What Are Coding Bootcamps?
Coding bootcamps are short, intensive training coding programs and tech courses that give students the skills they need for new careers in technology. Programming bootcamps and code schools like BrainStation have become an increasingly popular alternative to a four-year computer science degree, allowing students to gain real-world experience under the instruction of top industry professionals.
As one of the best coding bootcamps, BrainStation provides hands-on, project-based learning, allowing students with no prior experience to learn how to use programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and more.
The goal of our coding bootcamps is to prepare you for a new career in web and mobile development, software development and engineering, data science, design, security, digital marketing, or related tech fields.
How Do Coding Bootcamps Work?
Coding bootcamps work by giving students hands-on experience with the key programming languages, knowledge areas, and technical skills needed for a career in technology.
The best coding bootcamps are taught by experienced professionals who know what employers are looking for. Many bootcamp students are looking to change careers, so bootcamps should offer career services, a network of hiring partners, and opportunities to build professional networks through events and guest lectures.
Ultimately, coding bootcamp students learn the skills and develop the project portfolio necessary to land a job in web and software development, software engineering, data science, UX design, digital marketing, or other tech fields.
How Do I Choose my Tech Career Path?
When trying to determine your tech career path, the first step is to understand where your interests and passions truly lie. Are you excited about the idea of building a website? What about designing digital experiences with a great user experience? Identifying trends (that would have remained hidden) in large sets of data? What about developing a winning digital marketing campaign?
Understanding what truly interests you should be your first clue toward a tech career path. From there, take stock of the skills and experience you currently have. Is there any overlap with skills that are most in demand? Does your education and professional experience lend itself to an emerging field like data science, user experience design, or digital marketing? Asking yourself these questions can help you choose your tech career path.
How Long Are Coding Bootcamps?
BrainStation’s coding bootcamps generally take three months to complete on a full-time basis — 12 weeks.
In that time, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of web development, data science, user experience design, or digital marketing fundamentals, and learn how to apply these new skills and knowledge. BrainStation bootcamps are immersive and project-based, allowing you to build a portfolio of completed projects by the end of the bootcamp.
For students seeking more flexibility, BrainStation also offers part-time bootcamps , which are completed over eight months.
How Much Do Coding Bootcamps Cost?
Tuition for full-time coding bootcamps can vary depending on the field of study, the location of the campus, the method of study chosen (online or in-person), or how comprehensive the course is.
Some programming bootcamps and code schools could be relatively inexpensive or quick to complete, but might not cover the full range of skills and competencies needed, especially for students interested in full-stack development.
How to Pay for a Coding Bootcamp
For students who cannot pay out of pocket, there are a number of options for how to pay for a coding bootcamp, including applying for scholarships, pursuing flexible payment options, or exploring government grants and training or education benefits through your employer.
BrainStation’s coding bootcamps have a range of scholarships available for students who need financial help or who meet other eligibility requirements.
BrainStation also offers a variety of flexible payment plan options.
How Much Will I Make After a Coding Bootcamp?
Coding bootcamp graduates in the United States have a national average starting salary of roughly $70,000 in their first jobs.
Bootcamp graduates typically increase their salary around 50 percent after completing a tech bootcamp or code school online. The number is higher for low-income students, who receive a roughly 180 percent salary raise.
Those salaries rise with experience. Coding bootcamp graduates in their second job earn roughly $80,000 on average. By their third job? They earn an average of just under $100,000 per year.
Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It?
Yes, coding bootcamps (often also referred to as tech bootcamps or programming bootcamps) are worth it because they allow graduates to gain in-demand digital skills in a very short period of time, expand their professional networks, and get prepared for a new career in a fast-growing industry in a matter of months.
Although it is possible to learn many digital skills by yourself (including how to write code and use different programming languages), most find the self-taught path too time-consuming and challenging. Completing a tech or programming bootcamp is also much more affordable than getting a four-year college degree that might not cover the technical skills needed for a job.
It also helps that there is such high demand for tech professionals. Given that coding bootcamps help graduates start new careers as Web Developers, Data Scientists, Digital Marketers, UX Designers, or Software Engineers, most find that bootcamps are worth the time and money.
The Pros and Cons of Coding Bootcamps
The pros of coding bootcamps are that they can focus on the most up-to-date coding languages and frameworks, they offer an immersive, project-based learning environment, and they are typically led by industry experts who can mentor students academically and professionally.
On the other hand, coding bootcamps usually require a time commitment, and not all bootcamp programs and code schools are equally as effective. Students need to research to find the best programs.
How to Choose a Coding Bootcamp
To choose a coding bootcamp, you should research each program extensively, determine your professional and learning goals, and reach out to current students and alumni to learn more about their experiences.
During your research process, look into the curriculum of each program you are considering to see exactly what they cover. Make sure the bootcamp offers the chance to complete real-world projects and build a portfolio. It is also worth exploring how each bootcamp might help you professionally, as top coding bootcamps offer career services, networking events, and partnerships with top employers. Location matters as well, as some would prefer to attend a bootcamp in a tech hotbed like New York City or San Francisco.
How to Get Into a Coding Bootcamp
To get into a BrainStation coding bootcamp or tech course, you should explore admission requirements, prepare yourself for a programming challenge, and speak to a BrainStation Learning Advisor to answer any questions you might have.
BrainStation coding bootcamps require a high school diploma (the majority of BrainStation bootcamp students already have a bachelor's degree). As admissions to bootcamp programs can be competitive, applicants also must complete a prep course challenge and a live video interview with a member of the Admissions team.
English language proficiency is also a requirement for taking a bootcamp at BrainStation.
How to Prepare for a Coding Bootcamp
To prepare for a BrainStation coding bootcamp, you should build out your basic programming or tech knowledge as much as possible, gain clarity on your educational goals, and let people in your professional network know about your upcoming career change.
Although coding and tech bootcamps are designed for students with no prior programming or tech experience, we offer a prep course challenge, resources, and additional materials to help you get ready. It’s also worth exploring the many free online resources, YouTube tutorials, and coding webinars available on the Internet.
Since attending a coding bootcamp is likely a step toward a new career, you should also start looking to build your professional network by looking for events, online communities, and mentorship opportunities in web development.
BrainStation also offers a range of industry and career-focused events to help you get started.
How to Start a Coding Bootcamp
To set yourself up for success when starting a coding bootcamp, make sure to network with other students, introduce yourself to faculty, and explore any career supports and on-campus events that are available.
Your bootcamp classmates can be an invaluable resource both while you’re completing the bootcamp and after you graduate, when they form the beginning of your professional network. Connect early over LinkedIn so you can lean on each other with questions and feedback on the course and assignments.
BrainStation bootcamp alumni often rave about the connections they made with faculty, who have experience working at some of the world’s most innovative companies. You should begin establishing those relationships right away to make the most of your coding bootcamp experience.
Coding Bootcamp Jobs
Jobs you might be qualified for after a coding or tech bootcamp include Web Developer, Software Developer, Software Engineer, UX Designer, UI Designer, Data Analyst, Data Scientist, and Digital Marketer, depending on your other academic credentials, professional experience, and career goals.
Although many people attend a coding bootcamp hoping to get into web or software development, the programming skills you develop would be applicable to a variety of fields including cybersecurity, digital marketing, product management, web design, data science, data analytics, and more.
Do Coding Bootcamps Get You Jobs?
Coding bootcamp graduates actually get jobs in large numbers because they are entering a hot job market with in-demand skills, but there are no guarantees.
Outcome reports show that alumni from top coding bootcamps tend to find jobs quite easily after they graduate.
In fact, more than 90 percent of BrainStation's bootcamp graduates are employed in their fields within 180 days of graduation.
Do Companies Hire Bootcamp Grads?
Companies consistently hire from coding bootcamps, as studies show that 84 percent of employers think bootcamp grads are at least as prepared and likely to be high performers as candidates with computer science degrees.
An Indeed study found that 72 percent of employers think bootcamp grads are just as likely to be high performers as candidates with a computer science degree, while another 12 percent think bootcamp grads are actually more likely to be high performers.
Coding bootcamps are also helping to create a more diverse tech workforce. Over half of companies said that hiring bootcamp grads helps get more people from underrepresented groups working in tech.
And 50 percent also cited coding bootcamps as a good way to retrain workers who don’t have college degrees.
How to Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp
To get a job after coding bootcamp, you should start by leaning on your professional network, establishing an online presence with a portfolio website, and applying for an internship, job placement, or entry-level job.
The faculty and fellow students you meet during your bootcamp program are also key additions to your professional network, and they might help you find job opportunities. You should also look out for networking events, industry meetups, and conferences.
In addition, BrainStation’s Career Accelerator Program was created to help bootcamp graduates prepare for their career search and connect them with hiring partners at world-class companies.
The Career Accelerator Programme includes: industry networking opportunities with hiring partners, portfolio and resume writing support, one-on-one career development with Advisors, and more.
