techniques to help you advance your career as a software developer. ... Sales, time management, billing, estimating and
JumpStartFM FAQ This is a short list of our most frequently asked questions. For more information about JumpStartFM or to register for the next session, please visit the website or email Molly Connolly or Heidi Rettig. What is JumpStartFM? JumpStartFM is a one-month, online course for FileMaker developers taught by some of the most respected developers in the field. The instructors have designed a set of “hands-on” projects that -- after an initial one-on-one program planning – will be tailored to your skill level and desired learning outcomes. The coursework and webinars are deliberately paced to help you absorb information, but you will need to be self-motivated to get the most out of the course. Once a week, the instructors host a “live check-in” session and answer questions from the group. JumpStartFM is not just a technical training class. The course also includes project management tools and techniques to help you advance your career as a software developer. The ultimate goal of JumpStartFM is to help you develop both technical and project management skills and move your career to the next level. How does JumpStartFM work? We understand that you have a busy schedule and have designed a flexible, hands-on class. JumpStartFM can be done from the office or from home and requires no travel. You will complete a series of pre-recorded webinars, homework assignments and participate in live chat sessions. The one-hour live sessions are held each Monday. You will have an opportunity to ask questions, get feedback, and share ideas with classmates during this time, and the class also shares information via an online resource. You receive a technical review from your instructors on each assignment via email. To get the most out of JumpStartFM, you will need to be self-motivated and invest the time required to complete the assigned projects. I’m a senior developer. Why should I take JumpStartFM? Your instructors will tailor your project work to your experience level, and you’ll receive one-on-one feedback. If you’re thinking about going off on your own, this course includes in-depth insight into the process of consulting. Sales, time management, billing, estimating and quality assurance techniques are all part of JumpStartFM, and they are key elements of running a financially successful consulting business. We want to make sure you get the most out of the technical and business sessions so please us to see if this course is right for you. I’ve been working with FileMaker for several years now. I still have things to learn, but I’m not a beginner. Is this course right for me? We’ve geared the technical aspects of this course to address both beginning and mid-level developers. Perhaps you are a “power user” who wants to dig deeper on the development side. Perhaps you’ve been working with FileMaker on the development side and want to sharpen your skills in specific areas. We’ll develop a plan with each student to ensure you get the most out of this course, and you will receive a technical review from your instructors on each assignment via email.
I’m brand new to FileMaker – is JumpStartFM, a good class for me? Yes. JumpStartFM was originally designed for beginning developers with the goal of developing skills that they could use to assist their organization immediately with useful (billable) work. The course is an excellent introduction to FileMaker, and we will tailor project work to your skill level. You will receive a technical review from your instructors on each assignment via email. Who is teaching? JumpStartFM is an online course designed by Molly Connolly, President of Thorsen Consulting. Molly has been working with FileMaker since 1989 developing custom software solutions, training and high-quality information resources for clients and developers. Industry experts David Knight, Cris Ippolite, Matt Navarre and Debbie Zempel bring deep experience to the JumpStartFM program, offering rich experience custom software development and project management. Can I participate if I don’t live in the U.S.A.? Yes. JumpStartFM is a remote training course and you can pay the fees online via credit card. You will download pre-recorded webinars each week and feedback on your individual project work will be sent via email. What can I expect to get out of JumpStartFM? JumpStartFM is for developers who are committed to career advancement by developers with deep understanding of the field. Students who complete JumpStartFM can expect to come out of the course with a solid understanding of FileMaker and its capabilities. The course covers:
needs analysis and project planning; estimating and time management; system design and architecture; user interface, design and usability; designing for mobile with FileMakerGo; tools and resources developers can access to help solve problems; deployment, configuration, installation and backups and planning for customer service, support, and quality assurance.
If desired, students can work with instructors on an individual plan leading to certification. What can I learn from this course that I can’t get from reading white papers or online tutorials? The key benefit of JumpStartFM is the personalized feedback, coaching support and code reviews from instructors on your individual projects. Another key takeaway is the problem-solving context that JumpStartFM can provide – you’ll learn when to use specific solutions and how to make decisions at key junctures. Videos and books are a great resource to the FileMaker community, but they are missing the oversight, direction and feedback to help you develop your skills and move forward in your career. Can I ask my instructors questions outside of class? Yes. Email is the best way to communicate with your instructors outside of class time.
How much is JumpStartFM? The cost of the one-month course is $3,000 ($250 early bird discount for student’s registering before May 1). FMPug members get an additional $250 discount on the price of tuition. That means FMPug members who register before May 1 will save $500! The JumpStartFM tuition fee includes live seminars, pre-recorded webinars and oneon-one feedback on project work from your instructors. Recommended materials reference materials cost an additional $50-200. What kind of software will I need to participate in this course? One copy of FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced (preferred.) You said additional expenses may be required. Can you explain what you mean and how much this might cost? All of the exercises for the class are included in the price of JumpStartFM. Students can expect to spend an additional $50-$200 if they decide to incorporate the additional materials into their long-term professional development plan. We recommend the following training materials and memberships: FileMaker Training Series (FTS); FileMaker Tech Net Membership; FM forums membership and FileMaker Magazine. What happens if I’m struggling to balance my work responsibilities with my JumpStart assignments? Work happens. In the past, we’ve been able to help a few students in similar situations by extending the training time and spreading the JumpStartFM assignments out over an extra month or two. To receive feedback from instructors, however, you will still need to meet the minimum requirements on the course schedule, and we cannot provide one-on-one feedback beyond the month-long course period. I need a certificate of completion for my employer. Can you provide documentation like this? Yes. If you need a certificate of completion for your employer, please let us know at the time of registration. Still have questions? We would love to talk to you and make sure this course is a good fit for you. If you still have questions, please email Molly Connolly or Thorsen Consulting’s marketing manager, Heidi Rettig with questions or if you’d like to discuss how JumpStart could work for you.
