Pluspunten
Other than raising my own kids, this is the most important and rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. I am responsible for the FastTrack'D program for Cook Systems. Our goal was to increase the number of domestic enterprise class software developers. We realized that the deck was stacked against first time job seekers because everyone wanted developers with at least 3 years of experience. American applicants were in the catch-22 of can't get a programming job without experience and can't ever get experience without a programming job. Eventually even CS graduates have to take jobs in retail or food service to survive. They are lost to the IT industry forever. This has caused the supply of domestic developers to collapse. We are trying to change that by offering people an opportunity to re-start their careers. We are more interested in what you can do then what you did before. Our online tests let us identify people who have the aptitude and ability to be great software developers. Many people are smart but find themselves without a real career future. Some just didn't get that first good job. Some have degrees in math or physics or music and find that their job prospects are poor. If you have good character and work ethic, and are smart but under-employed, the FastTrack'D program can change your life. The people who make it through our screening and training process are not just the best programmers, they are the best people. We create a team environment where all FastTrackers help each other succeed. Each one knows that everyone of their colleagues has their back. FastTrackers know that they owe their opportunity to the FastTrackers ahead of them who's great performance created the reputation and opportunity for those who came after. If someone doesn't care about that, they don't belong in the program. Those who do care, are some of the finest human-beings in the world. It is my great pleasure to be associated with each and every one of our FastTrackers.
Minpunten
We are a small company trying to swim against the stream. We do things differently than the rest of the industry. We don't charge for our training because we think companies who sell training will pass everyone who pays and then don't care if they get a job or not. Since we don't charge for the training, we only make money if we hire and place our graduates. Though we do our best, not everyone makes it, and you can find reviews here from some who did not. This is not a code school that teaches you how to put menus on the internet. We create enterprise class java and .net developers who create complex applications for the largest companies in America. Once hired, we keep our FastTrackers as full time salaried employees with full benefits even between assignments. Our entry level salary is not very high but we give very large raises every 6 months for the first three years. By the third anniversary, every FastTracker makes at least 70k. It is expensive to do it this way but we think it is necessary to keep our people happy so that they don't have to worry about their next assignment.