S2E11: Q&A Capstone, Assessments, DPP, & 2020 Salaries with Chris

S2E11: Q&A Capstone, Assessments, DPP, & 2020 Salaries with Chris

Author: Launch School May 15, 2021 Duration: 1:07:06

In this episode, Staacy and I held a Zoom Q & A. I was happily surprised by the wide-range of topics that we got to dive into. Questions ranged from knowing if you’re on track for Capstone, when and how to get a job, how your age affects a career in tech, how to know if Launch School is for you, and how the Deferred Payment Program works.

Whether you’re new to Launch School, been here for awhile, or trying to figure out if you should try it, I shared a lot about why we do what we do and how it works in the “real world.” I’m biased, but I have the numbers to back me up: mastery-based learning really works, and it works long-term.

Speaking of numbers, our conversation concluded with the 2020 Capstone base salaries. I’m constantly blown away by how well Launch School students do — both in their projects and in the jobs they land. In 2020, we saw an increase in base salaries despite doubling in size, remote jobs, and COVID.


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
2024 Capstone Salary Data Insights with Chris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:08
In this episode, Chris shares insights from the most recent salary data for Capstone graduates who began Capstone in 2024. He highlights notable trends, including the return to office and the significant salary gap for r…
Capstone 2026 Updates: Adapting to a Changing Market [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Major Curriculum Updates with Chris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:51
In this session, we covered three big updates happening at Launch School. First, we introduced the new LSBot feature, which provides code reviews for exercies to help fill in support gaps. Chris touches on interesting qu…
S5E15: Daniel Nalesnik - Founder of HackChinese and Core Graduate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:21
In this episode, Chris interviews Daniel Nalesnik, the creator of Hack Chinese and a core curriculum graduate. Daniel used the fundamentals learned in the core program to build his own business. They spend the first part…
S5E12: Missy Lovegren - From Fine Arts to Software Engineering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:48
In this episode, Chris interviews Missy Lovegren, a Capstone grad and software engineer at New Relic. Missy was a TA at Launch School and part of a 2022 Capstone cohort. They spend the first part of the episode discussin…
S5E10: Felicia Bacon - A Lifelong Learner Thriving at Starbucks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:28
In this episode, Chris has a conversation with Felicia Bacon, a Capstone grad and Software Engineer at Starbucks. Felicia made a trajectory change after studying to be an architect for several years. Her core curriculum…