Monash University Boot Camps

I am a scientist with over 20 years of experience in research on the use of geo-statistics to model spatial fields and needed to re-invent myself following a redundancy in late 2020. A review of job advertisements for data analysts showed that while I had the theoretical background, I lacked experience in the current sets of tools that are used in the analysis and visualisation of business data. 

After a search for providers of short courses on data analysis I selected the Monash University Bootcamp for Data Analytics. Monash University is ranked 55th the QS World University Rankings and is in my hometown, Melbourne, Australia. Based on my personal experience with staff from the University over the years I knew that it would provide an excellent course that would give me with a solid foundation on which to build my new career. I was also impressed with the course curriculum and the supporting career services program that would assist me with preparing for my next career. 

The course curriculum progresses nicely through the sets of tools that are used for data analysis, database queries, to web-based visualisation. As such it provides an end-to-end introduction to data analytics tools.  The online course runs over 24 weeks and consists of 3 3-hour evening lectures and a homework assignment per week. The material is presented professionally by a class instructor with a tutor online to assist as required. The web site to manage the practical aspects of the course and the regular one-on-one meeting with a support person are also very helpful. 

The course turned out to meet my expectations. This is a serious course full of content that demands your attention to complete, but at the end you will have a solid foundation on which to build your future career in data analytics. 

Monash University Cybersecurity Bootcamp was an amazing 6 month experience, during this time we would be online 3 nights a week 6:30-9:30 and often I would need to put an extra 5-10 hours per week for the homework. The structure of the course essentially boiled down to: Introduction to a topic, followed by an activity to practice the use of said topic or research more of the topic etc. Finally at the end of each week homework would be assigned that would elaborate further on the weeks learning. So overall given a chance to embed the knowledge learned at each week. Most of the activities, if not all, were done in virtual labs and further enabled experimentation and learning. The highlight of the course for me was the instructor, Barry Anderson. Barry was a veritable library of knowledge and any time he went 'off' script, he would provide valuable information with examples. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone interested in pursuing Cyber Security. At the 3/4 mark of the course I felt confident enough to apply for a position and was hired for a role as a Cyber Security Analyst, this is with no prior certifcations/degrees or work experience prior. Thank you Barry and the TA's.

As a Digital strategist and a front end developer it was a tough decision to start a full stack program as a working professional, however I now thank myself for taking a leap of faith. The bootcamp is filled with the latest and greatest market ready technology. My favourite part of the program were the projects as it meant we could test out our apps in real time with professional feedback. I would strongly advice prospective students to start preparing ahead of time as it is an intense program packed with content. It provides the essentials to be part of a tech team in today's competitive landscape. 

I've been passionate about marketing since I was in high school, however, upon finishing my Bachelors degree in Media and Communications, I realised I had cast my net too broadly. I knew a lot about media, but not much about marketing. I also had no relevant real world skills, so finding employment was difficult. I knew I didn't want to complete another full degree, so after doing a bit of research, I stumbled across the Monash Digital Marketing Bootcamp, and little did I know, this bootcamp would be the start of everything. 
This bootcamp was absolutely phenomenal. Not only did I have such a brilliant instructional team and cohort, but the classes were so informative and well planned. I honestly felt like I learnt more about the digital marketing industry in this part-time 18 week course than I did in my 3 year full-time degree. The lessons were so great, and I learnt some fantastic real world skills that I could actually use on the job. This bootcamp is different to regular studies as rather than teaching you about things, it also teaches you how to do things. I learnt how to use programs and tools I'd need to use in the marketing space, so it gave me real life experience. I also noticed that all of the topics we covered are very industry relevant. Everything we learnt matched what employers are looking for in job descriptions. Above this course being truely fantastic, we were supported every step of the way. I learnt so much from my instructor, my TAs, my classmates and my tutor. I never felt like I was alone, and always felt supported. My favourite part of this bootcamp was the office hours, where I got to chat with my TAs, ask questions, and learn from industry professionals. I loved learning in this hands on environment surrounded by people who shared my passions. I also loved the group projects, working together with my talented classmates to create amazing portfolio pieces.

Also, it's worth mentioning that this course led me to getting my first marketing job. Without the confidence and skills I learnt from this course, I wouldn't have felt confident enough to apply for a marketing role, so I would urge anyone who wants to pursue a similar career path to dive into this course.
I have so much love for this bootcamp, and I'd do it all over again if I could. If you're unsure whether to take the leap, I'd 100% recommend this course. It's the best experience I have had in my 15+ years of education, so if you're an aspiring marketer, this bootcamp will be your best friend!

I looked into this course as I wanted to upskill in programming to prepare for any new jobs that might come my way. The only reason I picked this course was because I thought it was developed by Monash Uni. Little did I know until I started the course that it is actually run by Trilogy Education Services, a company that I have now discovered does not have many positive reviews online, and now being more than halfway through this course I know why.

I feel cheated by the way this course was advertised. It was advertised as full-time friendly, which is not true unless you are sacrificing more than 20 hours a week trying to relearn the course content since the actual lecture notes and activities do not teach you enough and don't teach you how to troubleshoot when things go wrong.

I feel cheated that this course was advertised as being run by Monash, when in reality Monash has not made any positive changes to the course despite a few students making complaints not only to our Student Success Managers, but to the Bootcamp managers higher up the chain. All the fault is placed upon the instructors who seem to forget that we are seeing this content for the first time, and if we are paying their salaries, they should at least make an effort to get through the class material in a clearer manner.

I feel cheated because I signed up for Data ANALYTICS, NOT data visualisation, which was definitely not clear enough in the course brochure that I had trusted to be accurate before signing my life away to this course.

The homework assignments do not match what we learn during class, with most of us having to find past student work on github to see what they have done and learn from them.

Had I have known that this wasn't created by Monash, and had I have known that I would be spending most of my nights and weekends finding my own learning resources because the lectures are poor quality, I would have looked for cheaper alternatives that would've at least given me some sort of certification at the end! For $13k, this course is not worth it. 

I feel scammed and I feel helpless because at every stage, the course managers have made me feel like it's my fault for not spending 24/7 trying to understand the content.

I am giving a glowing review of the Monash UX/UI bootcamp. I have always been interested in the way design can help people, and after doing some research on courses - this one seemed ideal. The course is fairly fast paced, but the support from the instructors, the course student success managers, and careers team were excellent. My instructor was very knowledgeable and was able to share lots of up-to-date insights as they were currently working as a UX professional in the industry. I loved learning so much about UX, UI and FE dev - and the highlight would have to be bringing together everything we learnt in the final project. I also loved the focus on accessible design, and how the content was really thoughtful and considered when it came to this. I thought the structure of the course was great - how each unit builds on the one before. If you're interested in UX, definitely do this course, you'll learn so much and do so alongside likeminded people - our cohort really bonded together over our time and we've made some friends for beyond the course.

Fast-paced learning and resourceful in building web development skills through the use of various technologies and tools. Requires commitment and time management in order to be successful with the course. Course content and instructional team are friendly and informative! I have learnt source control, version history and collaborating with other project collaborators. Learning how to use Git, hosting codes on Github and deploying web applications was the highlight of the course. Creating full-stack applications is challenging but putting some time to really make something work is pretty rewarding.

I completed the Monash University Cybersecurity Boot Camp in August 2024. I had no cybersecurity knowledge before this course. At the beginning of the course you start from the basics and getting more advanced as the weeks go on which was exactly what I felt I needed coming into this course with no cybersecurity knowledge. Our instructors and TA's where always willing to help us with questions or problems. 

The only real downside was that I believe a majority of the machines we used in this course where located in America, which being based in Australia wasn't always very smooth. 

As someone who is passionate about cybersecurity, I was eager to learn more about the basics of security after falling victim to a crypto scam. This led me to enrol in the CompTIA A+ and Network+ courses, which I enjoyed so much that I decided to pursue more training and obtain my Security+ and CySA+ certifications. However, I found that I needed more hands-on experience and practical skills to truly excel in the field, which is why I decided to apply to Monash University's Cybersecurity Boot Camp. I have had a fantastic experience with the boot camp so far. The programme has allowed me to learn a great deal, including how to identify and prevent privilege escalation attacks, how to create and maintain backdoors for remote access, and how to use tools like John the Ripper, Wireshark, and Burp Suite. Additionally, I have gained valuable knowledge in Linux and Windows systems administration, network vulnerability assessment and mitigation, cryptography, and archive and log management systems. Most recently, I have learned how to create and protect VMs in the Azure cloud. My favourite aspect of the programme is the hands-on experience it provides. I appreciate the instructor-led format of the course, which allows me to ask questions and get assistance when I need it. The programme also offers office hours before and after classes each week, which has been a great resource for clearing doubts and getting additional support. To ensure success in the programme, I would advise prospective students to come in with an open mind and a willingness to learn and practice new skills. This course is designed to provide a hands-on learning experience, which means that students will need to be willing to put in the effort to learn and apply new concepts. Additionally, taking advantage of the career services offered by the programme can be a great way to get help with resume writing and job hunting. Overall, I highly recommend Monash University's Cybersecurity Boot Camp for anyone looking to start a career in cybersecurity or build on their existing skills in the field.

Choosing the Path to UX/UI Design

My journey into UX/UI design didn't start with curiosity about how digital products are created but with a mission to solve real-world issues. I've always been driven to build, fix, design, and invent—whether tangible or intangible, I was the guy getting involved. I aimed to create something of value for my community. With an idea in hand but unsure how to bring it to life, I discovered Figma. This tool was a gateway, but I quickly realized that while I had the drive to be a designer, my understanding of UX/UI was lacking. A self-taught six-month journey with Figma, fueled by countless YouTube tutorials, revealed the depth of UX/UI design. Eager to formalize my education, I sought out programs in Australia and was drawn to the Monash University UX/UI Boot Camp for its comprehensive curriculum and positive reviews, marking the beginning of a transformative adventure.

Boot Camp Experience

Embarking on this six-month boot camp, I was unprepared for the emotional and intellectual growth that awaited. Eight years prior, I had felt lost, exploring different paths and facing dead ends. Yet, it was through these challenges that I learned the value of trusting the process. The boot camp became a roller coaster of early mornings, sleepless nights, and a relentless stream of assessments. "The more you see obstacles as advantages, the better you are able to propel yourself further," became my mantra. Embracing challenges was not just a strategy but my secret weapon. The support and camaraderie from classmates and teachers, especially Grant and Joey, who navigated us through our questions and chaotic deliverables, were pivotal. This journey, with its late-night study sessions, laughter, and occasional freak-outs, became an unforgettable chapter of growth and friendship.

What I Wish I Knew Before Starting

Looking back, I wish I had a better grasp of the intensity and commitment required for a boot camp of this caliber. The importance of time management, embracing feedback, and the necessity of a supportive network became clear only as I navigated through the course. Knowing the value of these elements from the start would have prepared me mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead.

If I Were to Do It for the First Time

If I had the chance to start this journey anew, I would prioritize building a robust support system early on, engaging more deeply with the design community, and setting realistic expectations for the work and emotional investment needed. Additionally, I would remind myself to view every challenge as an opportunity for growth, reinforcing the mindset that being overwhelmed is a sign of development.

Closing Thoughts

This boot camp meant everything to me, transforming my passion and ideas into a viable career path in UX/UI design. To those considering this path, embrace the challenges, allow your creativity to flourish, and remember that every step, no matter how daunting, is a leap towards growth. With a heart full of gratitude, I look forward to applying the lessons learned and friendships forged as we all move forward to make the world a better place through our designs.

Thank you for this unforgettable journey.