Hemlock - Fractal Bootcamp

Friends,

I need your help. If I have made your life better in the time you’ve known me, if I have facilitated connections that have enriched your experience, if you think I’m funny or cute, if you just like seeing in your feed and at parties, I’d be grateful if you’d read on and consider helping me out.

Okay, what do you want help with?

I am trying to attend Fractal Bootcamp’s spring cohort this year, I need your help to do it. This is a pretty direct way for me to get from where I am now to a place where I have some real software engineering skills and a tech job (see below). In order to do this, I will need ~$5,000 and places to stay in New York City from February 2nd though May 18th. I am asking for you to contribute to one (or, if you’re feeling particularly generous, both) of these needs.

That’s kind of a big ask; why should I help you?

I know that asking friends for money, or to open their hearts and couches for extended periods of time, are big asks. All I can really say is that I’m not asking anyone to just pay my bills or buy me things here—I’m specifically asking for help with something that has very good odds of making me stronger and putting me in a better position to be giving these favors rather than asking them in the future.

Also, you probably know me at least by reputation. I’ve been pretty resource strapped but I’ve tried to be generous with what I have, especially housing people who needed it over the last couple of years. That’s not going to change when I have more resources; I’ll keep paying it forward. If you’re reading this I probably consider you part of my community along one axis or another—and that means I want you to succeed and our mutual friends to succeed. If I can get stronger, I’ll do my best to help you get stronger as well.

Okay, why Fractal though? What makes you so sure this will get you to a better place?

Basically, because Fractal has a great record on job placements, and because it’s the kind of environment I thrive in. Historically, I suck at open-ended self study projects in fields I’m not already very comfortable with. On the other hand, I have a great record when it comes to high-intensity group educational settings. Fractal bootcamp seems like pretty much the closest thing available to a language immersion program for software engineering, and that’s honestly exactly what I need.

As far as why this bootcamp is better than other bootcamps (which are, in general a little scammy), they focus on teaching you how to ship software products in a workplace-like environment rather than “how to code” abstractly. They also partner with startups in NYC to set students up with externships/hands-on experience, and are generally well-resourced in terms of connections they can call on to place their students. There’s more info in the link, and I’ve spoken with a graduate of their first cohort who I know personally and who vouches for their claims.

https://fractalbootcamp.com

Have you already been accepted to the program?

Not yet; I have a final technical interview on Tuesday the 21st. I’m studying and learning fast, and I’m pretty confident I’ll be able to pass. In the event that I don’t, I’ll continue studying and attend Fractal’s Summer Cohort in a few months.

What’s the breakdown for that $5,000?

Fractal Bootcamp’s tuition is $15K, which two very generous friends have already agreed to cover for me between them. Of the remaining $5,000 that I need, $4,000 will cover my food and transportation needs while I’m in New York, and $1,000 is for a laptop that meets the program’s requirements. When I budgeted those needs out, I took into account that I’m going to be in a program that expects, at minimum, 56 hours a week of attendance, so I’m not going to have a ton of time and energy to devote to meal planning/prep that could cut those costs.

How would hosting you work?

It looks like I’m going to be daisy-chaining my accommodations in roughly one-week blocs; if you can offer more time than that, that’s wonderful, but even just a week is incredibly helpful. All I need is a couch to sleep on, and given the attendance hours, I’ll be out of your hair during the days and early evenings. I clean up after myself and don’t make a mess; if you or your roommates are worried I’m happy to provide references from people I’ve crashed with before.

Okay, this is all good, but, uh, don’t you have a wife who’s supposed to be making good money now?

Piper had a contract fall through and is currently looking for work again, she has some good leads, but honestly, this isn’t about her. I’m tired of not being able to contribute in the way she can, and I want to get to a place where I can at the very least take care of myself.

Makes sense, but February 2nd is right around the corner; shouldn’t you have asked earlier?

Yeah. I should have. All I can say is that there are times when ambient depression and frustration with a situation cloud around you like an impenetrable fog, and there are times when that energy suddenly coalesces down and crystallizes into something that can fuel action. The other weekend was one of the latter, and I’m doing what I can now.

Is there anything else/anything non-monetary I could contribute if I don’t have couch space in NYC?

If you have an older M-Series MacBook that you’d be willing to part with, that would reduce the amount of money I need to raise. Also, Sharing this with people you think might be willing to help is always appreciated.