Should I Take Google’s UX Class or a Bootcamp to Learn UX?
Pros, Cons, and Hacks for Both Ways of Learning
These days, there are a lot of posts on LinkedIn about what method to use to learn UX skills.
One question that comes up a lot is whether to learn using Google’s UX Design Certificate course on Coursera or to enroll in a bootcamp.
There are stalwarts on each side of the issue.
Google course enthusiasts swear by the value of the Google UX Design Certificate course. Boot-campers swear by the forged-in-the-fire process of learning UX by intensive methods.
What’s the best way to learn UX?
The short answer is: It depends.
Based on my experience with both courses as a student — and my experience as a teacher — here’s what I learned, and some hacks for each method.
Google’s UX Design Certficate: Price, Quality, Rigor
Price: You simply can’t beat the cost of the Google class. It’s about $40 a month currently, so if you are on track with their learning schedule, the price tag will be about $100-$200.
Quality: Coursera’s Google UX Design Certificate is well done. It’s organized, it’s thorough. The concepts are clear and well organized. There are ample resources and modes of learning. Google’s approach to UX content uses a variety of tools, like video, quizzes, readings, and projects. This keeps the course engaging and makes it accessible as you work your way through a lot of material.
Rigor: You can work at your own pace, although they do try and encourage you to finish the course. This is helpful so you won’t have to relearn things if you let your coursework slide or get off-track.
Value: The course has excellent value, and I’m amazed that it’s even available at its current price. Because you’re getting great quality at a low cost, you can expect to do more on your own to shape your education into a career.
Takeaway: The course is, in short, “Googley”. It’s helpful, low cost, and thoughtfully executed. It’s accessible and well designed. It takes into account one of the core tenets of UX, and Google, which is designing for everyone.
But the Google UX Design certificate may not be right for you, even if it is designed for everyone.
Here are three reasons this may not be the best choice for you, and what you can do if you decide to take the course anyway:
1. Learning in a silo
Let’s face it, working solo isn’t for everyone. It can be a lonely to sit in front of a screen for hours without personal connections or friendships. Feeling like you’re in it together helps you show up to learn and is way more fun.
How to do it anyway
Find a friend or someone else on a social group that will take the course with you. Meet up to compare notes and stay accountable to finishing.
2. The quality of communal feedback varies
Feedback — giving and taking — is an essential part of developing your skills. Part of the curriculum builds feedback into the learning process. In my experience, people were nice, but the feedback was mostly “great job” comments. Usable feedback can be hard to give, especially if you are new at something.
How to do it anyway
You may have to go outside the class to get substantive feedback. Many emerging designers use LinkedIn groups to get feedback on their work. This is a good strategy. You can also find a mentor who can give feedback. Check out ADP List to find a mentor.
3. You don’t walk away with career connections
Because you’re learning solo, you don’t get to develop working relationships with other students. Those relationships can be valuable assets as you and your peers get into the workplace. They’ll have worked with you and can speak to your skills and personality.
How to do it anyway
Work your network to cultivate professional relationships. Light up LinkedIn with posts and comments, be a content creator, and make sure your materials and resume are on point.
Bootcamp Learning: Price, Quality, Rigor, Value
You may be asking yourself if you should invest five figures and a lot of sweat equity in a bootcamp. (In fact, you’d be reckless not to ask yourself this question!)
I’ll speak a little more generally, since there are many schools to choose from.
Price: I can’t give you the numbers on this because tuition varies based on the program or school you choose. You can expect a full-time intensive bootcamp course will mean laying out five figures. You probably won’t be able to work at the same time because it’s a huge time commitment.
Quality: This may vary based on instructors and schools, but I can say that I, and most people I’ve encountered, had positive feedback about the bootcamps they completed. (Enrolling in a reputable school is key here.)
The instructors have real world experience to share on what it’s really like to be in the role. UX can sound a little rosy or idealistic when you don’t have a person to help you navigate the ins and outs. It helps you understand the challenges that come with the job and working with others, not just the theory behind the principles. This can be a helpful background for navigating future career challenges successfully.
Rigor: The bootcamp method is rigorous, as the name suggests. You can expect the program to be cohesive, comprehensive, and well-rounded. Bootcamps are unique experiences to learn something thoroughly in a short period of time. That’s why they call it drinking from the fire hose. In exchange for a big check and 3–6 months of study, you will be career-ready at the end, and have a portfolio ready to show for it. That can translate to less time on the job market and produce faster (and possibly better) results.
Value: Learning with others gives you the chance to form friendships and professional connections, which may lead to jobs down the line. You may also have access to professionals through your bootcamp who are in the field already that may connect with you for jobs, advice, mentoring, or even just a LinkedIn connection. These can be valuable resources for your career.
Here are the caveats of bootcamp learning:
1. It’s a large financial commitment
If you’re serious about this career, it’s worth investing in. That’s easier said than done. If you’re learning full time, you’re probably not working, and you also have to support yourself during your job search.
But keep in mind that there’s monetary value in getting a job sooner than later. Credentials impact your marketability as a hire, rate of pay, lifetime earnings, time to retirement, and more.
How to do it anyway
Check out what financing options are available. Many schools offer flex-pay options, scholarships for women in tech, and programs for military veterans. It’s worth considering.
Many students had support from spouses or parents while they were in class. Some even moved in with a roommate or family member to make it work. Depending on your situation, there’s not an easy fix.
2. The time it takes from other commitments
You’ll sacrifice most of your personal time on weekends, evenings, and early mornings. I spent every moment eating, breathing, and sleeping UX while in the class, and still am today. (I’ve found my fingers scrolling my mouse in my sleep several times!) This is true for my fellow students as well.
Bootcamp was particularly hard for parents, whether they were primary caregivers or not.
How to do it anyway
The best advice I can give you is to try and get support from the people around you. Simplify as much as possible, lean on anyone who will help, and stock up on essentials like pasta and toilet paper to cut down on stress.
For parents of younger children, you may need to factor daycare or other caregivers into the cost of the class.
3. The impact on your mental and physical well-being
You’ll spend most of your day in front of a screen. Not a business day, a 24-hour day. Trust me, your back will hurt, your eyes will hurt, and you will feel drained. You may find it tedious or overwhelming to not be able to take breaks at will. Many gained weight from lack of movement and stress eating.
You can expect a lot of internal pressure to make your investment pay off as quickly as possible, and that’s real stress. That pressure may be destructive for some people.
How to do it anyway
I recommend a standing desk so you can move around and a great chair or at least a chair pad to help with body aches. If you struggle with sitting still, look into fidget toys, ball chairs, chair bands. or other ways to keep yourself focused during the long days and nights.
And if you’re not able to manage pressure or stressful situations, I recommend addressing that before taking the class.
The take away:
The Google vs. Bootcamp debate is not a black or white issue, although for many it comes down to what they can afford.
The best way to learn UX is to do both. I maximized my learning by taking the Google course to prepare myself for a bootcamp. That made me feel confident about spending time and money to make this career change.
If you want to learn UX, that’s a great way to do it. Whatever you decide, I recommend starting your journey.
I waited for years to be able to start my UX career. I often thought to myself, “If I had taken that class, I’d be done by now.”
That’s the biggest reason to move forward no matter what you choose.
