Coding bootcamps are gaining popularity as more and more people want to get into code. While there is no shortage of programming jobs, do coding bootcamps really lead to getting these jobs? There isn’t an easy answer to this question as not every job candidate is the same, not every bootcamp is the same, and getting any job requires a certain amount of perseverance and dedication. You will need soft skills just as much as you are going to need programming skills, and you are going to have to prove that you are always willing to improve. Coding bootcamps might get you an interview, but it is up to you to get hired.
Job Potential
If you already have a four-year degree and find that you are not making your ideal salary, then you might want to consider a career change. Many college graduates are only making around $50,000 a year, which is far lower than the starting salary of coding bootcamp grads. If you land a job after leaving bootcamp, the starting salary could be around $70,000 or more. This $20,000 increase in starting salary is enough to cover the cost of a coding bootcamp. If you don’t have a four-year degree, the increase in salary can be even greater.
A survey conducted by Course Report in 2017 found that 80% of coding bootcamp graduates surveyed were employed in jobs that utilized the skills they learned in their bootcamps. Of those surveyed, there was an average salary lift of 51%. Keep in mind that these numbers are just the start; your salary will grow. Graduates who moved from one job to another and then another found a salary increase with each new job as their experience improved. From the research done by Course Report, it seems like coding bootcamps are worth it.
Not All Bootcamps Are the Same
With the rise in popularity of bootcamps, there are a number of bootcamps to choose from. The truth is that not all coding bootcamps are worth it. Picking the right one can mean the difference between finding a job quickly and struggling to get a company to hire you. The key is finding a bootcamp that has a proven track record. You want to read reviews and talk to other graduates to learn what their experience was like. Did they learn what they needed to know in order to get a good job? Did their bootcamp have a career services department to help them get a job?
At the end of the day, you want a coding bootcamp that will guide you to creating a strong portfolio. Does the bootcamp have a lot of hands-on challenges? Do they require you to complete a portfolio in order to graduate the program? Your potential employers are going to want to see what you are able to do and, if you already have a strong portfolio coming out of your bootcamp, it can save you a lot of time. If you want to find out more about the coding bootcamp experience and what to expect, you can hear from a coding bootcamp graduate here.
Paying for Your Bootcamp
The average cost of a coding bootcamp is $12,000 and that can seem pretty steep, especially if you are making less than $50,000 a year. However, as we’ve seen, coding bootcamps are worth the investment. But that doesn’t make it any easier to pay for it. The great thing is that there are options available because coding bootcamps are aware of how valuable their program is to their students.
A popular option that many coding bootcamps offer is an income sharing agreement. An income sharing agreement means that you pay nothing up front for the bootcamp. You will actually pay nothing for the bootcamp until you land a new job. Once you have a job, you will pay a certain percentage of your salary back to the bootcamp. This percentage can range from 8% to 25% until the cost of the tuition is paid for. This may seem like a large percentage of your salary, but it is still less than the increase in salary you can expect after your bootcamp. If you want to learn more about income sharing agreements, you can read about them here.
Whether or not coding bootcamps are worth it really depends on the person. Are you going to work hard throughout the camp and learn as much as you can to develop a strong portfolio? Are you going to be motivated enough to fight for a good job once you graduate? Many coding bootcamp graduates attributed their job success to their soft skills just as much as their coding skills. If you are willing to work hard, constantly learn, and stay on top of the latest trends and techniques, a coding bootcamp will definitely be worth your time and investment.
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