Dream.Org – Technical Cohort Prep Assessment

Your Future Career in Tech Starts Here!

THE PROBLEM:

Tech is a multi-billion dollar industry, but only a fraction of the people who profit from it are Black and Brown people. Even fewer are formerly-incarcerated individuals.

THE MISSION:

Uplift talent in our communities by offering in-demand skills and development training and job opportunities.

HOW DOES IT WORK:

Our technical cohorts are intense 8-10 week programs that require a great deal of self-led learning in addition to our virtual programming.

Interested? Our cohorts might be for you if…

You can work independently and remotely
You are eager and willing to learn
You’re passionate about software development
You’re invested in social justice, diversity, and inclusion
You work well under pressure
You want to work in a fast-paced environment
You like working with peers who challenge you to be better
You want to meet and exceed goals set for yourself
You are naturally curious and passionate
You can legally work in the U.S.
You are available to train Monday – Friday 40 hours/week for 8-10 weeks
Systems-impacted: You are a San Francisco Bay area resident (including but not limited to Oakland, Fremont, and Berkeley counties).
Non-systems impacted: You are a resident of any US state

Inclusivity Statement: While we welcome all individuals who meet the requirements above to apply, we want to provide clarity around which applicants we prioritize in the admissions process. While we acknowledge there is no hierarchy of oppression and value everyone’s unique lived experience, we know that some communities are systematically and disproportionately impacted by health, economic, and educational inequities.

Questions about eligibility? Email alejandra@dream.org

Prep Assessment Resources

This combination of resources was sourced by our educators and former students in order to help new students receive a more dedicated onboarding experience to the cohort material. These resources should take about a week to complete.

1. Complete the Codecademy Learn Java Program

Estimated time to complete: 25 hrs

This resource will teach you the fundamentals of programming in Java with real examples and exercises. Former students say that completing this program entirely (100%) served them well in the first weeks of the cohort, which allowed them to grasp concepts quickly and develop a better understanding of the material long term.

You will submit a screenshot showing your completion of this program.

2. Watch the Java Tutorial for Beginners video

Estimated time to complete: 3 hrs

This resource is led by one of the best voices in Java programming online. Programming with Mosh is a dedicated channel (you should subscribe to) that talks about everything from fundamental to advanced programming in Java and other technologies. This video goes through everything you need to know to get started programming with Java including setting it up on your local machine.

3. Take the W3Schools Java Quiz to test your understanding

You will submit a screenshot showing your completion of the quiz.

4. Read the W3Schools Java reference

Estimated time to complete: 5 hrs

The W3Schools is a leading resource for learning how to code all things on the web. With multiple pages worth of information about the most important Java materials, this resource will help you connect all of the dots from the other resources, and give you a reference you can use over time.

5. Complete the W3Schools exercises to test your understanding

You will submit a screenshot showing your completion of these.

To be considered for our next technical cohort you will need to submit proof of completion of this curriculum. Once you have completed the prep assessment you can submit your screenshots below:

Dream.Org Pre-Cohort Application

In order to more effectively prepare yourself for the program, we have compiled a list of free prep assessment resources that are required to review and complete prior to applying. This combination of resources was sourced by our educators and former students in order to help new students receive a more dedicated onboarding experience to the cohort material.

Please be prepared to elaborate on your answers in this material at a later date as our team will do our best to give a thorough assessment, not only of your current technical skills but the potential for growth in those skills as well.

Once you have completed the resources above, complete your submissions by entering your information below.

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

City

State (Two Characters)

Race and/or Ethnicity (Check all that apply)

Asian (e.g. Central Asian; East Asian; South Asian; South-east Asian)Black/African descent (having origins in Sub-Saharan Africa)Hispanic/Latino/Latinx (e.g. Identify as Hispanic or Latino with ties to Latin America, can be any race)Indigenous (e.g. Alaskan Native, Aboriginal Australian, First Nations, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Samoan)Middle Eastern/North African (including the Middle East, North Africa and the Arab World)OtherPrefer not to say

Indicate below for other Race and/or Ethnicity (optional)

Have you been system impacted? We define system-impacted as a person who is/was affected by the incarceration of themselves or a close relative.

YesNo

Screenshot Submissions

Upload a screenshot of the completed Codecademy Learn Java material: (Should show 100% completion of the entire Learn Java course)

Upload a screenshot of the completed W3Schools Java quiz:
(Should show 90% or higher)

Upload a screenshot of the completed W3Schools Java exercises:
(Should show 59/59 exercises completed)

Contact Information