Can You Get a Job After a React Bootcamp?

With the cost and time commitment involved, you may be wondering if a React 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 React is possible for anyone. 

What Job Prospects and Career Paths are available for React Bootcamp Graduates?

According to Indeed, React.js was the second most in-demand programming skill in 2021, with job postings requiring React.js skills increasing by 33% from the previous year. Additionally, a report by Grand View Research showed that the global React.js development services market size is expected to reach $28.6 billion by 2027. React's ever-evolving nature and high demand for both web and app development create ample opportunities for both new and experienced React professionals. 

Are React Bootcamps Good for Beginners?

React 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. While some bootcamps may require previous programming or web development experience, others will have basic training in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS built right into their curriculum. 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, a React 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 React Bootcamps Offer?

For most students, the goal of attending a React bootcamp is to land a well-paying job as a React 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. 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 a React expert. 

Noble Desktop offers many of these career service resources in their in-depth courses that are held both live online and in-person at their New York office. Their React Development Bootcamp covers everything from the basics of React and Node.js to advanced components and server deployment. You'll start with learning how to compose components, the foundations of React, and then move on to building dynamic fully functioning web applications and deploying them using AWS (Amazon Web Services). This Noble Desktop course (and many others) boasts small class sizes, one free retake, and setup assistance. If you’re interested in pursuing further education, this course counts towards three of Noble’s certificate programs: Full-Stack Web Development, Software Engineering, and JavaScript Development. 

Want to take your skills to the next level? Noble Desktop’s JavaScript Development Certificate is a longer professional training program that will teach you how to build web apps with JavaScript, one of the most popular programming languages in the world. You’ll learn to master React and Node.js, create APIs with Express.js, and work with databases with MongoDB. This course also covers additional topics like Browser Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) built into web browsers, third-party APIs, and third-party frameworks and libraries. If you’re a new developer or an existing one coming from a different background, learning JavaScript will up your game to web application development.

Similarly, the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate helps you develop the skills and knowledge to meet the growing demand for developing and maintaining web applications. This course will teach you to use programming languages like HTML/CSS and JavaScript to program memorable, interactive web pages. You’ll also use the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) to add databases, APIs, AWS and other server environments, and interactivity for those web applications. Focused on a series of projects, you’ll leave this course with a portfolio of working web applications to show to potential employers.

Finally, Noble’s Software Engineering Certificate covers HTML & CSS, JavaScript, and React, and back end development with Python, Django, and Node.js. You’ll learn HTML to mark up web pages and CSS for styling; the fundamentals of JavaScript; Git for version control; and how to use Flexbox and Grid to layout, align, and reorder web page content, as well as make it adapt to different size screens. The second part of the course will cover JavaScript programming concepts, including variables, data types, loops, and DOM. You’ll also build your very own desktop application using React and deploy it using the AWS (Amazon Web Services) cloud environment. Finally, you'll master the lexical syntax of Python and quickly move to more advanced topics like dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms. You'll then progress to object-oriented programming, working with APIs, and querying databases with SQL. By the end of this course, you’ll have a portfolio of projects, a polished resume, and a professional LinkedIn profile; be prepared for common interview questions; and be armed with tips for applying to jobs. 

What Jobs will a React Bootcamp Qualify Me For?

Once you’ve obtained your React 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.

Junior React Developer

As a Junior React Developer, you’ll work under the supervision of more experienced developers to learn best practices, write basic code, and gain experience in front end development processes.

React Developer

If you have some previous experience with programming, this mid-level position may be a good fit. You’ll be expected to create and maintain React components and must have a strong understanding of React principles and state management. You’ll often work closely with designers and back-end developers.

React Native Developer

Specialists who use React Native to build mobile applications are called React Native Developers. In this role, you must understand mobile-specific design patterns and how to integrate with native APIs for cross-platform app development.

Full-Stack React Developer

If you’re skilled in both front end and back-end technologies, you could become a Full-Stack React Developer and build complete web applications, handling everything from user interface to server-side logic.

React Front-End Architect

This is a highly specialized role that’s best for those with previous experience working on the overall structure of front end codebases. A React Front End Architect designs scalable and maintainable systems, establishes coding standards, and integrates new technologies.

Each of these roles requires a unique blend of technical skills and problem-solving abilities, all of which you will gain in a React bootcamp. As the React ecosystem continues to evolve, these titles may also adapt, offering a dynamic and exciting career path for developers in this space.

Can I Freelance After Completing a React Bootcamp?

Yes, it is possible to freelance after completing a React 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 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 React Bootcamps Good for Upskilling?

Bootcamps offer many advantages to be the fastest way to learn React. Live bootcamps 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 with routine accountability check-ins. If you encounter any challenging material, you can ask questions in real time instead of spending unnecessary time figuring it out on your own. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. You’ll master React the quickest in a full-time course, but any class with scheduled times will help you learn faster than trying to master React entirely on your own or in an on-demand program. 

There are some disadvantages though, particularly if you’re looking to upskill. Bootcamps are designed for those new to the field, covering entry-level to intermediate (at most) skills. If you already have a grasp on the basics and are looking to master advanced skills and techniques, a bootcamp may not be the best choice. You can find shorter advanced classes, certificates, and certifications that will focus on the exact topics you wish to cover without wasting any time on things you’ve already mastered. It’s possible that there are bootcamps that focus entirely on advanced-level techniques, but they will be fewer and far between. 

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

There are, of course, other ways to gain experience in React. 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.