Coding bootcamps are programs that teach students how to code, typically in a short period of time, often in just 3-6 months. These coding schools offer an affordable alternative for people who can’t afford expensive colleges or can’t commit the time needed to take traditional coding courses.
There are many different coding boot camps available so it’s important to do your research before choosing one. We’ll go over some of the most popular coding boot camps below. Many don’t require any prior programming experience.
You’ll also find that some are very expensive, while others cost much less. It depends on the coding school and the location of the school. This is another reason it’s important to explore all the options when selecting your school.
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What are Coding Bootcamps?
Coding bootcamps are intensive, immersive coding education programs that take people who have little or no coding knowledge and quickly teach them enough coding skills to get a job as a developer, or in a number of other disciplines. These coding boot camps are popping up all over the country, with the main benefit being a quicker path towards becoming a coder than traditional universities offer.
Coding bootcamps are meant for people who are dedicated to learning the skill, and require a good amount of commitment. If you are not committed to learning coding at a fast pace and through immersive means, coding bootcamps are probably not the best option for you. They can vary in cost, but are not always cheap, so if you’re not sure about your move, you can consider getting your feet wet with an online course beforehand.
Coding bootcamps teach people the basics of coding, with most coding boot camps beginning by teaching HTML and CSS, then advancing on to PHP, Javascript, Ruby on Rails and other coding languages. The coding bootcamp will set out milestones for students and teach coding languages that will help students achieve those goals.
Once graduating from a coding bootcamp, you’ll typically have access to entry level positions in whatever discipline you concentrated. While more and more companies are hiring bootcamp grads, keep in mind you will be competing with people who have bachelor’s degrees as well. That means you may have to spend a little more time in the hunt for a job, but there are no shortage of success stories out there.
What’s the Difference Between Coding Bootcamp and University?
Coding bootcamps are like career schools in that they are highly focused on preparing you for one job. A university can also prepare you for coding in a number of disciplines, but you’ll need to take many other general course requirements in order to get your degree.
With the rise of technology, coding bootcamps are becoming popular because they can save you a lot of money compared to a university. Instead of having to pay for four years of school, you can typically be done in a matter of months at a coding bootcamp.
That’s an enticing business case to choose coding bootcamp over a university path. But remember you need to be confident that the coding profession you’re seeking is what you really want. If you’re confused about your career options and want to take some generalized coursework before deciding, a community college or university is a good option.
Bootcamps can teach coding languages like: HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Ruby, Python and many others. Coding bootcamp programs range from 10 weeks to 6 months and include a job placement program as well as resume support. In coding bootcamp classes, you’ll learn how to build your own website as well as apps for your smartphone. You will also have the opportunity to meet hiring companies so that you’ll be prepared once you graduate coding bootcamp!
In coding bootcamps you will not only gain knowledge about coding computer languages but coding careers as well. Coding club at school is a great start but coding bootcamps take things a few steps further by immersing students in coding concepts through hands-on projects and coding projects.
What is the Curriculum at Coding Bootcamp?
The curriculum for coding bootcamp programs is usually rigorous and includes both in-class lectures and out-of-class assignments to ensure that students have a chance to practice coding outside class time.
This can include front-end development, back-end development, data science, design fundamentals among other things depending on what coding skill set you’re trying to learn.
Bootcamps can teach coding languages like: HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Ruby, Python and many others. Coding bootcamp programs range from 10 weeks to 6 months and often include a job placement program as well as resume support. In coding bootcamp classes, you’ll likely learn how to build your own website as well as apps for your smartphone. You will also have the opportunity to meet hiring companies so that you’ll be prepared once you graduate coding bootcamp!
What Are The Key Benefits of Attending a Coding Bootcamp?
The biggest advantage of a coding bootcamp is saving both time and money. As discussed already, you can have job ready skills in just a few weeks in very high demand fields. Here are a few more benefits of attending a bootcamp?
1. You have more 1 on 1 attention from the instructors
2. Good balance between theory and practice which means that you learn how to code as well as doing real world projects
4. After completing a coding bootcamp you will be equipped with a portfolio of projects that demonstrate what you can do with coding knowledge
5. Coding bootcamps often have job fairs so you can get a head start by connecting with employers and getting some interviews lined up
6. Courses are very comprehensive, which means that they teach coding languages such as Ruby or Python that are used in some of the top tech companies around the world
7. You also learn soft skills such as communicating with other developers and how to work within a team which is great to know no matter what position you end up applying for post coding course
8. You won’t need any prerequisites before attending coding bootcamp courses except for curiosity and motivation
9. Bootcamp courses come at a more affordable price
What Jobs and Employers Hire People After Coding Bootcamp?
Job opportunities for graduates of coding bootcamps include software engineer, data scientist, web designer/developer, mobile application developer, quality assurance tester and cyber security analyst just to name a few! Coding is one of the fastest-growing industries right now so this may be your opportunity to get into it before it becomes too competitive.
Some companies that hire coding bootcamp graduates include Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. Various coding bootcamps across the United States like Galvanize and General Assembly both specialize in coding and coding languages and share their recent grads’ job placement statistics to show how well they do!
Typically coding bootcamps offer job placement assistance after successful completion of their courses. Many coding schools also help students find part-time work while studying to further boost their chances of success after graduating from coding bootcamp.
Are Coding Bootcamps In-Person or Online?
Coding bootcamps can be found locally or online. Most coding bootcamps are in-person coding where students must go to the bootcamp itself in order to learn. However, online coding bootcamps can be found which allow people to learn coding skills from their own home. In a post-Covid world, it’s expected that more and more institutions of all types will start to offer their services with entirely online options.
How Much Does Coding Bootcamp Cost?
The average coding bootcamp school costs around $10,000-$15,000. This can differ depending on coding bootcamp though so you should always read the fine print to see what is included in the coding bootcamp tuition and how much extra costs there may be beyond tuition.
Alternatives to Coding Bootcamp
Luckily if you’ve decided to learn coding there are no shortage of schools out there to teach you. You have many alternatives, ranging from full-time universities, to community colleges, to online courses and degrees you can earn.
The right choice for you will depend on your circumstances, and how you learn best. If you are looking for an immersive experience, where you are surrounded by as much support as possible, a bootcamp is your best option. But let’s look at these alternatives, and why you might choose one instead.
- University – As we discussed earlier, universities across the country offer pathways to coding and software development careers. The difference is you will take other required coursework that is much broader, and is intended to expose you to more options. That’s great for someone who is uncertain of what career they want, and has the financial means to take more generalized courses.
- Community College – Many community colleges will also offer computer science and other degrees related to coding. Again, you will likely be exposed to a broader curriculum, but will typically be able to earn an associates degree within 2 years. Community colleges also offer certificate degrees which can be earned in just weeks, but you’ll need to explore what each community college has to offer in the way of coding options.
- Online Courses – You now have a wide variety of companies that conduct their courses fully online. Companies like Coursera, edX, and Udactiy are just a few of the big players in this space. They can offer an even more economical choice than a coding bootcamp, if finances are your main driver. That said, it’s not as immersive and experience, and you will typically find yourself with less support than in a bootcamp environment.
What do People Say About Coding Bootcamps?
Most coding boot camp graduates have said that going to a coding academy was great in terms of learning how to code quickly in a short period of time, but in terms of learning everything there is to coding, you will need some real world experience. A coding boot camp can help someone get their foot in the door with an entry-level job, but it can take more time compared to those with a traditional degree.