Which Try Coding Workshop Should You Attend?
A guide on what is unique about each type of workshop.
One of the best ways to decide if a career change to software development is the right journey for you? Figure out if you actually enjoy coding.
The “day to day” in the life of a software developer can look different depending on the industry they work in and the size of their company. One constant across all developers is that they write instructions for computers to follow and those instructions are written in computer programming languages, or, code. Coding isn’t the only part of their job, but it is likely the primary part of their job.
At Turing School, we’ve found that our most successful students fall in love with coding before they even start classes. They aren’t experts from one workshop, but attending Try Coding events helps future students understand the day-to-day work of a software developer. Coding is a giant puzzle with a new challenge each day. Even after years of experience, a developer will never “know everything” about writing code.
If you’re considering a career change to software development you probably check a few of the following boxes:
- You like a constant challenge.
- You want to work in a flexible or remote environment.
- You want the high starting salary of a software engineer
The final box to check? Make sure you enjoy coding before applying to Turing School.
Attend a Try Coding Workshops with Turing School.
We host a variety of live workshops. No matter which one you attend, our Try Coding instructor and teaching assistants will guide you through the course. Keep reading for a guide on what is unique about each type of workshop.
Try Coding Weekends
Event Frequency
- Once a month.
Event Length
- 5 hours on both Saturday and Sunday with breaks.
Event Overview
- This is an extended beginner-level workshop with plenty of time to explore front end and back end coding between the two days. You’ll also learn more about Turing School and have a chance to connect with alumni.
Who Should Attend
- People who are available for a full weekend and want the maximum time with our instructor to guide you through the curriculum.
What Makes It Special
“I loved the alumni and student panel during the weekend workshop. The alumni were honest about how difficult of a program Turing is. They told us that if we went to Turing, we would have a hard time and we would have to focus 100%. But they also shared that when we completed the program, we would have a better life. We could work from home, make more money and have more flexible schedules.” - Betül, Try Coding attendee
Try Coding: Intro to Back End or Front End Development
Event Frequency
- 1 back end and 1 front end event per month.
Event Length
- 4 hours on weekdays or evenings.
Event Overview
- This is a beginner level workshop covering only front end or back end development. You’ll also learn more about Turing School and have a chance to connect with alumni.
Who Should Attend
- People who have more flexibility during the week. You want information about Turing like see what the curriculum is like and the perspectives of alumni in a shorter time frame.
What Makes It Special
“If you already think you prefer front end or back end, this is a deeper dive into one area. But, don’t be surprised if you realize you enjoy the other side more. This has been known to happen for participants!” - Chelsea, Turing School Admissions Counselor
Special Events:
Example 1: Identity-based event - Code with Joan: A Coding Workshop by and for Women+
Event Frequency
- 2-3 events a year.
Event Length
- One 6-7 hour day.
Event Overview
- This is an inclusive day spent learning and coding just for women and non-binary people. Turing will host more identity-specific events in 2022 so stay tuned!
Who Should Attend
- People who are brand new to coding and want to try it out. We do not share specific information about enrolling at Turing but we do share about the industry in general, working in tech, what different kinds of positions are available.
What Makes It Special
“Code with Joan was a nice way to go through coding work with other women and nonbinary people. Having worked in tech I have been in all male teams where I was the first woman and this isn’t a great sign. It was refreshing and a nice option.” - Angele, Try Coding attendee
Example 2: Pop up workshops
Event Frequency
- 1-2 events per month.
Event Length
- 2-3 hours.
Event Overview
- Shorter, fast-paced event to build an entire small app in one workshop.
Who Should Attend
- People who have had some exposure to coding before and want to complete an entire coding project in a few hours.
What Makes It Special
“[The most exciting part of class was] seeing the high level of quality engagement. I was only slightly worried I would be listening to some nerd drone on about Ruby for hours but the level of intention behind the class was really not expected and made it exciting.” - Hannah, Try Coding attendee