media planner

software engineer

apprentice

entry level software engineer

technical support

Catalyte

Regardless of your education or job experience, Catalyte provides both training and (this is the big one) job experience as a developer, often working with big, well-known companies. As long as you are a little brighter than average, you can pass their assessment and will be invited to a roughly 20-30 week training program that teaches the basics of web development (it's self-paced which is why time may vary). If you can complete the fairly intense training, you will be hired on as a junior level developer making about $17-19/hr with minimal benefits.
The training is (mostly) unpaid and you are required to work for the company for 2 years to pay for the training and opportunity (you can buy out of the contract for $25k). Consider it paying your dues to join the software club and it's certainly easier, cheaper, and faster than getting a degree.
The company is incredibly focused on learning, growth, and mentorship for it's junior developers and you will get a lot more support here than at most software companies. Because of its focus on junior developers, Catalyte attracts outside hires who are also committed to helping and mentoring fledgling developers.
The company has a solid feedback culture and encourages employees to speak honestly and openly with management. People seem to genuinely care about their work and each other which makes it a welcoming environment. Because the training doesn't focus on degrees and background, developers tend to be a more diverse bunch than at many other software companies.
The company has rapidly grown and changed in the last several years. While exciting, it has sometimes been more chaotic than productive. There have been a few rounds of layoffs and several shifts in company organization and focus. Generally, though, it has been in the right direction and communicated with staff.
Only real downside to the company is talent retention. Because Catalyte pays on the bottom half of the pay scale for developers, it is not uncommon for people leave shortly after their 2 year contract is up, receiving offers of 20-50% more elsewhere. This results in a bit of a brain-drain for mid-level developers and an inability to attract more talented senior level engineers.
All that said, regardless of whether you stick around post-contract, Catalyte is a fantastic way to get into the industry!

I was in the digital media cohort with Catalyte and this was such an amazing experience that was really influential on my career. I came in with zero experience in digital media and marketing (I was an elementary school teacher prior to this) and the training I received proved to be extremely useful and prepared me more than enough for an entry level position in media buying. 

After the training in biddable and programmatic media buying (took about 3 months) I did an apprenticeship in programmatic media with reputable agency for about 6 months. My managers were impressed with what I had learned from my time at Catalyte, and I was able to easily catch on to what was required of me and eventually was able to transition to full time employment with this agency. The entire process from training, apprenticeship, and getting hired on with full time employment took under a year and I was fully supported by Catalyte the entire time. 

I cannot stress enough how helpful they were during my apprenticeship by making sure I was in a position that I was comfortable in and I had weekly check ins with Catalyte managers to discuss my full time transition and any other issues I may have encountered. The ability to work remotely during this time was great and it opened a door into a career I normally would not have known about or been able to train myself on. Managers and instructors on the Catalyte end expected you to be on top of your game, but I definitely feel like my efforts were rewarded. As long as you are coachable and willing to learn, this is a great company to work with to transition into a new career. They honestly want to see you in a successful career by the time you are done with your training and apprenticeship and they give you the resources and support needed every step of the way!

I really enjoyed my time at Catalyte, and am so grateful to the doors my experience with the company has opened for me. 

During my time in the Digital Media Buying (Programmatic) program, I went from knowing nothing about it as a career path to flourishing in the job. My experience with the instructors and the rest of the team was constructive, positive, and encouraging. They were incredibly involved in my learning and succeeding, as well as those of my fellow cohort members. Additionally, the program is paid, which is a standout compared to predatory quick-hire schemes. 

I feel incredibly well-equipped to continue a career in Programmatic advertising, and fortunate to have had an experience with Catalyte. From the entirely remote course with achievable modules and practices, to the office hours with the knowledgeable instructors and one-on-one meetings with the team, it's one of the best educational experiences I've ever had. Additionally, the feedback received is structured, so you actually understand how to improve without any hurtful judgment, and know that everyone in the company strives for said improvement. 

The certifications are career-standard and go a long way in the field. You gain practical knowledge in platforms that are used daily in real PRG jobs, which I can say from the experience I now have in one! The company culture is uplifting and welcoming, and did not falter once in my time there. 

This position is to train you to become a Full-Stack Developer. There is zero hand holding in teaching you what you need to know, making it much more challenging for people for whom this position would be ideal. If you can successfully make it through this program, YOU DO NOT NEED IT. I say this because even though they offer excellent internal learning resources, they designed the program so that you often have to find your own resources and learn on your own. Since you would be in a below-market salary contract of $40k for two years, you will be much better off learning on entirely your own so that you can make what is typical of this line of work at the very least $70k for an entry position.

Pros
By signing the contract, you are pretty much guaranteed a job, though I have heard that people have been laid off before.

By Successfully completing the program, you will be job ready for an entry Full-Stack Software Development role

You'll have a network/class of people whom you will be learning and jumping the same hurdles

All TA's I've met so far have been wonderful, with the exception of just one bad apple

Cons
You are stuck in an underpaying 2-year contract
 
You are better off going the self-learning route and being able to negotiate your salary


I truly think Catalyte was one of the best opportunities I ever came across for someone like me who wanted to transition to a new field. Not only do they pay you in training, you are guaranteed a job (you do not have to pay anything for said job). The 8 week training is tough, they hold you to the highest standard, but it really pushes you to grow. Once you graduate, you get benefits, PTO, and pay while being an apprentice. After 4.5 months, I now have a full time job in a career field that I had no direct skills or education prior. It is a one of a kind company and if you are willing to put in the work and learn from the feedback given, you will have the ability to transition. I did the digital media planning vertical so I cannot fully speak on the other verticals offered. I really do encourage everyone who wants to transition to apply.  

The course consisted of two phases. The training phase lasted two months. Typical workday was a daily check in followed by instructor presentation and module coursework. Some of the coursework is also self-taught and will require discipline on your end. Staff is always eager to answer questions and extensive reference materials are made readily available. 

The next phase is the apprenticeship, which takes place at an ad agency. It lasts six months and converts to a full-time role if all goes to plan. I recently began my full-time position and I couldn't be happier. I'm working for a popular ad agency with a flexible wfh environment and great pay. I highly recommend this program for anyone interested in learning more about digital media. It is a great opportunity for anyone looking to break into a new field or switch careers. 

I highly recommend the Digital Media program at Catalyte. I had no idea where an online assessment would take me, but glad I took this leap of faith in one of the first cohorts.
The Program consists of an eight-week long paid training, followed by a six-month apprenticeship. The training was intense but extremely rewarding, and I am grateful for the support, instruction, and valuable skills I gained. Catalyte provides an excellent opportunity to learn and gain experience in digital marketing that can lead to a new career in analytics, search, social media, programmatic, media buying, and others. They are creating a valuable, positive impact by providing this opportunity for professional growth regardless of academic or professional background.

Catalyte offers a very unique opportunity for those without a degree or those looking to make a career change. They have a great training program that requires no previous development experience (though it certainly is helpful). Everyone both in management and other coworkers is very supportive and encouraging of each other. Low stress, nice and polite people, no pressure from management, freedom. A great company which looks to equally give everyone a fair chance. i learned a lot from my mentor Mr christians. The hardest part was sinking in all the information, so much to learn so be optimistic and ready to learn.

At Catalyte you get both education and experience to kickstart a career in the software industry. They fully train people with or without a degree, then once training is over you are put on various client projects or internal projects. Never have to worry about having to find a different job as soon as a contract ends because Catalyte maintains a bench and continues paying employees while waiting for another contract. The only downside is the pay, since Catalyte provides all training they pay less than market rate.

Catalyte’s apprenticeship program both teaches the material and prepares you for a career in an industry with a path for growth. You will have to undergo a lower pay than your Job entails for a period of time to account for the paid training given. I believe it can be worth it if you’re in a situation that allows you to work with that salary, but it can be a strain. The work is remote, which is a benefit if you prefer it. 


Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Media planner 1 salary reported	$41,500 per year
Software engineer 3 salaries reported	$54,333 per year
Apprentice 9 salaries reported	$15.74 per hour
Entry level software engineer 13 salaries reported	$16.92 per hour
Technical support 2 salaries reported	$19.24 per hour

Working at Catalyte: Company Overview and Reviews

Catalyte

Catalyte Ratings

Popular jobs at Catalyte

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected