Deep Dive: What Makes CareerFoundry Unique?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work. With businesses now having to sprint a little faster to keep up, the need for innovation has been magnified tenfold. Many people have found this year to be a turning point. Some have been left unemployed, while others are reflecting on how happy they are in their current jobs—but not quite knowing how to change the direction of their career.  

This is where CareerFoundry comes in. Through their comprehensive, online career-change programs, you can retrain as a UX or UI designer, a web developer, or a data analyst—some of the most in-demand job titles in tech. Whether you’re starting from scratch or simply looking to upgrade your skills, CareerFoundry provides you with all the tools you need to pursue a rewarding career, a competitive salary, and job stability. 

What is CareerFoundry?

CareerFoundry is an online-based educational provider, offering career-change programs in UX design, UI design, web development, and data analytics. Behind CareerFoundry is a diverse global community of over 300 educational experts, career specialists, mentors, and tutors. CareerFoundry is driven by the belief that anybody, given the right tools, can develop the skills they need to build a career they love. To date, CareerFoundry has helped over 3,000 people from all walks of life learn in-demand tech skills and transform their careers.

So where did it all begin? CareerFoundry was founded by Raffaela Rein and Martin Ramsin in 2013. Raffaela had a business background, while Martin started out in web development and product management. After trying to hire 300 developers in Berlin, Raffaela found that there was a distinct lack of talent in the field. Both Raffaela and Martin were inspired to close the skills gap—and so came about their vision of creating a flexible, accessible way for people to learn new skills and change their careers. 

Today, CareerFoundry offers one of the most human-centric online learning experiences you’ll find on the market. Driven by a strong people-first ethos, the team at CareerFoundry genuinely care about their students—and it shows in the way their programs are designed. 

How do the CareerFoundry Programs Work?

When you study with CareerFoundry, you’ll have access to an intuitive online learning platform, complete with innovative tools to help you stay on track. This is where you access all of the course content—a quality, project-based curriculum which is created in-house in collaboration with industry experts. You’ll work on practical exercises and projects, building up your very own professional portfolio as you go.

The programs are flexibly paced, and you don’t need to be online at specific times; you can work from anywhere, to your own schedule—as long as you keep the final course completion date in mind. However, you won’t be going it alone. Throughout your chosen program, you’ll receive an outstanding level of human support. From day one, each student is paired with both a dedicated mentor and a tutor—industry experts who provide regular one-to-one guidance and timely feedback on each task or project you submit. You’ll connect with your mentor via regular video calls, and you’ll be in touch with your tutor via the integrated messaging feature. This dual mentorship model is a powerful tool that holds the key to success for many students. 

Halfway through the program, you’ll have access to the Job Preparation Course. This is an entire module dedicated to refining your resumé, polishing up your portfolio, practicing for interviews, and coming up with a job-search strategy. You’ll be coached by a dedicated Career Specialist throughout, and you’ll continue to receive their support after you graduate. And, if you don’t find a job within six months of graduating, you could be eligible for a full refund under the CareerFoundry Job Guarantee.

This high-level support coupled with a quality, project-based curriculum ensures that, by the time they graduate, students are ready to start working in their chosen field. You’ll finish the program with a professional portfolio, proficiency in all the key tools and processes, and, most importantly, with the confidence to land a new job. 

What Makes CareerFoundry Unique?

The online education space is huge—and constantly growing. With so many options available, it’s important to make sure you’re investing in a high quality program. So what makes CareerFoundry stand out? Why are their programs so effective? Let’s take a look.

Job Guarantee

One of the main concerns held by aspiring career-changers is the perceived risk factor. What if you spend considerable time and money on a program but are unable to find a job afterward? CareerFoundry helps to mitigate this risk with their Job Guarantee. If they can’t help you land a job within six months of graduating, you could be eligible for a full refund. 

The CareerFoundry job guarantee is unique in that it’s relatively straightforward; you don’t need any specific qualifications or years of experience in a certain field. To be eligible, you need to have completed your chosen program in full, and to have completed the Job Preparation Course (this is included in your program). You’ll also need to work with your designated Career Specialist to update your resumé and online profiles, and to complete five job applications a week. You can find out more about how the CareerFoundry job guarantee works in this guide. 

Dual Mentorship and Human Support

Many bootcamps provide mentorship, but CareerFoundry is one of the only programs to offer a dual mentorship model. With both a mentor and a tutor by your side, you’ll benefit from a combination of fast, regular feedback, and more in-depth, career-oriented advice. Let’s have a look at each role in detail now. 

Your tutor will be your first point of contact for anything related to your course. Every time you submit an assignment, your tutor will be notified. They’ll review your work and give you constructive, personalized written feedback within 24 hours. This regular feedback ensures you are continuously improving and honing your skills. Aside from the core hard skills taught on the course, your tutor will also help you with essential soft skills such as time management and communicating online—both of which are extremely important in the world of tech.

Your mentor will help you see the bigger picture in terms of your career goals and outcomes. As an industry expert with at least five years of experience in their field, they’re well-positioned to give you support, advice, and guidance throughout your career change. In addition to general career advice, your mentor will provide video feedback on each portfolio project you submit. You can connect with your mentor via regular video calls, allowing you to build up a rapport and make the most of continuous, one-to-one support.

In addition to your tutor and mentor, you’ll have the support of a dedicated career specialist. They will coach you in all the skills needed to land that dream job, helping you to refine your resumé and practice for interviews. They’ll also help you navigate the job market and identify any opportunities that might be suitable for you.

And don’t forget those who understand your journey better than anyone else: Your fellow students! When you study with CareerFoundry, you’ll become part of a huge online student community and alumni network. Connect with fellow students and career-changers from all around the globe, and enjoy the support of those who have walked the same path.

Last but not least, a dedicated student advisor will be with you from start to finish. They are on hand to make sure your experience is as seamless as possible, and you can contact them at any time via the platform.

Flexible Schedule

Not everybody can quit their job or give up big commitments in order to study. CareerFoundry understands that flexibility is often key, which is why, as a CareerFoundry student, you can work at your own pace, following a schedule that works for you—and you can access the curriculum from anywhere, anytime, as long as you’ve got an internet connection. 

If you opt for the full-time program, you’ll need to put in at least thirty hours a week. If you’re working and studying, the part-time option may be more feasible, requiring around fifteen hours per week. CareerFoundry will set certain deadlines within the overall course period—this helps to provide structure and keep you on track. Aside from that, it’s entirely up to you to decide when, where, and how you study. 

Different Payment Options

CareerFoundry is all about flexible, accessible learning—and that means providing a range of payment options. Not everyone can afford an upfront payment, and that’s okay; you can also choose to pay in monthly installments or take out a loan. CareerFoundry also runs various scholarships throughout the year, so if you’re concerned about the financial aspect of studying, speak to a Career Advisor to discuss your options. 

Lifetime Support

CareerFoundry’s support doesn’t stop once you graduate and find a great job. Once you become part of the CareerFoundry community, you’ll benefit from a lifetime of support. If you want to change your career further down the line, learn new skills, or move to a different industry, you can always turn to your Career Specialist for advice.

Wondering If a Career Change Is Right for You?

So, the big question. Am I a good fit for a career in tech? Aside from being interested in technology, you might also want to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you put people first? 
• Do you enjoy problem solving? 
• Do you thrive on variety? 
• Do you work well with others? 
• Are you prepared for a steep learning curve? 
• Do you pay attention to detail? 

If the answer to these is ‘yes’, then you will likely be a great fit for a career in the tech industry.

When it comes to a career in tech, there’s no ‘one size fits all’. CareerFoundry students come from a range of backgrounds, and CareerFoundry recognizes the importance of this; the tech world only stands to benefit from a diverse variety of perspectives.  

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what you currently do, or how old you are. CareerFoundry has seen everyone from nurses and accountants to teachers and construction workers learn new skills and successfully kick-start a new career in tech. 

Take Jeff, who discovered UX Design later in life. Jeff was a pastor for 19 years before he stumbled across UX. He said that of all the schools he researched, CareerFoundry was the only one that offered any kind of design course and voice interaction design. Jeff felt that the local options for UX were not rigorous enough for him, and what made CareerFoundry stand out was that it was a longer program, with an in-depth curriculum that would enable him “to come out with marketable skills that would enable me to handle job interviews and make myself more attractive to future employers.”

Are There Any Prerequisites for Studying with CareerFoundry?

The CareerFoundry programs have been designed to take you from complete beginner to job-ready; you don’t need any previous experience in tech, nor do you need any specific qualifications. CareerFoundry graduates come from all different walks of life and professional backgrounds; they’ve helped Uber drivers and dancers become web developers, and they’ve seen people transition from finance, sales, and dentistry into the field of design—to name just a few. All you need is a B2 level of English, a computer or laptop, and an internet connection. 

Sound too good to be true? You only need to look at their placement rate to know that these programs work: 96% of eligible graduates get a job within six months of graduating. 

Finding the Perfect Program 

So you’ve decided to invest in a new, fulfilling career—but which program is right for you? As already mentioned, CareerFoundry offers pathways into four main fields: UI Design, UX Design, Web Development, and Data Analytics. If you’re not sure which route to take, CareerFoundry has put together an in-depth guide to help you figure out which tech career path is right for you. You can also dip your toes in before you commit with their free short courses. These engaging, interactive tutorials will give you a feel for what each program entails and help you to see which field interests you the most.

And, of course, you can always reach out to CareerFoundry for advice. Simply book a free call with one of their expert Career Advisors; they’ll help you figure out whether a CareerFoundry program is right for you, and what your next steps should be based on your interests and aspirations.

Conclusion

With 96% of students finding jobs within six months of graduating, CareerFoundry has a fantastic track record of getting you to where you want to be. Their graduates are now working as UX designers, UI designers, web developers, engineers, software developers, and data analysts at major tech companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Netflix, and Paypal.

CareerFoundry offers a human-centric online learning experience, equipping you with everything you need to forge a fulfilling career. Do you want to join the next generation of designers, developers, and analysts? Visit the CareerFoundry website to find out how you can kick-start your career change today.

You can also get a taste of what it’s like learning with CareerFoundry with their shorter introduction courses. Try out their Intro to UX Design course here.