What Is Future Code NYC x Codesmith?

Delivered in partnership with the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline, the Workforce Development Corporation, and the NYC Department of Small Business Services, Future Code is a 37-week online course that prepares New Yorkers for starting their careers in software engineering. This no-cost program will take students from complete beginners to full-stack engineers through expert curriculum, project building, professional development, and career support. By focusing on underrepresented communities and providing a supportive learning environment, Future Code aims to create a new generation of diverse and talented software engineers in New York City.

Program Details

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Schedule

July 29 2024–January 31 2025
Mon-Fri, 9:00 am–5:30 pm 
37 weeks of live online instruction
money

Tuition

Future Code is fully paid for by the City of New York, and tuition is no-cost.
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Deadlines

Application Deadline: June 21 2024
Program Start Date: July 29 2024
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Curriculum & Structure

What you'll learn, week-to-week

Precourse (Before Day 1)

What you'll learn:

  • Variables
  • Control Flow + Looping
  • Introduction to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Weeks 1-8: Intro to Programming

What you’ll learn

  • JavaScript
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Bash
  • Git

What you’ll build

  • Text Adventure Game
  • Static Portfolio Website
  • Interactive App That Solves a Real-World Problem

Weeks 9-18: Web Development

What you’ll learn

  • Advanced JavaScript
  • Front-End Development
    • React
    • Redux
  • Back-End Development
    • Node.js
    • Express
    • PostgreSQL
    • MongoDB
  • Full-Stack Development
    • Authentication
    • Testing
    • Build Tools (Webpack)
    • TypeScript

What you’ll build

  • Snake Game
  • Hackathon App

Weeks 19-21: Intro to Fullstack Projects

Interactive Web App (Solo)

This is the only project you’ll do on your own. By building an application from idea to functioning MVP (minimum viable product), you’ll reinforce your knowledge of the core curriculum and gain confidence in how much you’ve learned!

Interactive Web App (Collaborative)

Working in groups, you’ll mentor each other in a professional team engineering setting and deepen your applied understanding of core web development technologies. You’ll also learn best practices for collaborative engineering, including scrum, agile, and git workflows.

Weeks 22-28: Capstone Project

Ideation
With your team, you’ll explore some of the most complex and important technologies in use today. Through your research, you’ll identify a technically challenging problem to solve over the course of 4 weeks. With feedback and guidance, you’ll refine your proposed project and timeline.

Development
This is the largest and most sophisticated project you’ll build during the program. You’ll sharpen your critical thinking, build your problem-solving skills, and develop your autonomy as a developer. The combination of on-the-job training and a supportive environment provides a unique experience that helps you stand out in your job search.

Launch
Deploying your application and sharing it with the world is an opportunity to celebrate all your hard work! It also offers a chance to reflect on the full software development lifecycle and grow as a collaborative engineer.

Weeks 29-36: Hiring Program

  • Resume Development
  • Interview Prep
  • Online Profile Best Practices
  • Networking
  • Negotiation

Post-Program Career Support

  • Individualized Check-ins
  • Application Workshops
  • Technical Interview Tech Talks
  • Office Hours with our Sr Advisor
  • Meetings with Career Support Engineers (CSEs)
  • Resume, Cover Letter, and Narrative Reviews by CSEs

Career Support

Our career support prepares students for every step of their job search. During the program, students receive training on professional development and general job readiness. Weeks 29 to 37 of the program fully focus on the job search, and career support continues through graduation and beyond.

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Resume + Job Site Profiles

Our career support team will help you build a resume and job site profiles to best highlight your technical skills.
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Interview Prep

Industry experts prepare you for each step of the interview and hiring process—from phone screens to salary negotiations.
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Support for Life

After graduation, you'll have check-ins with the team, weekly workshops, and join our network of alums. Our career support is for life—we're here whether you’re looking for your first job or your fourth!

Do I Qualify?

Future Code x Codesmith is a fully-funded program that aims to diversify tech in New York City. The program is no-cost for students. To be considered for the program, you must meet the requirements below. 
 
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Current resident of New York City (within the five boroughs)
  • At least 18 years of age by day one of the program (July 29, 2024)
  • Authorized to work in the United States
  • If currently employed, have an annual income of no more than $50,000
  • Meet federal selective service requirements, if applicable
  • Limited or no prior experience with the basics of coding and no paid professional web development, software engineering, or similar experience 
  • No degree in Computer Science or similar discipline
  • Must be available for all sessions of the course (minimum attendance rate of 90%)
We highly encourage people from Black, Latine, & Indigenous backgrounds and people with foster care or juvenile justice experience to apply.
 
Apply
 
What if I don't meet the requirements?
You might be a great fit for our Software Engineering Immersive—read more here! 

Admissions Process

  • 1

    Confirm Eligibility

    Make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the program. You can check the list above to see if you do.

  • 2

    Apply

    If you meet the eligibility requirements above, submit an application.

    Apply

  • 3

    Phone Screen

    After you submit your application and we confirm your eligibility, we’ll reach out to schedule an initial phone screen. You’ll meet with a member of our support team to share your background and goals and learn more about the program. We’re looking for candidates with motivation, resilience, and thoughtful communication.

  • 4

    Intro to JavaScript

    This quick, introductory learning module covers some basic concepts that you'll see in the upcoming Coding Challenge. Through simple explanations and practice problems, you'll learn about variables, booleans, and strings. 
  • 5

    Coding Challenge

    If you move forward after your initial interview, you’ll meet with one of our Engineering Mentors to pair program through a coding challenge together. We’re looking to see your skills in technical communication, problem solving, hitting blocks, and coding fundamentals (we’ll help you prep!).

  • 6

    Decision

    After you complete the challenge, we’ll call you to share your results, personalized feedback, and next steps. 

Learning Resources

CSX

Jump into the fundamentals of programming with CSX, our free learning platform. Get familiar with the building blocks with the CSX Precourse units!

Intro to JS Workshops

These weekly workshops walk you through beginner concepts in coding. Join Codesmith's diverse community of learners as you work through programming challenges and technical communication practice together.

Pair Programming

Ready to practice? Work through challenges one-on-one with a partner and build your technical communication skills at one of our weekly sessions.

Meet the Team

Our team members are central to your experience as a student. They’ll lead your core lectures, help you review, plan social events, and drive your growth throughout the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I able to work during the program? Is there a living stipend?
Future Code is designed to be no-cost to make transitioning careers to SE more accessible, however, we know everyone has unique circumstances. We have a minimum 90% attendance requirement and students must be available during the program's hours. As it is a full-time schedule, working a role outside of those hours may be unsustainable. While we don't forbid folks from working, we encourage them to really think about the best decision for their success and health.In order to make long-term career training more accessible to more individuals, the Tech Talent Pipeline, and the Department of Small Business Services will be providing, for eligible participants, a living stipend during training. Eligibility for the stipend can be discussed through the Admissions process.
What if these dates don't work for me?

As of right now, we have one cohort scheduled this year (starting July 29) and we are hoping to launch more cohorts in the future. If this cohort's dates don't work for you, we encourage you to submit this interest form. Once we have more to announce, we will share with the community. You can still submit an application for Future Code NYC x Codesmith here and talk with our admissions team more about your specific circumstance.


You can also check out our Software Engineering Immersive Program dates here. We have programs starting for our Software Engineering Immersive Program every six weeks.

Can I still apply if I don't have access to a computer?
Yes! If you don't have access to a computer, the Future Code team will work with you through the Admissions Process to adapt for your circumstances. For the program itself, we can also provide laptops for folks who need them. We don't want equipment to be a barrier of entry. If you are in need of other equipment, we are happy to chat and will try our best to support you in what you need to be successful in the program.
What if I'm not eligible for the program?

Future Code is specifically for New York City residents who meet certain requirements regarding previous work and education experience and income. If you don’t meet these requirements, you might be a great candidate for our Software Engineering Immersive (available in both full and part time). 

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