ANTHONY MANJARREZ - SUMMER 2022
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How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?
During my EP at All Star code we learned multiple languages in a relatively short amount of time. There is no coding experience needed and you can go in not knowing anything and come out learning at least two coding languages. The community is amazing with so many benefits after the program. and I personally got young teachers so I felt very connected to the people who taught me. All Star Code gave not only a laptop but a hotspot, that I now get to keep, leaving no excuse as to not being able to properly go through the program. The program is very rigorous at times, and it can leave you frustrated, especially if you don't have much coding experience like me. However, All Star Code has office hours where you can ask the teachers questions, not to mention resources online that can help you figure out what you want to do, which is how I usually resolve most of my tech problems. If you are interested in coding and have somewhat of a passion for coding I suggest trying All Star Code as it gives you a taste of what coding is and helps you realize if this is really something you want to do.
What is a typical day like during your EP?
A typical day in my EP started around 8:30, class starting at 9. We have an hour for lunch during the program, with 3 hours of learning code in the morning and an hour of core skills in the afternoon. With SEO bootcamp, I had to be at LIU, where SEO was holding bootcamp for me this summer, at 8:40. Since I live in the Bronx I had to wake up much earlier and be out the door by 7:40. The commute was roughly an hour long. You will have to do All Star Code and SEO at the same time, which can be very time consuming and overwhelming. I got home around 5 and that is when I was able to rest a little. When SEO started we already learned most of the material in All Star Code, so office hours weren't needed for me so I didn't miss out on much. However, it was very tiring having to commute and do the projects in ASC alongside the assignments in SEO. I would sometimes end my day at 12am.
What was the biggest challenge of your EP?
The biggest challenge was having to juggle both SEO and All Star Code. You do miss out on either advisory or the writing classes in SEO if you do All Star Code. This can leave you behind on the curriculum, and if you aren’t on top of your work it can overwhelm you and burn you out.
What was the biggest reward of your EP?
Now that I completed All Star Code, they offered me a position in a partner program which is year long and will let me learn under people that work at big tech companies like Google or Pandora. This gives me an amazing opportunity to network and adds on to my resume. They also have this game called a “challenge zone” where you have to solve coding problems, and at the end of a season you can get various rewards. All Star Code also provides many other opportunities that have yet to be announced.
What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?
I wish I would have known how time consuming it would be. I would sometimes take an hour to three hours doing a single project, which puts a lot of strain on my eyes. Although you are just sitting down, mentally it is very draining and you can find yourself inside almost all day without going out at all.
What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?
Advice I would give is to manage your time when you do both All Star Code and SEO. Make sure you don’t fall behind on the curriculum. Any free time that you have, take it to advance your common app application or quest bridge application. You will have free time, and you will thank yourself later when you’re doing both All Star Code and SEO.
CHRIS ROBLES - SUMMER 2022
How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?
Since you live in the Metropolitan area, you may or may not have to travel to and from the program however if the program is virtual, you stay home and participate in programs with your cohorts. You start the day with team building activities to build a bond with your cohort.
What is a typical day like during your EP?
You might have to travel to Manhattan or something like that. If Virtual you can treat the routine similarly to many other programs that are virtual.
What was the biggest challenge of your EP?
Understanding the course work since it’s really robust. The instructors help you so the aspect of learning to code is really worth it.
What was the biggest reward of your EP?
You get to build your network and you get to meet new people who have the same interests as you. You also get to find new interests or ideas. They could be inspired by your own peers in the program. You get to Celebrate Failure in the program and the program tries its best pace itself for you and your cohort’s convenience, they do this through Surveys that are completed every Friday.
What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?
I wish I’ve known about Networking earlier and about how to properly use Office hours.
What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?
Best of luck, take advantage of the resources you have. Many of the instructors are willing to help but you need to speak up in order for them to better understand you.
Questions? Email Anthony at anthonym@seoscholars.org and Chris at christopherr@seoscholars.org.
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