If you want to get ahead in the tech industry, having the right training and proper credentials can go a long way. There are many alternatives to a four-year degree program, including coding bootcamps and certifications. You might compare a coding bootcamp vs a certification and wonder, which option is right for me?
In this article, we will explain what a coding bootcamp is, what a certification is, and the main advantages and disadvantages of each. This will help you choose whether a bootcamp or certification is the right way to go depending on where you are in your career and where you want to head next. Let’s dive in.
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What Is a Bootcamp?
A bootcamp is a training program that teaches you technical skills in a particular area over a short period of time. Bootcamps are especially popular for technical roles that involve programming and design.
For instance, you can find many bootcamps that train people in data science, UX design, and web development. Getting accepted into a bootcamp is an excellent way for beginners to break into tech.
Bootcamps are known for taking a practical approach to learning, featuring interactive exercises, challenging projects, and peer collaboration opportunities. Bootcamps are immersive and give you the chance to solidify the foundational knowledge they provide through hands-on work.
Bootcamps are also designed to provide intensive training and typically last between three to six months. During this time, you receive the training and support you need to gain the skills to enter the workforce.
What Is a Certification?
A certification is a credential that demonstrates your competency in a particular subject or field. A coding certification, for example, demonstrates your skills and knowledge in a specific area of programming, such as database management or cybersecurity.
A certification is typically awarded once you have passed an examination administered by a standard-setting organization with a strong reputation in its field. This means that, in order to obtain a certification, you need to have a working knowledge of your chosen field, and possibly some work experience as well. In addition, you need to fulfill ongoing requirements to maintain your certification over time.
Bootcamps vs. Certifications: Compared
When comparing a coding bootcamp vs a certification, you should know that both will bolster your career, increase your credibility, and make you more attractive to prospective employers. But they will do it in different ways. Keep reading to find out more about the different ways a bootcamp and a certification can support your career.
Target Audience
Bootcamps and certifications are geared toward different audiences. A coding bootcamp is designed to train beginners or people with fundamental skills. They provide comprehensive training in a particular area of tech, and their curriculum covers everything from the very basics to the more advanced skills needed to land a tech job.
On the other hand, a certification is typically geared toward people who already have knowledge and skills in their chosen field. In fact, it is usually preferable if they have work experience as well. It is a way to vouch for those existing skills, not build them up from scratch.
Credentials Obtained
When you successfully complete a certification exam, you will receive a credential you can attach to your resume. A certification is a piece of evidence that you will be able to present to prospective employers to demonstrate that a third party has tested your skills and deemed them on par with industry standards.
Bootcamps, on the other hand, offer no such credentials. Some bootcamps might award you a certificate of completion upon graduation. However, they are not accredited to award a degree. What you gain upon graduation are the skills you need to land a job. Most bootcamps will also offer you career support to help you land a job after you complete the program.
Requirements for Maintenance
Once you have completed your coding bootcamp, you can head out into the world and hunt for your dream tech job. The knowledge, skills, and experience you gain are with you, but bootcamp graduates are not expected to complete any additional requirements.
On the other hand, you are typically required to sit for examinations periodically once you successfully obtain your certification. This is in order to ensure that you continue to stay on top of new developments in your field and continue to fulfill the standards set by the organization providing the certification.
How Certification and Bootcamp Programs Can Launch a Career in Tech
Both bootcamps and certifications can help you launch a successful career in tech, increase your average salary, and bring you closer to your career goals. They do this by providing you with skills and credentials valued by employers. They each have additional differences that are discussed below.
Pros and Cons of Bootcamps
Bootcamps are a great way for beginners to learn the basics, gain experience, and build up a portfolio of projects that proves their skills. However, they are not a perfect fit for everyone. Keep reading to learn about their pros and cons and decide whether a bootcamp is right for you.
Pros of Coding Bootcamps
- Hands-on experience. Bootcamps provide you with practical skills. They are designed to give you plenty of opportunities to translate theoretical knowledge into projects you can then use to create a portfolio that showcases your abilities and creativity.
- In-demand skills. Bootcamps focus on providing skills that are in demand in your chosen industry, whether that´s a particular programming language, framework, or methodology. Your learning will be based on the needs of the market.
- Career services. Bootcamps typically provide support to students through career coaches and other services so you can successfully land a job upon graduation. This support can make all the difference if you’ve never had a tech job before.
Cons of Coding Bootcamps
- Limited recognition. While bootcamps are becoming more and more popular in the tech world, they still don’t hold as much weight as traditional degrees or certifications awarded by organizations with worldwide recognition. This might limit your options when entering the workforce.
- Cost. A bootcamp can cost thousands of dollars. If you already have some working knowledge of your chosen field, the steep investment might not be worth it.
- Time commitment. Both in-person and online bootcamps focus on intensive learning over a short period of time. This fast pace might be hard to keep up with if you have other responsibilities on your plate.
Pros and Cons of Certifications
A professional certification lets future employers know you have the knowledge and skills to succeed in your role. This will greatly help your job search. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of opting for the certification route.
Pros of Certifications
- Reputable credentials. Certifications are awarded by organizations that are widely recognized in their field and set the standards in their industry. Obtaining a credential from them can greatly increase your own reputation as an expert.
- Low cost. The average cost of a certification exam is much lower than that of a bootcamp. That, combined with the abundance of free resources you can use to learn coding, means you won’t need a great investment to launch your career.
- You can learn the skills on your own. A certification measures your existing skills, not where you learned them. This means that you can choose whatever learning format works best according to your learning style and schedule.
Cons of Certifications
- Ongoing requirements. In order to keep your certification over time, you will have to fulfill ongoing requirements. This means you need to keep track of new requirements, brush up on your skills, and keep demonstrating your expertise.
- Requires previous knowledge and experience. Certification exams are not designed for beginners. If you don’t have training and experience, whether formal or informal, you likely won’t be able to pass the examination.
- Narrow focus. Certifications will demonstrate your expertise in a very specific area. This means that it will also narrow your range of opportunities when job hunting.
Should You Choose a Bootcamp or a Certification?
Your choice to enroll in a bootcamp or a certification program depends on your needs. If you are after your first job in tech and want access to a wide range of career services to support you after you have learned some skills, bootcamps are the way to go. If you are looking for an industry-recognized certification in a particular area, certification programs are a good investment.
It is worth noting that some jobs require particular certifications. In these situations, a bootcamp would not an adequate substitute. However, such requirements are more common among senior or highly specialized roles, like cloud computing.
Spend some time researching both forms of training. Talk with representatives from bootcamps and certification programs that you find interesting and evaluate which one meets your particular needs. Whatever your choice, the time you invest in training and obtaining valuable credentials will massively benefit your short- and long-term career prospects.
Bootcamps vs Certifications FAQ
Yes, bootcamp certificates are worth it. They demonstrate that you’ve gone through intensive training and gained the skills to land a job in your chosen field. Graduating from a coding bootcamp is a great way to gain access to higher salaries and better job opportunities.
What can you do with a certification in coding?
You can land better-paying jobs in your chosen field with a certification in coding. In addition, many specialized jobs require applicants to hold a particular certification. Obtaining it will give you access to roles that would not be an option for you otherwise.
What’s the difference between bootcamps versus certifications?
Bootcamps are intensive, short-term training programs that provide you with the necessary tools and skills to land a job in your chosen field. They are a great way for beginners to break into tech. Certifications, on the other hand, are credentials that demonstrate your knowledge and ability in your field. They are a great option for those who already have experience in their field.
Can I get a job in tech with a coding certification?
Yes, you can get a job in tech with a coding certification. In fact, many organizations require applicants to have specific certifications in order to apply for highly specialized roles. A coding certification will give you access to niche career opportunities.
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