Zip Code Wilmington

This bootcamp was a life changing experience all around. Showing up on day one was a terrifying and looking back I truly had no idea what I was in for. From day one I always felt behind in my coursework because there was always so much to do and learn and simply not enough time. This pressure forced me to be my best self and give everything I had for three months. Over the course of those months, I learned and became proficient at developing 3-tier web based applications, improved my professional persona and made life long friends. At Zip Code you are not a class of students but a cohort of colleagues/friends and everyone moves together as a group to develop their skills and tackle projects. I HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone who has a desire to better themselves by taking on a new career in technology. Not only does Zip Code Wilmington teach you how to code, they also put you in the same room as local industry professionals which gives students the perfect opportunity to stand out and possibly land a job. Overall, this program has changed my life in so many positive ways and provided me the tools and confidence I needed to excel my career. TAKE A CHANCE ON YOURSELF!

Zip Code Wilmington was the best decision of my life, and I don't say that lightly. In some ways it seems like the people who work for ZCW or graduated from there are pedaling a fantasy: "Change your life in 12 weeks and gain new skills and a lucrative career." But that is exactly what happened for me, I had little coding experience prior to applying to ZCW and started with a limited understanding of Javascript. Graduating with a good base understanding of core Java, JavaScript, Spring, HTML + CSS, and a little React is amazing to me. I won't lie, I did struggle along the way and wish I could have attended in person but due to the current situation my classes were strictly online. As a former Math teacher I know first hand how difficult lesson planning and teaching virtually can be and my instructors never missed a beat. Although this program is extremely challenging (and more so if you like me had no coding background) it was worth it. I love being challenged, and being under pressure. I bonded with my cohort mates over late nights and complex problems. That was another great thing about the program, the collaboration and group projects. Working in groups can be difficult because of work ethics and communication styles but in the real world of software engineering, no one works in a silo. Getting the chance to experience this at ZCW definitely gave me a leg up when joining my team at my job. I understand agility and scrum, peer programing, and stories. 

Aside from the programming aspect to ZCW, one thing they do exceptionally well is their professional development. The team that works with the students on this is superb. Weekly you will have the opportunity to connect with experts in the field and learn about exciting technologies, or hear amazing backstories that will inspire you to strive to do your best. They will work with you on your resume, interviewing skills, and other soft skills that will make you competitive and attractive in today's job market. 

ZCW has many great resources including the instructors, and professional staff but one hidden gem is the alumni network. ZCW has graduated over 500 students in the last 7 or so years. That is a lot of people, most of whom are still in the Delaware area. This is amazing because not only are these zip coders working at all the big name corporations you are probably aiming to work at, they have the unique shared experience of being in this brutal, intensive yet rewarding program. I have met so many awesome alumni through different events and lectures and the advice they give is invaluable. When I joined my team at my new job I was delighted to learn that there was a zip coder on my team, she graduated about 2 years ago and welcomed me with open arms. The connections and job opportunities that the alumni can open up for you is a huge perk. I am so proud to be an alumni myself now and continue to return to ZCW to help the new class of cohorts. 

The last thing that I want to touch on is diversity. While in ZCW I was so happy to see that diversity matters to them and not just because it is currently relevant but something that was ingrained from the start. 

If you are considering applying, stop considering and just do it. Take that step. 

If you are willing to put in 3 months of hands-on and highly intense work, this is the program for you. As a husband, and a father of two children, I needed the best possible opportunity. Zip Code Wilmington provided that oppurtunity.

The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, easy to communicate with, and willing to help. The Professional Development and Career Coaching are just as valuable as the Sofware Engineering skills you will develop.

The only thing I would change about the curriculum:
- More end-to-end Data Pipeline projects.
- More hands-on labs/projects using AWS.

Again, if you are willing to put in the time and energy, Zip Code will do its hardest to give you a shot at landing a job in the tech field. They don't get you jobs. They prepare YOU to get a job.

I received and accepted a job offer on the last day of the program for more money than I've ever made in my life!

Advice for preparing (3-6 months before you start):

For both Java and Data Engineering:
- LeetCode (paid version): at least one problem a day.
- Get familiar with AWS (Amazon Web Services).

Java Program:
- Invest in and complete a Java course prior to starting on a learning platform like Udemy. Here is one I'm currently taking: https://www.udemy.com/course/java-se-programming/.
- Get comfortable with JavaScript and Web Development concepts (Youtube, Google).

Data Engineering Program:
- Get comfortable with Python and SQL (Find courses on Udemy).
- Get a high-level understanding of Data Engineering concepts like Data Pipelines, Data Storage, EDA, and ETL (Youtube, Medium, Google).

Prior to enrolling in Zip Code Wilmington, I was unsure about how successful I would be at transitioning into a career in tech. I have a background in neuroscience, research, psychology and education. I had been endlessly searching for a suitable job to which I could adapt all my skills. Zip Code not only provided a welcoming environment for me, as a student, but it also provided me with the professional knowledge and confidence to be able to market myself as a software developer while integrating all my past experience. The work is challenging, the first few weeks seem endless but consistent effort is a key asset, along with being willing to reach out to peers and staff for help. By the end of the program, I was offered multiple opportunities to interview with a number of reputable companies.  It was a life-changing experience to say the least. Although 12 weeks is a short time to be able to build an elaborate full stack portfolio, it was enough to get my foot in the door and springboard into a career in technology. 

Zip Code was a great experience. It was tough- definitely a bootcamp with long hours, but the quality of students and staff is incredible. It is not only a high quality education, but there is genuine care shown by all. I felt like I wasn't learning anything (or enough) because it was difficult, but once interview week rolled around with Zip Code's business partners, I realized a lot of things had really clicked! You'll feel inundated with information, but stuff is sticking! One example of the fantastic technical prep is Spring Boot: we gained a great foundation in using this tool, which is a definite plus for an entry level coder. Something else that sets Zip Code apart is its focus on professional development. It's not just about crushing technical questions/white boarding, but it's also about knowing how to carry yourself, work on a team, and do well on the behavioral aspect of interviews. A great investment of money and 3 months of time. If you're ready to apply yourself for a big life change, this is where it's at!

I was a teacher for 14 years and ready for a new challenge, but intimidated by making a drastic career change and unsure where to start.  Zip Code alleviates so many of these issues.  If you enjoy coding and are willing to give up 3+ months to work as hard as you ever have, then you will be rewarded with amazing opportunities.  

Not only does Zip Code give you a solid foundation in Java and Object Oriented Programming, even more importantly it prepares you to get a job through mock interviews, resume work, and many corporate partners.  If you are willing to work, do what they ask of you, take advantage of every opportunity provided to you to practice and learn, then you will have a new career.

I cannot express how thankful I am to ZCW's instructors and staff for helping me get where I have been trying to go for the past few years. Not only will they teach you the core Java and CS skills you need to succeed, they will put you in front of employers so that you have a chance to show what you know.

There is one catch. ZCW has a 90+% job placement average, but they do not guarantee placement. To be on the better chunk of that statistic, you have to be dedicated to spending 12+ hours each day to studying, coding, and working on your resume. If you don't study, you will not be able to impress a hiring manager with your ZCW-imparted knowledge. If you don't code, you will have no projects to talk about in your interviews and no practical experience to reinforce your study. If you don't work on your resume, you may not even get an interview.

If you want to go through ZCW, you have to be prepared to put in the work. You have to let your friends and family know up front that you will be busy turning your life around. And at the end, if you dedicate yourself to becoming a real software developer, you will come out the other side with the skills to succeed, and you will be in that 90+%.

Zip Code is an amazing bootcamp. The entire staff pride themselves in helping you grow not only in coding but also in networking, interviewing, and resume writing. Before coming to the program I was working in retail and felt stuck. I then applied and went to Zip Code and now I am Java Developer at JP Morgan with worlds of possibilities ahead of me. If you are determined and want to be in the field of software engineering then this is the bootcamp for you. It changed my life and it will change yours too.

 

Let me first say, that before you get into the program you are challenged. I was intrigued to apply a year before because an alumni recognized herself as a artist prior to joining Zip Code and that fit my narrative to a "T"! The entry work to get in was definitely challenging for me but every question I had for the staff was answered with a sense of urgnecy and importance it gave me so much confidence to push through the challenges! 

When arriving to Zip Code you are constantly reminded about how hard you worked to get there (which is true but can be easily forgotten because of the material). There are instructors from all different levels of knowledge that stay late as well as Alumni that come in to make sure like them, you graduate and truly understand the information. The staff are also there for discussions about what may be challenging you to come up with action plans to help you move forward.

You also become a family with those in your cohort, and to me, it didn't seem like I was a number or a dollar sign to the staff or the instructors. They really wanted you to learn the content and when I got an offer they celebrated with me like I was family.

This program is not easy but you don't want easy, I hope that's why you are reading this. Easy won't get you the career you need. To sum up my experience: It puts a fire inside of you and shows mentally you can get through anything! The skills and relationships I've acquired are priceless and I'm so grateful I had the help of Zip Code to better my life. 

Zuul.