Coding bootcamps are becoming more and more popular around the nation as an alternative to degree programs for individuals looking to jumpstart their careers in coding and maybe raise their pay due to the growing need for qualified software and web developers.
Compared to typical educational pathways, bootcamps allow students to pay less and spend less time developing their skills while still landing a job at a prestigious company.
More than 90% of job-eligible alumni at coding bootcamps secure employment within a year of graduation, according to a common brag. Some programs even offer a money-back guarantee because they are so sure that graduates will find employment within a few months.
However, are these intensive, brief sessions really worth the money spent? Yes, provided you’re ready to forgo a college degree, have the self-control to complete online courses, and take advantage of career coaching options.
An emphasis on practical skills and project-based learning
Coding bootcamps prioritize project-based learning and hands-on experience while emphasizing practical, job-ready skills. This is one of their main selling factors.
Bootcamp graduates can rapidly gain the skills they need to enter the workforce and make an instant impact by concentrating on real-world applications and industry-relevant technologies, all while earning a decent pay. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that IT and computer-related jobs pay an average of more than $95,000 annually.
Universities have not traditionally placed as much emphasis on the hard and soft skills needed to land a job as bootcamps do, according to Seth Greenberg, vice president of program operations at Springboard, an online bootcamp that offers courses in cybersecurity, software engineering, and data science.
“We’re giving you the tools to not just land your first job after graduating from our programs, but also to successfully navigate subsequent job searches—which you will probably undertake numerous times during your career,” Greenberg tells Fortune.
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In terms of cost, a full bootcamp can be completed for less money than a private university semester, and it can help you avoid general education requirements that could impede your ability to pursue your job goals. The entire cost of many bootcamps ranges from $10,000 to $20,000, which your boost in post-graduation pay may more than cover.
What exactly is the effect on kids attending boot camps? Course Report states that graduates of boot camps often see a raise in pay of 51%; further increases in pay may be possible in subsequent positions. Software developers specifically receive an average compensation boost of $28,000 at Springboard.
Benefits from coding boot camps go beyond increased pay for graduates. Companies frequently appreciate that candidates from boot camps have a portfolio of work that demonstrates their ability to learn through projects and group projects, according to Lupe Colangelo, manager of outcomes partnerships at General Assembly, a company that provides training in data science, software engineering, and web development.
With all these benefits, attending a bootcamp to learn to code is becoming more and more common. According to Stack Overflow’s Developer Survey, ten percent of developers said they picked up coding skills during a bootcamp. Additionally, by teaching the next generation of engineers in the most in-demand languages—Python, SQL, and JavaScript—these camps improve the industry as a whole.
Access networking and career services
Numerous bootcamps have established robust connections with both large corporations and startups, providing students with prompt access to internship and direct employment prospects upon graduation. Bootcamp graduates are hired by businesses, organizations, and even government agencies, according to Colangelo. Among the biggest employers of recent graduates from boot camps are Amazon and JPMorgan Chase, but other notable companies include Madison Reed and John Deere.
Numerous bootcamps emphasize how dedicated they are to providing professional coaching and mentoring to students in order to assist them in networking, job searching, and negotiating.
“We just think that having access to a strong curriculum isn’t enough; you also need a lot of human support to get hired and advance in your career,” adds Greenberg.
Certain bootcamps, like Springboard, promise employment. Students may be eligible for a complete refund if, within six months of graduation, they are unable to get work. This assurance can assist assure that the time and money spent at a bootcamp will result in tangible career advancement.
You can use the alum networks of bootcamps, many of which have thousands of alumni, to help you get a job at the company of your dreams.
Greater flexibility, accessibility compared to degree programs
For some students with work or family responsibilities, traditional college computer science programs can provide multi-year problems. Conversely, coding bootcamps are unique in that they provide shorter learning styles. For those looking to save money as well as those who are keen to advance their tech career quickly, this gap is significant.
“It is far, far more economical. We’re teaching you what’s vital and doing it in a lot less time,” adds Greenberg.
Program durations vary, ranging from a few weeks to many months, contingent upon the degree of intensity. Bootcamps include part-time and full-time intense training, sometimes even in-person (like these bootcamps in New York).
A new day for students and recruiters
Employers face difficulties finding qualified IT talent through traditional recruiting tactics due to their growing hiring needs. Nearly 90% of hiring managers, according to Colangelo, do not feel that their methods for finding and hiring candidates are effective. Prospective bootcamp students should think about this route now as they may discover that they are in the right location at the right moment, equipped with the abilities needed to alleviate employer pain points.
Therefore, the answer to the question of whether or not a coding bootcamp could improve your skill set and pay is unquestionably yes. A quicker, more adaptable, and less expensive option to acquire skills and gain access to networking and employment resources could be through bootcamps. Finding the right bootcamp for you will still come down to figuring out what kind of skills you need for your desired career and which educational path would best enable you to realize that goal. You can then alter that “maybe” to a “yes.”