Zip Code Wilmington grads are making bank

ICYMI: Friday was the last day of Zip Code Wilmington’s inaugural program, and the coding school is psyched that the 16 who graduated all have software development jobs.
The class — launched in September and cofounded by Delaware giants Jim Stewart, Porter Schutt and Ben duPont (and backed by Gov. Jack Markell) — started with 19 students, said Anthony Pisapia, the head of the coding school.
Two dropped out and one is continuing with coding studies, he said. Of the 16 who graduated, five were offered permanent jobs while 11 have apprenticeships. Pisapia said the apprenticeships, mostly for six months, will likely lead to full-time jobs and are at companies looking to fill permanent positions.
The students arrived at Zip Code with an average income of $24,000 and are leaving with an average of $54,000, Pisapia said.
Here’s the jobs breakdown:

• Bank of America — 2
• Capital One — 4
• Chatham Financial — 2
• Corporation Service Company — 1
• Diamond Technologies — 3
• JPMorgan Chase — 3
• Schell Brothers — 1

Dawn Milnamow, one of three women to graduate, was offered a full-time software development position at JPMorgan Chase. The 26-year-old holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and, before Zip Code, was unhappy with her high school math teaching job.
Milnamow thought she’d have to go back to school for at least two years to get a degree in something tech-related, she said, adding she’s thrilled she took a chance on Zip Code Wilmington.
“I’m just really excited that I completed this whole program,” Minamow said. “I’m excited about all opportunities that are going to open up as get more experience working in the field.”
Zip Code Wilmington is now holding interviews for its next three-month program that starts Jan. 11, Pisapia said. So far, 180 people have applied, he said, and the school plans to admit between 25 and 30 students.
And don’t fret if you missed your chance for the January class — Pisapia said there are already plans for a third program in April.