Non-profit coding boot camp where you learn how to code in Javascript and pick up basic web development skills. The boot camp is separated into two parts: eight weeks of study and eight weeks working on a team project. The boot camp classes are twice a week in the evenings (6:00pm to 10:00pm) so it’s perfect for people who are studying or working in the day time. Also since it’s a nonprofit, it doesn’t cost thousands of dollars like the other boot camps in the area and they only ask for you to make a small donation of 300 dollars. The facilitators you’ll work with are friendly too, and they genuinely care that you learn.

You will learn basic front-end development skills (HTML/CSS) as well as back-end development and setting up a database (MongoDB). After learning how to code in Javascript, you’ll learn the Angular framework for web development and work with Node.js.

November 7, 2017

SoftStack is a wonderfulgroup that is very successful in giving people the tools they need to get into development/data/IT/tech. This is not a $10,000 bootcamp that promises you a job, it’s a group of hard-working people who like learning and teaching. My experience was incredible and gave me the tools to get into a sweet database job (I do a lot of work in SQL, Excel, and Access) by giving me a strong foundation in web development and problem solving. One of SoftStack’s biggest strengths, and weaknesses, is that this organization is constantly growing and adapting. This is great because they are learning with each iteration but this can also sometimes lead to confusion and, at times, disorganization. I think it’s important that prospective applicants understand how this program differs from the more expensive options and weigh this against what they are looking to gain. I wanted to gain knowledge and options which I eventually capitalized on. Others in my cohort wanted immediate jobs and quit/gave up/got little to nothing out of it. SoftStack is hungry for people willing to learn and caters to them rather than to those who just thought that it might be a job factory development bootcamp. Harold is kind of weird and eccentric but he has brought together some amazing mentors and has the best intentions with this program. Danilo is frickin awesome and Peter is a super hard worker. So much good stuff here and even more potential. Much love to SoftStack and all the homies in my cohorts.

May 17, 2018

Attending this bootcamp was an amazing experience with a very open staff that genuinely want you to succeed. Your welcomed and encouraged to work on your projects in an environment where you can be nudged in the right direction when stuck and instructed on the proper frame in which to think about problems. As with anything, you’ll get what you put in. I’ve asked and been helped by Peter so many times, almost to the point of abuse!

That being said, there will be a lot to learn, even after the bootcamp. If you are comming into development from a non IT/computer science background, prepare to put in a lot of hard work for a significant portion of your life before your ready to take up even a basic entry level role.

While you can learn web development and frameworks on your own, the real value of attending SoftStackFactory lies in the mentorship you’ll receive, which will save you a lot of time being stuck.

Those that will benefit the most have an unwavering bright outlook and are passionate about learning any software technology, even if its not part of the curriculum.

May 19, 2018

Attending this bootcamp was an amazing experience. The instructors are incredibly helpful. The atmosphere is expectional. Even if you are not looking to make software development your career, still attend if you want to learn about the web and JavaScript. This place has definitely filled many gaps in my knowledge of programming. I definitely have left this program with strong programming fundamentals.

January 17, 2019

SoftStack Factory is a fantastic start for anyone looking to transition to a software development career or just learn some programming basics. I recommend doing some free bootcamp prep course before you start the program so you can be solidifying your fundamentals while going through the first phase. This will really be helpful when you start the second phase, as the MEAN Stack course comes at you fast with a lot of new concepts. From the second phase onwards, you will begin building projects and getting experience with mostly frontend and some backend programming. The final group project gives you a taste of collaborating with a team and building a larger scale application.

This, and I doubt any, bootcamp will have you prepared to enter right into an entry level programming job unless you have previous experience. The class meets Monday and Wednesday from 6-10, which the instructors will usually lecture on new topics and then proceed to giving challenges or time for working on projects. With the limited class time available, it is a program in which the more time and effort you invest in it out of class the more you will learn. The instructors and especially the program director, Peter, are great at steering you in the right direction when you inevitably get stuck. Overall, Softstack has a great learning environment and is an incredible opportunity at only a few hundred dollars, not thousands, to get the bootcamp jump into programming.

July 9, 2019

This bootcamp was a bit of a lifesaver, I couldn’t manage working a traditional bootcamp AND working my full-time job, yet was dying to know more about coding and programming. This checked all the boxes for me and actually received more when it came to my expectations for such a bargain of a price. I was able to quickly get to coding and begin creating my own web applications in as little as a few weeks. I did go through the entire course regimen and was asked to stay to gain more experience…all without any extra pay from me! I currently just graduated and am actively creating my own projects and portfolio, i couldn’t be happier with such a great start.

July 11, 2019

SoftStack Factory is a great place to start if you want to learn how to code because this program provides with fundamental knowledge of programming. I had zero knowledge and skills of how to code, but just after a few months I’ve made huge progress and started developing web applications. The instructors are very helpful, they are not going to give you an answer right away, but they will help you come to the right answer yourself. Under their supervision, I saved so much time and struggle. The decision to go through this Bootcamp was the best decision I have ever made.

September 6, 2019