| | Micah Johnson | My experience at Evolve Security Academy was transformative. During the course, I developed a deep passion for cyber security by going through hands-on lab assignments with awesome instructors, in a close-knit cohort environment, while getting an opportunity to experiment with many different security domains. Since my time at ESA, I continue to receive support from the instructors, program leaders, and fellow alumni. The relationships built, passion developed, and experiences along the way have truly changed the trajectory of my career path! |
| | Artee Arenas | I graduated as part of Evolve Security Academy's Winter 2019 In-Person cohort. I've never attended a Cybersecurity bootcamp but I have been doing IT for 10+ years. It was a pleasure learning and working with the other students, and although my background gave me a big advantage the environment never felt competitive or cut-throat. We were all there to learn and explore the field of cybersec/infosec. Meeting other individuals from different backgrounds and industries was also very refreshing. It was also the first time I used the GI Bill to cover tuition and the administrative staff was very helpful every step of the way.
The instructors were wonderful. They are industry professionals doing active cybersecurity work in the daytime and come to teach in the evenings. I thought it was great having an actual team of instructors teaching throughout the entirety of the bootcamp rather than just having a single instrcutor the entire time. They each shared their unique backgrounds, methods, and experiences that brought great insight to the diversity of the field.
Now I realize that there are other methods to learning about Cybersecurity aside from attending a bootcamp. I chose to enroll in the in-person cohort becuase I felt a sense of commitment after having gone through the enrollment process with ESA and the VA for tuition. I did it for the dedicated learning environment and the in-person professional networking which I thought was a great value.
Now being in the field of IT, things can change and develop rapidly. With that in mind I think the curriculum was curated as an introduction to scratch the surface of the many specialties in the field. We covered topics from Scripting, Networking, Pen-testing, and Cryptography amongst others. The labs we completed simulated real world situations. It was a lot to take in and can be very daunting to someone with no technology background but the instructors did their very best to ensure the students understood the subject matter. You can't teach everything in 16 weeks, but I think they did a wonderful job teaching us the fundamental methodologies to become a successful cybersecurity professional.
Although I was not seeking employment during my time, I believe the time spent on career preparation really brought great value. I really wish I had something like that prior to entering the field. The instructors and career prep coach each brought their personal insight to to the job seeking process. Evolve also organizes frequent webinars and in-person meetups. These sorts of events are a great way to introduce and welcome outside individuals to the local cybersec community and offer the opportunity to network with other industry professionals.
If anyone is looking to explore and dive into the field of cybersecurity, I would gladly recommend Evolve. It was an phenomenal 16 weeks and your relationship with ESA stays with you. The experience really is career changing. |
| | Gregoire Magadini | I took this bootcamp back in spring 2018. It was amazing. There was so much material to learn. I don't think anyone could learn all this material all on their own. The instructors were top notch and to this day I keep in touch with them. I don't regret ever doing this bootcamp. |
| | Ricardo Barajas Jr | This experience allowed me to understand self-motivation and how to survive in the industry. The only con I can think of is not keeping up can have you playing catch-up. This bootcamp covers almost every sect of possible cyber security jobs. When you find a certain module you get interested in, it is valuable to dive deeper in your own time. |
| | Reg Spalding | I appreciate the hands on aspect and the instruction was very good. I would have liked to been assigned a mentor and perform the site survey at a time good for the class. I am currently studying for the Security Cert Exam and would like to do more practical training/exercises. |
| | Brandon Heihn | Evolve Security Academy is worth every penny. I needed a career change and had some familiarity with computers but nowhere close to the level required for even an entry level IT job. Andrew saw the passion I had and I started Evolve Security Academy online a short time after. The remote bootcamp felt just like I was in a class. We had the opportunity to work in large groups, small groups, and one on one with instructors if we needed the extra help. We weren't just watching videos or listening to lectures, it was hands on learning the tools needed to succeed in the industry. Evolve Security Academy goes beyond that because starting a career in any industry takes more than knowing the tools. Evolve Security Academy helped us with resume building, crafting our LinkedIn page, and networking with others already in the industry. I can't say enough good things about Evolve, from the leadership, instructors, assistants, and even other alum. My current and future success is because of Evolve. If you are thinking of a career change to information security, I highly recommend it because there are endless opportunities. This is an investment for your future and if you are looking for a great school with great leadership, instructors, and support (during and after the bootcamp), Evolve Security Academy is the best choice. |
| | Ian Schlesinger | Attending this bootcamp was my first step into the infoSec world and I am not sure I could have chosen a better place to start. I did lots of research and eventually landed with Evolve Security Academy.
What you learn in this bootcamp is undeniably immense and exactly what hiring managers are looking for. If you already work in the tech industry then the skills will be applicable immediately as they have for me.
If you read reviews for other bootcamps you will often hear that it's either a hit or miss depending on the instructors, I can tell you that every instructor at Evolve will have you wishing that they could have all been your instructor.
The only fault with this course is that it eventually had an end. Ha. I actually loved it so much that I became an instructional assistant for this very bootcamp. This is one family that you want to join and never leave! |
