Horizons School of Technology

I came into Horizons with some algorithmic coding experience and left with the ability to harness the NodeJS library in building scalable backend databases with MongoDB and Express and responsive frontend designs in React and ReactNative (along with traditional HTML, CSS, and Pug (Jade)).

Pros
+ learned professors and devoted TAs
+ dynamic course work that fit to my need
+ plenty of guidance in the career path
Cons
- cost, although the value of this course is well within reason

“Take tremendous risks in your 20s” is a phrase I live and die by. Many people balk at the idea of taking a few months off to rediscover themselves or learn something new because it will not puff up their resume. I, personally disagree with that and think that not taking the risk to join Horizons is a risk one cannot take. 

Through Horizons, I was able to truly realize what I am passionate about and why I am passionate about them. Not only that, but I also got the chance to pick up many once-in-a-lifetime experience, invaluable skills and most importantly, everlasting relationships. 

If you have a killer startup idea but lack the skills to build it, Horizons will be your answer. If you want a career in the tech industry but lack the knowledge or experience, Horizons will be your answer. If you are in any sense passionate about tech, Horizons will be your answer.

I went into Horizons with the desire to explore coding and technology more so than I had previously been exposed to, and was amazed by how well they managed the program. They emphasized learning how to learn more so than simple code reiteration. Though I already have an engineering background, I gained a much better understanding of software through the coursework and projects. I can now pick up new coding skills with relative ease. And the founders stood by to mentor us along the way, setting up a speaker series to help build our networks and expand our knowledge of the world at large.

As a young CS undergraduate, I was eager to explore the innovative tech industry in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I was aware of the various programming bootcamps that were popping up throughout the country, but Horizons was recommended to me by my advisor.  Looking back, the program was quite intense at times as it covered many different concepts and technologies. Yet, it never felt too stressful to handle and the instructors made sure to only cover tools and frameworks relevant to the current job market.  The skills I acquired at Horizons didn’t just create opportunities for my career path, but they also proved helpful in understanding the CS concepts that were taught in my undergraduate studies. Upon attending Horizons, the breadth and depth in knowledge of software engineering practices along with the ability to network and communicate with the bright minds of the Bay Area contribute to one’s inculcation of the developer’s mentality.  This was a rather exciting process for me.

As a business student and product design enthusiast, Horizons helped me complete my knowledge of software products and the tech space. The education, community, and opportunities propelled me in my work at my university as a leader of a software organization as well as my current work as a product manager at Atlassian. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in tech, pursuing careers in tech, or seeking a stimulating and motivating summer to do Horizons.

Horzions School of Technology is similar to many "summer"/semester programs. The results gained are a lot on you. What differs comes from the potential.

Horizons does a great job with how they work with you on a personal basis. Each person is unique and their program is shaped on their own, but the basic mold provided by them is already so advanced. The education is strong for people experienced in web development and those who've never coded in their lives. Though, the difficulty may change.

Along with the amazing education, indivudals get to meet amazing peers. Half the experience is the city and people. Currently, they could build an entire campus if they move to a cheaper location, but they understand the value of being in the center of SF. They've made much of the experience through their learning process as a company. 

I can't say enough great things about the whole company and program.