Frequently Asked Questions

  • No catch. We don’t want great candidates to be hindered by finances. No signing contracts or owing Cook any money if you drop or don’t accept a role. We are a family-owned, full-service staffing firm and FT is our funnel for all entry-level devs. We started the FastTrack program at the request of our long-term client 10 years ago to train towards their development environment. Then other clients got on board and loved the kind of talent we were producing. They hire entry-level devs directly from our program. (That is when you begin to get paid.)

  • We aren’t one. Think of our program as a Master’s level class that refines your skill and preps you for an enterprise-level client environment.

    Many of our members have completed bootcamps, have Computer Science degrees, or even Master’s degrees.

    Also, the program is not just technical. We focus on career readiness with 1x1 meetings with a Career Coach and mock technical interviews with an instructor who has worked at a client site.

    The content we give you in the program is directly related and applicable to what you will need to know to land a role at one of our clients.

  • We have clients in Nashville, Phoenix, Memphis, Denver, and remote; you may get an offer faster if you are open to any location. You are never required to take a role. We want it to be a win-win for you and the client. You can learn more about our clients during the phone screen portion of the application process.

  • No, training is unpaid but it is free and very high level and will be invaluable to you.

  • Yes, potentially! We have had participants with jobs successfully complete the program in the past. Instructors say that you can expect to devote 25-35 hours per week of study and project work. The program is a mixture of pre-recorded content, live office hours with instructors, and pre-scheduled meetings. If you are a good communicator and keep up with your instructors, you can be successful. We also have a Slack channel devoted just to your cohort so communication at all hours is easy.

  • No.

  • We will let you know your pay rate range before you join the program so that you can make the best decision for you. There will be no surprises.

  • We have 6-10 different clients that are actively hiring and have hired many FastTrack graduates in the past. We do our best to invite candidates that we believe our clients will be ready to hire at the end of the program.

  • We have clients that are Contract only and some that are Contract for Hire.

    Contract for Hire clients may convert you to a salaried role after 3-6 months.

    Our Contract only roles are 1 year commitments and can often be extended as well.

    There are no financial obligations in our contracts.

  • Our thorough screening process is because we want all who enter the program to be successful. We keep the cohorts small so that we can move quickly and develop you interpersonally. If we accept you into the program, we believe in you and WANT you to be hired. It’s a win-win for us!

  • The first 3 weeks are devoted to Java with Spring; the second 3 weeks you will refine your skills in Javascript/Angular; the last few weeks are reserved for a Final Full Stack Group Project.

    We are refining your Full Stack skills as well as your Career Readiness in preparation for interviews with our clients.