Blog

During the fall of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, many adults in the hospitality, travel, tourism, and customer service fields found themselves at a career crossroads. Some of these individuals explored new career paths to change the uncertainty of their current situation. In Delaware, some turned to Zip Code Wilmington to reskill into the technology field.   With funding from the Capital One Impact Initiative, Zip Code Wilmington was able to continue its operations while keeping...

There is a belief that people favor either the right hemisphere of our brains which controls the more creative, conceptual thinking, or the left hemisphere controls more of the concrete, computational intellect. But if you meet someone like Dolio Durant, one of Zip Code Wilmington’s technical instructors, who hails from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), you’ll throw this notion out and see that people can successfully command both left and right-brain attributes. ...

Getting started in a technology career where you’re developing websites or creating apps can seem very complex and hard to do, discouraging people from entering the tech field. While this world tends to seem exciting and creative, partly because you are building something from scratch, it can also feel out of reach for many. Why? Because careers in coding, software development, and web design often have math associated with them. Fear not, if you’re not a math wizard, you can still reach your...

The title of this article uses the term “career” instead of “job.”  That’s intentional.  At Zip Code Wilmington, we want our students to find a meaningful career in technology, not just another job. Our 12-week coding bootcamp is designed to give them the technical training needed to excel as a Java software developer or data engineer while preparing them for entry level position interviews at major companies – many of which are in the Fortune 500 – to secure a new career in tech.  Why we care?...

By incorporating agile methods and processes into your business structure, companies can create environments that stay focused on the current need within the industry and allow for quick pivots to respond to new demands. During this global health crisis, that has proven to be true now more than ever.  On March 16, 2020, we began conducting classes online and performing business operations remotely including holding virtual interviews for admissions. Our instructors have been able to adapt to...

As one decade ends and another one begins, Zip Code Wilmington continues to keep growing. From new hires to new programs to new alumni success stories, we ended 2019 with a bang. Take a look at all we accomplished as we present our Top Ten List for 2019. The impact of women in technology saw a rise in 2019 and Zip Code Wilmington was no exception. Our 11th cohort was 60% women, which was the largest cohort of its kind thus far. Teri Quinn Gray was appointed to the Board of Directors as the...

Grant helps small businesses access highly skilled tech talent they need to compete Delaware small business owners will have greater access to graduates from Zip Code Wilmington's computer coding training program thanks to a new partnership between Zip Code Wilmington and the Delaware Division of Small Business. Zip Code Wilmington is now designated as a certified trainer by the Division of Small Business. As a part of this partnership, the Division will give companies under 100 employees who...

When I tell people that I teach improvisation (improv for short) to Zip Coders, there is sometimes a little bit of trepidation -- even by the students themselves. I’m often met with responses such as “I can’t think that fast” or “I’m not that witty!” Other times, I’ll be asked, “How does teaching improv have anything to do with students who are learning how to code?” Here is the secret to improv: it has little to do with wit and almost everything to do with listening -- a vital skill in...

Tips for coders to get through bootcamp while managing responsibilities at home. Being a parent can be one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs on the planet. It comes with big responsibilities that many find hard to balance when deciding whether or not to make career moves. In the case of immersive coding bootcamps such as Zip Code Wilmington, parents are expected to carry a heavy courseload, fit in practice hours and still make time for lunches, drop-offs, playtime… the list goes on. It...

Learn how two creative Zip Code Wilmington alumni let their artistic backgrounds add value to their coding careers instead of holding them back. Little known fact: There’s room for imagination in coding -- in fact -- it’s welcome. Contrary to popular belief, not all coders are left-brainers (analytical and methodical in their thinking). In fact, as coding becomes the gateway to more varied innovation, the industry is calling on more “creatives” to join the tech team. But, what’s a “creative”...