Let me ask you the following question: If someone from a foreign country came to the US and began learning the English language, and asked you, "I saw the word ‘mentor' on a sign. What does that word mean?" How would you respond? Take a minute to think about this.

You may find it difficult to encapsulate the definition of a mentor in one word. Is a mentor a teacher? A coach? An expert? A caring friend?

There's something about the concept of mentor that eludes a quick and simple definition. Certain people from your life may come to mind. People who had more experience than you and helped show you the way. Individuals who cared for you deeply and would stand by your side as they taught you a new skill.

The notion of a mentor may invoke images of characters from famous books and movies. Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid, Professor Dumbledore from Harry Potter, and Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars - these wise people heralded a call to adventure and set the hero on their path to something life changing. There's something deep and expansive about a mentor that would be difficult to express simply and succinctly.

Actualize is not really a school, bootcamp, or apprenticeship per se. Actualize is a mentorship program. We are there by your side from the beginning of admissions until you get the job of your dreams. We show you the way, and make sure you get the experience you need to succeed. More than just teaching you skills, we change your mindset.

This isn't to say that being a mentee is easy. In fact, like Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker, you're going to have to work really, really hard. There will be ups-and-downs, and at times it will seem that you're going nowhere. But through all this, we are there to pick you up again and show you the way forward.

Everything we do is centered around this. When applying to Actualize, our admissions advisors learn more about your current situation and life's goals and aspirations, and then determine whether Actualize can help you fulfill them. Our lead instructors teach you every important programming concept and show you firsthand how to use them to solve real problems. They then give you the opportunity utilize the skill yourself - although in a different and slightly more challenging context.

After the training portion of Actualize, we then move you to the next level - the apprenticeship for The Difference Engine in which you employ your newly found skills to build web applications for real clients. Here too, our experienced tech leads pair program with you and provide additional guidance to help you level up your skills even further.

During the apprenticeship and beyond, you work with a Career Development Mentor, who shows you how to land a developer job while holding you accountable for taking the necessary steps that will lead you to that goal. And we do not stop working with you even after you've reached that pinnacle.

Like a mentor, it's difficult to express what Actualize is in a single sentence. We are your guide for the long-term, helping you get past every obstacle and stretching your abilities beyond what you previously thought was possible. You have to put in the work, but we will show you how.

This is Actualize.

Make sure to book a tour here to see if coding is a good fit for you!