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Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

hungryacademy.com

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Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#161
post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's alright. I keep hearing a lot about how hard it is for a company to sponsor someone and, given the short notice, I was struck surprised by it.

I think the calendar/rush is a bigger problem than the will/funding. I will do my best, for future iterations, to invite the world.

j3, I just wanted to say that I find your approach inspiring anyway. At least you and LS are doing something about this. Becasue it is an issue. All the companies want perfect candidates, but none is willing to take passionate people and just plain teach them.

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#162
post #3

I'll do my best to answer questions as they pop-up here today, but please feel free to email me at (contact at jumpstartlab) dot com if you want to know more.

Hi there, I love this initiative. I'll apply but my English is not perfect :S Should I be worried?

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#163
I get a kick out of some of the replies to this post. Hungry Academy is pretty clear what they are looking for. Don't like it? Don't apply. Don't like Hungry? Too bad. They want people who will work their tail off. If you're that good of a programmer or think it is a waste of time you can still apply to living social or elsewhere. Nobody is forcing your hand here and they are simply extending their hand to a broader market and teach a skill set that is in demand (both to Living Social & elsewhere). I think Hungry Academy is an awesome program for someone like myself who is interested in learning Rails but could benefit from a taught environment. Also, I believe this is brilliant marketing. Just as you see more articles saying programming is becoming the "2nd" language to know, so to are traditional introverted programmers (and of course, I am not suggesting all are like this) will benefit from rounding out their personal skills. Living Social and other companies don't want a code monkey, rather they want people who can work with others and hold a reasonable presentational skill set while cutting it as a solid "rails" developer. I would have applied and encourage others in my "not so technical" shoes to jump at this, however I have already invested in and will be attending the January Code Academy class in Chicago. It is a better & more "independent" path for me despite of how awesome I think Hungry Academy is. Sure, it is not certainly cheap but it was my decision. Further, the Code Academy gang is very up front about their cost to participate ($6,000USD for the Dev (Rails) & $6,000 for design). Also, I have never once been promised a job or a comment close to that effect. I view this as a vehicle to launch my rails development (I have been prepping for the course). Many can learn this on their own. Go ahead and great on you. I think the output of this program as well as hungry academy is the result of your input and how are you network the class and surrounding communities. To J3 & the Hungry Academy / Living Social Crew --> Brilliant! CodeAcademy --> Brilliant (I wouldn't be surprised Heroku/Salesforce & Marc @Benioff doesn't get involved somehow).

@JaretManuel

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#164
I get a kick out of some of the replies to this post. Hungry Academy is pretty clear what they are looking for. Don't like it? Don't apply. Don't like Hungry? Too bad. They want people who will work their tail off. If you're that good of a programmer or think it is a waste of time you can still apply to living social or elsewhere. Nobody is forcing your hand here and they are simply extending their hand to a broader market and teach a skill set that is in demand (both to Living Social & elsewhere). I think Hungry Academy is an awesome program for someone like myself who is interested in learning Rails but could benefit from a taught environment. Also, I believe this is brilliant marketing. Just as you see more articles saying programming is becoming the "2nd" language to know, so to are traditional introverted programmers (and of course, I am not suggesting all are like this) will benefit from rounding out their personal skills. Living Social and other companies don't want a code monkey, rather they want people who can work with others and hold a reasonable presentational skill set while cutting it as a solid "rails" developer. I would have applied and encourage others in my "not so technical" shoes to jump at this, however I have already invested in and will be attending the January Code Academy class in Chicago. It is a better & more "independent" path for me despite of how awesome I think Hungry Academy is. Sure, it is not certainly cheap but it was my decision. Further, the Code Academy gang is very up front about their cost to participate ($6,000USD for the Dev (Rails) & $6,000 for design). Also, I have never once been promised a job or a comment close to that effect. I view this as a vehicle to launch my rails development (I have been prepping for the course). Many can learn this on their own. Go ahead and great on you. I think the output of this program as well as hungry academy is the result of your input and how well you network the class and associated groups. To J3 & the Hungry Academy / Living Social Crew --> Brilliant! CodeAcademy --> Brilliant (I wouldn't be surprised Heroku/Salesforce & Marc @Benioff doesn't get involved somehow with something like this).

@JaretManuel

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#165
There's a problem in the application process that I am not sure I can overcome. I can upload a youtube video fine, but the only camera I own takes 240p. Which I really doubt will do anything besides convince the people running this program I'm not a good candidate. I might as well snail mail a VHS. So, if I can get around this step, I'd love to apply(and if I'm accepted I'd move heaven and Earth to make sure I completed the course) but the fact is it doesn't matter how "hungry" you are if the first impression you make tells people you don't have two nickels to rub together.

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#166
From a high level view, I'm totally for this idea. However, I'm skeptical of the viability of this sort of pilot program. Having more info about the "fine print" would be a good start.

It would be interesting to see if other companies start similar programs to meet the short-fall of engineering talent as well.

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#167

There's a problem in the application process that I am not sure I can overcome. I can upload a youtube video fine, but the only camera I own takes 240p. Which I really doubt will do anything besides convince the people running this program I'm not a good candidate. I might as well snail mail a VHS. So, if I can get around this step, I'd love to apply(and if I'm accepted I'd move heaven and Earth to make sure I comple…

Maybe a library with a webcam-equipped computer? Friend with a camera phone? Volunteer somewhere for a few hours in exchange for using their equipment?

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#168
post #149

Certainly a very interesting program - many props to the Living Social team for setting this up. I'm curious about the logistics involved - both the questions about the commitment / expectation piece, and the actual program itself. Would be good to have some contact information on the page, or some FAQs. But, great idea, hope it works out well and others follow!

Send more details questions to hungryacademy at livingsocial dot com.

Re: Hungry Academy - get paid to learn Ruby

#169
post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

19 year old chiming in. Willing to take a break from getting a degree for a great experience like this. Now to convince my parents...

Apply, then if you're accepted I'll call your parents.

Also, I heard he will hook up a sandwich if it will help.
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