing Metis does not guarantee a ticket to a better life immediately. It will give you an excellent opportunity to learn valuable skills that will pay off down the road. I expect the next two years of my life to be tough - find a job, learn constantly, and replenish my savings. But again, this is an investment. In five years I will very likely be making A LOT more money than I would if I stayed in my previous career track, and I will be doing more meaningful and fulfilling work. In ten years I will look back on my decision to do Metis and probably think it was the best decision I ever made. But the key is to MAKE it the best decision you ever made. | 