Coding bootcamps are immersive learning experiences that provide students with the technical skills required to land software engineering and developer jobs. Whether you’re interested in switching careers or are looking to refresh your coding skills, a coding bootcamp can be a quicker and less expensive route to reskill or upskill in coding.
While bootcamps can be rewarding experiences, enrolling in a coding bootcamp is a big personal commitment. Already decided that a coding bootcamp is right for you? Check out these five tips that will help you make the most of your time in bootcamp.
1. Do Your Research
Every coding bootcamp that you will come across will be different and it’s important that you choose a bootcamp that’s right for you. The best bootcamp is the one that meets your career goals and personal needs.
For example, bootcamp format can be a big consideration when reviewing your options. Coding bootcamps are offered in in-person, online, and hybrid formats. In addition, you will find that bootcamps are via full-time, part-time, and self-paced programs. Completing a part-time, virtual coding bootcamp can be a valuable alternative for students who are managing a full-time job, family obligation, or both because they offer more flexible options. Likewise, someone with the ability to quit their job and a need to change careers quickly may be interested in a full-time program as they are typically shorter in length.
Additionally, you should consider the level of support you will need to switch careers. Some bootcamps are longer and provide more integrated career services support to replace formal college training. This type of bootcamp can be helpful to learners with no previous coding experience or those coming from non-technical careers.
Finally, your career goals may impact the type of coding bootcamp you enroll in. You should browse the curriculums of coding bootcamps you are considering and review the programming languages taught in the curriculum. Are these the programming languages and technical skills you need to know to achieve your career goals? If you are interested in working in data science, it would make sense to enroll in a Data Science bootcamp rather than a Software Engineering bootcamp.
2. Complete Your Pre-Work or Introductory Course
Many people become interested in a coding career for many reasons, including attaining a more lucrative career or a general interest in tech. Coding bootcamps offer opportunities, such as pre-work or a preparatory course, to provide students with early exposure to coding. These opportunities are comprised of 50+ hours of tutorials and readings that help teach students the fundamentals of coding. For example, pre-work for a Full Stack Web Development course might cover HTML, CSS, and Ruby.
Why is it important to complete this work? Pre-work and prep classes are offered to help students ensure they are interested in and enjoy coding before investing in a bootcamp. Ask yourself whether working through the prep course or pre-work feels exciting or more like a chore. If the latter, you might want to consider whether a career in coding is best for you.
Completing the pre-work also allows students to learn the basic concepts so you are able to fully immerse yourself in the more advanced concepts and techniques taught in the curriculum. You will also have a better understanding of the hands-on learning that bootcamps provide, and will be able to adapt more easily and create a routine to increase your chances of succeeding.
3. Take Advantage of Career and Job Placement Support
There are many coding bootcamps that offer career services and job placement support to help students land jobs after graduation. Career supports are often provided to current students and alumni of coding bootcamps and can include:
- Brand building support, such as resume and cover letter writing and Linkedin assistance
- Hosting mock interviews that cover both technical assessment and soft skills
- Connecting students to prospective employers
- Pairing students with a career advisor or alumni mentor
- Portfolio development
- Negotiation preparation
This type of support can be essential for those who are changing careers from a non-tech industry, as the assistance can help you network and re-brand yourself to succeed in the job search process.
4. Dive Deeper into Course Material
Coding bootcamps provide you with the technical skills needed to succeed in the industry but they cannot cover everything. These immersive programs also provide students with the skills necessary to continue to build on the knowledge learned in bootcamps to stay up-to-date with changing technologies. You can actively begin building this muscle while enrolled by finding ways to further your learning outside the classroom. You should consider enrolling in a coding challenge or joining a hackathon can be a great way to apply and further your coding knowledge. In addition, following up on readings and recommendations from instructors or fellow students can help further your learning.
5. Be Patient With Yourself
The first step to being good at something is being bad at it! Whether it’s adjusting to the fast-paced nature of a bootcamp learning environment, experiencing imposter syndrome, or hitting a mental wall while trying to understand a new concept, many students face hurdles while completing their coding bootcamp. Be patient and lend yourself some grace to make mistakes. When you do feel yourself struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to your instructors to help you through it. In addition, have a list of self-care rituals that can help provide you with some mental space to decompress if you’re having a hard time.
Ready to start your coding career?
Are you interested in finding the coding bootcamp that’s right for you? Check out Noble Desktop’s coding bootcamps. You can take in-person classes at Noble’s location in NYC or attend a live online coding bootcamp from anywhere in the world. You can also find other coding bootcamps in your area using Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool.