Resilient Coders is a rigorous coding bootcamp with an unusual admissions process, and an exceptionally strenuous program. Here’s a little bit of a glimpse on what to expect during the program.
We look for demonstrations of certain characteristics that we believe are conducive to success in the program. Quick note: These are factors, not a checklist.
DO YOU ENJOY THE MATERIAL? Notice we didn’t say, “you’re good at the material.” Passion eats skill for breakfast. If you love something, you can become good at it. Don’t worry about coding like Grace Hopper the second you walk in the door. You’ll get there, if you really, really want to get there. You’re signing up for a career that requires lifelong learning. It matters that you enjoy it.
If you haven’t started learning on your own, we encourage you to go through the Responsive Web Design course on freecodecamp.org. Also, keep an eye on our instagram page to meet some of our alumni who are now working as software engineers, many of them are hosting live Q&As where you can learn more about what a workday looks like for them.
DEMONSTRATIONS OF GRIT, RESILIENCE, INITIATIVE AND DEDICATION Bootcamp is hard. Really, really hard. We need you to be someone who is able to deal with a lot of pressure. Share with us your resilience story. This can be anything, from balancing a job and your studies, or having to take care of family members, to a side project or business that you’ve put your heart and soul into.
IS NOW THE RIGHT MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE? A bootcamp program can be destabilizing. You’ll need everything else in your life to be relatively stable. This is important, because if we have to dismiss you from the program, we can’t welcome you back into the next one. If now is the right time, let’s talk about it.
YOU ARE COMMUNITY ORIENTED The threat to our black and brown communities is too dire for us to not be united. We don’t want to be making the case forever to white-dominant tech companies that they should consider hiring “non-traditional talent.” We need you to get a job as a software engineer, muscle your way to a position of authority, and then prioritize the recruitment and advancement of other people of color. For that to happen, you need to be more than a great software engineer: You need to be dedicated to the community you’re from.
ONCE YOU'RE IN It’s all day, every day, for 18 weeks, fully remote. Here’s how this breaks down.Tardiness is considered an absence, and you get three absences before being removed. If there are extenuating circumstances (family situations, health, etc.), communicate with us. We’ll work with you.
Every three (or so) weeks, you’ll have a deadline for your work. These are called redirect weeks. Failure to meet those deadlines will result in removal from the program. If you are redirected, you are no longer eligible for a stipend. However, you’ll still be part of the community, and you will continue to have access to the learning material.