Dev Degree: Behind the Scenes

Jean-Michel Lemieux, CTO
12 min readbeginner
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Overview

The article discusses the Dev Degree program at Shopify, which integrates university education with hands-on developer experience over four years. It highlights the program's structure, curriculum, and the collaborative effort required to prepare students for successful careers in software development.

What You'll Learn

1

How to apply classroom theory to real-life product development

2

Why hands-on developer experience accelerates learning

3

How to leverage mentorship for personal and professional growth

4

When to seek feedback during team placements

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Basic understanding of software development concepts
  • Prior exposure to programming or coding is beneficial(optional)

Key Questions Answered

What is the structure of the Dev Degree program at Shopify?
The Dev Degree program is structured to provide students with four years of continuous hands-on developer experience at Shopify while attending university. Students engage in skills training and team placements, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical software development tasks.
How does the Dev Degree program ensure student success?
The program ensures student success through a multidisciplinary team that includes student success specialists, placement specialists, and mentors. These individuals provide support, guidance, and actionable feedback, helping students transition smoothly into professional environments.
What are the benefits of the Dev Degree program for graduates?
Graduates of the Dev Degree program are well-rounded developers with extensive experience across multiple teams. Notably, 100% of graduates have accepted full-time positions within six months of graduation, showcasing the program's effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce.
What technologies are taught in the Dev Degree program?
Students in the Dev Degree program learn a variety of technologies including Command Line Interface (CLI), Git & GitHub, Ruby, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Databases, Ruby on Rails, React, TypeScript, and GraphQL. This diverse skill set prepares them for various roles in software development.

Key Statistics & Figures

Graduation success rate
100%
All graduates have accepted full-time positions within six months of graduation.

Technologies & Tools

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Key Actionable Insights

1
Integrate hands-on experience with theoretical learning to enhance student engagement.
By allowing students to apply what they learn in real-world scenarios, they can better understand complex concepts and retain information longer.
2
Foster a culture of mentorship within your organization.
Mentorship not only aids in student development but also enriches the workplace culture, creating a supportive environment that encourages growth and collaboration.
3
Utilize feedback loops to continuously improve the learning experience.
Regular feedback helps students identify areas for improvement and reinforces their learning, making them more effective contributors to their teams.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to provide adequate foundational training can leave students unprepared for team placements.
Without a solid foundation in developer skills, students may struggle to contribute effectively, which can hinder their confidence and growth during placements.

Related Concepts

Work-integrated Learning
Mentorship In Software Development
Hands-on Programming Experience
Collaboration Between Universities And Industry