Bridging the gap from bootcamp to job.

For most software developers, attending a bootcamp is a great way to get started. But in today's market, there's almost always the gap.

The gap prevents smart, hard-working folks from getting the entry-level break they need to start their programming career.

I've been a software engineer for 30 years, and I've been teaching graduate-level computer science classes on a part-time basis for 10 years. I can confidently identify the top 5 things that prevent bootcamp graduates from getting a job:

Each summer, I run small workshops that cater to folks who are caught in this gap. The pandemic interrupted things, but in 2024 these workshops are returning in an all-remote format.

Each session is geared specifcally for beginners (less than 1 year of professional development experience). If you want a friendly, non-intimidating environment that can help you get to the next level, these workshops are for you.

Waitlist Available

  • Sessions are full, but you can get on the waitlist.
  • The waitlist will be processed in order, first-come first-served.
  • We will email you if a spot opens up. You'll have 24 hours to claim your spot.

Professional Ruby on Rails

REGISTRATION CLOSED

2 Hours

$25

10:00am-12:00pm CT, Sat June 22, 2024

The better you know Ruby, the better your Rails code will automatically become. We will also demystify the essential parts of Rails, so you can wormhole yourself through months of self-study in about two hours.

Topics typically include:

  • Short-circuit evaluation
  • Writing idiomatic, professional Ruby code
  • All about Zeitwerk
  • “It’s just a script” - how Ruby really runs your code!
  • Understanding the HTTP protocol
  • What REST is all about and why it's so critical
  • Using the Rails Logger for debugging
  • Multi-environment development
  • Little-known goodies in Rails

Computer Science Theory

REGISTRATION CLOSED

2 Hours

$25

10:00am-12:00pm CT, Sat June 29, 2024

You don't need a CS degree to have competent computer science skills. We'll outline the basics needed in today's job market, with a deep-dive as time allows.

Topics typically include:

  • Cryptography 101
  • Abstractions and representations
  • Recursion
  • Undersanding TLS/SSL
  • Introduction to Machine Learning
  • Secure tools of the trade: SSH, SCP, SFTP
  • Processes, threads, and fibers
  • All about "Big O" notation

Practical Computer Science

4 Hours

$25

1:00pm-5:00pm CT, Sat July 13, 2024

Get hands-on and discover the joys of computer science by writing code for famous data structures algorithms.

Topics typically include:

  • Classic Data Structures
  • Classic Algorithms
  • Modern command-line usage
  • Applied "Big O" notation
  • Demystifiying multithreading
  • Concurrency vs parallel programming

Software Engineering

4 Hours

$25

1:00pm-5:00pm CT, Sat July 20, 2024

A hands-on course covering the real practices of professional software developers.

Topics typically include:

  • TDD: It (probably) isn't what you think it is
  • Software Quality Control
  • Emergent Design
  • Intro to "Extreme Programming"
  • Basics of Modern DevOps
  • Pair programming patterns and anti-patterns

Hello! My name is Jeffrey Cohen. I've been a software engineer for 30 years. I teach computer science at the University of Chicago, and I run a small software company in Chicago, IL. I've been teaching beginners how to code since 2008.

I run workshops as part of my broader educational mission. But I guarantee nothing about them. I can't guarantee you'll get a job and I can't guarantee that my jokes are worth hearing. I charge money to cover my costs and to ensure that attendees are serious before showing up.

Got questions? Please reach out: jeffrey@softwareforresearch.com.