W.R. Thompson Jr

A Coding Bootcamp Review

A Coding Bootcamp Review

Written By: William R Thompson Jr
Editing Help: Deborah Akers

Introduction

This is my first review, and while I’m not experienced in reviewing organizations, I felt compelled to share my thoughts on WeCan{Code}IT (WCCI). WCCI is an intensive 14-week bootcamp focused on full-stack web development. Unlike traditional college programs, WCCI provides a faster, more focused path into the tech industry, allowing students to acquire valuable skills without the massive financial burden of a degree.

Having transitioned from a Marine Rifleman (0311) into civilian life, I initially found limited career options, as many veterans tend to gravitate toward law enforcement or security roles. However, my passion for technology, video games, and electronics led me to explore the growing tech industry, where I saw countless opportunities.

By 2017, I began researching coding bootcamps, which typically range from 12 weeks to six months. While reviews were mixed, I chose WeCan{Code}IT for its accreditation and support for veterans. They also accept the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which made this decision even easier.

About WeCan{Code}IT

Location

WeCan{Code}IT (WCCI) is a 14-week coding bootcamp that specializes in Full-Stack Web Development, with a strong emphasis on Java. Located at the intersection of N. High Street and W. Dodridge Street in Columbus, Ohio, WCCI’s friendly staff and expert instructors help guide students—regardless of prior experience—toward becoming certified software developers. Whether you are new to coding or have some experience, WCCI provides a supportive environment to help you grow and master the necessary skills.

WCCI Location

2645 North High Street

Columbus, OH 43202

Coordinates: 40° 0’58.46”N, 83° 0’44.37”W

The Building

The building housing WeCan{Code}IT (WCCI) is a shared space, with the entrance located at the rear, facing the parking lot. Upon entering, you’ll climb a flight of stairs to a small monitor and door. Facilities include three bathrooms (men’s, women’s, and a gender-neutral option), a cafeteria for current and alumni students, and a presentation room used for meetings, tech meetups, and ceremonies. Additionally, there are two small offices for meetings and mock interviews, and a large classroom that accommodates up to 30 students

WCCI Building

WeCan{Code}IT Shopping Center

The Parking

Parking at WeCan{Code}IT is convenient, with a shared parking lot at the rear of the building exclusively for WCCI students. Although the spaces are reserved, students are welcome to use them. An additional lot beside the building is available if needed. Access to the lot is limited to three entrances: two on W. Dodridge Street (a one-way street) and one off W. Ramlow Alley.

WCCI Parking

Shared Parking Lot of WeCan{Code}IT

Disability Friendly-ish

While there are designated handicap spaces and ramps to access the building, WCCI does not have an elevator or ramp leading directly to the campus. If you rely on a wheelchair or motorized chair, you may face challenges. However, the staff at WCCI is always available and willing to assist with any mobility needs.

Pet Friendly

WCCI welcomes pets, including service animals and emotional support animals. The staff, being animal lovers themselves, are open to students bringing in their pets. A few students occasionally bring their dogs to visit, and as a veteran, I bring my emotional support cat, Tara, to support newer cohorts.

Nearby Fuel & Restaurants

For those concerned about fueling up, there’s a Turkey Hill gas station located directly across the parking lot from WCCI, making it easy to fill up without any hassle.

Turkey Hill Gas Station

Fueling Station Across Dodrige Street.

When it comes to food, there’s plenty to choose from. I personally frequented Raising Cane’s for quick meals Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, I indulged in Ray Ray’s BBQ food truck right next to WCCI. Occasionally, I’d stop by Hound Dog’s for their delicious cheese pizza, conveniently located in the same building.

Raising Cane's

Raising Cane's

2823 Olentangy River Road

Columbus, OH 43202

Coordinates: 40° 1’6.58”N, 83° 1’30.04”W

Tuition

When I attended, tuition was approximately $12,900 for male students and $10,000 for women (to encourage diversity in tech). I utilized my VA benefits, but payment plans or loans may be available. For more details, it’s best to consult with Admissions directly.

Military & Veterans

WCCI accepts Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, making it a great option for veterans. I personally used my remaining benefits for the bootcamp, which was the most valuable use of my GI Bill compared to traditional degrees.

The Curriculum

The 14-week full-time bootcamp is immersive, with the first four weeks focusing on backend development (Java, Spring), followed by frontend development (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript). The curriculum is rigorous, and students are expected to put in long hours. There are extra sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays for additional help, with classroom hours from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.

TDD (Test Driven Development)

Test Driven Development (TDD) is an essential part of WCCI’s curriculum, introduced around week 2. Although challenging at first, TDD helps streamline development by catching errors early. It may take longer initially, but it ultimately saves time by eliminating bugs and making debugging easier. TDD teaches the importance of building software in a smooth, efficient manner—similar to the Marine Corps adage "smooth is fast, and fast is smooth."

Family

WCCI fosters a supportive environment that feels like family. Each morning, students and staff gather in a circle to introduce themselves and set goals for the day. This daily routine helps build camaraderie and encourages sharing. Alumni often visit to offer advice, and by the end of the course, students share their reflections and plans, strengthening the sense of community.

Career Services

WCCI’s Career Services go beyond teaching coding skills. Students receive guidance from a dedicated Career Success Coach who helps refine resumes, improve interview skills, and prepare for tech industry roles. The program includes mock interviews, professional networking, and introductions to employers such as Nationwide, Apex, and Pillar. Additionally, students are taught how to build a professional LinkedIn profile and attend meetups, ensuring they are fully prepared to launch their careers. So no worries!

Graduation & Demo Day

Graduation and Demo Day occur on the same day, where students present their final projects to recruiters, hiring managers, and consultants. The event offers opportunities for networking and securing job offers. After presentations, the class participates in a final "checkout" ceremony, where emotions and experiences are shared. Graduation itself is a short ceremony, followed by celebrations. Interestingly, only a few students had prior coding experience, with most coming in with no background. Despite challenges, the cohort’s growth over the 14 weeks is significant.

Life After

It has been 7 months since I graduated, and many of us still stay in touch. Several people were hired at JP Morgan Chase, starting at 68k a year, while others found positions at Nationwide or IT consulting agencies. Some moved across state lines, and one guy was even hired in another Ohio city.

As for me, I'm still unemployed for personal reasons and will soon be actively job hunting. Right now, I'm in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, working on this review while exploring coding with just Notepad and command line.

FlexCode!

After my class ended, WeCan{Code}IT introduced their new Hybrid Program, FlexCode! This program is perfect for those who want to work while still attending the bootcamp. It offers the flexibility to gain coding skills without fully stepping away from your job, making it easier to balance work and study.

Thank You For Your Time!

This is my review of WeCan{Code}IT and I hope to see you sitting in class because I highly recommend it. No worries, Alumni are always stopping in to give advice as well. They will change your life for the better and the knowledge they will provide you will be for all eternity. You just have to want it. Good Luck!

Advice for Future Coding Bootcampers

This is just some advice that I like to give to newer students and the first piece of advice is what I gave my class when the pressure started to get tough from a Military perspective. From a Marine to a Civilian:

  • This is a 14 week commitment. We all have loved ones and money will be, or may be tight while you go through these next 14 weeks. Stress will start to rise and build up as you focus on weekend projects and do some after class study. Family and Friends may start to feel distant as you will start to feel distant from them as well. I was asked how I make it through this without the worry of my loves ones and friends. Well to be honest, I am a Marine and I am used to being away. They understand that this program takes a lot of dedication and for all of you to. You are choosing to be here and you are the one who needs to study and you are the one who needs to pass your weekend projects and you are the one whose name needs to be on that certificate. This is for you and not them. You need their support and not the other way around. This might sting for some but the next 14 weeks you just have to focus on this and somewhat ignore everyone else.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions and remember that Google is your friend. Pair up on weekends. Meet up with each other at the Library, someone's home, or something. Meetup, discuss your weaknesses and strengths and learn from one another.
  • Don’t be that one to go at it alone. You might know what you are doing or already a pro at this and just need something tied to your name to help you get a job. Remember, you are all in this together and when you assist someone on how to do something then make sure they understand it. Just don't show them and be like it is magic. We all know that certain things work within Java because of magic but help them understand how you get to that point.

As you master Git, start using these commands consistently:

  • git status
  • git add .
  • git commit -m "message"
    Note: You do not need internet access to save your commits. Once you’re ready, push the changes to GitHub.
  • git push
    Note: Pushing updates your repository on GitHub. You don’t need to push every time, just when you’re ready to share your work.

Even if it is just silly edits like deleting or adding a white space. Commit them as it engraves those lines into muscle memory so to speak and when you commit write out a short detailed description to what you did. I remember I had to go back a lot to see if I had done something yet or screwed it up to where I needed to go back to before I screwed it up. Commiting may seem like a waste of time but as newbies practice makes perfect and the more you fail the more efficient you become!