Are coding boot camps worth it? Seven benefits of a coding boot camp
Are you looking for a career in the tech industry? Building a foundation of basic coding skills and gaining experience with the programming languages can be a good way to start working toward a career in various tech roles.
Some individuals choose to learn coding on their own, but it can be challenging to independently create a “curriculum” that covers relevant topics. That’s why many individuals choose boot camps as their preferred method of entering the tech industry.
Are boot camps worth it? Read more to learn why they could be a good fit for you.
Is a coding boot camp worth it?
For more than a decade, coding boot camps have been preparing students to successfully enter the job market, offering newcomers and career changers the opportunity to reboot their skills in a structured learning environment.
Through tested curricula, flexible schedules, and real-world practice, these intensive virtual programs equip learners with practical professional skills in just three to six months. They typically offer both full-time and part-time learning options. Some coding knowledge is undoubtedly helpful for students looking to attend a boot camp, but prior experience isn’t required to begin a program.
With that background in mind, you can start to consider the various benefits of attending a coding boot camp.
Seven coding boot camp benefits
1. You learn through conversation and interactive instruction.
Full- and part-time boot camps are conducted online through live classes that allow students to connect with skilled, experienced instructors. Classes are collaborative experiences that encourage students to engage not only with their instructors, but also among their peers. You can consider them as more of a laboratory than an impersonal lecture hall.
2. You gain access to a tutor network.
With boot camps offered through edX, students can qualify for individual tutoring sessions for up to one hour per week. These free sessions can cover curriculum questions, coding problems or assistance with the group projects assigned throughout the program.
3. You receive professional support.
Take advantage of boot camp support that extends from your first class beyond your completion of the program. Students often have access to career support services to help translate their new skills into job opportunities. Career services professionals provide assistance with résumé reviews, interview preparation, and portfolio development, while also connecting learners with industry professionals and leaders.
4. You complete real-world projects for your portfolio.
Students gain more than industry knowledge and skills during their boot camp experience. They also work with their peers to carry out completed project builds that showcase those new skills to potential employers, helping them to stand out in the job market.
5. You can learn in a way that fits your schedule while staying accountable.
Are you ready to commit to full-time study and complete a coding boot camp in 12 weeks? Many coding boot camps offer that option. Maybe you need a longer-term, part-time program to fit around your work schedule? In that case, you might want to consider a 24-week option. You have the flexibility to choose which timetable works best for you. With weekly course challenges to keep you accountable, you’ll make progress toward your career goals no matter which path you take.
6. You have opportunities to build your network.
As you start building your skill base, you’ll attend classes alongside like-minded coders collaborating on innovative projects together. Since many of your fellow students will likely come from professional backgrounds, the classes themselves offer networking opportunities during the boot camp and beyond.
7. You gain market-driven skills through a structured curriculum
Boot camp curricula divide disciplines into multi-week phases, beginning with fundamental coding concepts. From there, coursework grows more technical and concludes with a performance phase to test not only the efficiency of the web application you’ve built, but also your readiness to enter the workforce. edX regularly updates the university-backed boot camp curricula to reflect current market needs, as technology constantly evolves to meet business demands.
Last updated November 2023