Learn CompTIA Security+ at These 101 CompTIA Security+ Bootcamps

Fullstack Academy provided me with several tools and a feeling of confidence to pivot careers into a new industry. From programming, connecting with others, and leveraging my past experiences, I was able to land several small tech roles after graduation before landing a larger contract. Because I came from a nontraditional background without any connections in tech, each section within the program was a new experience for me. From frontend designs to backend servers, from mock technical interviews and making connections via LinkedIn, I found value in nearly every lesson of the program.

While many of the lessons and topics can be learned online via Youtube or another platform, FSA’s structure facilitated growth, gave me and my cohort a strong baseline, and encouraged continuous development. That being said, it is not perfect. Due to the rapid pace of the curriculum and frequent changes in technology, what is taught in the program can be forgotten or depreciated in a quick manner. We covered full-stack JavaScript, but covering the material and creating several projects is not the same as mastering a programming language. At the end of the day, it is up to you to understand the material, put it into practice, and keep up to date with the current technologies. If you want to become a developer or engineer, Fullstack Academy can provide and help you with the tools, but it is your job to master them. You will have an instructor and a TA, so use them for advice, ask them questions, and get as much information as you can from them! If you thrive in structure, need a community for support, and are willing to learn post-boot camp, this is a great option for you!

With the current state of the industry (2022-2023), it is difficult to gauge if the skills I acquired during Fullstack Academy were refined enough to truly be “job ready” after graduation. During my first few months of interviews, I found myself rather lost, struggling, and consistently failing to pass technical interviews, build the take-home projects (while simultaneously working my old job), and be noticed by recruiters. It was not until I started looking at roles adjacent to Software Engineering and Software Development that I found something that I enjoyed and succeeded in interviews. Because of the skills in JavaScript, React, Express, CSS, and other technologies learned throughout the program, my cohort and I found success and were often moved into the next round of interviews in the fields of QA engineering, SDET, Technical PM, Technical Writing, and more.

Throughout the entire year-long job search, there were several ups and plenty of downs. Despite this, career success with Laura McClernon was an absolute lifesaver. From the curated weekly job position list (which always resulted in high response rates), alumni chats, connection and job hunt walk-throughs, resume and LinkedIn reviews, and encouragement throughout the process, Laura was an absolute treasure. If career success was not part of Fullstack Academy’s program, I would have given up on the job hunt long ago.

Overall, I am grateful and supportive of the team at Fullstack Academy. They provide a great foundation for those looking to develop their skills and change careers. Their program is not for everyone; however, it is perfect for those who thrive in structure, routine, and learning more than what the lecture slides say. The skills—programming and soft skills—introduced throughout the program create a solid foundation for you to develop, create a network, and earn a role in the tech industry. Ultimately, Fullstack Academy provides you with the technical tools and career success resources, but it is up to you to maintain the tools, access the resources, and continue learning after graduation.

   The instructors are good, and they are actually working in the fields that they are teaching. They share a lot of information, give real world examples and put a bit of themselves into each class. After graduation, Fullstack does offer resume and interview assistance. You will learn a lot of really good and useful tools and information.
   I was working a full-time 40+ hour job while doing this online part-time bootcamp and wasn't able to do any school work while at my full-time job. Because of this I found it very difficult to keep up with the course work. They give you a lot of great information but it comes fast and it doesn't stop. I like to compare it to a speeding train and you're holding on but the train doesn't stop, it keeps flying down the track. If I fell behind, it was nearly impossible for me to catch up. I inquired about extra help but was denied and told that the 20 minutes of office hours, every 2 weeks, was enough (it wasn't). I understand they are revamping the process and offering longer office hours, so maybe that will help.  I reached out to the Student Success Manager (SSM) but it seems as though they don't care if you're succeeding, just if you're failing or not. Except for the handful of quizzes in the beginning, I failed every test and yet some how I passed and graduated. It seemed that most of my cohort classmates didn't have a job or had a part-time job or a job where they could do class work when they were at their jobs. If one of those options is your situation, I say go for it, but if you are in my situation, it's going to be really difficult. It was for me anyway.
   I think the ultimate success of this bootcamp is if I can get a job in the field of study. I graduated a couple weeks ago and still job hunting, so I can't really say if the bootcamp was a success or not. Working a part-time job while working a full-time job feels like 2 full-time jobs, so before you sign-up, think about your situation carefully and whether you have the time and energy to keep up with the pace for 6 months.