Which IT Bootcamp is Best?

There are many IT bootcamps available for those who wish to learn, but it can be hard to choose the one that’s right for you. There are several kinds you’ll want to consider, from live online to in-person, from part-time to full-time. This article outlines the pros and cons of each of these options so that you can choose a course that fits your schedule, lifestyle, and preferred learning method, increasing your chances of succeeding and starting your new career. 

What are the Most Important Criteria to Evaluate in IT Bootcamps?

There are several criteria to consider when selecting an IT bootcamp. The most important ones are outlined below:

Curriculum 

Curriculum will be the most important factor to consider. If you’re already a skilled coder, you may want a course that focuses solely on advanced IT skills that integrate other programming languages. If you’re entirely new to information technology, check out courses with a curriculum that covers the basics of HTML & CSS and briefly explains complimentary programming languages like Python and JavaScript. The specific languages and tools you focus on will depend on your goals and the type of roles you‘re interested in, so keep those in mind while reading through a course’s curriculum.

Questions to consider: What parts of IT will you learn? Are any other programming languages included? How in-depth and hands-on is the training? Look for an up-to-date curriculum that covers the most in-demand and employable skills.

Schedule And Learning Format

Coding bootcamps range from short part-time courses to intensive full-time programs. Part-time classes held in the evenings and on weekends accommodate regular working schedules, while full-time programs are best for those in between jobs or fresh out of school with more free time. 

You’ll also want to decide between the two main learning formats: online or in-person. Virtual courses are subsequently divided into on-demand and live offerings, and both virtual and in-person bootcamps will be available part time and full time. 

Career Prep and Support

For most students, the goal of attending an IT bootcamp is to land a well-paying job as a Web Developer, Front End Developer, or Programmer. Reputable training programs will list reviews from previous students and may even include statistics on how many alumni have successfully landed programmer roles post-bootcamp. If they don’t list these things, look for additional benefits built into the course 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 are the Top IT Bootcamps?

Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate prepares you for entry-level data science and Python engineering roles. You’ll learn how to manipulate databases and perform data analysis, read and write complex database queries, prepare and clean data for analysis, and use Python to automate everyday tasks such as aggregating, updating, and formatting data. This course also covers how to clean and balance your data with Pandas, apply machine learning algorithms with the scikit-learn library to solve real-world problems, and analyze the results to detect areas for improvement. Finally, you’ll build and present dynamic dashboards and other data visualizations and deploy your projects online with GitHub to demonstrate your analytical abilities to employers.

Their Software Engineering Certificate is another option for aspiring IT students. Divided into front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development, you will learn HTML to mark up web pages and CSS for styling; the fundamentals of JavaScript and Git; and how to use Flexbox and Grid to layout, align, reorder, and adapt web page content to different size screens. You’ll then move on to the fundamental JavaScript programming concepts, including variables, data types, loops, and DOM. Plus, you’ll cover topics like React, a powerful JavaScript library for web development, and master Node.js, MongoDB, and Express.js to round out your JavaScript development skills.

By creating a portfolio of projects, preparing for common interview questions, and polishing your resume and LinkedIn profile, this course will have you ready to pursue a new job in software engineering in as little as 20 weeks (on a full-time schedule). One-on-one mentoring and a free one-year retake are included in the cost of this course. Payment plans and tuition assistance are available, and this training requires no previous experience, making it great for beginners.

Or, you could try your hand at Noble’s Python Developer Bootcamp. This three-week online course teaches Python for software development with Django, Django REST, and other developer tools like Git and SQL. You’ll start by learning the basics of Python, including its lexical syntax, then move to more advanced topics like dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms. In week two, you'll learn object-oriented programming, how to work with APIs, and get an introduction to web databases using SQL. By creating projects that can be added to your portfolio, you’ll master URL dispatchers, querying models, and automating tasks with Django, as well as how to work with images, authentication, and use API endpoints with Django REST. 

It’s recommended that you are comfortable coding HTML and basic CSS. You should possess equivalent knowledge of Noble Desktop’s Web Development with HTML & CSS class, and mastery of another programming language is helpful, but not required. Payment plans and financing are available, in addition to extra perks like one-on-one mentoring, a free one-year retake, and a verified digital certificate are included with your purchase.

Enrolling in a IT Bootcamp Part-Time or Full-Time

When choosing an IT class, you’ll also need to decide if full time or part time is better for you. Are you between jobs or able to take vacation time to complete a full-time training course? Or are you only free in the evenings and need a class that can accommodate your schedule? For most students, a part-time course will be the best option, allowing you to master a new skill set without interfering with your day job. These courses can take longer, as your hours of class time will be spread over more days or weeks, but they also offer you more time to master IT. 

Full-time courses, while requiring a larger commitment of time up front, can often be completed in half the time of part-time courses. This means you can begin your new career or advance your current one much quicker. Choosing which option is right for you will come down to your schedule and how quickly you wish to gain mastery.

Enrolling in a IT Bootcamp In-Person or Online

Live virtual courses are considered the middle ground between on-demand and in-person classes. You’ll attend scheduled class times from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose) to learn from an expert instructor. Live online classes offer instant feedback from your teacher and interactions with other students, creating the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the coursework. These classes are ideal for students that thrive in a structured learning environment but perhaps don’t live near any in-person offerings. Or, if you simply prefer online learning, then a live virtual class could be for you. 

In-person classes are considered the best way to master IT as quickly and efficiently as possible. Held on location at scheduled times, these classes offer face-to-face interaction with your fellow students and your expert instructor. If you encounter any challenging material, you can ask questions in real time instead of spending unnecessary time figuring it out on your own. 

Live bootcamps, whether attended virtually or in-person, are considered the fastest way to learn IT. These classes are ideal for students that find value in routine accountability check-ins and are available for both full-time and part-time classes. You’ll master IT the quickest in a full-time course, but any class with scheduled times will help you learn faster than trying to learn IT entirely on your own or in an on-demand program. 

Do You Want to Start a New Career using Your IT Training?

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are certain factors you’ll want to consider if a new career is your ultimate goal. Launching a new career in web development or coding will take more than just knowledge of the IT and basic web development skills. You’ll also want insight into the interview process (like what kinds of questions they will ask and how to answer them), help assembling a portfolio and resume, and opportunities to network with established IT professionals. Additional benefits such as these will grant you an upper hand in the job application process once you’ve graduated, allowing you to secure a position and begin your new career quickly.

Which IT Bootcamp is Best For Me?

Now that you’ve learned all the factors to keep in mind when choosing a bootcamp, you can begin your selection process. Start by focusing on your top priority. If that's the cost, you can eliminate any courses outside of your budget. If that’s online vs in-person, you can minimize your options by eliminating the learning format that doesn’t work for you.

Once you’ve narrowed down your results to those that fit your budget, schedule, and learning style, you can begin digging through their curriculum to ensure the topics you desire are covered. This process can take a bit more time, but it’s worthwhile to guarantee that you learn exactly what you need to in order to achieve your goals. Remember to read reviews from alumni and check any career placement statistics listed on the course’s site. 

Finally, there may be some people who simply aren’t suited for a bootcamp. Typically costing a few thousand dollars, bootcamps can be financially unattainable, especially since many don’t offer financial aid or payment assistance. Additionally, bootcamps will lack the depth that a more intensive certificate or degree program will offer. If you’re entirely new to IT, you might benefit more from an in-depth option as opposed to a bootcamp. Finally, consider the intensity of a bootcamp. The pace can be too fast for some people, and they may feel like they aren't making progress.

While there are some people who may not be suited for bootcamps, the good news is that the multitude of bootcamp options and styles offers pretty good odds that there’s the perfect one out there for you.