One of the Best Decisions I've Ever Made
Pros
I found Techtonica by chance while trying to teach myself to code. I could tell from the very start in the weekly pre-application study groups how much the staff actually cares about and supports its students, and that care and support continues throughout the duration of the program. I never felt stupid or like I wasn't good enough; they encouraged a growth mindset, so failure just became a part of the process. I was amazed that this program could be free: when I compare experiences with people from other bootcamps, I always seem to have the best experience of everyone! They also foster an environment of support and sharing resources; my cohort mates and I never felt in competition against each other, we were always each others' best cheerleaders. I also love the mentors: I had 2, and I felt so honored to be learning from them. They were both senior people in the field with a passion for teaching, and they gave me so much insight into the industry and helped me learn so much faster. This program teaches full-stack JavaScript, and in 2 months you'll be able to build entire apps all by yourself, with database, server, front-end, and code tests. The curriculum will push you HARD, but it will be worth it. I'm so proud of my progress and my final project. They also teach you soft skills to help you gain confidence talking about code, grow your network, and succeed in a corporate role. Thanks to Techtonica, I just got an amazing internship at a well-known game company where I'll be working on exciting projects, and Techtonica is still supporting me and checking in weekly to help me succeed. If you're thinking about Techtonica, go to one of their JS study nights ad see for yourself how different they are!
Cons
The only downside is that you're not guaranteed an internship, it depends on how many sponsor companies they get. However, they're very upfront about this and work very hard to get sponsors. If you don't get an internship, they help you in your job search!