In 2021, we learned that employers were looking for workers with even deeper technical abilities. To update our curriculum, we: ● Added preparation and minimum score requirements for the General Coding Assessment, a commonly used standardized coding test ● Launched Applied Computer Science, an in-depth and hands-on portion of the curriculum in all core courses that teaches more advanced programming languages, algorithms, and data structures ● Incorporated auto-grading of assignments to objectively assess the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of learners’ code We also launched our Backend Development course, developed in partnership with Amazon and modeled on their internal Amazon Technical Academy program, to help meet talent pipeline needs of Amazon and other growing companies. While our Backend Development learners did not begin graduating until 2022, this new course is yet another example of how we continually adapt to employers’ needs—and empower individuals to launch new careers. Career Support Similarly to how we design our curriculum, we reverse-engineer our career support to maximize learners’ opportunities, based on close partnerships with employers, market research, and analysis of graduates’ outcomes. Again, this is an ongoing effort to optimize how we get our learners from their starting point to a great tech career, no matter their background. In 2021, we expanded our career support. We incorporated job search support earlier in our programs, through personalized coaching as well as proprietary tools. Our career support helps learners and graduates: ● create effective and impactful resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and GitHub profiles ● stay organized in their job hunt and find the right openings to apply for ● be considered for openings from BloomTech Hiring Partners ● improve their performance in behavioral and technical interviews ● craft outreach emails using our messaging tools, then send that message to the right decision-makers in the hiring process ● negotiate job offers ● and more We continue to improve our career support. For example, starting in 2022 learners can get personalized career coaching, attend networking events, and gain technical skills during our Risk-Free Trial, even before they’ve made any financial commitments.