The main differences between a part-time and a full-time bootcamp are the class length and pace. Instructor-led full-time QuickBooks bootcamps are intensive classes that take place over one or two days with class sessions lasting four-to-six hours at a time. Part-time bootcamps will be spread over a longer amount of time or will have shorter class sessions. Even though a part-time bootcamp might take longer to complete, it can be a useful option to consider for those with busy schedules or those who want to take a slower-paced bootcamp. Read on to learn more about part-time QuickBooks bootcamps and whether part-time learning is the right choice for you.
Why Learn QuickBooks Part-Time?
Most people who choose to learn QuickBooks part-time are doing so because their schedule conflicts with in-person and live online QuickBooks course offerings. This is fairly common, as many people choosing to learn QuickBooks have full-time jobs, are taking other classes, or have other commitments that make it difficult to spend four-to-six hours in a QuickBooks class session. While taking a class part-time does mean that it will take longer to learn QuickBooks, even a part-time QuickBooks bootcamp should still allow for accelerated learning in comparison to taking a months-long QuickBooks class from a community college. Additionally, learning QuickBooks part-time in an instructor-led class will still often take less time than teaching oneself QuickBooks using free materials or on-demand classes.
Part-time QuickBooks classes can also be a useful option for those who want to slow down the pace of learning. Not everyone learns best from an intensive class, which is what a bootcamp normally is. Taking a bootcamp part-time will mean learning more slowly and having more time to digest the course content. It can also allow someone to spend more time practicing working with QuickBooks between class periods. This slower pace of learning is ideal for someone who learns best through a mixture of structured, hands-on guidance and practicing skills on one’s own.
Additionally, part-time classes are more likely to be geared toward working professionals or those who cannot attend class during the workweek. One can often find part-time classes scheduled during the evening or on weekends. Most of these will be offered by professional training centers, like Noble Desktop, that try to make their offerings as accessible as possible. Professional training centers are also likely to offer full-time QuickBooks bootcamps scheduled outside of the regular workweek hours, so that can be another option for busy QuickBooks learners to consider.
Drawbacks to Learning QuickBooks Part-Time
One of the drawbacks to taking a part-time QuickBooks bootcamp is that it will take longer for you to learn QuickBooks. Instead of learning QuickBooks in one or two days, a part-time class can mean additional days of needing to attend class sessions or even multiple weeks of learning QuickBooks. If someone needs to start using QuickBooks right away, either for use within their job or to manage their own finances, this can be a problem. It still should not take too much longer to learn QuickBooks part-time from a bootcamp because bootcamps are intended to be accelerated, condensed classes.
Another limitation of part-time learning is that learners can become less engaged with the course material over time. Because there is more time between class sessions in a part-time class, this creates an opportunity for part-time students to forget what has been covered in previous classes and to feel less engaged with other students. One way to overcome this challenge is to commit to practicing and using QuickBooks between class periods. Even a little bit of review and trying to put one’s skills to use will help learners remain engaged in completing a QuickBooks bootcamp.
Is a Part-Time QuickBooks Bootcamp Right for You?
A part-time QuickBooks bootcamp will benefit those with busy schedules the most. Part-time learning is most often used by those with full-time jobs, other coursework, or who have childcare, eldercare, or pet care commitments. If you cannot attend a four-to-six-hour QuickBooks class session, then part-time learning is your best option for taking an instructor-led in-person or live online QuickBooks bootcamp. It is also possible that those who need to pay over a longer period might be interested in part-time learning, however, completing a part-time QuickBooks bootcamp is likely to take only a few additional days or weeks.
Most people can take a part-time QuickBooks bootcamp without running into too many issues. However, for those who have trouble learning material over extended periods (such as multiple days or two weeks), then it might be best to locate a full-time QuickBooks bootcamp that will work for your schedule. Another option will be to take an on-demand QuickBooks class. This is a self-teaching method where students receive access to course material and can learn it at their own pace. While it often takes longer to learn from on-demand classes, self-motivated and highly determined students can complete an on-demand QuickBooks class without too much difficulty.
Ways to Make Learning QuickBooks Part-Time Easier
Part-time learning can be a challenge because it makes learning feel less immersive. For many, taking a part-time bootcamp will mean attending shorter class sessions for a longer amount of days. That kind of schedule can make it harder to remain engaged and immersed in a class and it can create distance between the learner and other students taking the course. To combat a feeling of disengagement, one can schedule more time to practice using QuickBooks outside of class and make an extra effort to interact with the course instructor and one’s classmates.
The number one way to make learning QuickBooks easier when taking a part-time class is by using QuickBooks outside of class time. If someone can continue to learn about QuickBooks and work with QuickBooks outside of regularly scheduled classes, they will likely remain engaged in the course. This is also a useful way to review what one has learned between class periods and test your knowledge. If you run into any difficulties while using QuickBooks outside of class, you can then address them in the next class session. This can be a great way to not only remain immersed in the course but to troubleshoot any QuickBooks issues that you find yourself running into.
It can also be useful to attempt to engage more purposefully with others taking the same QuickBooks course. This can mean making an effort to interact with other students during the course or even setting up a time outside of class to meet and continue working with the course material. Most instructors have weekly office hours and making it a habit to attend these can help one get to know the instructor better and receive help learning the more difficult aspects of using QuickBooks. This will not only allow you to build professional relationships that can be useful even after the class is over, but it will also keep you interested in continuing to attend class sessions and doing the required work for the class.
Choosing the Best Part-time QuickBooks Classes or Bootcamp
There are many factors to consider when looking for a part-time QuickBooks class or bootcamp. When locating part-time options, the first factor to consider will likely be how well a class fits into your current schedule. Make sure that when you sign up for an instructor-led bootcamp you can commit to attending all regularly scheduled classes. Bootcamps aim to condense a large amount of material down into one or two manageable classes so you will want to attend every class session scheduled for a bootcamp to get the most out of your time, effort, and money.
Whether looking for part-time or full-time options, the best QuickBooks class or bootcamp for you will be the one with the course content you need to learn. Most bootcamps are beginner-friendly, though some are for prospective Accountants or Bookkeepers. It is common to find either one comprehensive QuickBooks bootcamp or QuickBooks bootcamps split into both an introductory and an advanced class. One can also find bootcamps for QuickBooks Online and bootcamps for QuickBooks Desktop. Those needing to learn basic QuickBooks to manage their own finances using QuickBooks Online will likely want to look for a different bootcamp than a Bookkeeper who needs to learn QuickBooks Desktop to record and track their client’s finances.
Keep in mind that you are most likely to find part-time, evening, and weekend classes offered by professional training centers and community colleges. These providers gear their offerings to working professionals and try to make their classes as accessible as possible. Some professional training centers will even be able to customize course offerings to individuals or companies, so if you don’t see the class you want being offered at the time you need, you can always inquire about further options. Use the Classes Near Me tool to find in-person and live online QuickBooks classes in your local area.
Noble Desktop’s QuickBooks Bootcamp is a great option for those wanting to learn QuickBooks comprehensively. This two-day instructor-led class provides hands-on guidance in QuickBooks basics like setting up your company profile, creating inventory, vendor, and customer lists, sending invoices, and generating reports. Not only will this bootcamp teach these basics, but it also covers more advanced options for customization, inventory management, and project management. Learners can take this class in-person or live online from any location and can expect to receive not only expert instruction in QuickBooks but also the option to retake the class for free if needed.