Choosing a tech bootcamp: 1 of 5
Today, we released a new guide to choosing a tech bootcamp. We kept that publication short so that it could be an easy-to-use checklist of the most important items you should look for when considering different bootcamps, but we wanted to share some additional detail for people who would like to dive a bit deeper.
If you haven’t checked out the report yet, do that first! It provides some helpful context and is meant to be a useful tool for you.
Then, to dive deeper, keep reading. This is the first in a series of blog posts.
Note: there are some helpful guides out there already; this guide adds to those resources with an eye towards the steps bootcamps should take to support their students and help them connect to good jobs.
Today’s post focuses on what you should look for when it comes to local tech employers’ role in developing and updating the curriculum used in a course. As you consider different bootcamps, you should ask:
(1) Does the bootcamp have courses that have been informed by NYC-based companies?
It’s important that any bootcamp you consider engages local companies regularly to update their courses. Job requirements can vary from city to city and can change quickly, so make sure the bootcamp gets regular feedback from companies that are hiring in NYC. You should look for:
o Industry engagement: Ask the bootcamp how they engage local industry professionals to develop, revisit, and refresh their curriculum on a regular basis. Do they use insights from New York City-based tech employers to create their curriculum? Do they ask employers what they want to see from class projects and use that information to craft the requirements for those projects?
o Candidate feedback: Ask the bootcamp whether they follow up with employers who interview their graduates. Do they get feedback from employers about graduates’ strengths and weaknesses? Do they use this information to update their curriculum?
(2) Does the bootcamp consult local industry partners to determine what skills project should include?
While in training, students should apply their skills through projects that show employers they can do the job. You should look for:
o Portfolio-building, publicly-accessible real-world projects: You should look for evidence that you will have to create a working product grounded in a real-world business scenario that others can see online. It is very important for you to leave training with at least one project you can use to demonstrate your technical skill and ability to advance business goals. Employers will look for these projects when you are applying and interviewing for jobs.
Start with the bootcamp’s website: some providers share past students’ work here. If available, you can visit graduates’ blogs and other public sources to see work they completed during training.
o Industry-informed projects: Ask the bootcamps you are considering how they use industry input to develop their projects. At a minimum, bootcamps should talk to local companies to learn what skills or knowledge students’ projects should demonstrate. It is even better if the projects incorporate real-world datasets or other input from employers.
o Presentation days: Some bootcamps host public presentation opportunities for their students to present their work. In some cases, potential students can attend these presentations. This is an opportunity to get more insight into the types of projects students work on and how well students are able to explain their work to a non-technical audience.
This is the first in a series of “deep dive” posts. Continue onto part 2 here!
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/.
