Orientation

Intro

Welcome

We’re glad you’re here!

Agenda

☀️ Orientation (~ 1 hour)
- Bio break: 10 minutes
💻 Software Development lecture (~ 1 hour)
- Bio break: 10 minutes
🎭 Interactive lecture (~ 1 hour)
Lunch!

Staff Roles

Instructor
TA
Squad Leaders (Instructors and TAs)
Student Success Manager
Outcomes
Leadership

Your Team

https://ed.devmountain.com/staff/

Time for staff introductions!

Bootcamp Overview

First 8 Weeks - Foundations

The first step towards a role in technology
A grand tour through the various areas of tech
Building your vocabulary, basic technical literacy, and breadth of understanding

Week 1: Coding Fundamentals 1
Week 2: Coding Fundamentals 2
Week 3: Front-End Web
Week 4: Back-End Web & Security
Week 5: Data & Databases
Week 6: QA & DevOps
Week 7: Computer Science
Week 8: Conclusion & Specializations Prep

Rigorous, packed schedule
Live lectures
Lots of structure
Less flexibility
Support from Instructors and TAs

Second 8 Weeks - Specialization

You’ll learn skills that are unique to the role you are pursuing
Build your portfolio, intermediate skills, and depth of understanding

Current Specializations offered:

Designed to develop your “on-the-job” learning abilities
Intermediate role-specific content
More flexible schedule
Specially-chosen resources (recorded tutorials, lectures, exercises) to support your individual growth
Support from Tech Leads, Subject Matter Experts, and your Student Success Manager

Foundations Introduction

Foundations Goal

Train all Devmountain graduates with the same
solid base of technical skills and knowledge

How?

Teach you the things that all people in tech need to know
- Data analysts
- Developers
- Quality assurance
- Software engineers
- etc.
Based on the most impactful lessons from previous versions of our curriculum
Based on the most common feedback that we get from employers

What?

How the internet works
Basic parts of web applications and how they work together
Guiding principles for the creation of high quality software
Core activities of roles that work adjacent to engineers, such as DevOps, QA, Security

... and so much more

What we hear from employers

We are looking for…

“A software engineer with a passion for QA”
“A web developer that is thoughtful about design and UX”
“A backend dev that understands the full stack”

And the list goes on

Foundations Curriculum Design

We have chosen the most substantive, key concepts
Hands-on work every single day
Optional further study for those that want to dive deeper
It won’t be easy– but it will be do-able

On Technology Stacks / Languages

We’ll see a lot of JavaScript
We’ll use the command line as well as git and Github
We’ll cover basic SQL, HTML, and CSS
The focus is primarily on core concepts, not on language quirks

Everyone will walk away with knowledge
that will be valuable in their specialization

Schedule (Central Time)

Monday - Thursday

Time	Event
9:30 am	Squad Meetings
10:30 am	Lecture begins
11:30 am	Bio Break
11:45 am	Interactive Lecture
1:00 pm	Lunch
2:00 pm	Lab Begins
3:00 pm	Help Queue Opens
5:00 pm	Review
5:30 pm	End of Day

Fridays

A little different!

Time	Event
9:30 am	Unit Review
10:30 am	Assessment Begins
1:00 pm	Lunch
2:00 pm	Assessment Continues
3:00 pm	Outcomes Lecture
4:00 pm	Theory Lecture
4:30 pm	End of Week Check-in
5:00 pm	Social Activity
5:30 pm	End of Day

Week 8

A little different!

We’ll close up the course
We’ll get ready for specializations

Important Policies

Attendance

No more than 4 tardies (3 minutes late)
No more than 3 absences (20 or more minutes late)

If you are outside of the accepted range of tardies / absences, we will put you on academic probation
If issues with attendance persist, you may be removed from the program

Code of Conduct

https://ed.devmountain.com/materials/resources/code-of-conduct/

We expect dignity and professionalism
Staff and students should treat each other respectfully

Students that are dishonest, disrespectful, or disruptive will be removed
Zero tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or disrespectful language towards one another

Ethics and Original Work

Plagiarism is not permitted
Do not claim other people’s work as your own
For individual assessments, do not share your work with others
- Collaboration is usually encouraged
- We’ll make it clear when you need to work independently

How to Be Successful

Bootcamps in a nutshell

“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, but I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”

– Art L. Williams Jr.

Do’s

Go all in, plan on studying before/after class
Have fun 🎸
Build friendships and connections
Treat this like a job
Every single exercise and project
A clean, uninterrupted workspace
Check Frodo and Discord regularly (turn on notifications)
Feedback Surveys
Be proactive!

Don’ts

Disrespect an instructor or interrupt class
Have your phone out in class
Play games or watch random videos
Miss class (Contact via Discord)
Make fun of, harass, or fight with others
Consume drugs or alcohol while in class
Plan on a normal social life
Work a part-time or full-time job during this program

During Class

Holistic attendance: cameras on, be presentable
Participation is a must

What to expect from Staff

Engaging instructors and teaching assistants
A commitment to see you succeed
Lecture every day (unless we tell you otherwise)
Modern, project-based curriculum
Network + Alumni

Be Prepared to Learn

Find or make a place where you can attend class
Distraction-free, clean, comfortable, and focus inducing
Manage your time wisely
Live a balanced life
Be sure you are set up in Frodo and Discord
Join Frodo
Join Discord

Own Your Learning

Education vs Learning
It’s how this industry works
Hands-on, Videos, and Reading
Just scratching surface

A Bootcamp Experience

You can expect to truly struggle
You can expect to feel behind
You can expect to feel overwhelmed
DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS

We have only 16 weeks

Once more

⚠️ DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS ⚠️

Dealing with adversity

❌ Give up

❌ Feel hopeless

❌ Blame others

⭐️ Work hard

⭐️ Stay positive

💡 Students who work the hardest and stay positive can often surpass their “more experienced” peers

Tips for E-Learning

Be able to communicate through writing or over the internet.
Be thorough in reading the course content and class communications.
Be active. Break up your schoolwork with walks and exercise. It will make a difference.
Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. You are in charge of your success.
Be willing to “speak-up”. We don’t know if you need help unless you tell us. You are not alone. Reach out.
Be aware that high-quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.
Be aware of your motivations and make sure to keep them up.
Be committed to making it work.

General Tips for Learning

Try not to take struggling personally, don’t “should” on yourself.
Do what keeps you mentally engaged.
Stay organized! Have a system, whatever works for you.
Collaborate with your peers via breakout rooms. Teaching others improves your understanding.
Rewatch videos.
Redo projects.
Complete every bit of suggested content.

What’s Next

Schedule

Software Development Lecture
Interactive Lecture
Lunch
Setup Lab
End of Day Review