Are SketchUp Bootcamps Worth It?

A SketchUp Bootcamp is an accelerated class that is designed to help you master this application within a relatively short amount of time. Most bootcamps cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but they are usually far less expensive and time-consuming than a college education. If your goal is to quickly gain the SketchUp skills that you need in order to use this application in your career, then a bootcamp can be a good option. This article has more information about SketchUp bootcamps including what makes them unique, and how they compare to other types of classes.

What Is SketchUp?

SketchUp is an application that is used for 3D modeling. It was created by architectural engineer Brad Schell and software developer Joe Esch, whose intention was to create a 3D modeling program that was accessible to everyone, in contrast to existing software, which many people found difficult to use. This application was first released in 2000. It is currently owned by Trimble. SketchUp is used in a number of design fields including architecture, engineering, and interior design. Trimble offers a free version of the application, and also versions that are available by yearly subscription.

What Can You Do With SketchUp?

SketchUp can be used to create a visualization of many types of designs such as a building, a landscape, furniture, or many other objects. The application also has tools for adding realistic details such as lighting shadows, and textures. With SketchUp, you can get a better understanding of what your design will look like before you build it. You can also test its function and look for potential flaws. In addition, SketchUp makes it easy to show clients or team members what your design will look like.

Why Learn SketchUp in a Bootcamp?

Bootcamps have become increasingly popular in recent years because they have a number of unique benefits compared to other learning options. They are specifically designed to set you up for career success. That means that when you enroll in a bootcamp, you can be confident that you’ll be gaining the knowledge and practical skills that you’ll need to work in your intended industry. You’ll be guided through the learning process by an experienced instructor, and you can get regular feedback on your progress. Most bootcamps also include a range of career support services designed to give you clear guidance about how to find your desired job. For instance, instructors might share industry insights and job search tips. They are also likely to provide advice and feedback on building your portfolio. Some bootcamps even provide a job guarantee where if you don’t find a job within a certain amount of time, you get a tuition refund. Most bootcamps will accommodate a range of students, from beginners to to more experienced professionals.

There are a number of research studies on bootcamp outcomes, and many show that students who graduate from a bootcamp are more likely to find a job and more likely to have a higher salary than those who don’t attend a bootcamp. For instance, Forbes Advisor Education surveyed hundreds of coding bootcamp graduates. In a January 16, 2024 article, it shares its findings. It says, “80% of bootcamp graduates saw an increase in salary after completing their programs, according to our survey, with 46.4% citing a significant increase.”

Bootcamps Compared to College

If you want to learn SketchUp and other design skills, attending college is another option. College programs are generally very comprehensive, and a degree is valued by most employers. However, earning a degree also takes a lot of time and money. It takes around four years on average to earn a bachelor’s degree. In addition, there are significant costs associated with most degrees. As reported by the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year institution for the 2022 to 2032 school year ranged from almost $10,000 to more than $40,000 depending on the type of school. Further, if you want to attend college, you’re likely to face a long list of admission requirements such as a minimum high school GPA, an essay, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation. You may also need to plan well in advance since most colleges run on a quarter or semester system.

Many people are unable or unwilling to shoulder the requirements, costs, and time commitments involved in earning a college degree and are opting for other alternatives. Bootcamps have become a popular option in recent years. Most bootcamps are far quicker and less expensive than a college program, and are still designed to cover all the skills that students need to become career-ready. In fact, many bootcamps include more hands-on work than college programs, allowing students to gain valuable experience working on real projects. This experience can be a significant advantage when it comes to their future careers. While a college degree typically takes years and costs tens of thousands of dollars, the average bootcamp takes only weeks or months to complete and costs somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000.

Job seekers are not the only ones paying less attention to college degrees. In recent years, a growing number of companies have begun to focus less on degrees when they are looking for new employees, and more on finding candidates who have demonstrable skills and experience. In 2023, ZipRecruiter surveyed 2,000 employers about their hiring practices. It reports, “45% of respondents said their companies had dispensed with degree requirements for some roles in just the past year, and 72% said they now practice skills-based hiring.” It adds, “The survey data is consistent with job postings data from the ZipRecruiter marketplace. The share of job postings listing a bachelor’s degree as a requirement fell 10%.”

Bootcamps Compared to Self-Paced Courses

You can also learn SketchUp by taking a self-paced course. Self-paced courses are not live; instead, they are made up of a collection of pre-recorded lectures and exercises. They may include the opportunity to interact with an instructor, however, that interaction is not live. A number of different websites offer on-demand courses including Coursera and Udemy. One of the biggest benefits of learning through an on-demand course is the flexibility you’ll get. There is no set class schedule to follow. Instead, you can set your own learning schedule, working around other commitments like work or family. You can even pause, fast-forward, or rewind the course, according to your needs. Since on-demand classes have no live instructor, they are usually relatively inexpensive too. Some websites even offer certain basic on-demand classes for free.

However, while they offer flexibility and cost savings, most on-demand courses are far less comprehensive than bootcamps. There is also a greater risk that you might be learning outdated information since on-demand courses are pre-recorded. Finally, one of the biggest negatives to on-demand courses is that they are not live, and thus lack any type of real-time interaction with an instructor. This means you won’t be able to get guidance and feedback about how you’re doing, or get answers to any questions that you encounter. In addition, because on-demand classes involve working alone, it can be more difficult to stay engaged and motivated. Research shows that without the accountability of a live class, students often lose interest or give up, and that there tends to be a lower competition rate for on-demand courses compared to live ones.

Another potential downside to on-demand classes is that most don’t include the type of career support that bootcamps do. The majority of bootcamps are designed with the goal of getting students career-ready, and to do that they generally provide a range of career support services. For example, a bootcamp might give you access to a career coach who can provide help with building your resume and offer advice on searching for a job and attending an interview. Some bootcamps even include private mentoring sessions or access to professional networks or internship opportunities. Most bootcamps also include work on a portfolio as part of the curriculum, and experts agree that this is an important part of searching for a job. A strong portfolio allows you to showcase your skills to potential employers and clients and can make a big difference in whether or not you stand out in your job search.

Bootcamps Compared to Free Training Options

A final SketchUp learning option is to use free resources, such as tutorials on YouTube, short free classes offered by some on-demand schools, or advice from more experienced users that is posted on online forums. The biggest benefits of free resources are that they don’t cost anything and that you’re free to structure your learning experience however you want to. Free resources can be a good way to learn some basic skills or to troubleshoot, however, they also have many potential downsides that bootcamps do not. One is that it can take a lot of time to screen them for accuracy and currency. Unfortunately, many online resources are outdated or inaccurate, so when you use free online resources, you’ll always need to spend some time evaluating their quality. Another potential downside is that most free resources are not comprehensive enough for anyone looking to master an application like SketchUp. In contrast, a bootcamp will provide you with a comprehensive curriculum that covers all of the skills and principles that you’ll need to know to be successful with this application. Finally, free resources lack a live instructor, and without a live instructor, you’ll miss many learning benefits. For instance, a live instructor can answer your questions, give you feedback, and share valuable tips and tricks that it could take years to figure out yourself. When you try to teach yourself by using free resources, you won’t have access to any of this support. 

Another thing you won’t get with free training options is the experience of learning as part of a group of peers. When you learn in a bootcamp, you’ll be part of a group. Your fellow students can be a source of inspiration and learning. By learning together, you’ll have access to support and a diversity of perspectives that can enrich the learning process. Not only can a peer group enrich the learning process, but it can be a valuable professional resource for career support or job opportunities. Many people find that a network is a vital part of professional success.

Learn SketchUp with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a wide variety of design classes. It has both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs that are intended to get you career-ready in a relatively short amount of time. These classes are offered in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format, where you can sign on from any location in the world. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within one year.

If you want to learn SketchUp, you can enroll in Noble’s SketchUp Pro Bootcamp, which is a multi-day class designed to get you ready to start building 3D models. It covers a wide range of topics including interface navigation, drawing shapes, adding volume, and transforming elements. You’ll also learn to use the SketchUp Warehouse. This class includes plenty of hands-on practice. No prior experience is required, other than the ability to use a computer.

If you’re interested in 3D modeling, Noble also offers a number of live AutoCAD classes. These include Level 1, 2, and 3 classes. There is also an AutoCAD Masterclass, which covers beginner, intermediate, and advanced skills. Finally, Noble offers an AutoDesk Certification Program. This course includes three AutoCAD classes in addition to six hours of private tutoring. You’ll finish the course by taking the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam. Proctoring and a free retake are included with your tuition.