Software Development
Tech Stacks Month 2019

Want to learn to code? Check out these DC resources to get started

Here's a look at a dozen local organizations providing resources to help you launch or advance your coding career.

A coding demo at a Thinkful event in D.C. (Courtesy photo)

JavaScript? React? Druid? You name it, we’re talking everything tech stacks this month to highlight what programming languages and frameworks local tech startups have under their tool belts to build their web or mobile applications.

From beginners to employed coding professionals, there’s never a such thing as too much practice. From weeks-long courses, monthly meetups and more, these education-focused organizations are providing resources to learn to code, even if you’ve never done it before. Here’s a few to check out:

Flatiron School

This coding bootcamp teaches software engineering, computer programming, data science, and UX/UI design and was originally founded in New York City. Since last year, the bootcamp has been managing a D.C. location inside of WeWork White House, where it hosts full-day workshops for beginner coders on the weekends, a 15-week software engineering course, online data science courses and more.

Thinkful

Thinkful is an online coding bootcamp with an IRL presence specifically in D.C. The company focuses on teaching tech skills to students outside the main tech hubs, with an array of full-time and flexible monthly bootcamp opportunities, 1-on-1 mentoring and career services. In my latest Events Roundup, I highlighted some Thinkful events happening in D.C. and online.

Hear Me Code

Founded by Shannon Turner, a local full-stack developer, Hear Me Code offers free, beginner-friendly coding classes for women.

General Assembly

First launched in the District in 2013 under a partnership with 1776 DC, General Assembly is a coding school with full-time and part-time schooling options. GA has an extensive course offering that includes coding, design and digital marketing classes like software engineering, product management and visual design. The coding school recently relocated its D.C. campus to Chinatown, where it occupies 9,500 square feet of space at 509 7th St NW.

Tech, Rebalanced

Formerly known as Tech Lady Hackathon, Tech, Rebalanced offers classes on coding, civic hacking and other technical skills. Since its inception in 2013, the nonprofit has had a mission to create a noncompetitive space for beginners and advanced coders alike to come come and learn or brush up on their skills. Tech, Rebalanced usually hosts a yearly hackathon and training day that’s slated for October 19 this year.

Women Who Code DC

Women Who Code is an international nonprofit giving women entryways to tech with a support group of women in tech. The DC chapter, which launched in 2014, facilitates free technical study groups, career development and events with experts in the tech industry and investing. Women Who Code DC has an array of events from web development study groups, to speaker panels and more.

Coding Dojo

Coding Dojo is a Tysons, Va.-based coding bootcamp with a presence in the District. The Tysons campus teaches three different stack tracks in its curricula: Python, .NET Core and MEAN. The coding bootcamp also today announced a new online program to introduce developers to data science. The four-week online course will be comprised of video lectures and tutorial led by former West Point professor Isaac Faber, who holds a PhD from Stanford University and is currently the chief data scientist for MatrixDS. Coding Dojo’s programs run for about three and a half months each.

DC Python Meetup

DC Python is a nonprofit who curates meetups and instructional events for developers to learn about Python in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas. DC Python hosts frequent PythonLabs and project nights where attendees can learn specifics about Python and work on projects to foster Python software.

Code for DC

Code for DC is the Washington D.C. brigade of Code for America. The group of civic hackers hosts project night events where coders can come and contribute to different projects, or start your own. Code for DC welcomes coders of all backgrounds. In the past, the D.C. chapter has partnered with nonprofits to build a client intake system and create a comprehensive database of affordable housing data, its meetup site states.

Byte Back

Launched in 1997, this D.C.-based tech inclusion nonprofit offers computer training, IT certification and career services for adults seeking careers in tech. Byte Back teaches classes at its North Capitol St NE campus in D.C., and also in Prince George’s County in Maryland. The nonprofit has three learning tracks: computer foundations 1, computer foundations 2 and a professional track for certifications. Byte Back also recently won a $775,000 grant from TD Bank to expand into Baltimore, where it launched its first tech classes last month.

Django District

This group hosts monthly project nights for coders to come and learn and participate in projects surrounding Python web development. Django District also curates panel discussions with Python professionals. On July 23, Django District is partnering with DC Python for Django Channels in Practice, a panel series event featuring professional developers.

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is a national nonprofit with a mission to increase the number of women in computer science careers. The DC chapter hosts a seven-week summer immersion program that features a computer science course that embeds classrooms in major media and tech companies. No prior coding experience is needed. Girls Who Code is for grade school girls.

GW Coding Bootcamp

George Washington University offers, full-time and part-time in-person or virtual coding bootcamps that cover a full-stack of development concepts. Some of the coding languages include HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, Java, Bootstrap, Express.js, React.js, Node.js, MongoDB, MySQL, and more. At the conclusion of the bootcamp, participants will receive a professional certificate to validate their coding skills.

Did we miss anything? Let us know at dc@technical.ly and we’ll update this list accordingly.

This editorial article is a part of Technical.ly's Tech Stacks Month of our editorial calendar.

This article was updated on 07/22/2019 at 2:17 p.m.
Companies: Thinkful / Byte Back / George Washington University / Women Who Code DC / Civic Tech DC / Hear Me Code / Flatiron School / Girls Who Code / General Assembly

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