Hybrid is the New Normal: The Alchemy Approach to Post-Pandemic Higher Education

The driving force behind the tech industry has always been innovation: staying several steps ahead of the moment and developing creative solutions to meet the spectrum of human needs.

Alchemy seeks to take that ethos to a higher level by putting human needs first; that includes connection, collaboration, and community. Before the pandemic, that meant in-person learning at our campus in downtown Portland, OR, where we put community first, from demo days to social happy hours. 

Moving quickly to live online learning in 2020, we knew that we had to find ways to continue to put community first. And now that we collectively see a light at the end of the Covid tunnel, it’s time to create new learning solutions that reflect the reality of our world, both today and in the near future.

Beginning Fall 2021, Alchemy will expand its software development training program with hybrid learning options. We’ll work with each student to find the best learning structure suited to their development and lifestyle.

What We Learned in 2020

In March 2020, we transitioned our successful in-person program to an all-remote format in response to the pandemic.

We never expected to stay online for this long, seeing several Cohorts start and graduate entirely via Zoom. While there were certainly speed bumps and lessons along the way, our community rose to the occasion and formed meaningful relationships between students, instructors, and our staff.

Beyond this, our 2020 employment stats prove that Alchemy’s curriculum works across platforms: 85%+ of Alchemy grads are working in tech and their median starting salary of $80,000. Click here to see our comprehensive 2020 report. 

2021 Outlook: Remote is Here to Stay

We know that remote work is here to stay. Tech companies will continue to allow and rely on remote work, like the recent announcements of hybrid workers who spend 3 days per week in the office. 

Further, the ability to collaborate remotely is now a vital skill for joining a tech team. Our students have the opportunity to develop both technical skills and virtual soft skills by building software from scratch entirely through online platforms and communication.

As we plan to reopen our campus, and it is safe to do so, Alchemy is ready to provide options to meet the needs of an evolving tech industry.

1. We’re Keeping Live Online Learning as a Powerful Option

We’ve seen a surge in interest from students not based in Portland, OR, and we want to continue to be available for future developers everywhere. This year, we’ve had applications from students in Florida, Washington, California, Nevada, North Carolina, Arizona, Michigan, and beyond.

Alchemy will continue to offer an all-remote option for people not geographically near our campus, or who prefer an all-remote experience.

2. We’re Introducing Hybrid @ Alchemy 

Our new Hybrid offering will introduce a mix of in-person and remote learning days:

• Two days per week on campus
• Two days per week remote
• The choice on Fridays to work on-campus or remote

Not everyone has the right setup for full-time learning from their home. Pets, kids, roommates, bad wifi - we get it. Alchemy will offer special spaces on-campus for those that require a focused environment for their remote work.

Each Person’s Needs are Unique 

Our goal is to stay agile so we can continue to help each potential student determine the right path for their career and lifestyle.

Alchemy continues to offer weekly live info sessions with the admissions team and one on one live calls to explore and create the right solution for everyone. 

Interested to learn more? Contact our Admissions team at admissions@alchemycodelab.com!