Blog

Practical advice for stuck developers

Job search strategy, portfolio building, interview prep, and the truth about the entry-level market.

Job Search

Codesmith Review: Who It's For and What to Know Before You Enroll

Codesmith is one of the more technically rigorous bootcamps in the US. Here's who it's built for, what it costs, and what still needs to happen after you graduate to actually get hired.

11 min read

Job Search

Salary Negotiation for Your First Software Engineering Job

Most first-time negotiation advice is either too timid or assumes you have leverage you don't. Here's what actually works when you're a new grad with your first offer.

16 min read

Job Search

What Happened to Kenzie Academy? (And What Former Students Should Do Now)

Kenzie Academy closed in 2023 after Southern New Hampshire University acquired and then discontinued the program. If you were a Kenzie student, your longer-format training has real value. Here's what to do next.

11 min read

Job Search

Career Change to Software Engineering: The Complete Guide

Career changers often undervalue the domain expertise they already have. This guide shows how to translate your previous career into a real advantage and navigate the path to your first engineering role.

19 min read

Job Search

What Happened to Rithm School? (And What Former Students Should Do Now)

Rithm School stopped accepting new students in July 2024. If you went through one of the most technically rigorous bootcamps in the country, your CS fundamentals are real. Here's the path forward.

10 min read

Job Search

AI Coding Tools for Junior Developers: How to Use Them Right

The question isn't whether to use AI coding tools. It's whether you're using them in a way that builds your skills or replaces them. For junior engineers, that distinction matters a lot.

16 min read

Job Search

What Happened to Epicodus? (And What Former Students Should Do Now)

Epicodus closed in early 2024, ending more than a decade as Portland's best-known coding bootcamp. If you graduated, your pair programming background is an asset. Here's how to turn it into a job.

11 min read

Interviews

5 Algorithmic Patterns for Coding Interviews (2026)

Coding interview prep feels overwhelming because most people approach it wrong. These 5 patterns give you a framework to recognize problem types on sight, not just memorize solutions.

14 min read

Job Search

What Happened to Code Fellows? (And What Former Students Should Do Now)

Code Fellows closed in July 2024 after more than a decade as the Pacific Northwest's go-to coding bootcamp. If you graduated, your JavaScript foundation is real. Here's what to do next.

10 min read