Momentum

I was traveling for work and I wanted to make a career change to be closer to home and spend more time with family.  I decided that software development was the path I wanted to take.  I heard about Momentum from a trusted and respected friend who is in the industry and has worked with people that were involved with the program.  

I spoke with members of the staff before joining who were honest and genuine about what to expect and some of the challenges I would face and how they will guide me through it.  I could easily see why my friend recommended them and because of how sincere they were about being with me through the journey I signed up and have never regretted it.  The staff truly cares and Jessica, the CEO, is incredible.  I've never seen a CEO that knows every single student on a first name bases and is with you every step of the way.

From day 1 in the Momentum program, you dive straight in to code.  There is no wasted time and you get experience right away in Git, GitHub, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python, Django Rest Framework and React.  They live Agile methodology and do everything they can to get you job ready.  The material is dynamic so if more companies are looking for people with certain skills, Momentum will adjust to incorporate those skills.  It's intense and difficult but it's by design and later you thank them for it. 

One of my favorite parts was Friday Huddles where they have guest speakers from companies big and small like Google, IBM, Red Hat, Pendo, Spreedly, Tiny Earth Toys just to name a few.  Many of the speakers came through the Momentum program and you get a chance to talk to them in a casual setting and they have all been straight forward and honest about their journeys.

If I had to pick what the best thing about joining Momentum has been, it would be the community.  You are placed in a team based on when your program starts.  My teammates are like family now, we spent everyday together finding solutions to problems through coding all on zoom.  We had members in different states because of the remote setting and it didn't matter.  You forgot that they were in different locations and still got to know them very well and we would do anything for each other.  The thing I didn't realize before joining the program was that you join a team but you also join a community of past graduates, new students and staff all through Slack.  There is something about Momentum staff and students, maybe because 99% of them are career changes and share your story, but everyone and I mean everyone truly wants you to succeed.  I was amazed how you instantly get access to all these Slack channels and can read past threads with resources and if you reach out with a question, a ton of people who you don't even know jump in to help.  People share pictures and things that make them happy, share links for cool things related to code or meetups and you become a mentor for the next team too. It's a really great community of people and it just makes you feel like you made the right choice.

I know this is a long review but I have to end by saying the part that I had the most questions about before joining.  How does Momentum help me find a job in software development? I don't know where they found her, but Katie is their head of career services and she doesn't wait for you to graduate before helping you.  It's incredible how she's able to manage so many people but I feel like I know her just as well as my teammates. She has provided tools for resumes, cover letters, applying for jobs, networking, finding companies, tools I didn't know existed. Momentum's mission is to get you in the business and even after the lessons are completed, they are still with you until you find a job.  You are always part of the community and a member on Slack even after you find a job so you'll never feel that you are on your own.   I'm not the first to say this and I definitely won't be the last.. I wish I had did this sooner.

When I started looking for a bootcamp, I thought no matter where I went I would be in, learn, and be out. I was wrong! Momentum has been the best experience and I could not have chosen a better bootcamp. I've been telling everyone I know to sign up! From the moment you start speaking with admissions, it is a human experience! You feel the care they have for your success. The program is fast-paced but if you are willing to put in the work- it pays off. With a recent graduation I have already been in talks with six companies, including big tech like Google and Salesforce, and I am looking at salaries that are more than double my last. Momentum gave me these opportunities through their large and ever-growing network. The investment clearly pays off. The instructors are spectacular and working to build diversity and inclusion in the tech world. As a new teammate, you will never feel embarrassment for asking a question or seeking help, from instructors, peers, or grads. Support is everywhere at Momentum. You won't regret this choice. 

I thought the amount of time spent learning valuable programming languages and frameworks was appropriate, the coursework was rigorous, yet extremely apt and applicable to entering the tech industry, the instructors were amazing, super knowledgeable and supportive throughout the program, as were (and still are) Momentum's student experience manager, their director of career services, the rest of my amazing teammates, and the extensive, supportive alumni network. I thought the overall atmosphere and vibe, from beginning our journey with their admissions advisor, to our final presentations and guidance from the CEO herself, was fantastic. They celebrate and actively encourage diversity in an industry that is still very much white and male, which I very much admire. I really appreciated the connections made with industry people through Friday Huddles (that are open to alumni after graduation as well). They are there to guide you through every step of the job search process. I feel confident, prepared and in extremely knowledgeable and capable hands beginning the job search!

I am very happy I chose Momentum as my software development bootcamp. I was deciding between Momentum and a larger national bootcamp to attend in the Spring of 2020, after the initial quarantine from COVID-19. While I attended Momentum's Full Stack program, I received first class instruction and support through SLACK and zoom, not just from program staff but from various alumni as well. Here are some of the reasons I would choose Momentum again:

• Support and instructional staff--while a small staff, I always knew who to ask for what. If I needed technical support, instructors were more than willing to spend whatever 1:1 time needed to ensure I understood key concepts and was able to keep up with the rigors of a full time, immersive course. If I needed socio-emotional support, I knew I could ask the Campus Manager to have a chat with me to get me out of my head, regaining confidence, and ready to get back to work. 
• The new program structure. Momentum is 16 weeks now and is broken up into four 4-week units. New students start about every 4 weeks. If something were to come up and I needed to take a break for personal reasons, I know I would be able to pick back up in just a few short weeks instead of waiting for a whole new cohort to start in several months. Additionally, these new teams are much smaller (under 10 students), so more 1:1 time with instructors is ensured, while still having access to the amazing network of students on other teams or alumni.
• Job Search Support--Here, in the midst of the COVID-19 economic downturn, I am in the interview process with four companies, all of which I was able to find someone who either works there, formerly worked there, or knows someone who does. The network you get with Momentum Learning is top notch, filled friendly folks who want to see you succeed and will help! The Career Services director, Katie Dunn, is a joy to work with and it's so nice to not have to job search alone. We have weekly 1:1s together, she sends me job postings I may be interested in, she submits my resume to her contacts in the industry, and we have a weekly job search group where we practice our interview skills. Additionally, she provides feedback on resumes! My job search support from a public university cannot TOUCH the level of support I've received from Katie and Momentum.  

Quitting your job to start a new career is daunting, to say the least. I was considering code schools, but I was not feeling confident any of them would be worth my investment. A local developer suggested I look into Momentum, and those feelings quickly changed.

I am so glad that I invested my time and trust in the Momentum program! Here's why: 
- Their curriculum is tailored to the needs of the local dev community. (They even have an advisory board whose members come from local start-ups as well as national companies.) 
- The instructors are knowledgeable, supportive, and creative. 
- The entire staff is genuinely invested in your personal success. 
- Career support, starting week 1! (And continuing throughout your career.) 
- Fantastic and diverse networking opportunities.

The program was very challenging and I felt well-supported the entire time. I graduated feeling confident that I could be a developer and that I could find a great new job. Thank you, Momentum!

One thing that really sets Momentum’s Immersive program apart is the network of software companies that are receptive to advising or hiring new developers. At the same time that I was learning new web development skills, I was meeting members of Momentum’s Advisory Board, visiting offices of local companies, and talking with past graduates about starting their careers. As a career changer, this was a huge value for me, as I was able to start getting an idea for where I wanted to take my career after finishing the program. This was enhanced by Momentum’s Career Services team, who suggested specific companies I should research or network with based on my interests and values. Before I graduated, I had a well-curated list of places I would be excited to work! I was excited to interview at multiple companies, each of which I had formed an in-person connection with before applying, which I believe had a huge impact in making it to final interview stages. Momentum’s Career Services continued to support me through my interviews, offering to give feedback or even just listen as I worked out my plans, and helping me to work through negotiation. Now nine months into my first software job, I am still growing both the coding knowledge and the network that I started as a Momentum student.

Completing the part time full-stack program was one of the best things I could have done to prepare me for my new career in software engineering. I was very nervous about completing the program while teaching elementary school full time, but my instructors were really flexible to help make it work. I’m excited to start a new career knowing that I have the right skills!
Great instructors and mentors! Accommodating and compassionate for students with disabilities 1-on-1 instructor sessionsSmall cohort classesCareer servicesWeekly job meetsWeekly guest speakersI couldn’t make many of the day time job/guest speakers meets, but they recorded them to watch later! 
I wish I could have taken the immersive course to fully dedicate my self to the program because it was so great!

Before joining Momentum I tried learning software development on my own. In the immersive course I learned more in the first few weeks about git and JavaScript than I could have hoped to learn after months of self teaching. The rapid pace at which I’ve taken on new skills and developed projects has boosted my confidence, and now that I’ve graduated I’m continuing to receive career support from the Momentum team and alumni network while I search for my first role. I truly enjoy coding, and without Momentum I would not be at the skill level I am today. 

This course is a challenge and you will be pushed everyday. It is like a work out but for your mind. The curriculum is transferable and the skills you learn will carry on with you to your next position.  

I’m currently working in cloud services which uses a lot of different technologies than what I studied at Momentum. However, because I leaned the basic principles to software development and gained researching skills I was able to quickly learn at my new job. 

Additionally, their career placement is awesome and they have an amazing network of folks you can get to know. They truly care about their students and help guide them in finding their new career. 

Lastly, I would say my peers were amazing Y’all will end up helping each other so much. After I graduated I missed my cohort  and I still stop in to say hello to the everyone. This is a great Bootcamp and you will be so happy that you made the choose to go with Momentum. 

I was new to the area, and looking to make a career change into the Triangle’s Tech scene.  Code school is a pricey proposition, but Momentum’s job placement guarantee and stellar reputation made the decision easy.  

I got a solid education in HTML, CSS, Javascript, Python, Django, API design, agile methodologies and MINDSET.  Industry leaders spoke to us about a range of topics.  We were given opportunities for meaningful networking weekly, and given a personalized job plan.  During the latter part of the program and afterwards, they will reach into deep industry relationships to set up more introductions for you to network and job hunt.  (It’s who you know, right?)

This is a superlative program, and arms you with everything you need to go get a job at the end.  Your outcome is what you make of it, but Momentum will make sure you are well positioned for success!  I am thrilled with my decision to attend and would do it again.

The immersive course solidified my understanding of programming and taught me how to be an independent developer. Prior to attending Momentum, I had a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and Javascript that allowed me to build very basic static websites. Momentum furthered my knowledge of front end development by introducing me to Node.js, React.js, and how to interact with APIs. They also taught me how to use Git effectively among many other things that improve your quality of life as a developer.

The Career Services offering was very effective and I was able to make several connections through their services which often led to interviews or offers.

The one request I had of Momentum was that they offer a full stack learning path, which I understand they are now providing.