Maybe you think coding is interesting or maybe you're ready to restart your life, deciding to do a coding bootcamp is no easy feat. I have been in that same position. Hello, I am Tripp White and I have just completed the Software Engineering program by Flatiron Schools. I want to share this article with anyone who is on the fence about if bootcamps are legit.
I want to address the elephant in the room quickly. Just about every article on bootcamps talk about money and how they are expensive. I will not be discussing price of these bootcamps. Everyone has a different intrinsic value of a dollar. So It is not fair to base conclusions when everyone values money differently. There are tons of resources that can make these bootcamps affordable for anyone. Do your research and base your decision on everything else besides the cost. Okay, enough with that. : )
Back in the spring of 2020, I was looking for a career I would be happy with. This is when I came across bootcamps and their impressive claims. I had many questions and doubts about bootcamps before I began. I want to break down and answer each of these doubts. I am sure that many of you have the same questions.
Will I be able to learn enough?
I remember starting thinking how in the world can I learn enough material to switch careers in just 5 months. I also had concerns on if I would remember anything I learned. We all have crammed for a big test. We remember the material for the test but soon forget it. This was not the case with Flatiron. Now, I did not retain everything but I retained a lot more than I was expecting. I believe this is the case due to how the curriculum is structured. The program is very hands on.
There were 3 major ways that you learn information.
1.) reading lessons
2.) having instructor teach about what you just read
3.) hands on practice with labs.
I was able to learn the material, watch my instructor use it and then test my knowledge with a lab. This really helped me learn and retain information. The labs turned out to be fun and my favorite part. The majority of labs are small and just over what you just read. Some times they were bigger with some easter eggs but I found that the hands on practice every day really helped me retain.
Do They Teach The Best Technologies
I remember when I started, wondering what is the best technologies to learn. Do I need Java, Python, Javascript, or some other trending tech. What I discovered, as a bootcamp student what I am learning is not that important. How I am learning is what actually mattered. Technologies are so vast and constantly changing. Knowing a language today does not mean it will be relevant or even the same a couple years from now. Also, it is almost impossible to know everything about a language unless you've spend years learning it. In the last 5 months I have learned 5 major Technologies: React, Javascript, Ruby, Ruby on Rails, and Sinatra. At first I was concern that was too much, but in reality it was the art of learning and switching gears that made the biggest impact on me. With each new framework I had to relearn similar concepts. Learn new limitations and extensions of these new technologies. This gives me the ability and confidence to learn new technologies faster than others. I can adapt to whatever my career throws at me. If I find a certain technology exciting, I have the tools to learn and pursue it. I do not think there is a best technology but I do know I am prepared to learn whatever technology I need due to what Flatiron taught me.
Am I Smart Enough?
In college I remember having friends who were computer science majors. They were constantly flooded with school work. I was concern my Economics and Finance degree wasn't going to be enough to make this career change in 5 months. I can tell you this, the will to learn and want to get better is far more important than what you already know. There is tons of material that you cover. There are times when everything clicks and there are times when you feel like you don't even know your name. This is the basics of learning. There are tons of resources available to help you over come the sticking points if you are willing. Flatiron has tons of resources: instructors, Ask a Question help line, and your fellow class mates. There are plenty of FREE resources online like stackoverflow, youtube, Code Academy. If you are willing to 100% commit, you can over come these sticking points. The best thing about coding is that each of these technologies are very similar. Later on in the bootcamp you will begin to recognize patterns and similarities that will really expedite your learning. You just have to make sure you are willing to grind to get to that point.
Will This Set Me Up For an Actual Career?
Not only will this help set you up for a career they will actually help you land a career. I have already touch on the true magic sauce that Flatiron teaches you with how to learn, this will help you adapt to any career you want to pursue. What really steps out to me is the career help. Appling for Tech jobs is not like any other. My career coach has helped me all long the way. She started out by learning about and what I am looking for. She has helped me with my resume, cover letters, interviews, and making sure I am applying to good jobs. This is the reason I came to Flatiron School. I wanted to switch careers. I did not just want to learn.
Bonus:
If you are looking around for bootcamps to join make sure they have some sort of career assistance. Make sure they have some kind of job guarantee. Any bootcamp with a job guarantee only gets paid when you get a job. So their business model is based on setting you up and landing you a job. This creates a completely different atmosphere than just a purely educational business model. They will support you and do whatever they can to get you to success because there income depends on it!
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