Capstone 2026 Updates: Adapting to a Changing Market

Capstone 2026 Updates: Adapting to a Changing Market

Author: Launch School August 18, 2025 Duration: 1:02:47

Launch School has been investing in students and AI while adapting to the evolving software engineering landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Chris to discuss what Capstone students can expect in 2026.

Tune in for a discussion on:

  • Moving from three Capstone cohorts per year to two
  • New open source initiatives and internship opportunities to help grads build experience
  • Strategies and logistics for managing a longer job hunt
  • How the core curriculum has been evolving alongside Capstone over the years
  • Chris’s perspective on the future of software engineering

In a rapidly changing market shaped by AI, we’re committed to transparency and to investing in students’ success and preparation for today’s industry. The future is full of opportunity. 🚀


For anyone curious about the deliberate, patient path to becoming a true software craftsman, the Launch School Podcast offers a grounded and insightful companion. This isn't about quick hacks or trending frameworks; it's a deep, ongoing conversation about the fundamentals of mastery itself. Each episode connects through the shared experiences of learning to code, drawing on voices from within the Launch School community and beyond. You'll hear from students navigating the curriculum, employers discussing what they truly value in developers, and seasoned engineers reflecting on the principles of long-term career growth. Discussions naturally explore effective study habits, the philosophy of mastery-based learning, and the practical realities of transitioning into a professional role. By focusing on the underlying process of expertise, this podcast provides a unique and thoughtful resource for anyone committed to a meaningful education in technology. Tune in for honest conversations that reframe the journey of learning to code as one of continuous, intentional growth.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 57

Launch School Podcast
Podcast Episodes
S5E7: Launch School Explained with Chris Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:12
In this episode, recorded at the end of 2023, Brandi asks Chris the most frequently asked questions that current and potential students have. Chris starts the episode with a recap of the story of Launch School, and how h…
S5E6: Julia Martin - The Journey from JS101 to Databricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
In this episode, Chris interviews Julia Martin, a Capstone graduate and software engineer working at Databricks. Julia shares her story about deciding to make a career transition from business to software. Her interest i…
S5E4: Jon Kulton - From Software Engineering to SRE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:59
In this episode, Chris interviews Captsone Graduate Jon Kulton, a software engineer at Datadog. Before Launch School, Jon was a UX designer in a role that included some programming. Ultimately, Jon decided he wanted to t…
S5E3: Student Resources - The SPOT & GatherTown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:30
In this episode, Chris meets with JD and Daniel, two SPOT Admins and current students. They chat about what the SPOT is, who it's for, and how it can complement your Launch School studies, both technically, but also as a…
S5E2: Student Spotlight - ADHD and Parenthood with Benjamin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:34
In this episode, Brandi has a conversation with Benjamin Walker, a current student, nearing the end of the back-end portion of the curriculum. They discuss Benjamin's approach to balancing full-time parenthood and his jo…
S5E1: Ginni Pinckert - Ancient Greek to AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:59
In this episode, Chris interviews Ginni Pinckert, a software engineer at Sudowrite. Ginni is a recent capstone graduate, finishing in early 2023. She has a diverse background pre-Launch School, having studied classical l…
S5E0: Welcome to Season 5! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12
A quick introduction to this season with a peek at what's to come.
S4E8: Capstone Salary Reflections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:51
In this episode Chris and Karis discuss the latest Capstone Salaries page update. Chris shares important data to look out for on the new salaries page, and provides advice when comparing other career-launching programs o…