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Are Coding Bootcamps Still Relevant in 2024?

Coding bootcamps claim to be state-of-the-art programs that help students or professionals acquire coding skills in no time. According to coding bootcamps, one can become a master of coding within a matter of a few months. However, the truth is — it is not so easy. Many coding bootcamps do cover great topics and technologies, however, due to the lack of depth, one cannot gain enough foundational knowledge in any of the technologies.

In this kind of a case, one might be able to use a specific programming language but due to fundamentals not being strong enough, one might not be able to adapt to older technologies or other languages. Many companies have their own process criteria and require a set of specific skills. This is where bootcamps fail to help individuals. In these kinds of cases, certification programs in various skills or domains can validate an individual’s skills for potential employers.

Professional certifications in coding are always the better choice, sometimes even being more desired by employers than average degrees in Computer Science or Information Technology. However, college degrees along with being certified in various skill sets are the way to go if you are looking for a great coding job.

Without an academic background in computing, a bootcamp will not go very far in impressing employers like bootcamps claim to do. But, if it is a certification, employers can rely on the recruit in having the necessary skills in the technologies that the certification covers.

Coding bootcamps claim to help you acquire coding skills immediately and make you job-ready. But is this really true? Before you invest your hard-earned money on a bootcamp, it is better that you understand how bootcamps can help you and how these programs cannot. Certifications courses on the other hand, such as a full stack developer course can definitely help you acquire full stack developer skills.

What is a full-stack developer?

A full-stack developer can systematically handle all the phases of development including the frontend and the backend development of web applications and websites. Full-stack developers can also set up databases, integrate APIs and optimize network protocols.

So, it is not that bootcamps do not help but the extent of the assistance is only limited to a curated set of topics. Bootcamps are also easier to complete and this does not allow enrollees to give their best. Certifications, on the other hand, ensure that you have the necessary skills in order to be certified, not allowing you to be certified if you fail to qualify.

For instance, if you wish to get into full-stack web development, then web development courses with certification in MEAN or MERN technology stacks should be your primary choice. So, are bootcamps worth it? Let us find out.

Why coding bootcamps are not enough?

Coding bootcamps claim to make you job-ready and improve your employability. However, this is not the case. Bootcamps are still not accepted by companies as a standard for evaluating the skills of a candidate. In order to assess a candidate, companies still rely on academic records and their domain background.

For instance, it is easier for someone with a Software Development background to get recruited for a development process rather than someone who has no Computer Science background but has completed a coding bootcamp. However, this can be avoided with a certification as recruiters can confidently rely on your ability in specific skill sets and technologies, even if you previously did not belong from a coding background.

Thus, it is safe to say that coding bootcamps are not enough to offer you a career upgrade. Bootcamps are also much more expensive than standard certifications and courses from reputed institutes and learning platforms. One can also not opt for any financial aid when it comes to bootcamps, as compared to college degrees and professional certifications.

Bootcamps also provide a very limited knowledge of the topics that are covered due to how short these programs are. This also does not allow you to get an in-depth understanding of other associated topics or related technologies.

Coding bootcamps claim to offer you the world, making you qualified for the best jobs in the domain and preparing you to become a master programmer within the span of a few weeks. Even if we ignore the quality of training or assessments, coding bootcamps still cannot assert their dominance over certifications or degrees.

Coding might seem exciting but it is definitely not easy as it seems. A progressive approach, which is dependent on whether the candidate is ready to go to the next level or not, is the way to go. Bootcamps do not do that and simply stick to the schedule they are following. Certification programs are always a better alternative for professionals who wish to qualify for certain jobs.

Coding bootcamps are rarely ever sufficient to teach specialized skills that many companies need. With the number of academic resources and courses that are available to us, we can take our time and learn all the skills that we need. There is no point in spending money on bootcamps that do not teach anything that various free courses or YouTube tutorials do not teach.

However, when it comes to certifications, it is a sure fire way of ensuring that you qualify for the industry demands of specialized job roles and MNCs. Companies are always in dire need of skilled programmers and happily recruit individuals who are certified coders. Bootcamps also sometimes feature syllabuses that do not adhere to industry standards and technologies that companies in the real world do not care about.

Coding programs with certifications generally follow standards set by industry leaders and incorporate only the most useful skills that you will require in your coding career. Coding certifications are prepared in a manner that you learn the most out of the program and are ready to use these skills actively in your daily job life.

Who are bootcamps for?

Bootcamps are for individuals who already have a job but feel like a quick bootcamp might serve them when trying to switch jobs or when applying for senior positions. Bootcamps also sometimes cover common skills that might help individuals who feel that they lack or do not have foundations in a certain subject or topic.

However, bootcamps cannot make one master of these skills and one would always need to go for certifications or more advanced bootcamps in order to gain more knowledge. Fundamentally, coding bootcamps are for individuals who do not have time and need a quick way of upskilling themselves.

Different Types of Coding Bootcamps

Coding bootcamps are great options for those looking at making a career as a software developer but without a previous degree and without investing huge amounts of money. These bootcamps will provide you with the knowledge and expertise that employers are looking for. Coding camps come in a few types, as mentioned below:

Online coding bootcamps

Online coding bootcamps typically require you to attend at least 40 hours a week in class, in addition to another 5-7 hours to complete assignments. These are generally 10- to 12-week programmes, which means they will not allow you to work full-time. It is a typical teacher-student classroom setup that a few students still prefer.

Free Coding Bootcamps

Free coding bootcamps can help hone specific skills and provide you with the required knowledge base. These are preferred to those that make a hole in the pocket. However, paid bootcamps may offer a larger curriculum, higher guidance, and placement assistance.

Bootcamps with Certifications

Bootcamps with certifications will attract employers, as these will add credibility to your resume. University affiliated or offered by different organisations will always have an edge in this competitive market. You can learn how to leverage GitHub, which will give a push to your coding skills.

Research has shown that programming bootcamps can land you a job on par with those with a computer science background. According to CIRR data, about 70% of coding bootcamp students find employment in the tech industry within 180 days.

Why are coding bootcamps not enough?

While coding bootcamps can secure you a job, they are often not enough to offer high-paying jobs. In a few months of certification, there is only limited knowledge that can be gained, as opposed to degree programs that dive into details. The idiosyncrasies of back-end languages will come only after years of experience and knowledge. Coding camps will teach coding but not the intricate knowledge required by big businesses. It has become increasingly difficult to stand out as a graduate from coding camps as the market is flooding with junior developers.

Who are not suited for bootcamps?

Bootcamps are definitely not suited for freshers, who are looking for a job or professionals who are from non-technical fields. Bootcamps claim to help individuals from other fields to get coding jobs, however, this is far from the truth. It is always better to join a post-graduate certification program in these cases. And, if you are a fresher, it is much better to get certified in specific skill sets without wasting your time.

Coding bootcamps might contain technologies that you will never need or are unnecessary for the job role you are looking for. However, in order to complete the program, you must still cover those lessons. On the other hand, you can easily choose the certification you want, based on the skills and tools that you will actually need.

Read more about: Back end languages

How else can learn coding?

One can easily learn coding through certifications and courses. For example, if you wish to become a full stack JavaScript developer, you can do so with an industry-accredited full stack web development course or online program. Such a certificate also increases your employability and your job prospects.

There are also full-stack development programs that use other technology stacks and languages. For instance, a full-stack development certification in the LAMP technology stack would help you learn PHP, Linux, Apache, and MySQL. Similarly, courses that cover the MERN stack would help you learn MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.

So, are bootcamps enough to provide great job opportunities? No, they are only the first step in becoming a programmer or in acquiring the necessary software or application development skills. You will need much more than a bootcamp in order to master programming.

Hero Vired’s Certificate Program in Full Stack Development can definitely help you if you are looking for a full stack developer career. The program is far more hands-on than basic coding bootcamps, and is designed to make you industry-ready.

Conclusion

Coding camps have gained popularity among students who want to kick-start their DevOps and cloud engineering careers with the right skills and knowledge. Coding bootcamps, with their structured curriculum, shape your problem-solving skills and help you get a job in the tech industry.

Check out Hero Vired DevOps and cloud engineering Course to kickstart you career.