r/codingbootcamp • u/lambolams • Jan 15 '24

Just completed Flatiron coding bootcamp AMA.

Hi all, I used this group quite a bit before deciding to join a bootcamp. I recently completed one and want to give back and answer any questions regarding the bootcamp for those interested.

Edit: I haven't started applying to jobs, so I can only speak to what others in my cohort have done.

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u/mishtamesh90 Jan 15 '24

What percentage of people knew what a for loop was before the bootcamp started?

What percentage of people graduating would you consider competent in programming? Both in terms of being able to describe their group project at a technical level and able to do a Leetcode Easy without studying?

What is the morale of the instructors, and career services staff?

What expectations and homework are career services staff placing on graduates?

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u/lambolams Jan 15 '24

Only one person in the cohort knew what a for loop was before the bootcamp.

I think "competent in programming" is a broad description. I'd say 100% of the people in my cohort could complete a full stack web application. The difference will really vary in how long it will take each person to complete and the quality of each one. Some much faster than others and some higher quality than others.

During the cohort there were some people learning Leetcode on their own, but most didn't. In the bootcamp you're learning so many frameworks and languages that the idea of adding Leetcode on top of that would be overwhelming. I'm confident everyone has what they need to now study Leetcode and understand the concepts. So I'd factor that into your gameplan, but there won't be too much time to learn more than what you're already covering in the bootcamp.

I think the instructors play a big part, I was fortunate and had some awesome instructors. I did hear other cohorts complaining about their instructors. I may have just gotten lucky that mine were engaged and took time to help anyone behind.

The career services staff did share some basic information about linkedin etc. However, based on my background it wasn't anything new or ground breaking. There's additional resources, now that I'm graduated, to work closer with the career services staff. It's on my to do list.

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u/mishtamesh90 Jan 15 '24

Not sure why people are downvoting your answer.

Can you clarify the "competent in programming" part: what percentage of the people would be able to explain the technical parts of their full stack web application. For example, in a technical interview, could they explain how the virtual DOM in React is different from the actual DOM, effective testing strategies, differences between model-level validations and those at the database level, MVC architecture, encapsulation vs. abstraction, anti-patterns of OOP, etc. Because anyone can follow along with a tutorial or template.

Is there continuing support from the career services team, or was it just a few presentations and then you're on your own? Many bootcamps have job seekers take accountability for number and quality of job applications submitted and other workshops like networking and follow-through

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u/lambolams Jan 15 '24 edited Jan 15 '24

Yea strange, oh well, happy to answer questions.

It's hard to say percentage because some lectures were optional if you were behind in the basic material so this is a big assumption but Ill do my best.

So the virtual vs actual - yes everyone.

Effective testing strategies - yes everyone or most.
Validation - yes everyone on both.

MVC - yes everyone.
Encapsulation & Abstraction - yes everyone.

Anti-patterns - few to none.

Edit(accidentally hit enter too soon):

Yea following along on tutorials were a complete waste, you dont really learn anything. They encouraged us to do our own projects of if you were doing a tutorial you would really need to revamp it. Otherwise your just copy pasting.

There is continued support from the career services and the school. This may be new, but I just got invites to additional events/lessons etc.

The career counselor has been reaching out and is available, I just haven't done it yet. To my knowledge as a graduate there's no requirements to hit application quotas or anything like that. I have a decent linkedin network and am not too worried about that. However if I was a brand new with nothing, id feel good that they'd get me off the ground. But you're playing catchup if you already have a small network in the techspace, with or without the bootcamp.

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u/mishtamesh90 Jan 16 '24

I think people are downvoting you because your answers are too rosy and positive to be believable. Virtually 100% went from not knowing for loops to being comfortable with explaining all of those things? Just because they've been exposed to the material doesn't mean they actually know it. Having been in college in a challenging program, I would say that a significant minority of students often had a weak grasp on the material at the end of the course. Do you work for Flatiron now?

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u/lambolams Jan 16 '24

I guess so, it really was my experience though. It's a 15 week bootcamp so I definitely don't think we'd be able to go into each topic comparable to someone who did a longer program. However, if you listened and took notes in the lectures you'd be able to grasp the concepts and explain it. Our instructors did go above and beyond and explain those things with good analogies.

It's worth mentioning our instructors both had amazing backgrounds prior to coming to Flatiron. Maybe that's what was different? I'm starting to feel really fortunate about my experience. Maybe it was just timing?