Quick answer: Yes, App Academy can help you get a job if you put in the work. App Academy is an immersive coding bootcamp that teaches students in-demand skills like full stack web development. With the right skills and preparation, App Academy graduates have a good chance of landing developer roles after graduation. However, getting a job still requires hard work and persistence from the student.
App Academy is a reputable and selective coding bootcamp with job placement rates around 90-95% after graduation. This means about 9 out of 10 graduates receive at least one job offer within 6 months. However, placement rates don’t tell the whole story. Landing a developer job after a coding bootcamp requires dedicated work from the student before, during, and after the program.
In this article, we’ll go over what it takes to get a job after App Academy and how you can set yourself up for success.
App Academy’s curriculum and format
App Academy’s full stack web development course is designed to prepare students for a career as a software engineer. The curriculum covers 1000+ hours of computer science and software engineering material.
The main topics covered are:
- Ruby
- Ruby on Rails
- JavaScript
- React
- Redux
- SQL
- Data Structures and Algorithms
Students learn through lectures, projects, pair programming, and group work. The course emphasizes hands-on coding experience and building projects that simulate real-world work.
The full stack program is structured as follows:
- 24 week full time on-campus program
- 9am – 5pm (70+ hours per week)
- Led by instructors with industry experience
- Develop portfolio of projects
- Career coaching included
App Academy also offers a flexible online program and part time courses. However, the immersive 24 week on-campus option is the most popular since it allows for full focus and faster completion.
The intensive curriculum and classroom format prepare students for the rigorous nature of software engineering roles. App Academy’s goal is for graduates to have the skills to contribute on day one of a new job.
What is App Academy’s job placement rate?
App Academy is transparent about its job placement rates for each campus location. Below are the latest published rates:
| Campus | Placement Rate |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | 95% |
| New York City | 93% |
| Online | 91% |
These rates indicate the percentage of graduates who receive at least one full-time salary job offer within 180 days of graduation. The rates are independently verified by CIRR (Council on Integrity in Results Reporting).
As you can see, App Academy’s job placement rates are impressively high for a coding bootcamp. However, these rates alone don’t guarantee you’ll get a job after the program. Placement depends on each student’s preparation, skills, interview performance, job search strategy, and other factors.
How does App Academy prepare you for the job search?
In addition to the technical curriculum, App Academy has career services to help students land developer roles. These services include:
- Portfolio building – Develop projects to showcase coding abilities
- Technical interview prep – Practice algorithms, data structures, live coding
- Resume / LinkedIn profile reviews – Optimize job search materials
- 1:1 career coaching – Individualized job search strategies
- Mock interviews – Sessions with industry experts
- Hiring partner events – Network with companies hiring
- Alumni support – Connect with graduates hired at top companies
App Academy brings in industry partners like Google, Amazon, and Facebook to directly mentor students. The career support aims to remove roadblocks during the job search.
However, it’s up to each student to leverage these resources to their full advantage. Utilizing career services, personal networking, independent learning, and tenacity in applying to roles is key to finding the best jobs after graduation.
What roles do App Academy graduates get hired for?
Here are some of the most common jobs titles and levels that App Academy graduates start at:
- Software Engineer
- Web Developer
- Full Stack Engineer
- Front End Engineer
- Back End Engineer
- Associate Software Engineer
- Junior Developer
- Application Developer
Graduates have been hired at over 1000 companies, including major tech firms like:
- Airbnb
- Amazon
- Uber
- Netflix
- Salesforce
- Yelp
- Capital One
The average reported salary for App Academy graduates is $91,000 USD. However, salaries can vary greatly based on location, company, experience level, and negotiation skills.
What factors influence getting a job after App Academy?
While App Academy’s curriculum and career support prime students for jobs, there are other key factors that impact your job search:
Technical skill level
– Retained knowledge from the curriculum
– Proficiency in languages/frameworks like JavaScript, React, Ruby on Rails
– Ability to solve coding challenges and build projects
Soft skills
– Communication and explanation skills
– Collaboration and working on teams
– Problem solving and critical thinking
– Persistence through challenges
Interview performance
– Effectively conveying technical skills and thought processes
– Communicating clearly and personably
– Practicing common algorithms, data structure, and design problems
Job search strategy
– Leveraging networks and connections
– Tailoring resumes and cover letters per application
– Applying to enough roles and companies
– Interview practice and preparation
– Following up effectively
Market conditions
– Overall demand for software engineers
– Hiring needs of specific companies
– Economic landscape impacts budgets and hiring
You need the complete package of technical ability, soft skills, interview skills, and job search strategy to maximize your chances of getting interviews and offers.
App Academy prepares you on the technical side, but you must bring the soft skills and continually hone your job hunting approach. The broader job market also impacts opportunities.
How many applications did most students submit?
App Academy suggests aiming for at least 100 job applications after graduation. Applying to 100+ roles gives you a sufficiently large funnel of potential interviews.
According to a survey of graduates, here is how many applications students submitted before getting offers:
| # Applications | % of Students |
|---|---|
| 50 or less | 5% |
| 51 – 100 | 15% |
| 101 – 200 | 55% |
| 201 or more | 25% |
As shown, the majority of successful students applied to over 100 positions before getting offers. Only 5% applied to less than 50. This demonstrates the importance of persistence and volume in the job hunt.
Expanding your search with more applications makes it more likely you’ll get interviews and land a great opportunity. This requires effort but maximizes your chances.
How long did it take graduates to get hired?
App Academy’s job placement stats report roles taken within 180 days (6 months) of graduation. Here is a breakdown of how long it took recent graduates to get hired:
| Time after graduation | % Employed |
|---|---|
| 0 – 1 months | 10% |
| 1 – 3 months | 60% |
| 3 – 6 months | 28% |
| 6+ months | 2% |
The majority of graduates (60%) get hired within 1 to 3 months after finishing the program. Very few take longer than 6 months.
However, timing varies based on when students start applying and how selective they are with roles. Those who begin applying early and broaden their search tend to get hired quickest.
It’s encouraged to start applying before graduation or immediately after. Don’t take long breaks as it gets harder to start the job hunt again.
Can you get a job without App Academy?
It’s absolutely possible to get a developer job without attending a bootcamp like App Academy. Here are some of the common paths people take:
- Computer science degree – 4 year CS bachelor’s degree
- Self-taught – Learn through online courses and materials
- Coding bootcamps – Various intensive bootcamp options
- Apprenticeships – Paid on-the-job training programs
- Certifications – Certs like CompTIA A+, AWS, Oracle
Each path can prepare you for junior developer roles without formal CS education. However, they require strong motivation and focus if done independently outside a structured program.
App Academy streamlines the intensive learning and career prep needed to switch into development. But it requires ample time and financial investment. Other options like self-teaching or apprenticeships offer lower cost alternatives.
Overall, App Academy is a proven path to get a developer job, especially if you’re able to commit fully to the 24 week on-campus program. But it’s not the only option, and alternative routes can work with proper dedication.
Conclusion
App Academy’s full stack program gives you a strong opportunity to break into development and land a high paying software engineering role. Its selective admissions, rigorous curriculum, and career support prepare students for the job search.
But placement is not guaranteed. You must push yourself to excel during the program, build an impressive portfolio, practice interviewing, and aggressively apply to opportunities after graduating.
Plan for at least 3 months of job hunting and 100+ applications to find the best roles. Persistence through the process is critical.
While intensive, App Academy sets graduates up for success in getting hired as web developers. Coupled with hard work, the program can serve as an accelerated bridge into the tech industry.