Praxis
p/praxis
You don't need college to unlock a career you love.
Brian Nuckols
Praxis — Apprenticeship program and career accelerator
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Praxis is a professional bootcamp + paid startup apprenticeship for people ready to launch a career, no degree required. Startups aren't just for coders, and apprenticeships aren't just for welders!

We help people build a body of work to showcase skills and win career opportunities, then place them in an awesome role at a startup!

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Ryan Hoover
I had the pleasure of chatting with @isaacmorehouse recently to learn about Praxis. There are a billion coding bootcamps to teach people how to become developers and outside traditional education there are relatively few companies focused on teaching non-tech skills (which makes up the majority of professions). I'm curious how Praxis has changed/evolved since you got started ~4 years ago, @isaacmorehouse?
Isaac M. Morehouse
@rrhoover whew! Great question. Our Education Director TK Coleman can probably talk for a few hours on all we've learned and how it's led to our evolution! I'd say a few keys: >One of the biggest hurdles for people starting their career is fear of getting "trapped" in a job. We've learned how to help people discover good career starting points, and help them see it as just that - a starting point. Helping people adopt an experimental mindset, vs. a locked-in-for-eternity "pick what you want to be when you grow up" has been huge. >We discovered participant usually need a "deschooling" process for the first month or two. The schooled mindset runs deep, and it makes it a lot harder to build a great career! We've adapted our curriculum and coaching early in the program to help people realize that they aren't here to follow rule, but create goals for themselves. This isn't about right/wrong, it's about cause/effect. >It's crucial to help people see things from the perspective of those who make hiring decisions. Small stuff like sloppy email use sends really big, bad signals, but people just starting their careers don't understand why. It's not enough to say, "don't do this", we've got to find contexts to put participants in the shoes of hiring managers so they can see why it's a problem. We've incorporated a lot of really cool feedback and content and projects that do this. Those are a few big ones! We're constantly, relentlessly adapting and improving to better help our customers achieve their career goals.
Isaac M. Morehouse
Hey everyone! At Praxis we're committed to helping people discover and do what makes them come alive. The stale, stagnant, credentialist conveyor belt is dying. Good. We're helping people gain skills and build a signal of those skills through a "body of work" - a collection of real projects that prove their ability, and then leverage that into an apprenticeship. Resumes and degrees won't get you skills, and they won't get you interviews. You have to be your own credential, and we can help! The coolest thing is that we focus primarily on non-tech people, and help them get awesome non-tech roles (usually at tech companies!). Things like sales, marketing, customer success, and operations are amazing starting points to get into the real world and learn more about yourself and the market. We've launched over 250 careers. 96% of our grads get hired straight away, at an average salary of $50k. Almost none of them have degrees. By the time their peers do, they've got 3+ years of work experience and a whole lot more! Our program has a net cost of zero. You earn more than you pay in tuition. But it's hard. This isn't school, with a bunch of hoop-jumping and grade-grubbing. You've got to commit to growth and learn to create value. OK, hit me with questions, and if you know anyone who's a good fit for the program, send them our way! We have tons of free career launch resources at our website too!
Alec von Barnekow

I was recently accepted to the Praxis program. I'm currently in the pre-program. And I'm totally fulfilled, the community and the Praxis team are fantastic. The modules are very interesting, I think I learned more in 2 weeks than in 3 months at school.

Pros:

Great community and the modules are very interesting. Very selective, so only the best get accepted.

Cons:

Can't get a business partner if you don't have a green card. Also not in remote..

Josh Fechter

I've hired one of their program participants and have had a great experience with them.

Pros:

Best education program for young entrepreneurs

Cons:

Nothing

Lita Allgyer

I got accepted into the Praxis program in July of 2017. Even before I started the program, I was invited into a community of people that pushed me past my limits and encouraged me to never stop growing. The community constantly collaborates on projects. The more experienced ones pass on their knowledge, and the flow of ideas never stops in the community.

During the 6-month boot camp, I was challenged more than ever before in my life. I became a better writer and thinker, and I learned the basic skills that it takes to succeed in the startup world today. This boot camp is something that many people try to get from a 4-year business degree, in 1/8 of the time!

The cool thing is, the entire program was entirely customizable to my individual career goals. Advisors worked one-on-one with me as I completed the boot camp and kept me accountable to my own plans and ideas.

The second half of the program is the apprenticeship. I'm making back the money I put into the program. I'm being paid to learn! There's nothing like taking the reins of your career and learning by experience.

Now, I'm almost finished with my apprenticeship as a marketing associate. It's been the best $12,000 year of my life!

Pros:

It's the experience that entrepreneurial-minded young adults need.

Cons:

It's a new idea that is just catching on!

Caitlyn Scheel

As soon as I joined the online community of participants, alumni and advisors I knew that Praxis was the best decision I could have made for my career.

I immediatley dived into the curriculum, workshops and group disucssion to start building my personal website, pitch deck and learning how to pitch yourself to businesses without a degree.

Within 4 months (before my offical start-date) I'd landed an internship that I leveraged into a full-time marketing role, working remote for a company in Australia. Now, a year and a half later, I'm still there and am incredibly satisfied with the skills I've been able to learn, and experience I've gained.

Throughout the entire experience all of my Praxis advisors were there to bounce ideas off of, offer guidance and connect me with other participants/alumni to talk things through with.

Without a doubt, Praxis has been a life changing experience that I'll never regret and look forward to continuing as a recent grad.

Pros:

Fantastic community and amazing advisors that help you get the most out of your apprenticeship

Cons:

No cons. Praxis does everything they say and then some. If you're willing to put in the work, you won't leave disappointed.

Steven Schauberger
Praxis is a phenomenal business that is already changing the way I look at life, and the challenges is gives me. As a participant, I have been pushed by the advisors and the rest of the community to strive for the best in everything I do. Praxis is the only place that I have found that shares of the same passion towards the importance of creation as I do, and they have taken it to a whole new level. When I decided to choose Praxos over college, I was admittedly nervous, but upon my opening seminar I can say with 100% certainty that whatever doubt I had was eradicated. I believe strongly in they're program and the positive knowledge I will gain from it. I believe strongly in they're team of advisors that have help ed me along the path. Most importantly, and thanks to Praxis, I believe strongly in myself and my ability to create value wherever I go!
Isaac M. Morehouse
@stevieschaw Go get it!
Steven Schauberger

Praxis is a phenomenal business that is already changing the way I look at life, and the challenges is gives me. As a participant, I have been pushed by the advisors and the rest of the community to strive for the best in everything I do. Praxis is the only place that I have found that shares of the same passion towards the importance of creation as I do, and they have taken it to a whole new level. When I decided to choose Praxos over college, I was admittedly nervous, but upon my opening seminar I can say with 100% certainty that whatever doubt I had was eradicated. I believe strongly in they're program and the positive knowledge I will gain from it. I believe strongly in they're team of advisors that have help ed me along the path. Most importantly, and thanks to Praxis, I believe strongly in myself and my ability to create value wherever I go!

Pros:

You gain a strong sense of where you can add value, and how to do it.

Cons:

No cons.

Julianna Carbonare

I was accepted to the Praxis program this past May. I start the program officially in October, but as a pre-program participant there is already so much I can gather and say about the program. From the day I was accepted, my life, both externally and internally, changed profoundly. I feel myself changing everyday (for the better), and transforming into a more productive, creative, motivated human.

There is something really refreshing about being a part of a community of like-minded people. Despite differences in backgrounds, interests, and goals, we are all in the Praxis program because we share the same mindset about the Praxis mission: documenting a proven track record that there are (many) other ways to learning, success, happiness, goal-achievement outside of traditional higher education.

I'm very happy with the program thus far and I can't wait to see what else I can do.

Pros:

strong community, networking opportunities, many resources for learning all kinds of skills, PAID apprenticeship with an actual company

Cons:

Relatively new so they're still working out kinks in the program

Yitzchak Young

I didn’t have much hope for reaching my dreams and creating the career I wanted until I joined Praxis. I didn’t go to college, so I was always trying to make it on my own. I was a freelancer for a while, and then I started my own business with my brother, but nothing seemed to work out and I never knew why. It wasn’t until I realized that I needed the help of advisors to guide me in the right direction that things started moving. Having the Praxis community has also had a profound impact on not only my productivity, but on my view of the world as well.

Pros:

It is a great program for launching your career and fast-tracking your portfolio in whatever industry you want to get into.

Cons:

The community is still new so it’s still developing, but given how new they are, I say they’ve come a long way in a short time.

Hope Frances

Is it hard? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Is this for everyone? No.

Read my personal story from my blog here: http://hopeszymanski.com/how-i-b...

Pros:

Overwhelming amount of support through my advisors and the community to launch me into a career where I'm credible without a college degree.

Cons:

You get out what you put in, so if you don't want to work hard, don't expect to succeed in a big way.

John

I still remember the day when I was walking on campus to my next class, listening to a podcast, and I heard about Praxis. I stopped in my tracks.

I knew this was exactly what I needed to bypass through college and earn real, hands-on marketing experience. Which was something my college (or any college for that matter) really can't match.

I went through the program over a year ago and I would highly recommend it to anyone who prefers raw experience over sitting in classes "learning" about largely outdated information.

It improved my writing tenfold, helped morph me into a young professional, and I still get value out of the content Praxis regularly puts out.

Everyone at Praxis is so dedicated to you. And beyond that, they're dedicated to ending the increasingly-expensive, failing higher education model that we've all been led to believe is the only way to get a "real" job.

It was one of the best decisions I've ever made and was totally worth the few tough talks I had to have with my family when I told them I was officially dropping out of college.

Pros:

Fast forwarding through college!

Cons:

Not really a con, but you have to be ready to leave your comfort zone and try new things.

Jackson Sullivan

Easily the best career decision of my life, Praxis rocketed me from teen terrified of the future to confident person in the working world.

I was at home and like most kiddos my age, I was anxious and worried about “what to do with my life.” Praxis solved the problem.

I completed their professional bootcamp and learned the ideas and skills necessary to create legitimate value for real companies.

Then they helped me move across the country to work in a growing startup, where I learned an invaluable lesson: that every career is a dynamic, ever-changing animal, and that the most exciting part is adventuring through the endless roar of options.

It’s a shame we fret about ”a perfect future”, because we miss out on the fun that comes from discovering our future one experience at a time. That is what Praxis taught me, and I am more competent and happy in the world because of it.

Pros:

Excellent content, world-class training, and a life changing experience.

Cons:

Praxis doesn’t have job opps for every possible industry, but that will surely change soon.

Randi Hill

I knew from the moment I heard of Praxis that I wanted to be involved. It took me three tries to refine my application and get my acceptance into the program. Once in the program I found a group of driven individuals that put in the hard work every day. They challenge you to grow, to expand your thought process, and to work through the hard days one task at a time. Praxis not only allows you to kick start your career professionally but allows you to create friendships with people who are passionate about success as you! I've been in the community for 9 months and I started the program in March. My time has been just delightful! Every module is created to stretch you and push you just a little bit further out of your comfort zone. If you are looking for a way to individualize your education, look no more!

Pros:

Freedom to experience challenges and help to work through them.

Cons:

Limited (but growing) network as the concept of skipping college is becoming popular.

Lauren Marlowe

The application process to Praxis was fun and very challenging! It felt very rewarding to get accepted in June of 2017. I went to the 3 day workshop/meetup in August in Atlanta and left feeling inspired by all the smart and creative people I met who were alumni, current participants, or mentors. Praxis pushed me to hustle harder than I ever had before, but now I look back at all the work I published to my website and feel proud and empowered.

During the apprenticeship interview process, Praxis did a great job of preparing me to talk to each company and my mentor Ryan was fantastic. Chuck and TK Coleman gave me great advice over a couple calls and emails. The resources they have on the Praxis portal and the mentors are very accessible and valuable.

My apprenticeship has been better than I could ever ask for. I'm challenged every day to be creative, solve problems, and meet deadlines. My coworkers have turned into my family while some have turned into exceptional mentors to help me grow in my career.

I've recently signed an offer to work for this company full time and I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who's willing to hustle for the things that will make you feel fulfilled and valuable.

Pros:

I got my dream job!

Cons:

The remote bootcamp requires some self motivation

Mitchell Broderick

My BP taught me everything I'd ever need to know at a foundational level about sales and marketing, or more specifically, becoming a persuasive communicator, whether it is by phone, in person, or through writing. This is allowed me an incredible amount of freedom in my career. If you value creating a life with immense financial and professional freedom, Praxis is going to be a great start for you.

Pros:

Because of Praxis, I made/make a whole bunch of money

Cons:

No cons, my goal was to learn to be valuable enough to make a bunch of money and I was able to do that.

B C
I wanted to radically change my life after leaving school at a young age 17 years ago. I read as much as I could, while working constantly and developing discipline, and when I was ready to translate that into a big step I found Praxis. Praxis made me step up my self-development and got me writing every day as a part of the program. I entered Praxis aiming for a sales or marketing position, but discovered that writing was something I could really love doing for a living. Praxis introduced me to my current employer, and I am currently working full-time as a journalist. Not only would I have never met my employer without Praxis, but I don't think I would have translated my research and desire for knowledge into the tangible goals I have now. I recommend Praxis to everyone.
Isaac M. Morehouse
@byronchiado Awesome seeing you rock and roll.
Chris Morbitzer

I was a participant in the first Praxis class in 2014. It's changed a bit since then, but all for the better. Praxis taught me practical skills needed to get and excel at a career, especially at a small business or startup, and the mindset/philosophical foundation needed to develop on my own. It's been a privilege to remain a part of the community and continue to grow with them as an alumnus even after my official time as a participant has passed.

Pros:

Learn the useful business skills and mindset that school didn't teach you

Cons:

None

Brad Matthews

The single most important, challenging, and life-changing educational / professional program I have ever been a part of. My growth from where I was 3 years ago is nothing short of profound.

Go through the program, consume the blog posts, and put them into practice. Do that and you will never again have to worry about getting a job you want.

The value you receive is as much as the effort you're willing to put in. The best part is life-time access to the community, if you fall short you can make it up to yourself later on. You will be challenged, you will be engaged, and you will be driven to continually improve and grow. I cannot recommend the program highly enough.

Pros:

Great community of top quality people, tons of support from mindset to career to negotiation. Lots of opportunity for growth and learning.

Cons:

The 3-4 cons I had have all been corrected. Just know all responsibility to extract value from the program is on you — as it should be.

Mary Kate Lewis

I did this program during the early stages (started in September of 2014). They have continued to improve it! This program requires grit and hard work but allows young people to get ahead of their peers in launching a career and gaining valuable skills. I do not regret my decision to do the program and recommend it to ambitious young people who want more than college.

Pros:

Affordable (net zero cost), challenging, great network of alumni

Cons:

Still growing their network of business partners but it continues to get better