What Is A Coding Bootcamp?

A Coding Bootcamp is designed to train students in the art of web development over a shorter period of time than a computer science degree. With the increased demand for tech-savvy, motivated individuals, the traditional university model has started to show some cracks. All from the strain of providing a steady stream of suitable tech-oriented employees. Four years is a long time for any of us to retrain in anything. A coding bootcamp will give you the skills that you need to pursue a career in software development.  

How long are coding bootcamps?

The idea of a coding bootcamp is that you learn the skills of a full-stack software developer within a short span of time. This is the case because many bootcamp students are adults who are considering a career change later in life and they do not have the time, nor the desire, to struggle through four years of a computer science degree. 

Coding bootcamp models challenge the default, traditional mode of learning through their focus on in-depth, interactive and practical learning over a short space of time. It’s a new way of identifying programming talent, as well as teaching the fundamentals of coding.

Career changers are perfect for the coding bootcamp model. For example, Code Institute’s Full Stack Software Development programme can be completed within 52 weeks. As of the time of writing, 98% of career services users are employed within a year of graduation. 

Are Coding Bootcamps Worth it? 

Often, money can be a barrier to education. This is especially the case when you are looking at switching from one career to another. In one hand, you have a secure job with a steady paycheck – on the other, you have the uncertainty that comes with a career change. Will I get a new job? Will I earn as much money? Is a coding bootcamp worth it? 

Truth be known, there are numerous reasons as to why a coding bootcamp is worth it – provided you choose the right programme. Here’s why.

• Software developers are paid brilliantly from entry level up.
• Because of the digital skills gap, there is a huge lack of software developers and the immediate demand is there in abundance for new developers.
• Most companies no longer require their developers to hold a computer science degree. 
• If the alternative is to work in a job you dislike, then changing career to software development could be good for your mental health.

Can You Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp?

As mentioned already, one of the biggest fears about upskilling and changing careers is whether or not there will be a job for you on the other side. Speaking from our own experience, yes, you can get a job after a coding bootcamp. To ensure this as best as possible, Code Institute has employed a career services team whose sole purpose is to assist students in landing a new job in software development. Right now, 98% of career services users are employed within a year of graduation. 

Part of the reason for the high employment rate of software developers from coding bootcamps is the massive demand that there is right now for programmers. We all know that technology is everywhere. All industries now have websites, apps and more. But software developers can go well beyond the building of websites. Software developers go on to work in cyber security, fintech, health tech, analytics, e-commerce, and much more. Here are some staggering facts from various reports.

1. World Economic Forum
   The WEF reckons that by 2025, 85 million existing jobs will be displaced by technology. These roles will be replaced by 97 million new tech-focused roles. 
2. Salesforce
   International CRM technology company, Salesforce, reckons that 14 G20 countries could miss out on $11.5 trillion in cumulative GDP growth because of the digital skills gap. 

There are many reports out there about the global digital skills gap, and such is the crisis that digital policies are now in place for most countries. So, can you get a job after coding bootcamp? The answer is that you have a very high chance. However, that’s down to your attitude. You must be willing to work hard and get the skills you need. 

How to Survive Coding Bootcamp?

Despite the fact that a coding bootcamp can be completed a lot faster than a traditional university computer science degree, it does not mean that it is any easier. Bootcamps by their very nature can be intensive. You are learning a lot in a little amount of time, and therefore, you should never be fooled into thinking that you won’t meet challenges along the way. However, there are ways of making the process easier for yourself.

1. Stick to your schedule
   I can only talking from a Code Institute perspective and when a student begins their learning with us, the talk to our student care team, and based on what hours a learner has available each week, a manageable schedule is devised. Our advice is to stick to the schedule as much as you can. 
2. Learn how to rubber duck
   A classic for software developers, and programmers in training is something called rubber ducking. In short, it’s where you discuss any coding problems you have with a rubber duck. While it may sound strange, there are developers around the world who say it definitely works. 
3. The fifteen-minute rule
   In brief, the fifteen-minute rule is where we advise you to drop everything, become 100% focused on the problem and try to come up with a solution. If, after 15 minutes, you can’t solve the problem, then it’s time to ask someone for help.
4. Ask for help
   The best online bootcamps will ensure that there is sufficient support available to its students. We offer Student Care, for non-coding support. Tutors for course support, mentors for project support, and a careers team to help you land a new role in tech. If the support is available to you, then you should use it. It will make your learning journey simpler.
5. Remind yourself why your doing this
   If you’re a career changer, one thing we tell our students to do at the start of the programme is to write down why your doing the course. What are your motivators. If you ever feel like your not going to make it through the bootcamp, then look at what you’ve written. Remember your motivators. 

Coding bootcamp versus computer science degree

There are many differences between bootcamps and universities, however, the end goal is the same. That is, to train software developers to a level where they can be employed and grow in that field. Code Institute is the only university credit-rated coding bootcamp in the UK and Europe and its aim is to train new developers and help them land a new career in software development. 

In the past, many employers insisted that their developers have university degrees. However, many companies like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Spotify, Adyen, Salesforce, Accenture, and much more bucked that trend and opened their doors to bootcamp graduates. They realised that bootcamps could offer a higher volume of brilliantly skilled developers who were every bit as good, if not better than their university counterparts. Now, most companies look at an employees abilities and not just the qualification. 

Try our Coding Bootcamp

Want to know what a coding bootcamp feels like? Try our free 5 Day Coding Challenge. After one hour a day for five days, you’ll have built your first web page. This brilliant little programme will teach you what it is like to learn remotely in an online environment. You will also learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Register now through the form below.