Tech Elevator

Attending Tech Elevator is one of the best and most important desicions I've made in my life. Prior to attending, I was a professional musician/music teacher in the New York City Area. I had moved out to Cleveland with my wife, was feeling pretty worn out on my career and looking for a change and something that was more sustainable long term. After picking up some beginner coding skills for fun, I started researching bootcamps in the Cleveland area. I ultimately decided on Tech Elevator after talking to a family friend that had attended and I sure am glad this was the program I picked.

Tech Elevator is great for 3 reasons. The first is the amazing, amazing staff. They really care and are always available to help. They take the time to get to know you, how you learn, your strengths and weaknesses and put you in the best position to succeed. My Java instructor Frank taught me so much, and was a big reason why I attended in the first place because I was so blown away by his passion and charisma in the open house I attended. Craig was always available to help students and has an incredible amount of patience and knowledge. He was always ready to talk about technology. Kelly, the Pathway director is phenomanal at her job and if you listen to her and follow what she recommends, it really, truly pays off. Marty does a great job of running the show as the campus director, and the rest of the staff is incredibly kind and makes you feel right at home. Overall, the technical instructors are so knowledgeable and passionate, it's hard not to be inspired everyday.

The second reason is the fellow students. It was so refreshing to get to learn, work and know my fellow classmates. Everyone comes from a slightly different background, but with a common goal of learning how to code and also to get a job. I made so many friends and connections in my cohort that I know will continue to last. I also learned a ton from my classmates. Every afternoon working on projects/exercises was incredibly fun and beneficial getting to help and learn from each other. 

The third reason is that Tech Elevator delivered on helping me change careers and get a new job. I was very fortunate and recieved 3 job offers prior to graduation. I accepted a job with my top choice company on graduation day. The matchmaking process is an amazing experience; exciting, stressful but ultimately delivering something great at the end. It's easy to be skeptical of TE's amazing job placement numbers, but they are 100% true.

One thing I remember asking myself is how much experience do you need? I spent about 5 months before Tech Elevator learning as much as I could through free online resources, and it did help, but it is not necessary. I do recommend it just to see if it is something you enjoy learning about, which for me it was. Some students come in with more experience, some not at all. Ultimately technical ability is not what gets you the job; it's the whole package. At a certain point in the program, things kind of level off between students. As I said before, everyone has strengths which you learn to maximize as you enter the interview process. The staff really does a great job of getting you prepared for the interview process, which really varies from job to job. If you do the program, just work as hard as you can and do what they say as best you can. 

The other question I had was how stresfull it would be. Honestly, coming from music which was filled with uncertainty, the whole process was a welcome change. I structured my days and just made a comittment. You do have to dedicate 14 weeks to the program; I did a few hours of homework every weeknight  (after being at TE all day) and definitely put in as many hours as possible on the weekends. In the end, it's really a small price to pay to enter such a great field with so many possibilities. Everyone I know in the program had their own stressful or tough times whether it was on a capstone or an interview didn't go how you wanted, etc. It always worked out as long as you just keep on plugging away. In the end it goes by so fast!

If you work hard, and have an interest in the field of tech, I can't recommend Tech Elevator highly enough. Ultimately, they are truly as advertised!

Tech Elevator Highlights:

• Solid introduction to software development fundamentals
• Instructors are there to guide you throughout activities and you'll have PLENTY of coding hours to practice
• Multiple interview opportunities with local companies 
• The Pathway Program helps you put your best foot forward with employers through interview training and job search preparation

Program Challenges:

• Large time / emotional / financial commitment - not for those who need continual encouragement and get frustrated easily
• No guarantee of a job - the program advisors will do their best to coach and guide you, but being your own brand evangelist is up to you
• Lots to learn in a short amount of time - can be frustrating for perfectionist who want to have a solid grasp before moving on

Overall Thoughts:

Deciding to work in software development is not for the faint of heart - it requires constant learning and the ability to navigate murky waters on your own. If you're the type of person who likes clear instructions and routine tasks, this line of work might not be for you. 

Furthermore, joining Tech Elevator is no guarantee of success or landing a job, but it is a tool that you can use in your endeavor to get into the industry. If you go in with the mindset that you are responsible for your own growth and development, then the program has a lot to offer. I was very happy with my decision to enroll and switch career paths. 

Deciding to make a career change is one of the biggest decisions you could ever make. If you aren't happy with where you are or where your life is headed, you ultimately have to take that leap of faith. Don't get me wrong, tech elevator definetly isn't for everyone. If you have a knack for problem solving and enjoy working through hardships, I strongly recommend you consider it.

What it comes down to is you get out of it what you put into it. The instructors and directors won't let the program break you if you continue to fight through it yourself. There will be days where you will question if this is actually the life you want to live and the answer should always be yes! If you can fight through this boot camp for just 14 weeks, it will give you an amazing foundation for the rest of your career as a programmer. Also the amount of people in the tech community that tech elevator puts you in contact with is second to none. And if your'e willing to go the extra step and attend meetups in the community, you set yourself up that much more for success. 

As a graduate of the program and no longer seeking a job in the field, I can strongly say that if you trust in the process and listen to everything the instructors and directors tell you, you will be successful and get everything you could ever want from the program. You will build so many long lasting relationships and friendships if you can just commit and give this your all. Start with the aptitude test and if that goes well and you have the funds, go ahead and take the plunge, you wont regret it.

I am not being dramatic when I say that Tech Elevator changed my life.  I come from a background in education, a field that is very saturated and stagnant. I needed a change and had always excelled at logical problem solving and with technology. At first, I was skeptical. How could I be ready for a career in just 14 weeks.  I will tell you how. The bootcamp setting is by no means a breeze. I spent most everyday in lecture, working, and studying.  A typical day in my life at Tech Elevator looked like so: wake up at 4:30 go to the gym (and drink lots of coffee!), 6:30 get my reading and quiz done for the day, after that I would work on additional problems/projects, 7:30 leave for class, arrive early and continue to work, 9:00 -12:00 sit in lecture, 12:00-4:00 work on individual and pairs assignments, or capstone projects, often times I would stay later, and when I got home at night I would continue to work.  A lot of hard work, and an apptitude for logic are how you change your life in 14 weeks. Tech Elevator does a great job of screening candidates, that means if you get invited to attend, you can do it! 

I had no prior coding experience and the fast paced nature can often leave you feeling lost. Take advantage of the on-site tutor, and instructors. It takes your brain a little while to absorb the information, so dont be surprised if you feel hopelessly confused on the day of the lesson and then 2 or 3 days later you can actually do it. We covered about a week of college course material in a single lecture, and I graduated with more than 700 hours of hands on coding.

One of the best things about Tech Elevator, aside from it's awesome instructors, is the pathway program. Our pathway director worked tirelessly to get us groomed for interviews. We worked on things like linkedin profiles, resumes, behavioral interviews, and technical interviews. In addition to this she reaches out to employers and really sells you. Tech Elevator's reputation in the Cleveland area carries with it a huge advantage. I spoke with countless hiring managers and recruiters who love to hire Tech Elevator grads.

I highly recommend you go to an open house and meet the campus director, the pathway director and the instructors. They are all great people who have no problem taking time out of their day to get to know you. Many of them remembered not only me, but details about me when I came in for the first day.  These were people I only had spoken breifly to over 3 months earlier. They really really really do care about you.

The only real issue I had with the whole program was we did not have enough time in our last module. The curriculum is broken down into 4 modules. 1:java/c#, 2:SQL, 3: Spring MVC/ASP, 4:Javascript/Vue.js. There is a lot going on in the last few weeks. Pathway does a match making event where you will get around 6-8 interviews (think speed dating for jobs), people are getting interviews, there are a lot of pathway assignments due. This equates to a fairly distracted module 4. If you are someone who can stay focused and balanced when all those things are going on you probably wont find yourself thinking module 4 was too short. Just my opinion.

tldr: I know Tech Elevator cannot promise you a job, but if you put the work (and I really mean dedicate those 14 weeks of your life wholly to the program), and you buy into the process, you will come out with a job.  I am making nearly 2x what I was as a teacher and 4x what I was when I was between teaching jobs. Lastly, the employees at Tech Elevator really do care about you as a person. They want you to succeed.

Prior to Tech Elevator, I had little experience in coding, but I knew coding was what I wanted to do. The amount of stuff you'll learn in such a short period of time here is insane, and if you listen to the instructors and your career coach you will see success here. The support you'll receive in this program alone is worth the tuition, in my opinion. 

From my own personal experience, no degree or prior experience is required to succeed in and get a great job out of this program. Just stay on top of the work, treat the career prep as equal to the classes, and don't get discouraged throughout the program as hard as that may seem at times. It's a ton of work, but it has been the best decision I've made at this point, and I can personally recommend this program to anybody who wishes to get into the tech industry, anybody who wants to get some very solid career advice, or anybody who just wants to learn the fundamentals needed to create your own, functioning programs.

All in all, I think you get what you pay for and then some with this program. I've made a lot of great friends, landed a position as a Software Developer, got career-advice that will help me for the rest of my life, and learned how to code from the base up; all of this in just 14 weeks.

I picked Tech Elevator because of its reputation in the Cleveland area. I was really impressed with their job placement numbers I learned about during the open house and it felt like a really good fit. Before Tech Elevator I had worked in food pretty much my entire career. I never thought I'd be able to escape it until I found myself really enjoying to code and gaining a real appreciation for the work.

The part of the program that helped me the most was just taking advantage of all the resources Tech Elevator supplied me. They have many wonderful and dedicated instructors and mentors that are always there to help you. Whether you need a 1x1 or need to figure something out on the white board there is a way for your specific learning style to be the most successful you can be.

What helped me to be most successful was taking full advantage of the pathway program and meeting with the amazing pathway director as much as I could. They told me in my interview the students that do the best and are offered jobs first are the ones that take pathway seriously. You could be the most talented programmer but if you don't work just as hard on the pathway side you may have a more difficult time finding a job by the end of the cohort. It really helps to go to every meeting (even the optional ones), take notes and ask questions. You get out what you put in.

After graduating Tech Elevator I feel very confident in my skills as a Junior Software Developer. The instructors do a really good job giving you a strong foundation and it's up to you to do the work. Don't be afraid to ask questions in class because more than likely someone else has the same question. Be engaged in class discussion! Take lots of notes. Everything the instructors say is important.

Going back to the Pathway Program because it is so important; it is very wise to take it seriously. If you are more on the shy side Kelly Brucker (Cleveland campus Pathway Director) really helps you get out of your shell and gives you the confidence to talk to future employers. The events that really helped me succeed were the panels and the employer showcases. It gave me an opportunity to ask the questions that were important to me and because there are so many of them there are lots of opportunities throughout the cohort to begin praticing talking to people. Start early because if you wait until the end it will be more difficult to be comfortable in the interviews. Another amazing and really unique oppotunity you will have is the matchmaking process. You will get a lot of facetime with companies that want to hire Tech Elevator students. Do your research on the companies and I can't stress this enough: have lots of questions prepared and have your notepad and a pen to take notes!

I was fortunate enough to have a job offer the week of graduation. I applied to many many jobs (more than the minimum a week helps) and also got a lot of rejections. Don't let that slow you down! It happens to everyone. All it takes is one company to give you a chance. The most important thing especially towards the end is to not take your foot off the gas pedal. It's a lot of work and you will be very tired but you need to keep up with your work, put in the applications and go on interviews. I promise you it will be worth it. If you do everything your pathway director and your instructor say to do you will be fine! They also offer time after the cohort for additional career support. They will not forget about you as long as you keep putting in the effort and meet with your PW director and instructors after. Don't fall off the face of the earth and stop communcating with the staff at Tech Elevator. They are there to help you as long as you put in the effort. You really don't want to lose all those skills you just worked so hard for so also be sure to keep coding after the cohort if you haven't found a job.

Going to the Tech Elevator was the best decision I have ever made. Yes it is a huge gamble having to put your life on hold for a few months but if you put in the work you will be so proud of yourself and what you are able to accomplish and learn in only 14 weeks! You will gain lifelong friends, eat lots of pizza and get really good at ping-pong but most importantly you will love the work you do. 

Please reach out to me on LinkedIn if you have any more questions. Good luck!

Before I started at Tech Elevator I spent 9 years working in the Museum field. I had the opportunity to work on incredible projects but as my development cycles got farther and farther apart I found myself longing for something more challenging. The days I could solve problems with technology were the best days of my work life, and I wanted to spend everyday solving those kinds of problems.

After meeting an instructor, and introducing a friend to Tech Elevator and watching his successes I decided it was time for me to make the jump. They tell you up front that this will be one of the most challenging things you’ll ever do, they tell you that there will be times you don’t think you’ll be able to complete the work, they tell you that if you put in the work and trust the process that you’ll succeed. All of this is true.

As a former educator I’m very judgemental when it comes to other educators. I was blown away by the knowledge, expertise, and skill of the instructors and educational staff. Brian is one of the best and most patient instructors I’ve ever met, and Andrew has an incredible way of leading you to the answer and understanding.

Not only was the instructional portion of the course great, but the pathway events that focused on the soft skills really prepared you for the job search. Ben and Laura really made sure through these events, one on one practical and technical interviews, and the hands on workshops that I was prepared once I got on site with a potential employer. While I was still anxious in the interview process, I had had the worst case scenario technical interviews with the instructors so I was prepared when I encountered these on the job hunt.

I had multiple interviews due to matchmaking with employers at Tech Elevator and successfully landed a job the day after graduation. If you’re reading this and want to make the jump and are willing to do the work and go all in, I can’t recommend Tech Elevator enough. It’s easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

Before Tech Elevator, I was an R&D engineer at a top automobile company.  Benefits and pay were outstanding, but I was slowly dying of boredom.  I had some experiences in the past of writing code and those were the days that flew by for me.

I knew I wanted to get into software development, but going back to major in computer science felt like overkill and would not necessarily secure me a job in the field.

After some light research, I was happy to find that Tech Elevator existed, and was in Columbus OH (a 20 minute drive for me).  Once I understood the Pathways program and did the on-site open house, I knew it was the right choice.  After applying and getting accepted, I was counting down the days for the cohort to start.

The first module (1 of 4) was largely review for me.  Instead of just blazing through exercises, I was encouraged to help other students as we learned the ins and outs of object oriented programming.  This actually proved to be very educational for me - you really only fully understand something when you can explain it to someone else.  

When we hit module 2, I started to feel the stress of learning new material! At this point, I started getting help from other students and going to professors after hours.  

By the time we got through the rest of the modules, I felt extremely confident in my abilities to program.  I remember doing an exercise in CSS at home and my wife walked by and saw my screen and asked "Oooh, what are you ordering for Audrey?" (my daughter). I had created a styled web-site that represented a kid's toy store and it was good enough to fool her.

The culmination of the entire experience was interviewing with companies for a junior software developer role.  I think a lot of people expect the hardest part of the cohort to be learning to code, but really for me it was the job search.  I over-prepared my interviewing skills with extra mock interviews and lots of guided practice.  

The biggest advice I can give to you: it's all about confidence.  If you study hard, take all the events seriously, overprepare, educate fellow students, ask tons of questions to your professor, understand every piece of your pair projects, then your confidence will be through the roof and you will be overprepared for a junior developer role.  Going into an interview with 8 people at a desk watching me whiteboard the architecture of an MVC project? No sweat! I had overflowing levels of confidence and still do, can't you tell?  I knew going out of that interview I would have an offer.  I got it the next day and it was my number one choice!

In summary, I am thankful to Tech Elevator for bridging my gap to be a software developer. Extra kudos to John Fulton - the best professor I have ever had.

I'm writing this review roughly three months after graduating from Tech Elevator's .NET bootcamp.  I've been in my current position as a Consultant/Software Developer for two months, and now that the "honeymoon" period of a new position is over, I still wouldn't change a thing about the decisions I've made in regard to Tech Elevator.

Like any development bootcamp, the pacing is quick and the material is thrown at your rapidly, but the instructors are extremely helpful.  They're knowledgeable about the material, industry trends, and the different roles of developers.  They spent a lot of time working with our cohort to make sure no one fell far behind, and focused more on understanding rather than "getting it done."  Discussions were very open and the learning path encouraged working with others, which was incredibly helpful in grasping new material every day.

On the flip side of the technical work, Tech Elevator did a great job at training and preparing us for the "business" side of careers.  The career team at the Pittsburgh campus was extremely helpful in establishing connections with local companies, as well as strengthening our soft skills and interview preparation.  The majority of my interviews, including the interview with my current employer, were established via the "Pathway" (career prep) team.

Prior to Tech Elevator, I had very, very limited exposure to coding and development, but everyone at the Pittsburgh campus was incredibly supportive and helpful throughout the entire process.  Three months out, I still consider my cohort and the staff to be great resources and friends.  The Pittsburgh campus at Tech Elevator was top tier, and I regret nothing about my time spent there.

Let's be real... This is the best thing you could do to make a positive change in your life. In terms of risk/reward value to stopping what you're doing and investing in a new career, there IS NO BETTER WAY. We're talking time invested, money invested, quick return and placement, and being a new you within 4-6 months. 

But let's be real... It's HARD work. You are, in every sense of the word, in a BOOTCAMP. Expect 12-14 hour days, 6 days a week on average, of non-stop coding. On top of that, consistently learning new material, networking with different MeetUp groups, planning and implementing side projects. There's also participating and planning in Pathway Program which consists of interview training in both HR and technical environments, developing new resumes and a professional online presence, developing proper habits in job searching, and that's not even taking into consideration if you have a family, relationship, pet, or other social obligations.

But let's be real... EVERYTHING you are MUST be dedicated to this experience. I didn't even get to celebrate my birthday, it is THAT INTENSE. I will not sugar coat it, it is HARD, but you can do it. Believe in yourself because you believe in a better future. The instructors and recruiters on staff are knowlegable, helpful and experienced and will help you when and where you need, but the connections you build with your fellow students is your greatest resource, do not forget that.

So Imma be real... If you want a better future, better career, and better life and you think you got what it takes to handle what I'm throwing at you, then pick it up, prepare yourself and push forward, you will not regret it.

Tech Elevator changed my life and I would recommend it to anyone who's considering it! Coming from Residential HVAC, I knew very little about computers and almost nothing about programming. After being accepted into the program, it was clear that this was the place I was supposed to be. I learned so much from the amazing staff and made friendships I look forward to carrying on for a long time to come. The course work is strenuous but it's delivered in a way that makes it easy to digest and there are always resources ready to help you understand something a little better. I was able to change careers smoothly in 4 months and have an amazing job I couldn't have even dreamed of before, all thanks to Tech Elevator. If you are looking for a change and are considering the technology world, Tech Elevator will get you there