Choosing a tech bootcamp: 5 of 5
This is the last in a series of five posts about things to consider when you’re choosing a bootcamp. If you haven’t read the first post yet, start there!
In today’s post, the last of the series, we’ll focus on the types of opportunities to build “real-world” experience you should look for.
Today’s questions are:
(1) Does the bootcamp provide tech-specific interview and job preparation?
If you have never worked in the tech sector before, there are many things you will need to learn about how to succeed in a tech interview and in your new job. In addition to the technical focus of your training, you should be sure any bootcamp you join includes tech-specific interview and job preparation. You should look for:
o Technical interview practice, including whiteboarding, pair programming, and other common tech interview techniques.
o Frequent opportunities to practice speaking about your work. This can be through daily standups, presentations, or other venues. Tech employers emphasize that it is not enough for someone to be technically skilled; they also must be able to communicate the results or impact of their work to both technical and non-technical audiences. Look for bootcamps where you will have the opportunity to build this skill.
o Tech-specific job application support and interview-related skills and resources, including basic job-hunting skills, a clear résumé and strong online presence, and an online portfolio that gives employers an opportunity to review your projects.
(2) Does the bootcamp provide opportunities to gain experience through training?
It’s important to gain experience and exposure to a tech setting through training. Sometimes this can take the form of an internship. Other times may be as simple as guest lectures or site visits. Whatever form it takes, you should look for:
o Opportunities to gain real-world experience, including through internships, on-the-job training, “shadowing” experiences, or even participation in hackathons.
o Real-world exposure: Opportunities to gain a first-hand understanding of the NYC tech ecosystem, including what it is like to work at various companies and what it takes to land a job. This can happen through site visits to companies, guest speakers, and other opportunities.
o Simulation of working environment: Evidence that a training provider incorporates activities you will find on the job, such as standups and pair programming, into its regular practices.
We hope that you found this series to be helpful! We’d love to hear what you found useful and what else you may want to know. Help us help you by filling out this survey to let us know what you might want to see in future posts.
About the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline
Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline (TTP) in 2014. Managed by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), TTP is designed to support the inclusive growth of the NYC tech sector by delivering quality jobs for New Yorkers and qualified talent for the City’s businesses. TTP works with 275 companies, 17 local colleges, and additional public and private partners to define employer needs, develop training and education models to meet these needs, and scale solutions throughout the City. TTP delivers quality talent for the City’s businesses and quality jobs for New Yorkers.
For more information, visit techtalentpipeline.nyc/.
