About The Program
Careers in Code is a 24-week, part-time coding bootcamp operated by Hack Upstate that combats poverty in Central New York by providing free full-stack JavaScript education to women and people of color in distressed areas. The program has achieved a 91% graduation rate and 72% placement rate, with graduates seeing an average 56% salary increase.
As a CIRR-certified school partnering with organizations like Le Moyne College, the program maintains transparent, industry-standard reporting on graduate outcomes. Students complete comprehensive curriculum covering modern web development, culminating in individual capstone projects on topics they're passionate about.
My Role & Impact
As Dean of Students & Lead Instructor, I led all program operations including nightly live classes, personalized 1:1 mentoring sessions, and building a thriving alumni network. I was responsible for the full student experience from onboarding through career placement.
I modernized the entire full-stack curriculum and Learning Management System by incorporating practical applications of AI tools and APIs—including OpenAI and other emerging technologies—preparing students for current industry trends and teaching them how to rapidly learn new technologies in a fast-evolving field.
Beyond teaching technical skills, I built robust student pipelines into tech careers through comprehensive code reviews, project-based learning methodologies, and ongoing career mentorship. This hands-on approach helped students transition from complete beginners to job-ready developers in six months.
Technologies & Curriculum
Key Contributions
- Led nightly live instruction for cohorts of 15-20 students
- Modernized curriculum with AI tools and modern frameworks
- Provided 1:1 mentoring and personalized learning paths
- Built alumni network and career placement pipelines
- Conducted comprehensive code reviews and project feedback
- Developed project-based learning capstone experiences
Program Outcomes
The program's first cohort achieved exceptional results with a 91% graduation rate and 72% job placement rate. Graduates saw an average 56% salary increase, with the average starting salary reaching $64,528—significantly above the bootcamp industry average of $53,273.
Through partnerships with local tech companies and ongoing career support, students successfully transitioned into software development roles throughout Central New York, helping to grow the region's technology sector while creating economic opportunities for underrepresented communities.