General Assembly Software Engineering Review: Is It Worth Your Investment?

"Should I enroll in General Assembly's Software Engineering Immersive?" If you're asking yourself this question, you're likely at a crossroads in your career, eager to transition into a rapidly growing field with endless opportunities. Spoiler alert: Yes, it can be worth every penny—but only if you make it so. Here's why.

The Promise: A High-Paying Career in Tech

General Assembly (GA) promises to transform you into a job-ready software engineer in just 12 weeks. With tuition costs often reaching $15,000 or more, that's a hefty investment. But the payoff? A career with a median salary of over $70,000 a year. It sounds like a no-brainer, but there are layers to this decision that need careful consideration.

The Curriculum: What You'll Learn

GA's Software Engineering Immersive is intensive. You’ll be spending upwards of 60 hours a week coding, debugging, and problem-solving. The curriculum is designed to cover both front-end and back-end development, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, React, and databases like MongoDB and PostgreSQL.

Week 1-4: You’ll start with the basics, learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This is where you’ll build a strong foundation, essential for the more complex topics ahead. Expect to be overwhelmed—and that’s okay.

Week 5-8: Here, you'll dive into more advanced topics like React and Node.js. By this time, you’ll have a few projects under your belt, and you’ll start to see the bigger picture of how all these technologies fit together.

Week 9-12: The final phase is about polishing your skills and preparing for the job market. You'll work on a capstone project that showcases your abilities, which will be a cornerstone of your portfolio.

The Experience: What It's Really Like

GA is not just about coding; it’s about learning how to learn. The pace is fast, the challenges are tough, and the support is crucial. You'll find yourself in a cohort of like-minded individuals, all facing the same struggles and victories. The camaraderie you build here can be just as valuable as the technical skills you acquire.

Support: The instructional team at GA is generally well-reviewed. They’re industry professionals with real-world experience, which is invaluable when you’re trying to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Career Services: Perhaps one of GA's strongest selling points is its career services. From resume workshops to mock interviews and networking events, GA makes sure you're not just skilled, but also marketable.

The Outcome: What Graduates Are Saying

A critical aspect to consider is the success rate of graduates. According to GA, about 90% of their graduates find a job within six months of completing the program. However, this figure can vary based on location, market conditions, and individual effort.

Success Stories: Many graduates do land jobs at tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, or at promising startups. However, these success stories are often the result of relentless effort, networking, and a bit of luck.

The Struggles: Not every graduate lands their dream job immediately. Some face months of rejection before breaking into the industry. The takeaway? You have to be persistent.

The Cost: Breaking Down the Investment

$15,000+ is a significant sum for most people. However, GA offers several financing options, including loans, scholarships, and income share agreements (ISAs). With an ISA, you don’t pay anything upfront but instead agree to pay a percentage of your salary after you land a job. This can make the financial burden easier to manage, but it’s crucial to read the fine print.

The Alternatives: Is GA Your Best Option?

GA is one of many coding bootcamps out there. Others like Flatiron School, Hack Reactor, and Lambda School offer similar programs, often with slight differences in curriculum, cost, and structure. It's worth exploring all your options to see which aligns best with your goals and learning style.

The Decision: Is GA Right for You?

If you're self-motivated, ready to dedicate 12 weeks to intense study, and have a clear goal of becoming a software engineer, GA could be a great fit. However, it’s not a magic bullet. Success in this program requires commitment, resilience, and a lot of hard work.

If you're looking for a structured environment with strong career support, GA offers a solid path into software engineering. But remember, the responsibility for your success ultimately lies with you. Are you ready to make the leap?