Skillcrush

I had researched quite a bit of training formats before I enrolled with Skillcrush.  I took the free 10 day introduction to HTML bootcamp and I liked the approach so I was off to the races when the WordPress Bootcamp was offered which is three blueprints: Front End Developer, Freelance WordPress Developer and Visual Design.  I am still cranking through the Front End Developer blueprint.  I probably put in more time than typical, about 20 hours per week. The verdict?  Skillcrush rocks!!  Very well structured, paced, presented, and taught.  Fantastic support from the Skillcrush team as you work through each step.  I like the fact that they bring the student community together too.  There is a lot of assistance and information provided in addition to learning to code in the form of career guidance, webinars, Master Classes, etc.  They have thought of pretty much everything...!  Overall, a tremendous value!!!  I highly recommend that if you really want to learn - come on over and have some fun!!!!

I am having a blast while taking this course! I sooo hope I can master the skill of coding and get a job in analytics some day soon because I am loving it that much. I signed up for CS classes with Capella and HATED IT.  There was so many required assignments that had NOTHING to do with what I was paying to learn.  Skillcrush is teaching me exactly what I wanted to learn.  And they have tons of support and respond almost immediately to emails.  I asked which direction I should go for analytics and got an email back right away WITH which courses to take AND a list of employers that are hiring for that position and what they are requiring their candidates to have experience in.  Never got that from Capella!  I am extrememly happy with what I have seen so far with Skillcrush.

I was originally hesitant about signing up for a Skillcrush blueprints since I thought I might be a bit too far along in my learning--I have a few years of HTML/CSS experience, have been working on websites on the surface level for a while, and had recently completed Codecademy courses on JavaScript, jQuery, and Ruby.

I started off by signing up for the "10-Day Bootcamp" emails from Skillcrush (these cover the basics), reading their blog, and watching their web(inar) summits, which are all free services.

After about a month of bookmarking almost every Skillcrush blog post and starring their daily newsletters (I'm not one to do this lightly), I finally gave in and signed up for the Freelance WordPress Developer Blueprint.

Within a month, I had signed up for another two blueprints (deferring one since I work full-time).

It's been six weeks since I started my first blueprint and I already have my first client. I've also built a somewhat complex WordPress site, created freelance packages, started using Github, got over my fear of the command prompt, and am gearing up to make a responsive portfolio site from scratch (not on WP).

Things I love about Skillcrush:

1. Concepts are broken down into bite-sized pieces, each building off the last in a logical progression.
2. The lessons and exercises can fit easily into your schedule (five to ten hours a week per blueprint).
3. Daily emails keep you on track but the lack of due dates allows for stress-free learning.
4. Students are given weekends and one week a month to catch up or go back and review concepts.
5. There's a great balance of video content, short reading, online exercises, and assistance for setting things up on your local machine (Mac and PC).
6. The teachers are great and really take the time to help both in the forums and at weekly office hours. (Shout-out to Ann! And also to Kelli, who is not an instructor but also wonderful!)
7. The focus on best practices and professional standards sets you up to succeed in the tech world.
8. A wealth of information, from topic-specific webinars to resume templates to freelance guides to step-by-step/get-sh*t-done tutorials, is at your disposal.
9. The tone and branding are awesome and well fit for the core audience.
10. Students have lifetime access to the class materials once they sign up, even if they defer the start date.

Suggestions:

1. It'd be great to see more classes (each blueprint consists of 3 one-month classes) offered individually, particularly responsive design.
2. The lessons on the command line and Git/Github are fantastic but it'd be helpful to have a one-month option also, where students could really nail the ideas down and go into a bit more depth.
3. I wanted to think of a third thing since I prefer that number, but everything else I've loved so far!

I couldn't be happier with Skillcrush. I had been considering applying to Hackbright or another full-time Bay Area bootcamp, but since I'm more interested in frontend development and design, not in a position to quit my day job, and too hesitant to take out a hefty student loan, Skillcrush turned out to be the perfect thing. Thank you, Adda, for creating it, and for everyone else for making it what it is!

I am really enjoying the Front End Developer Course. The classes explain everything clearly and in detail... especially if you are a newbie at coding! I love the format of the lessons with video, written text, examples, practice sessions and a short quiz at the end of each section. I was so impressed that I was going to email Adda and tell her how much I am loving the program, but then I received an email about submitting this review. I haven't interacted much with the Instructors yet or been ready for Job Assistance but my experience has been excellent so far... looking forward to taking more classes in the future! :)

Years ago I dabbled in HTML and CSS though it wasn't in the cards for me at the time. Now that I've been in healthcare management for several years, I find myself longing for a change. For months I researched course options, boot camps (..and their frightening price tags), and that's when I found Skillcrush. A month into the Front End Developer Blueprint, I'm  ready to sign up for every Blueprint, without hesitation. The lessons and resources provided are exceptional. 

Skillcrush, you keep doing what your doing. Thanks for changing my life! 

I made a committment to myself and my family to seek out better opportunities and improve my skillset.  After months of research and perhaps procrastination, I enrolled in a Skillcrush course.  I spent a good deal of time researching and speaking with their online team bout which "blueprint' was right for me. I got great advice from the staff, and was given access to plenty of very helpful resources and testimonials that really helped me make the right decision.  I am 75% done with the Web Developer Blueprint and already have been able to contribute to some local project and causes, as well as increased job offers even before I've fully completed the course.  Thanks for being given the chance.

I am currently enrolled for the Front End Development Blueprint that starts tomorrow, October 10th. The enrollment process was super quick and easy and there has been a lot of information provided through emails and webinars to help me prepare for the Blueprint and working in Tech in general.

My favorite thing so far is that I was given access to my coursework pretty much as soon as I enrolled. I have been able to work ahead and will start the course tomorrow with the first 2 weeks worth of lessons completed. The only downside is that you can't join the Google group until the night before so I haven't been able to receive any feedback on my work. This is not a big deal to me though in comparison to the headstart I was able to get considering I have no prior coding experience other than throwing together a 1-page site with HTML that I learned in half an hour and CSS that I learned from Google.

While the Blueprint hasn't even techinically started yet, I would highly recommend Skillcrush to anyone who is interested in coding, especially if you have no prior experience like me because they make it fun and easy to learn.

Things I am looking forward to/hoping to see as the course goes on: much more practice so that you can commit more concepts to memory, in-depth career services (because I know nothing about freelance or the Tech sector), and feedback from my instructor on my code.

*Since the course hasn't officially started yet I can't rate the instructors or job assistance.

After recently being laid off, I realized that I didn't really have the skills that employers are looking for these days. Luckily, I stumbled upon Skillcrush and I'm so glad I did. I'm currently enrolled in two blueprints: Visual Design and Front End Development. I'm learning so much, so quickly, and I can't wait to start using my new skills to get an exciting job at a tech company, or maybe even start my own business. I would highly encourage anyone who's looking to learn marketable skills in a fun and easy way to sign up for a blueprint. You won't regret it!

I'm just finishing the 3-month Visual Design Blueprint.  I have learned so much in these three short months.  The content of each course within the skillcrush blueprint is super organized and laid out in a way that is both, easy to learn and understand.  The instructors super helpful and always give great feedback on work.  Aside from the actual course, skillcrush constantly e-mails useful tips and information on how to apply your new skill set in the real world.  If you keep up with the coursework and take advantage of the resources available you can expect to succeed.  Even if you fall behind though...fear not!! Skillcrush offers the option of jumping into the class behind yours.  This is really great because you still have the opportunity for your work to be reviewed.  Getting feedback from people is immensely helpful and skillcrush does a great job of making this an essential part of their program.  Way to go Skillcrush, A+!! The only suggestions I would make: develop an all inclusive platform for submitting assignments, storing files, and receiving feedback from fellow classmates and create a final packet for students.  Which would include all assignments submitted throughout the course, in a book type format.  All in all, I have no regrets taking this course! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in web/design, looking to expand their knowledge or further their career.  

At 4 weeks in, this course is great. I was doing Free Code Camp but got a little stuck on the first on-your-own coding project. I don't have much time each day to commit and it needed more forethought and planning than I could do on the fly. This class holds your hand more, but it also gives you all the information you need for a coding project and breaks everything down into small sections, so if I can't finish in one session, I can easily pick up where I left off. Nice mix of videos, documents to read, and challenges. Requires about an hour a day (M-F), which is the perfect amount of time for me. 

I am a professional social work administrator transitioning to a career in tech. When I found Skillcrush (through Facebook), I was beyond burned out in my role with a state agency, and I was spurred to explore the tech world as a result of a painful encounter with a contractor developing an advanced software system for the state agency for which I worked. The experience made me realize that in order to be competitive in the 21st century economy, I was going to need some serious tech skills. I assessed my life (as a wife and mother to two small boys), my budget, and my own capacity for change, and I decided I could make all three work together to make the switch. At that point, all I needed was a way to learn that would fit my life stage and style. I enjoy learning, and I am self-motivated so I first considered completing a formal Master of Science degree in Data Science through a local university in Tulsa; however, it was going to cost at least $10,000 to complete, which seemed to me like a steep price to pay for something I wasn't sure would get me to exactly where I wanted to be, and I'd have to brush up on my HTML and CSS, as well as the programming language C prior to even beginning the program. 

Then I found Skillcrush (enter angels singing, "Aaaaaaah!"). I was immediately drawn in by their accessible platorm, and their approach - which is basically that anyone with enough motivation and moxy can learn to code. I pitched my plan to my husband, who at this point was looking at me with side-eyes, and once I showed him the platform for the free 10-day bootcamp, we were both convinced this was a great, affordable option for me to make the switch.

From that point forward, my entire experience with Skillcrush has been very positive & encouraging. Kelli has been AMAZING at responding to all of my 1500 questions with patience, kindness, and most of all with directly helpful information. When I had to take a long hiatus from my blueprint coursework, Skillcrush accommodated my request to be added to the current on-going blueprint when I resumed the course (though I'm still playing catch-up, mainly to myself) and also added me to the Skillcrush 300 Apprenticeship that was added after the point in time that I signed up for the Blueprint, all for no additinal charge. Skillcrush also allowed me to sign up for the WordPress Freelance Blueprint at a discount; they have really bent over backward to help me accomplish my goals, and I am so grateful that they really care about what each of their students is doing.

While Skillcrush's customer service is a major selling point for the company, so is their curriculum. The lessons take into account the various learning styles, and they include videos, reading, links to resources, and practice coding the information you're learning. So you learn a new skill, and you put it immediately to use. For me, this is the best way to help me remember the information I am learning. The lessons are succinct, while still giving you everything you need to know to compete in the job market successfully. Adda and the entire Skillcrush team takes their business seriously, and they still have fun in the process. The curriculum is dynamic, enjoyable, pressure-free, encouraging, and choc-FULL of the most up-to-date information from the world of tech. 

One other aspect I have really appreciated about Skillcrush is that they have normalized all of the self-doubt that inevitably comes along with learning tech skills when you are coming from a non-tech career. I think other on-line coding schools perhaps underestimate the dynamic of imposter syndrome in their approach; Skillcrush addresses it head-on. Each person at Skillcrush puts his/her ego aside to focus on the methods of teaching/learning that are helpful in real time, without pretense, and with an earnest heart. For women, I would say this has the most potential to break down barriers and allow space for a diverse range of people, with diverse backgrounds, to enter the world of tech.

Besides offering world-class courses and excellent customer service, Skillcrush also offers HANDS-DOWN, the BEST career development resources and support for anyone wanting to make a career change to tech, add tech-skills to their portfolio, work free-lance, or be hired by an agency. They have substantive blog posts, a TON of free down-loadable guides, career development webinars with industry experts, and job-post emails with current postings that go straight to your inbox. 

Though I am still working through my Web Design Blueprint, I have signed up for the WordPress Developer Blueprint, and I cannot highly enough recommend Skillcrush for anyone considering learning tech skills. It is the lowest threshold to a professional education you will find, and it is the fastest way to enter the tech world so you can pivot quickly.

Check 'em out! www.skillcrush.com ROCKS!