So if you’re anything like how I was roughly 7 years ago, you’re probably asking yourself “How do I break into tech, land a job as a software developer, and make great money?” or something similar. Well, the good news is I may have the answer you’re looking for!
What Is a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is a class-like structured course, either online or in-person, that teaches you how to code. Sounds simple, but there is actually more to it than just this. Coding bootcamps should also teach you how to structure your resume, how to interview, what to study and look over to prepare for your interviews, how to set up a portfolio and what to have on it, and anything else you’d need to know and do to land your first developer job and get your foot in the door inside the tech world.
If you’re going to invest in a coding bootcamp, it better be teaching you all of this for it to be worth your while, and that brings us to our next topic.
How Much Do Coding Bootcamps Cost?
The price for coding bootcamps can vary based on a number of factors, like whether it’s online or in-person, how long it has been around, the success rate of students going on to land a job, and so on. Typically though, the costs usually range from $13,000 to upwards of $25,000 for a 4-6 month experience of full-time training or $8,000 to upwards of $15,000 for 6 - 8 months of part-time training.
This may sound like a lot of money, but if you do come out of it with a job in tech and your foot in the door, your ROI (return on investment) is well worth the cost since software developers usually start out ranging from $63,500 to $106,000 annually across the United States. Also, regardless of what number you start at, your salary will usually increase each year by a good margin so long as you’re staying up to date with current practices and continually learning and perfecting your craft.
Is a Coding Bootcamp Worth It?
This question is best answered on a case-by-case basis. If you find a good one to go to that’s within your budget and you work hard during it with the intent to change your life and land a job, then I think coding bootcamps are definitely worth looking into. However, if you sign up for a bootcamp with the belief that just showing up is enough to eventually land that dream job, then you’ll be in for a rude awakening. Let’s face it, there’s a reason software developers get paid the amount they do, it’s hard! Don’t let this discourage you though, I went down the coding bootcamp route and I am so glad that I did!
My Experience Going To a Coding Bootcamp
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics so I knew the only way for me to get into tech and become a software developer was to either learn everything on my own or attend a coding bootcamp. After some searching around I found one in Houston. The class I signed up for was a full-time 4-month cohort that taught full-stack development. It cost me around $13,000 to attend so I went into it with the mindset that I would do whatever it takes to land a job before graduating.
Here’s a photo of me in class!
This was by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself in life. Not only did I have a great time during my studies, but I landed a job as a developer starting out at $50,000 a year right before graduating. A year later, my salary increased to $60,000, and then I switched jobs and made $80,000. A year after that, I got a raise and now I’m making over six figures. It only took me 3 full years as a software developer to get into the six-figure range! Plus I am able to work from the comfort of my own home. So for me, going to a coding bootcamp was well worth my initial investment!
For those wondering, the bootcamp I went to was called DigitalCrafts. I also eventually became an instructor for the part-time cohort there which was really cool being able to teach others what I got to learn. Since then, DigitalCrafts has made some major changes and is now teaching college credit classes so things are a bit different.
Conclusion
Attending a coding bootcamp can very well be a life-changing decision. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you're willing to put in the work, like sitting behind your computer, and love a challenge, then a coding bootcamp might just be exactly what you need! Not only can you increase your salary by becoming a software developer, but you’re also getting into a field that is constantly evolving which allows you to never really get bored. Pair that with the perks of being able to work anywhere with WiFi, and you’re on your way to job satisfaction!
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