Can You Get a Job After an IT Bootcamp?

With the cost and time commitment involved, you may be wondering if an IT bootcamp will actually be worth it and help you land a job. While this can’t be guaranteed, most bootcamps are designed to help guide you through the job application process. A quality course will help you create a portfolio, offer interview prep, and provide networking opportunities with other alumni. With all these extra resources on your side, finding a job in IT is possible for anyone.

What Job Prospects and Career Paths are Available for IT Bootcamp Graduates?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 377,500 openings are projected each year, on average and, with a median annual wage for this group sitting around $104,420, that there’s no shortage of high-paying work for those with the right skills. There are many more job titles suitable to IT professionals as well, so keep reading to learn more about the career path options available to those who learn IT. 

Are IT Bootcamps Good for Beginners?

IT bootcamps are great for beginners. These programs are designed to cover entry-level to intermediate skills and tend to cater to those who wish to switch to an entirely new career field. Some bootcamps may focus solely on advanced IT while others might include introductions to programming languages like Python and JavaScript, but all will be geared towards professional development. Bootcamps also tend to offer additional resources that are particularly beneficial for newbies, like one-on-one mentoring, setup assistance, portfolio creation, and job search training. With all of this in mind, an IT bootcamp is an ideal choice for you if you’re entirely new to the field and excited to go all in. 

What Career Services Do IT Bootcamps Offer?

For most students, the goal of attending an IT bootcamp is to land a well-paying job as a Web Developer. Reputable training programs will list reviews from previous students and may even include statistics on how many alumni have successfully landed web development or coding roles post-bootcamp. You’ll want to pay close attention to these reviews, as they may offer insight into additional career benefits that may not be listed in the course description. You should also check every course for services like portfolio creation, resume and cover letter assistance, interview prep, and even networking events for alumni and staff. These additional resources can make all the difference in landing a new job as an IT expert. 

What Jobs will an IT Bootcamp Qualify Me For?

Once you’ve received your IT bootcamp certificate of completion, you can begin the exciting process of applying for jobs. You’ll want to look for certain job titles for entry-level roles, and from there you can narrow down your options by things like job requirements, description, location, and pay. Below are a few of the most common job titles you’ll see, as well as a brief description of each role.

IT Technician

IT technicians work to support the technical issues within an organization’s computer system and perform the actual technical work to resolve these issues. An IT technician should be able to troubleshoot, know how to use several operating systems, and understand the basics of IT networks. IT technicians can also be called IT associates, IT analysts, or IT specialists. Some companies may have IT technicians do help desk work as well.

Web Developer

Web developers create websites that businesses use to interact with and sell to their customers. This field breaks down into three main areas: front end, back-end, and full-stack developers. Front End Developers create the portions of a website that users interact with while Back End developers build and maintain the server, application, and database that power a website. Full-Stack developers do both. You’ll want to know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front end development while back end programming languages might include Python, Ruby, or PHP.

Database Administrator

An especially critical role for large companies like banks and hospitals, Database Administrators (DBAs) store, organize, and secure data. You’ll help ensure that databases operate efficiently and help companies analyze and leverage this data for growth. In this role, mastery of languages like Structured Query Language (SQL), in addition to your general It skills, will be extremely helpful.

Software Developer

Software Developers (also referred to as Software Engineers) build the systems and applications that run on computers, phones, and other devices that allow companies or employees to perform specific tasks, like managing data or collaborating across teams. While this role typically requires a four-year degree in a related field, with the right professional training and years of experience in the field, you can land a job as a Software Developer. 

Can I Freelance After Completing an IT Bootcamp?

Yes, it is possible to freelance or contract after completing an IT bootcamp. Freelancing can be a great path for those new to the field, as it can give you time to gain experience and add to your portfolio. Choosing your own clients allows you to choose the kind of content you work on, so you can try a bit of everything, like ecommerce, non-profit, or any multitude of industries, to figure out what your preferred niche is. 

If freelancing or contracting is your goal, you’ll want to look for bootcamps that focus on the particularities of that path. A course that caters to freelancing will offer insight on how to search for clients, present pitches, negotiate budgets and timelines, deliver your projects, and handle all the administrative tasks like invoicing, record-keeping, and taxes. The world of freelancing is vastly different than working a salaried role for a company, so it’s wise to make sure you attend a course that can properly prepare you for what you’ll encounter professionally.

Are IT Bootcamps Good for Upskilling?

Yes, IT bootcamps can be a good way to upskill in the tech industry, especially for those who want to learn new skills or refresh existing ones quickly. Upskilling in your coding career, whether you’re in web development, software engineering, or IT, is crucial to staying current in the ever-evolving tech industry. Coding bootcamps offer a great way to refresh your skills and learn new ones.

Additionally, entry-level IT roles will require much less technical skill than advanced roles. An IT Technician will need to know substantially less than a Database Administrator or Software Developer, for example. Upskilling through a bootcamp can allow you to achieve that next promotion, proving your competency in the necessary skills. 

What Does an IT Bootcamp Offer Over Other Means of Finding a Job?

There are, of course, other ways to gain experience in IT. College degrees and professional certificates are the two most traditional ways to do so, but they each come with their own pros and cons. Both are outlined below. 

Bootcamps Compared to College

College is both expensive and time consuming. The average bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete and involves taking generic courses (or ones not in your subject of interest) before getting the ones specific to a major. Typically, the first two years of your degree are spent on general education requirements, so you’ll only receive two years of training in your actual field. 

According to the Education Data Initiative, an in-state degree costs $27,146 per year, while out-of-state costs $45,708 per year, on average. This price is on the rise, too, making a four-year college degree financially inaccessible for many. College graduates still enjoy higher earnings than the average U.S. worker, but there’s a growing trend of students feeling a degree no longer holds its value, especially when you consider the high interest rates on student loans. 

Pew Research surveyed the public and found that only one-in-four U.S. adults say it’s extremely or very important to have a four-year college degree in order to get a well-paying job in today’s economy. Only 22% say the cost of getting a four-year college degree today is worth it even if someone has to take out loans. So, while a college degree still holds value, there are disadvantages to this pathway that need to be considered. 

Bootcamps Compared to Certifications or Certificates

Another option is to attend a certification or certificate program. Certifications are often required by various employers to prove that you have continuing competency in ever-evolving tools and technology. They are a tried-and-tested method of proving one’s competence in a chosen field and, because of this, some employers will often cover the cost of these certifications and exams, eliminating the need for you to financially invest in this continuing education. But, if you’re attempting to transition into a new field, a certificate may not be the right choice, especially if cost is a concern.

Certificate and certification programs can be lengthy as well. They typically fall somewhere between a bootcamp and a four-year degree, taking up to a year or two to complete. While their curriculum is robust and a certificate of competency will look good to potential employers, they aren’t the best option for folks looking to change careers quickly. A bootcamp can be completed in a much shorter time frame and also typically comes with a certificate of completion that can be added to your resume or LinkedIn to showcase your knowledge. Then, once you’re established in your new field, you can pursue a certificate as a means of continued professional development.