Ready for Coding Boot Camp? Read This First
Posted November 15th, 2017
With demand for software developers remaining high, many job seekers look to establish or sharpen their coding skills by attending boot camps. This intense form of training gives a person a chance to up their level of competency quickly, and many focus on real-world scenarios, making much of the experience incredibly practical.
Since interest in coding boot camps has increased significantly over recent years, there are more options on the market today than ever before. Additionally, it has become easier to secure financial aid for these programs, making it less of an upfront financial burden for some.
Companies are also increasingly open to recognizing the skills one can acquire through a coding boot camp, making the decision to attend potentially highly lucrative.
If you’re considering attending a hiring boot camp, here’s what you need to know.
Tech Professionals are In-Demand
As technology becomes a larger part of almost every industry, demand for IT skills has skyrocketed. Couple that with low unemployment among these workers and retiring Baby Boomers creating vacancies, and there simply are not enough skilled candidates to go around, especially in fields like software development.
Companies are looking at boot camp graduates as a new resource to fill job openings, especially since much of the learning experience is very hands on. This means that, by being a graduate, you could likely qualify for opportunities in businesses throughout the nation.
Boot Camps are Intense
While most formal education is challenging, boot camps can be particularly intense. Often, students commit to a nine- to 12-week classroom-based program, and can easily spend 40 to 60 hours a week dedicated to the learning activities. In many cases, students will find the experience rewarding, but challenging.
It is important to note that many can’t support the educational workload while simultaneously holding a full-time job, making this approach less than ideal for professionals who can’t commit the 40+ hours per week required. However, some schools are offering different formats, which may be more suitable for someone who is also currently employed full-time.
Do Your Research
One issue with coding boot camps is they aren’t necessarily as regulated as traditional college degrees, especially if they aren’t offered by a reputable educational institution. Combine that with a potentially high price tag, and you want to make sure you select a boot camp that can live up to its promises.
Information about graduation and placement rates aren’t as accessible for coding boot camps as they are for degree programs, so a camp may tout helping students secure amazing post-graduation jobs even if that doesn’t happen for the majority. In fact, some schools artificially inflate their success rates, so it’s important to really dig into the details of any statistic.
Additionally, some of these programs encourage attendees to take on risky loans to support the expense, which can have long-term consequences. Certain boot camps may have alternatives, like sponsorship from a major company or scholarship opportunities, which can bring the total cost down to zero, so make sure to explore every financial aid option before resorting to a loan.
Before attending any boot camp, do some research into the companies and choose one with a solid, verifiable reputation. That way, your investment is more likely to be worthwhile.
If you are currently looking for a new job, the team at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruiters today.
