Chicago needs Code Academy
Earlier this year, I blogged about Chicago’s Ruby Developer Crisis. As far as I can tell, not much has changed. In fact, with Braintree’s funding and the acqusition of Obtiva by Groupon, the demand for Ruby developers has likely grown even stronger. So, what are we, the Chicago Ruby community, going to do about it? Like I said back in January, we’re going to grow these people.
I’ve spent a significant amount of time this year looking for ways to grow more people for Obtiva. I’ve been hanging out at the Chicago Technology Academy, talking to i.c.stars, and learning from 8th Light about how they’ve expanded their apprenticeship program to allow them to take on many more apprentices at once. All of these organizations have made growing great technologists in Chicago a top priority. We can certainly relocate some people to help reduce the demand, but let’s face it, Chicago isn’t a one-size-fits-all town. Relocation will only get us so far. So, I want to highlight a startup whose entire existence is dedicated to developing new Ruby on Rails developers in Chicago.
It’s called Code Academy. I first met Neal Sales-Griffin like I meet a lot of other awesome people. Through Corey Haines. It’s really hard to describe Neal and his co-founders Mike and Claire, but I’ll try. First, you should know that the 3 of them constitute the 3 most recent student body presidents at Northwestern University. Yes, that’s right, and the venture they’ve decided to throw their heart-and-soul into is an academy that develops Ruby developers out of the raw materials of intelligence and a passion for learning. They’re looking for raw beginners, and that’s where I come in. I’m looking for new places to find apprentices for ObtivaGroupon, and after spending the last few months working with Neal and his team on the formation and planning for Code Academy, I’m convinced that some amazing people will emerge from it. Look at the people they have involved! And the partners and advisors they’ve assembled are truly remarkable, particularly for a few new college grads. The people who leave Code Academy will leave with the Ruby on Rails knowledge and connections to set themselves up for a bright future in Chicago’s technology scene, and I’m looking forward to meeting them.
Why do I believe that Code Academy will be successful? First, because of the people involved. (To land Jeff Cohen as their instructor was a major accomplishment.) But on a more personal note, I believe they will be able to turn beginners into Ruby developers because I’ve been there. I’ve been through that process. Back in January, 2000, I was 25, married, with a baby daughter, and a practicing child and family therapist. During that year, I made the decision to become a software developer. I read books, sought out mentors, went to conferences, and constructed my own education. Looking back over the last decade, I’m glad I made that decision, despite how strange it felt back then. I’ve learned that with the right mix of potential, motivation, and guidance, people can become programmers much later in life than most people think.
In a time when there are historic levels of unemployment and undprecedented demand for technical skills, Code Academy is exactly what we need. If you know someone who you think would make the most of this opportunity, encourage them to apply.
