Software Guild
Software Guild Review and Guide
If you are trying to find the best bootcamp to help you start your tech career, you have come to the right place. Below, you’ll find a deep dive review of Software Guild, one of the coding bootcamps you can consider.
From the programs offered and skills taught to the costs and other services provided, you’ll find all of the information you’ll need to decide if Software Guild is right for you. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dig right in.
What You Need to Know About Software Guild
Software Guild offers several immersive programs for relatively similar price tags. The schedules vary by program, but all programs are held fully online.
- Cost: $9,000 to 10,000
- Schedules: Full-Time Synchronous, Part-Time
- Courses Offered: Intro to Web Development, .NET/C#, Java, Digital Coding Badges
- Upcoming Start Dates: Contact admissions for details
Software Guild Curricula: What Can You Study?
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For those interested in learning how to become full stack developers, Software Guild offers four study options.
Intro to Web Development
This is a beginner’s guide to web development. It can be completed in four to six weeks and teaches you all of the foundations of software and full stack development.
You will learn to code using GIT, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Java. This course is a prerequisite for students who wish to enroll in the .NET/C#, Java, or Badge program tracks.
.NET/C# Bootcamp
In the .NET/C# program, you will focus on object-oriented programming and database-driven web applications. You will spend 12 weeks in this program studying .NET, C#, LINQ, ASP.NET, Spring MVC, HTML, and much more.
Java Bootcamp
This program hones you to become a Java development expert within 12 weeks. The first five weeks of this program will be spent learning about object-oriented programming with Java. The remaining seven weeks will focus on JSON, AJAX, jQuery, and Spring MVC. By the end of this program, you will have completed a few projects and ultimately learned Java.
Digital Coding Badges
This option offers two Badge Program Tracks: the .Net/C# track and the Java track. These are designed for those who want to fully immerse themselves in either program but can’t commit to a nonstop months-long bootcamp.
Each track is divided into four levels—Programming Basics, Object-Oriented Programming, Server-Side Web Development, and Full-Stack Development—that last two to three months. Level 1 serves as a prerequisite to Level 2, and so forth. These tracks follow a pay-as-you-go model, which means you pay for a level only when you enroll in one.
Software Guild Campuses: Where Can You Study?
At the time of writing, Software Guild is a fully-online coding bootcamp, with all instruction and activities conducted remotely.
Software Guild Schedules: When Can You Study?
Full-Time
All Software Guild programs offer two learning formats, one of which is full-time. Since the programs are online, there is a bit more flexibility in the full-time schedule than there would be with an in-person full-time schedule. Nonetheless, expect to spend four to 12 weeks studying intensively in a synchronous virtual classroom.
Part-Time
Software Guild programs are also taught part-time. The part-time schedule is not synchronous, so you have some freedom to learn at your pace. That doesn’t mean you can be carefree with your studies, however. You will still be expected to meet deadlines and spend quite a bit of time studying.
Software Guild Tuition
To enroll in either of Software Guild’s .Net/C# and Java bootcamps, you will have to pay a $10,000 tuition, plus $125 for the registration fee. The Digital Coding Badges, meanwhile, cost a total of $9,000 for all four levels. For information about the tuition for the Intro to Web Development program, you can contact an advisor at Software Guild.
Software Guild Financing and Payment Options
- Upfront Payment. The simplest way to finance your education at Software Guild is through an upfront payment. Pay the $125 registration fee and the $10,000 tuition upon registration for your classes.
- Loan Financing. Software Guild has partnered with loan providers Ascent Funding and Climb Credit to help students who cannot pay for their education out of pocket. You can apply for loans from either of these providers and choose from repayment plans that can last up to 42 months.
Software Guild Admissions: How to Get In
Software Guild is primarily designed to prepare students for entry-level tech jobs thus making it an especially accessible coding bootcamp for beginners and career-switchers.
Software Guild Application
The Software Guild application process begins with filling out an online application form, during which you pick your program of choice. After submitting your application, you will be contacted to conduct an admission interview with one of the school’s advisors or admissions counselors.
If you do well in the interview, you will move on to an aptitude assessment to determine if you are a good fit for the program. The aptitude assessment is described as being a mix between the SAT and an IQ test, so you can expect challenging questions.
Once you have passed the aptitude assessment, you will be required to complete the Intro to Web Development course before your chosen program’s start date.
Software Guild Interview
Since the interview is one of the first steps to being accepted into the Software Guild, you will want to prepare for it. Luckily, this is a very relaxed interview that seeks to determine if you are a good fit for the program.
Professionalism is important at Software Guild, and you can demonstrate your professionalism with timely responses and punctuality. Expect to answer questions about your ability to commit to the program and complete challenging coursework. Finally, don’t forget the golden rule in interviews: ask questions of your own.
Software Guild Outcomes: Will I Find a Job?
Software Guild displays very impressive outcomes for its graduates. In its latest outcomes report, 70.8 percent of graduates were said to have secured jobs within 90 days after program completion. That number went up to 91.7 percent within 180 days.
Employed graduates earn a median salary of $60,000 per year, as reported by the bootcamp. These job offers are likely due to a combination of the skills taught during the bootcamp programs and the career services offered right after.
Job Placement Services at Software Guild
At Software Guild, your tuition covers not just the program itself but also the comprehensive job placement services. One of the most impressive features of the school’s job placement service program is the employer network access, which provides students with the opportunity to connect with over 450 tech employers.
Take advantage of the various other services provided, such as portfolio development, resume and social media profile coaching, and mock interviews. There are even career counselors who will help you write follow-up emails to prospective employers.
Other services include career panels, alumni panels, job search coaching and career planning, and exclusive access to job postings and connections.
Should You Apply to Software Guild?
Software Guild is an impressive coding bootcamp for sure, but is it the best place for you to apply? There are quite a few things to take into consideration before applying to bootcamps, but these are some of the most important qualities to consider.
- Online Format. Although an online learning format can be ideal for some people, it can make learning extremely difficult for others. If you have taken an online course before and know what to expect, this won’t be a problem for you. However, if you are new to virtual learning, take some time to consider your time management skills, ability to teach yourself, and ability to focus despite the numerous distractions online.
- Financing Options. While many coding bootcamps offer quite a few different financing options, Software Guild is not one of them. If you can pay $10,125 upfront, you’ll be good to go. Otherwise, you will have to take out a loan. Whether you’re debt-averse or not, think about how long you’re willing to spend paying off your bootcamp tuition.
- Courses Offered. Software Guild only offers three courses. One of the courses is a prerequisite for the other two, and the other two are different paths to becoming a junior software developer. So, if you want to become a data scientist or perhaps a cyber security analyst, this coding bootcamp is not for you.
- Job Placement Rate. Perhaps one of Software Guild’s best qualities is its impressive job placement rate. As stated previously, 91.7 percent of its graduates found employment six months into the job-search process. Pair this with a median salary of $60,000 and you’re almost given a job guarantee.
Overall, Software Guild is an awesome coding bootcamp, but it is for a specific group of people. If you want to do anything other than programming, don’t want to deal with online classes, or don’t want to take out loans, consider checking out other bootcamps.
There are quite a few data science bootcamps that may suit your learning needs better. However, if you are pursuing a career as a developer, can easily adapt to virtual learning formats, and can either afford the tuition upfront or have no problem with loans, this is a great coding bootcamp to consider.
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8 Reviews
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Anonymous
I had some previous coding experience through school but didn’t want to pursue a bachelors so I decided to try the Software Guild out. I had a newer instructor so the first few days were a little rough around the edges but by the end of the program everyone was prepared for an entry level position and had the skills to continually learn new things. The course is really hard if you don’t commit to it and use your time efficiently, several people switched to online because they couldn’t keep up.
They really do help you with finding a job, resume reviews, networking, interviews, etc. Basically the entire part after completion of the program. I found a job after about a month and the job market was slowing down when I was applying because of the holidays. (Nov – December)
I highly recommend checking the guild out if you are interested in a tech career. Also, you should probably research your job market when deciding which language to learn but it’s not a big deal because they give you access to the other course at the end of the program. I learned Java but my job uses .NET/C#
October 13, 2019
Anonymous
I can only consider my experience at the Software Guild as the best career decision I have ever made. Because of the skills I learned at the Guild I have been able to excel in an incredibly challenging, lucrative, and fulfilling career. You are thrown into a very expansive and comprehensive curriculum with only a certain amount of knowledge and encouraged to struggle and learn from the difficulty. This was key for my success in the Guild and now in my career. The single best skill I learned was how to effectively research issues, problems, code, etc and how to find the answer I needed. I will say at some point I do wish I was given a bit more direction at the beginning of the bootcamp when I knew practically nothing and slowly given less and less as I learned on my own but nevertheless I was successful.
November 18, 2019
Anonymous
After deciding to change careers to become a software developer, I chose The Software Guild out of my other options because I could attend the course in person, it had a great reputation, and according to the graduate report, the placement rate for graduates was 92.6% for full time employment within 6 months. I knew very little about development before being accepted into the boot camp, mainly just basic HTML and CSS. After taking an aptitude test and being accepted, I spent 8 weeks learning JavaScript and jQuery through a prework course before beginning the Java boot camp in January. Immediately I was struck by the quality of the coursework from the pre-course instructions, and that quality bore out after starting the Java track.
The Java course was taught by an amazing teacher who graduated from MIT and has worked at Microsoft, but she made the work fun and enjoyable. I got a grounding in the principles of object oriented programming, model-view-controller architecture, and the tech stack included Java 8, Maven, and Spring MVC for the first half of the course. The second half introduces SQL databases and Spring Boot to focus on creating data-driven web applications. The pace was consistently fast and I pretty much didn’t have a social life over the 12 weeks of the camp, but it was well worth it.
During the second half of the course, I was given career coaching to get me ready for the job hunt after graduating, everything from working with recruiters to how to interview. The Guild also had 2 interview days, one with recruiters, and the other with actual local businesses with job openings. The speed interviews led to a couple of second interviews, and an offer within 2 weeks of graduating. In my current job, I have a deep appreciation for how the coursework prepared me for Java programming and that the pace from the camp has also made it easier for me to learn and adapt to the projects quickly. Overall, I can’t recommend the Guild enough for anyone considering becoming a software developer.
February 24, 2020
Anonymous
An intensive program that prepared me to land my first role as a software developer a week after graduating. While attending, l spent 50-70 hours a week learning to think like a developer. The time commitment may seem like a lot, but the twelve weeks flew by and with the help of the instructors and the camaraderie of the other students in the program, not only did I learn but I had a lot of fun!
April 11, 2020
Anonymous
Definitely the best money I have ever spent in my tech career. The instructors are nice, know what they’re talking about, and care about getting you work. The guys who work behind the scenes are just as dedicated, it took me almost 6 months to get my first tech job and they still called me once a week, every week, to give me info and hear how i’ve been doing. Would definitely recommend.
June 23, 2020
Anonymous
As soon as I had read an article in Louisville Business First, I thought I should look into programming as a career, and specifically, The Software Guild. The instructors were excellent. They had solid credentials and knew what they were doing and they gave us all individual attention when needed. Not only were the instructors skilled, but so was the rest of the staff. The Career advisor proved himself to be an invaluable resource, before and after graduation. One thing I have noticed in my time in the workforce is that many people shy away from giving you honest and useful feedback. No so at The Software Guild, and that is refreshing and reassuring. They will NOT rubber stamp a pass for you one something you wrote that is not your best effort. They will help you understand what you did wrong in a project, and they are not afraid to stay after or turn up early just to help out, or if you need a word. If you are looking for a place where you can gain a good foundation as a programmer, and where you will be able to work hard and grow as a student/professional, this is the place.
August 7, 2020
Anonymous
Background: I attended UofL Computer Engineering program for a year before dropping out in favor of this bootcamp. In 3 months I learned more than I probably would have staying all 4 years at university writing tic-tac-toe applications.
Coursework: Having some (although very basic) knowledge of Java helped me with the first week or so of the coursework. Regardless, the projects you will work on are challenging for a beginner; do not be scared off by this, it is good to struggle a bit when learning to code. The instructors will guide you through the purpose of fundamental techniques so that you can gain a solid foundation of learning how to go about solving problems through code. This is type of critical thinking is key to having a successful career after graduation and definitely seems to be the focus of the program, rather than just writing code for repitition sake.
Post Graduation: I have been working as a developer full time for nearly two years now and continue to use techniques that I learned while studying at the Software Guild. This program has been incredibly useful propelling my career and the community is great even after graduating — I still talk with friends I made in the program regularly and sometimes go back for Wednesday night board games.
September 15, 2020
Anonymous
Before joining The Software Guild, I was a warehouse worker with a 4 year degree I couldn’t do much with. I wasn’t happy in terms of career and wanted much more. I wanted a rewarding challenge. Joining this apprenticeship was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I received hands on/real world experience, met some amazing individuals, established myself in a family I am very honored to be apart of…All while building an amazing portfolio to show off in interviews.
The staff is fantastic and the instructors are legitimate masters at what they do, they all have the background to prove it. My instructor never gave up on me. She was extremely supportive, patient, and explained the complex depth of full stack web development in a way I could digest. She was absolutely amazing! If you plan on joining The Software Guild, be prepared to put in some hours. However, DON’T GIVE UP!!! When all is said and done, you’ll be a completely different person, living a completely different life, in a much better way.
November 24, 2020