Turing School of Software & Design

I officially finished my program at Turing today. As a previous bootcamp student at another institution who had a bad experience, I was definitely nervous at first that this would go sour again. While there were definitely some bumps along the road, overall I would say my time at Turing was worth the money. The instructors were supportive and the curriculum is very strong compared to most bootcamps. I definitely feel ready for the job hunt. My two points for criticism both concern the layoffs that occurred near the middle of Module 2. Losing an instructor midway through Mod 2 may seem OK if it was at the end of a module, but it was very difficult to deal with during the middle of one. Especially given when the instructor is an especially good one, like in this case. This seems like it could have been handled better. Also, I feel like we were kind of given a lesser hand due to the fact that we didn't have a full time Professional Development contact for our program exclusively like previous cohorts did. (That said, Tracey who handles both programs currently is a major asset to Turing.) Yet if I had to go back and do this again, I would say 100% I would go with Turing. The curriculum and staff made it worth it.

Turing's program is simply excellent in all areas. The coursework is challenging, yet closely aligned with the real problems one tackles in the field of software development. While the learning progression is rapid, the curriculum is well scaffolded to bring learners along. There is a strong focus on the soft skills required to work as a part of a modern development team as reinforced by projects and assignments in teams of various sizes. Turing's ability to impart soft skills was something I didn't fully appreciate until after I had worked in the industry a few years and was sitting on the other side of the interview table. Turing graduates are well prepared to talk-the-talk of a developer technically, proficient in live coding exercises, and able to articulate pieces of valuable, non-coding wisdom they will bring to a team.

Turing School was probably one of the best decisions of my life. As someone who knew very little about coding before starting, I felt very taken care of throughout my time there. From an introductory program on getting your computer set up before even starting the main program to teachers making changes on the fly to accommodate the classes needs, Turing works hard to make the experience relevant, engaging, and productive. The instructors were incredible, taking time to answer questions in class, holding office hours afterwards, addressing larger group needs, and even putting time aside just to get to know the students. The curriculum pushes students hard through larger projects that need to be completed in mini 'sprints' with an emphasis on learning real world skills like deployment, teamwork, and test-driven development. Alongside the coding, Turing's program also gets students ready for the job hunt starting on week one with exercises on building a LinkedIn profile or practicing job interviews, with specific staff there to assist in the process. Turing's greatest strength though lies in its community of graduates, who are incredible caring people, willing to meet with students and help in any way possible. While at Turing, I met some truly incredible people that I am excited to be friends with for the rest of my life, people that I can rely on for help in any situation, coding or otherwise. The seven month program is longer than traditional bootcamps and the requirement of full time student work on top of a tuition can be difficult for some people. The program is hard and will require your full attention throughout that time but I felt that it was well worth the effort and I started my first job as a web developer out of Turing feeling, if not comfortable, confident in my abilities to live up to the expectations of the role.

I recently completed the Back End Engineering Program at Turing School of Software & Design, and it has been an incredible experience. This seven-month coding boot camp focused on developer collaboration and Ruby on Rails. 

First and foremost, while I have yet to secure a developer job, the support I received from Turing School has been outstanding. They go above and beyond to assist students with optimizing their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. They also provide networking strategies and an extensive alum network for potential referrals. This ongoing support gives me confidence in their commitment to student success even after completing the boot camp.

One of Turing School's standout features is the instructors' genuine care and dedication. Throughout the program, I consistently felt their passion for teaching and desire to see every student succeed. Their knowledge and expertise were invaluable, and they were always available to provide guidance and answer questions. If you are struggling to understand the material, you have the option to repeat a module without additional cost to ensure you are absorbing the knowledge/skills.

Turing School employs a project-based learning approach, which is incredibly effective. Assigning projects before teaching all the necessary skills fosters an environment where students are constantly challenged and encouraged to apply their knowledge. This method not only solidifies the concepts learned but also simulates real-world development scenarios, preparing us for the demands of the industry.

The online environment at Turing School is vibrant and engaging. They provide numerous avenues for students to connect and collaborate, ensuring a rich and interactive learning experience. I always felt connected to my peers, from discussion forums to virtual meetups. I had ample opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from one another.

Another aspect that impressed me was the mentorship program available at Turing School. Having a mentor to guide me through the curriculum and offer personalized advice was invaluable. In addition, the mentors provided valuable insights, helped me overcome challenges, and supported my growth as a developer.

Turing School operates as a non-profit organization, which aligns perfectly with my goals and values. Their dedication to providing affordable education and fostering an inclusive environment is commendable. In addition, they actively seek student feedback and take steps to improve their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In conclusion, my time at Turing School of Software & Design's Back End Engineering Program has been enriching. The level of support, caring instructors, project-based learning, online community, mentorship program, and the school's non-profit status have made this boot camp a standout choice. The skills and experiences gained here will help propel my career in the tech industry. I recommend Turing School to anyone looking to kickstart their journey in coding and pursue a fulfilling career as a software developer.

Turing has everything someone looking to break into tech would look for. The program is designed to take someone from 0 to entry-level/junior in 7 (or 9) months and reliably does just that. The program is highly focused on diversity and inclusion and always ensures that everyones voice is heard. The coursework is very challenging, but Turing provides countless resources including fantastic instructors and mentors to help you get through it, and also has an amazing career team at the ready to help you increase your chances of finding a job. If I had to do it all over, I would, and pick Turing every time!

I participated in the Backend Engineering program with Turing and had a fantastic experience. The instructors throughout the entire program were excellent - knowledgable, supportive, and kind. The curriculum was great, and notably more comprehensive than what other schools offer. There's a real focus on building not just the technical knowledge of web app creation, but also the familiarity with industry tools and practices - specifically working collaboratively on group projects using GitHub, writing tests for your code from day one, setting up continuous integration tools, and more. In addition to this technical curriculum, the career development curriculum is great. Students are given exposure to what it actually looks like to be a professional developer, access to networks even beyond the Turing alumni community, and 1:1 support from the career team. Finally, and most uniquely, Turing offers an additional layer to their curriculum that focuses on inclusivity, identity, and what it means to be a good teammate. It's an evolving offering but they do a great job of creating space to have tough conversations, and equipping students with tools to bring to the workplace when they're hired.

Turing was more challenging and more rewarding than I could have imagined before experiencing it. The amount of support throughout the entire experience was exceptional. There will always be someone who's ahead of you in learning and that's alright because the community you're in with your peers, mentors(who are alumni themselves), and instructors are always willing to support your learning. There were folks who had to "repeat" sections of school and it wasn't something looked down upon to be held back. If you did repeat it was because instructors believed you weren't ready for the next section of school. In times when I was struggling it was comforting to know that I could repeat and still be successful and supported in completing school.

The support with resumes, cover letters, interview prep, and just overall advice from school support staff was also amazing. I ended up landing my current job because a Turing staff member shared my information with who is now my direct manager on an amazing team. 

I would say that you get out what you put into it. Make sure you have a good support system and are ready to jump into such an intense program before picking your start date. You'll be doing ~ 70-80 hrs on average each week so make sure you're prepared for that and have healthy sleeping/eating habits for the long haul you're getting into. There's a lot of support available, but if you don't use it and lean into the idea that you will need help getting through it might be a tough go of it for you. Ask for help! Make connections! People are there and willing to help you get through it and get a job on the other side!

Turing provides a high-quality, well-rounded tech education.  In addition to learning specific coding skills, students also spend time learning about high-level tech concepts, job hunt strategies, networking opportunities, industry best practices, and how to be a valued, empathetic team member.  Key concepts include Test Driven Development and Agile Workflow, among many others.
In terms of developing coding skills, instruction is delivered by knowledgable and practiced teachers who use sound pedagogy and well-structured lessons.  Classes are hands-on and participatory.  Outside of class, the majority of learning takes place through a combination of skills practice and actual project completion.  Students will gain experience working individually, with a partner, and in small groups, and will exit Turing with completed applications that are resume-ready.
Turing is a rigorous experience that requires full dedication and attention, and it will thoroughly prepare you for a new career in tech.