If you’re considering a coding bootcamp, there’s probably one question at the top of your mind: “Can I really get a job after a coding bootcamp?” And, according to the team at DigitalCrafts, the answer is yes. The school has curated a comprehensive education model comprising an ever-evolving curriculum, expert instructors, intimate classroom settings, and a dedicated team to help students land their dream jobs.
“We’re thrilled to help aspiring developers transform into full-stack software engineers. Whether you’re looking to brush up your existing skills, or looking to build a career in tech, we are ready to help. We have the right tools and support to provide students with cutting-edge skillsets, polished portfolios, and career preparation,” the school said.
DigitalCrafts came to be in 2015 after co-founder Max McChesney was looking to enroll in a coding bootcamp himself. After talking to several schools, he grew frustrated by the misleading messaging and aggressive sales tactics used by some schools and decided to do things differently.
As a result, DigitalCrafts puts a personal approach at the core of its operation. At DigitalCrafts, students get to know the team from application to enrollment, and through classes to graduation and beyond.
“What makes us special doesn’t fit easily into an ad, but it’s this small team, the personal spirit that we have. We don’t have dozens of campuses or hundreds of employees—we have a small team that interacts with the students on a day-to-day basis. And we think education is a personal thing, so it’s important to have that,” Mr. McChesney said.
This formula has proven to be effective so far. According to its 2019 Student Outcomes Report, the school boasts an impressive graduation rate of 94%. Additionally, 80% out of the 133 students who actively sought a technical role during the year succeeded in landing a technical role within six months.
Why You Should Consider DigitalCrafts
DigitalCrafts seeks to be accessible to everyone—even those without prior tech knowledge, or those currently juggling a full-time career.
“Our classes are designed with the beginner in mind, so you don’t need to have development experience before you can enroll. That said, our curriculum is also suitable for those students who have some programming knowledge.
“So that every student hits the ground running on the first day of class, you’ll be asked to complete prerequisite assignments once you’re accepted into our program,” the school said.
Let’s delve deeper into what makes the school a great choice for tech enthusiasts from all walks of life:
High-Level Curriculum
DigitalCrafts strives to keep its curriculum updated according to the latest trends in the job market and in the industry. The curriculum, which is developed by its own instructors, is comprehensive and covers the skills that employers are looking for.
A graduate who is now a software engineer at a logistics startup, Lauren Reilly, said: “I love that DigitalCrafts keep their curriculum up to date. I knew that when I graduated, I was going to be relevant in today’s market. With tech changing so quickly, it was extremely important to me to be updated with the current technology.”
While most students currently learn online, the school also offers a hybrid approach for those who do not have an ideal setup for learning at home. This option combines the flexibility of online instruction with the on-site community and teaching assistants in the classrooms.
“You may take the entire class online if you wish, but our physical locations will also be open for those who want to work there. To ensure that instructors are able to focus on all students equally, they will be teaching remotely. Students who come to campus will attend class online via Zoom.”
In its efforts to curb the spread of the ongoing pandemic, the school also has stringent safety measures in place. There are face masks, cleaning supplies, and physically-distanced workstations available for students attending class on-site. On top of the daily temperature checks, each of the campuses has implemented extra steps like one-way hallways and improved ventilation systems.
Seasoned Instructors
DigitalCrafts students will get to learn from some of the best that the industry has to offer. Instructors have years of real-world experience, with some having held positions in big companies like NASA and LinkedIn. This means the teachers have first-hand insights into the industry and are able to improve students’ learning experience.
“Our staff is passionate about software and love giving back to the tech community by training and staffing the next generation of builders,” the school said.
Student Success Team and Career Prep
The team behind DigitalCrafts knows that getting a job is not an easy feat. To help students along the way, the school has established a dedicated support system dubbed the Student Success Team that will teach all the skills needed for a job search.
This includes mock interview practice, resume reviews, portfolio guidance, and more. Students will also be connected with the school’s ever-growing Employer Network, a group of more than 100 partner companies, to help them land the first job upon graduation.
“On top of the interview prep, we also have in-class career prep sessions that teach students about what they should have on their LinkedIn and GitHub. This includes tips on writing good bios and resumes.”
Throughout a student’s enrollment, they will be assigned projects that will eventually contribute to their portfolios. These projects start off smaller in scope and increase in complexity as students master new skills. At the end of the bootcamp, students will walk away with a complete portfolio that demonstrates their proficiency to potential employers.
While it has long held in-person networking events for its students and alumni, DigitalCrafts has shifted to hosting these events online for the time being. DigitalCrafts has recently hosted its first virtual career fair, as a part of its continuous efforts to connect students and alumni with employers. The school is also known to be active in organizing talks featuring speakers from the tech community such as hiring managers, recruiters, and industry leaders.
Graduates who have succeeded in their job-finding process can also continue to receive support from the Student Success Team if they wish. Many have returned to seek assistance when looking for better job opportunities. This is just one of the examples that illustrate the close student-school ties that DigitalCrafts fosters.
Close-Knit Community
To maintain a close-knit feel, the classes are kept small, around 26 students per class with one instructor and at least one teaching assistant who has also gone through the program. Such an intimate classroom setting will enable maximum and equal attention to all students, giving them a better chance for success.
To demonstrate their dedication to students’ success, the school holds two official performance reviews per cohort where students can fill out evaluations of their instructors and vice versa. In between, there are also multiple check-ins and one-on-one meetings where students’ progress are discussed. Students also have the opportunity to provide feedback through a dedicated form and weekly surveys, and cohort managers and instructors routinely check in on students individually.
Students who require extra help with their coursework or simply wish to consult their teaching assistants can do so during the dedicated office hours.
Multiple Financing Options
If money is coming in between you and launching your career in tech, don’t worry—the school offers a variety of financing programs. Aside from upfront payments and using G.I. Bill benefits, you can also explore these options:
You Belong In Tech Scholarship
In order to make the tech industry a more diverse place, DigitalCrafts is offering $1 million in scholarship funds—$1,500 off Immersive, $1,000 off Flex—which will be given automatically to those from underrepresented groups in technology, including women, Black, and Latinx students. In addition, this also sponsors The Builder Scholarship, which is awarded by a committee to applicants of any background with especially inspiring lives, goals, and achievements.
*The scholarships may not be combined, and recipients do not qualify for any additional discounts or early enrollment incentives. Scholarships are not applicable for VET TEC students.
Easy & Affordable Loans
DigitalCrafts partners with Sallie Mae and Ascent Funding to offer you financing plans with the lowest monthly payments. The loan repayment periods and grace periods differ, so check out DigitalCrafts’ tuition page for the latest details.
What Can You Learn At Digital Crafts?
Full-Stack Immersive Program
Cost: $14,950
Duration: 16 weeks
This 16-week Immersive Program is ideal for career switchers who wish to learn new skills as quickly as possible. It has been developed for high-achieving learners with the ability to learn complex materials in a condensed format.
The course will cover popular programming languages like JavaScript and Python—both excellent for beginners and highly sought after in the job market. With expertise in these languages, students will be able to turn their ideas into a fully-functional web application.
Full-Stack Flex Program
Cost: $9,950
Duration: 26 weeks
You don’t have to quit your day job to chase your dreams. Whether you’re looking to upskill at your current position, transition to a different team or company, or pursue launching a startup of your own, this program is perfect for you.
Over 26 weeks, students in the Flex program learn the ins and outs of front-end and back-end web development, graduating with live portfolios featuring projects built with the technologies employers seek. Students will get the same quality education as the Immersive program, except on a more flexible schedule.
A Day in the Life of a DigitalCrafts Student
To give you a glimpse into the life of a student in the Immersive program, DigitalCrafts breaks up the day into three parts. The average class day for a Flex student looks similar, though on a more compressed schedule.
Morning
Students start the day with algorithmic exercises, pair programming, or a full-fledged project to start the day. On Fridays, students practice algorithms and whiteboarding. Then students break for lunch.
Afternoon
After lunch, instructors might begin a lecture or students may be assigned additional tasks to deepen their understanding of the morning’s work. A majority of the exercises are done via paired programming.
Evening
It is recommended that students continue studying outside of class hours so that they can move forward as successfully as possible, given that they’re learning so much in a short time.
What Can I Do With the Skills Learned at DigitalCrafts?
The answer is that you can do a lot! You can do anything from automating your daily tasks to building a company’s website with web development skills. Web development is also a job that pays handsomely, with an average annual salary of $68,524, according to Glassdoor. The same site also reports that more senior roles can earn upwards of $100,000, with big companies like LinkedIn and Google paying their seasoned web developers up to $129,193 and $118,174 respectively.
DigitalCrafts alumni have received offers from the likes of Slack, The Home Depot, The New York Times, BP, Turner Broadcasting, IBM, Facebook, and other brand names. They have also received offers from startups and other companies like Big Nerd Ranch, Storj, Greater Sum, Narwhal Digital, Ware2Go, and many more.
Graduate Alexander Cleoni shared: “In the two jobs that I’ve had since I graduated, I’ve used technologies that I learned from DigitalCrafts, whether it be Express, Node, React, you name it. I honestly don’t think that I’d be where I’m at now, doing what I do if I didn’t take that step and apply. Prior to attending DigitalCrafts, I was a server at a restaurant, and now I’m a Software Developer at Home Depot!”
Join DigitalCrafts Today!
DigitalCrafts is designed to help you realize your true potential, bridging the gap between you and your dream job with its top-notch instructors, constantly-updated curriculum, and dedicated Student Success Team. Regardless of your background and availability, there is a place for you at this well rated bootcamp.
If you’re interested to learn more, head on over to DigitalCrafts’ website, or start your application process.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
