What is this whole coding boot camp thing?

Everything you were wondering about (but were too shy to ask)

Coding bootcamps are on a rise in recent years. Perhaps you’ve heard about them, but weren’t quite clear on the idea? Putting it simply, a coding bootcamp is an intense, accelerated technical training program which teaches programming skills.

Who can enroll?

The short answer is: basically everyone can enroll in a bootcamp.

Prerequisites vary depending on the bootcamp. There is a number of companies that let you enroll even if you have no experience nor technical background, and then there are those who have extremely demanding screening processes. Both have their pros and cons.

You might think that the higher the requirements, the easier it will be to land a job afterwards. Although it might be partly true, it really comes down to how well prepared the program is, how much effort you put into it, and how well your brain can process large amounts of new knowledge in a short time.

Is it for everyone?

Which brings us to the second question: if everyone can enroll, does it mean it’s for everyone? And although I know you’d like to hear something different, I believe that the truth is that a coding bootcamp is not for everyone.

Why? Because everybody is different and learns differently. Although I do believe everyone can learn how to code (especially if one starts as a kid), our learning and thinking patterns can make this process harder with age, depending on previous experiences.

Another factor to consider is the intensity: most of bootcamps are full-time programs with extremely high pace. Working for 10 hours a day, 5 times a week (and possibly revising in the weekends), for roughly 3 months in a row is a lot and not everyone handles it equally well.

How much does it cost?

When it comes to immersive, full-time programs prices start at €0 (yes, you can find some free bootcamps out there) and can go as high as €16.000. It depends on your chosen location as well as the school’s reputation. Many bootcamps offer discounts and scholarships, so don’t let the price discourage you.

How long is the program?

Most of the immersive programs are 9–14 weeks long.

How intense is it really?

As mentioned previously: it is very intense. Signing up for it you should expect:

• being forced to push your mental and physical boundaries
• extreme exhaustion
• stress
• frustration and self-doubt

But it’s all parts of the process.

Can you get hired as a web developer straight after a coding bootcamp?

Yes, it is most definitely possible. In my bootcamp there was one student hired during the program already. It’s worth mentioning though that she had some prior technical experience and programming knowledge.

Definitely not everyone is ready to become a junior developer straight after a bootcamp. However, it does let you cover a huge chunk of material in a relatively short period of time. Plus it provides you with tools and techniques to continue learning afterwards.

On the program completion, many people realize that becoming a developer is not even what they actually want to do (and that’s fine too, as technical skills are in high demand in many fields). But for those who do want to pursue this career, how quickly one gets hired will depend on a variety of factors (location, luck, state of knowledge, to name just a few) — which is a material for a whole separate post.

Is it worth it?

From my own experience: absolutely. If you’re determined and hard-working, a coding bootcamp will allow you to take a huge leap, both education- and career-wise. It’s also a great place to meet like-minded, ambitious people and network. And last but not least, you might get surprised by how much you can learn in such a short period, given you put your heart into it — and that for me was possibly the most important and empowering takeaway.

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