5 Things to Know About Online Coding Boot Camps
FOR WISCONSIN RESIDENT Nicole Villa, an online coding boot camp solved a key career-progression problem she faced a few years ago: how to supplement her experience in cryptocurrency with web development skills.
The 27-year-old says teaching herself to code proved to be difficult so she started looking into coding boot camps, which help students learn different coding programs and build portfolios of projects to showcase their skills to potential employers. Some are offered online, enabling students to complete coursework and earn a credential remotely.
Villa – who is in the beginning stages of launching an employee-owned technology cafe where future computer science educators receive job training – is enrolled in CareerFoundry's online program in full-stack web development. Simultaneously, she's studying blockchain engineering online through Truffle University, a career-focused program offered by the software company Truffle Suite.
Villa is one of many students taking this educational route. For some students, experts say, an online coding boot camp can be a better option than an online degree program, and they should weigh the pros and cons of each when deciding. Unlike degree programs that explore technology disciplines in their entirety, boot camps focus on developing job-specific skills. Degrees are often more costly and can take longer to earn, though certain jobs may require students to have at least a bachelor's.
In 2019, there were around 5,500 graduates of online coding boot camps, and online boot camps experienced 171% growth, outpacing that of in-person programs, according to data collected by Course Report, a website that provides reviews and industry research on coding boot camps. On average, these online programs last for about 24 weeks and cost a total of around $12,900, Course Report found.
In addition, online coding boot camp graduates reported an average salary of about $72,000 in 2019, with nearly 88% reporting they have had a job where they used the skills gained from their program, Course Report data shows. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developer jobs are expected to grow by 13% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations, with the 2018 median pay at $69,430.
The online format provides learners with more flexibility, enabling them to continue their education without having to relocate to another city, says Liz Eggleston, co-founder of Course Report.
"I think also it opens up accessibility for people who can't necessarily 100% quit their jobs, or have child care responsibilities – any kind of other responsibilities where they can't do the full-time, in-person career change," she says.
In addition to online-only boot camps like Bloc, some on-site boot camps that initially didn't offer a virtual option – like the Flatiron School in New York – have shifted into the online space as well in recent years.
But with more than 16 million Americans having filed for unemployment benefits in the past three weeks and the country facing the economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic, is now the right time for students to pursue an online coding boot camp? Eggleston and other experts say "yes."
For one thing, coding is generally an in-demand skill that can be learned – and oftentimes practiced in the professional world – remotely. And Eggleston says that with many people facing financial hardships, some coding boot camps are offering more scholarships, waiving deposits and making introductory classes free and lengthier.
While she acknowledges that this has been a challenging time for many, Eggleston also says these lower-cost opportunities can be "a great way for someone who maybe wasn't thinking about this career before to actually get their feet wet and understand if this is something that they want to do." Most on-site boot camps are also transitioning to the virtual format for the time being due to the COVID-19 outbreak, she says.
"The silver lining of this crazy coronavirus situation is people can spend this time to invest in their future – get digital economy skill sets that will set them up for future careers, not just right after the coronavirus goes away but for the rest of their lives," says Luke Lappala, director of public relations for Coding Dojo, which offers both online and in-person boot camps.
Here are five things prospective students should know about online coding boot camps:
Learning and payment plans vary among online coding boot camps.
Online coding boot camps are geared toward career changers.
Students often leave with a portfolio of projects.
Many online boot camps allow for interaction with mentors and other students.
Admissions requirements and prerequisites for online boot camps vary.
Learning and Payment Plans Vary Among Online Coding Boot Camps
Today, there are many full-time and part-time online boot camp options where students can learn live from an instructor in a format mimicking an actual classroom. There's also what Eggleston describes as "mentor-guided programs," where students log in and complete coursework on their own time but meet virtually with a mentor on a regular basis to dive further into the material and get their questions answered.
A completely self-guided online course is another option, Eggleston says, though she notes that these are more popular among those looking to gain coding skills without making a big career change.
Part-time online programs generally take longer to complete than full-time options because there is less of a weekly time commitment. This can be a good option for somebody with a full-time job.