2022 Coding Bootcamp Review

Category: Software Developer Career 101, Published: 9/29/2022

Coding bootcamps give you access to expert instructors and an organized lesson plan so you can learn software development in the shortest time possible. Bootcamps provide a nice middle ground between learning to code completely on your own and attending university for four years to study computer science which can be expensive and time consuming. 

 

When considering an online bootcamp, the best way to narrow down your options is to consider the following criteria.

 1. Cost:

  • The cost of coding bootcamps varies depending on whether the instruction is live or self-paced. Overall, you can expect to pay $15,000 to $18,000 for a fully-immersive, live coding bootcamp. However, most top coding bootcamps offer payment plans, so you won’t need to pay the full cost upfront! 
  • What does the coding bootcamp cost?
  • Some programs offer scholarships, deferred tuition, and various other financing options.
  1. Commitment:
  • What’s the time commitment for the coding bootcamp?
  • The duration of courses ranges from 2-3 weeks to 6-9 months.
  • Some programs have part-time flexible schedules, while others have full-time immersive classes.
  • How many hours a week are you expected to dedicate to studying?
  • You need to evaluate the amount of time you’re able to dedicate to your studies.
  • If you have to, will you still be able to work and attend to other responsibilities while enrolled in a coding bootcamp?
  1. Curriculum:
  • Ensure they teach the technical skills required for you to be qualified for the career you want.
  • You want a program that teaches programming languages and frameworks that are in demand.
  1. Class Format:
  • Various instruction methods are used by online courses, such as self-guided, mentored, guided instruction, and a combination of these.
  • Programs also offer various modes of delivering the material: recorded or live lectures or both, assigned readings, quizzes, and projects to complete.
  • Consider the instruction method used and determine what fits your learning style and schedule.
  1. Community:
  • What academic support is available?
  • Are there live, dedicated instructors who have real-world experience on the topic they are teaching?
  • Do the instructors have set or flexible office hours for 1:1 support?
  • What’s the student to instructor ratio?
  • Do they facilitate collaboration between students?
  • Is there a large supportive community of alumni and other experts?
  1. Career Services:
  • Do they offer job placement assistance after graduation?
  • Are there career advisors who advise with resume´ writing, networking, technical interview practice, and building a strong project portfolio?
  • Do their career services teams prepare you for the many job opportunities and various career paths available to candidates with coding experience?
  • What percent of graduates are employed and using their coding skills?
  • Will the time and money you invested in the coding bootcamp be worth it?
  1. Compliments & Critiques:
  • Read online reviews from past students to get an unfiltered opinion about a program.
  • These offer insight into personal experiences of actual graduates.
  • You’ll find comments and feedback about all aspects of the program to ensure the investment in a specific coding bootcamp is worth it.

Many of the best programming bootcamps also provide something that even universities don’t: Job placement services and connections to top tech employers. Sure, universities have career services, but that doesn’t compare to a coding bootcamp that specializes only in helping their tech graduates get hired for coding jobs.So that’s another big advantage that bootcamp grads benefit from, and that makes coding bootcamps worth it for a lot of people!

 

Below are just some of the benefits of choosing a coding bootcamp such as Sabio.

  • Structured, proven curriculum so you finish job-ready with a complete set of software development skills
  • The opportunity to ask questions and interact live with instructors and classmates
  • Code reviews and feedback from peers and instructors
  • The opportunity to complete real-world projects and build a portfolio that you can show to employers upon graduation
  • Job placement services

 

A major concern for many who decide to join a coding bootcamp is whether or not the bootcamp is accredited. Most coding bootcamps are not accredited. Instead, they teach job-specific skills to help you obtain a job in the technology industry. Fortunately, it’s becoming less common for technology companies to require a degree or diploma from an accredited program. Many employers focus on real-world software development skills when hiring.Hiring managers often look for projects that demonstrate your coding ability, which is what you’ll be learning in a software development bootcamp.

 

Keep in mind that a bootcamp is not a  magic solution that will instantly find you a job. Coding bootcamps are only worth it if you’re willing to put in the work and take responsibility for learning the skills and conducting your job search afterward.

Bootcamps are not easy. They will challenge you and ask a lot of you. Just having a teacher and structure won’t make things easy. A lot of people think they can just sign up and get a job in the end. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. 

 

What should I do next? 

 

If you’re still unsure whether a coding bootcamp is right for you or worth the investment, reach out and schedule an informational call to get in touch with instructors. There are a number of ways to leap into the always changing industry and it can be overwhelming while seeking out information. Start here and schedule your information session with a Sabio representative today. 



 

Related Links:

Want to learn more about Sabio? Attend an info session where you will have the opportunity to ask questions Sign up here: bit.ly/sabio-info-session

Ready to start coding? Free coding classes available to get you started: bit.ly/sabio-intro-classes

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