What is a Coding Bootcamp?

TL;DR

We can easily answer the what is a coding bootcamp question as a bootcamp for coding to get you into a technical job as fast as possible. Whether you want to make apps or be the focus of the next Mr. Robot series, there are many other nuisances associated with these coding/programming bootcamps. These moving components are often what will make or break your particular learning experience.

Not to mention, bootcamps can be on the pricier side -so you should definitely keep researching different options out there to ensure you find the right one for you. Considering the coding bootcamp prices, it is a good idea to shop around until you find what you are looking for. In theory, these skills you learn will pay for themselves in full. Programming can be a rewarding experience as a personal hobby and an even more financially rewarding experience when you land your job! In this article, we are going to dissect the general coding bootcamp structure and offer a few of our own recommendations for you to research.

Our Thoughts On Computer Science Education

Before we deep dive on our top picks for coding bootcamps, it should be noted that there is a debate between the traditional Computer Science degree and the coding bootcamp. There are significantly more opportunities to network and learn theoretical aspects of CS as opposed to coding bootcamps, however, the time and money required to obtain a Bachelor’s is another consideration when compared to a bootcamp. Bootcamps, on the other hand, specialize in teaching a very specific application of computing in a short period of time (such as web development, machine learning, etc.). This can be advantageous if you want to get into the field quickly, however, these bootcamps are often very intense.

For reference, I studied CS at a university and am continuing my education. I think it’s one of the better ways you can acquire CS knowledge while networking with your classmates, professors and various recruiters that visit campus. However, this path requires more time to complete and money if you do not qualify for scholarships. You can also argue that the university approach has more tests and is not as direct with the general education requirements for your degree.

Whichever path you choose, the reputation of your program will make you stand out on your resume. The skills you obtained from the program, however, will most likely be tested in the interviewing process. Regardless, you will still need to showcase the skills and projects you have completed in order to obtain your new technical position.

As much as we’d love to recommend a one-stop-shop solution to everyone, it is simply infeasible. Thus, there are many different courses/programs out there to teach you the same general concepts. Everyone has a unique situation and learning style that may or may not work in certain learning programs. That’s why we made our own learning platform! With all that being said, the purpose of this article is to clearly define what most bootcamp programs are about and weigh in on some of the options available in the bootcamp realm.

How Do You Choose a Coding Bootcamp?

Why are Coding Bootcamps so Expensive?

Coding bootcamp costs typically range anywhere in the hundreds to thousands -depending on the duration and materials taught in the course. Keeping this in mind, you will typically get what you pay for when it comes to coding bootcamps.

One aspect to look for is the program info listed in the course description. Often, you can see how lesson plans are packaged to give you a rough estimate of the intensity/skills you will develop for the given price point.

Location

Courses are either taught in-person, online or a hybrid model. Typically speaking, bootcamps can be more expensive if they are in person but many coding boot camp classes are online. The ease of use for online coding bootcamps are quite desirable, however, there is not the same learning environment quite like being in person. However, you are limited by how far you can drive to get to your classes. Be sure to look up the place before you drive!

One of the more optimal approaches for busy individuals is to have an online course with office hours or tutoring hours that come included or charge-per-use basis with your package. This way, you can do most of the coursework by yourself, but still receive dedicated support from the instructor. Alternatively if you live next to a bootcamp program of interest and enough time on your hands, selecting this class will give you a more hands-on approach all while supporting a local business.

There are several different options when it comes to class modality and location. Given that this program will give you the skills to enter a technical position soon after you finish, you should prioritize the programming bootcamp into your schedule.

Duration

The overall goal of a coding bootcamp is to get you in and out of the program as soon as possible so that you can get your industry job as soon as possible. With that being said, there are some people who can excel in this environment. By the same token, there are folks who require more time and hands-on practice before they are comfortable moving on in the course.

For example, let’s assume you found two courses with identical coursework. One claims they will finish in one week, and the other three days. While the three day option seems optimal, you must factor in the intensity required to finish a week’s worth of content into just three days. It can be overwhelming, especially if the lesson plan is on a fixed schedule.

If you are the type of individual to thrive in high-intensity learning environments, then perhaps a faster paced course is more suited for you. If you prefer taking more time to grasp each concept, consider an asynchronous or slower-paced course.

Content

One crucial aspect that will make or break a coding bootcamp is the content that is covered. This can be difficult to watch out for, especially because you may be new to the technical field and don’t know what to look for.

When it comes to navigating through course materials, be on the look out for terminology you are familiar with and compare it to the requirements listed in your future position. For instance, if you wanted to work as an IT Security Analyst for JPMorgan Chase, you can search up listings online and look for their requirements for the position. Ensuring that these topics are covered in the course will give you a rough idea of the quality of the course.

Once you have the required topics, look into the course catalog to see if the course will suit your needs. Continuing with the example, let’s assume the analyst position requests you to learn ethical hacking. In that case, you should prioritize offensive cyber security skills -like programming, networking, etc. Since there are multiple skillsets required, it would be wise to find a course that covers all of these aspects or multiple courses that covers each topic really well.

Certification

There are several certifications in the technical field you should look out for. Many categories include cloud security, offensive security and platform specific certifications. You do not need to catch em’ all by any means, unless you want to be the best; like no one ever was…

Generally speaking, bootcamps do not offer these certifications as a part of the course. Since these certifications are standardized, you will have to register separately to obtain industry-specific certifications. However, in-house certifications can be a great way to show the amount of effort you have invested in yourself.

More times than not, programs should be driven towards certification goals -even if you don’t want to get certified. This focus will dramatically shift you towards topics that are expected in practice.

Our Top Picks

There is a lot to consider when it comes to selecting a bootcamp when compared to learning from a university. You can quickly see how prestigious a university’s CS program is through a quick search online, however, the bulk of the curriculum is consistent throughout. Coding bootcamps do not follow a traditional path, thus they may be better than the university courses or worse. This is especially important since you will primarily rely on this bootcamp as your academic reference into the programming field.

Our experience is primarily with Florida coding bootcamps, and our recommendations will mostly be from Florida. There are many great programs outside of the one’s listed, however, you can take any of the online courses recommended from just about anywhere in the world (or at least the U.S. with the college options). The curriculums for these courses are listed at the provided links, so be sure to check those out to get a better idea of what you should be looking for in bootcamps near you.

Best Entry Level: R U Coding Me Learning Center

Before we talk about learn.rucodingme.com, it should be noted that this is our learning platform.

Our learning platform is a great contender when it comes to gaining more technical knowledge. Unlike coding bootcamps, we have a growing selection of courses you can take at your own pace with discounted tutoring services with each course. Our staff are dedicated to your individualized learning experience and can help you on a more case-by-case basis.

There are a growing number of courses coming to this platform, so be sure to join our mailing list for updates and discounts!

2. Best C++ Course – Codeacademy

Codeacademy has a great introductory course for C++ to get you familiar with the bigger brother of the C language. C++ is definitely more prevalent in modern projects as it offers Object-Oriented development in a robust language derived off of C.

C++ is a great language to learn if you are eager to start physics/game engine development as well as writing driver codes for robotics.

Codeacademy is entirely online and offers a flexible pricing plan for the course itself. One of the downsides it the missing ability to purchase the course out-right as opposed to the monthly subscription online option.

3. Best Web Development Program – University of Central Florida

UCF offers an impeccable CS program but also a great web development bootcamp to get you immediately into full stack development in a couple of months!

One of the great parts about UCF’s program is the timing of each module. There is a balance between intensity and course length, offering a fair trade off for efficiency.

Additionally, this bootcamp is taught by an instructor online/in-person. As the staff and faculty overseeing the course are from the university, there is a high chance that the instructor will be able to effectively communicate with the students to help facilitate learning.

4. Best Cyber Certificate – Saint Petersburg College

SPC is one of the dominating forces in cybersecurity in Florida, offering a comprehensive cyber certificate. Their certificate program offers much flexibility in the concepts taught allowing for students to specialize in a variety of disciplines within cybersecurity, such as forensics and offensive security.

5. Best Network Security – Pasco-Hernando State College

PHSC is one of the most recognized cyber institutes in the Bay Area, offering a very comprehensive network security course. Having a dedicated network security course will help students prep for the CompTIA line of security examinations.

It should be noted that students in either cyber program will most likely need to take these certifications or document completion of various CTF challenges to boost their resume. Programming is also another recommended skill for applicants to have.

Bonus Option – “Youniversity”

As the cleverly constructed pun would suggest, you can definitely learn what you need on your own -thanks to the Internet! It is crazy to think that there a quick YouTube search can get you access to several videos on various CS subjects for free!

Keep in mind, you will not have a program to back up your coding skills when it comes to job interviews -it will just be you! It is important to consider certifications and personal projects to help boost your resume and make you competitive with a crowd that will have these validations on their resumes. It is entirely possible to learn programming by yourself and get a job with these skills but this is not as common.

Is it Worth Doing a Coding Bootcamp?

Taking aside as much bias as possible, not every bootcamp is built the same when it comes to individualized support. At the end of the day, you should be excited about the programming bootcamp you decide! It is a huge leap into an awesome field that is both mentally stimulating and financially rewarding. If you get the chance, reach out to the instructor to see if you can get a feeling for what they will be like teaching you. Often, bootcamps and courses will have sample lectures for you to attend to see if the instructor’s teaching style is meant for you.

If you know this is what you really want to do and see yourself in a particular field (like web dev or cyber), start planning your journey today whether that’s through a coding bootcamp, university or YouTube! This will give you time to make awesome projects to stand out on your resume.

If you are still on the fence, take an introductory programming course to see if it’s right for you. There are many great options out there, so be sure to do your research.

Before You Go

Thank you for reading! Let us know in the comments why you want to make the switch to a technical job 😄