Is a code bootcamp right for me?
Advice from someone who has been there
In the world of code, we talk about things being binary, but so much is not. Career choices, personal development, working on a team–these are all grey areas where you should consider multiple perspectives. This is my advice on one of those topics–to code school or not?
Note: I’m using the terms software developer and programmer interchangeably here.
Spoiler alert, I did attend a code bootcamp, but I wouldn’t recommend them for everyone. If you search the www for “code bootcamp” or “code school”, you will be met with ads from the preeminent organizations and a lot of promises. How do you know if a code bootcamp is a good investment? Let me qualify that statement with a critical addition, how do you know if a code bootcamp is a good investment for you?
Over the years since I completed my journey at a now-defunct code school and landed a job, I’ve fielded questions from dozens of friends and acquaintances trying to feel out if a similar choice is good for them. The conversation always follows the same format, and I’ve outlined it below framed from questions you should ask yourself if you are considering code school.
What are you in it for?
First of all, if you are researching code schools, I assume your end goal is to be a software developer. If it isn’t, full stop. There’s plenty of other cool shit out there to do for a living and careers that tangentially work with software developers (not limited to…Product Manager, UX Architect, UI Designer), but don’t require learning to write code. These jobs are also awesome and in the tech sector–way cool and worth considering if they are a better fit for you.
Secondarily, the elephant 🐘 in the room, money. A lot of people are looking to invest in code school and subsequently land a job as a software developer so they can acheive financial security. To that, I would add:
Code school graduation doesn’t guarantee a job as a developer. I know some code schools offer a type of tuition remission until you are hired, but where are those schools typically connecting new graduates to jobs? Are those places you want to work? Most importantly, what is the success rate of sticking with the job 6 months from being hired, 1 year out, etc?
Tuition for code schools is a hefty investment if you aren’t 100% sure software development is the career you want. For a full time program around 12 weeks, the average tuition is upwards of $10,000.
The best programmers are in it for more than just the money. Sure, anyone can commit to any job and be strictly in it for the paycheck, but the best developers I know have a genuine enjoyment of their line of work and a natural curiosity to learn new things.
Do you know what a software developer does?
I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but I think one of the largest reasons I’ve seen people not obtain or retain jobs as developers is a misalignment in expectations around programming and reality. There are tons of really exciting opportunities and sub-specialties within the world of software development (front-end, back-end, devops, working with data, and so much more), but again, is this type of work for you?
You need to have an understanding of what the day to day is like and if the nature of programming for a living fits your interests and skills. Look at the job sector objectively, especially in today’s climate. This isn’t a unique research assignment; you’d do this for any career change, right?
Writing code isn’t a mysterious world that you aren’t a part of until you are. It is pretty easy to get a handle on what you might be doing. Here are some suggestions to help you gather intel:
Meet some developers in person at a local gathering. Most of us don’t even bite! Perhaps there is a Node.js or mobile app dev group in your city. (Meetup is a decent starting place to search.) If there isn’t, online hangouts are a fine substitute. Once, when I was attending a local Python meetup, someone showed up thinking there would be actual snakes. Boy, was he disappointed when it was all laptops and neckbeards.
Seek advice from a tech organization. AnitaB.org is just one of many great non-profits with plenty of helpful folks who are happy to lend their advice and expertise. I am a leader for the Houston chapter and have been connected to some incredible people through this organization. (See also Black Girls Code and Women Who Code.)
Read some blogs/watch some lectures. Some of these may be over your head, but you can at least get a glimpse of some projects, processes, and topics out there.
Generally, there are some common themes amongst people who enjoy careers as programmers.
Do you enjoy solving problems?
Do you have a natural curiosity to understand how things work?
Are you hypothetically okay with working on the same thing for hours, possibly days? This gets better with time as you become a more seasoned developer and get better at approaching problems, but it still happens to the best of us. However, as you become a better developer, the problems you work on become more complex.
If you are leaning towards attending a code school…
Do you homework on a program that is right for you. There are a lot of types of programs out there with different focuses (front-end/back-end) and structures to how they teach. Research your options and pick what makes sense for you. You can also ask an instructor or “campus” organizer to talk to a recent grad(s) of the same program.
Consider going full time. I know there are plenty of part-time options offered for code bootcamps, but…I don’t personally know their success rate. If you are completely new to programming, I would commit to full time and immerse yourself as much as possible if you are serious about landing a job in the field.
Be realistic about your outcome. This is maybe the most important thing to know of this whole article, so if you made it this far, kudos to you (!) and here is what these code bootcamps don’t tell you. In an average 3-month, full-time program, you are ONLY going to learn a tiny tip of the iceberg of what all is out there to be learned in the world of software development. When I first enrolled, I naively thought I would go for three months and graduate as some sort of principal developer. 😂😂😂 This makes me LOL to even think about now.
I’m not saying this to discourage anyone, but real talk–what these programming schools are teaching you is just enough to convince someone to hire you, and it will be your task to stick the landing and actually get the job, preferably as soon as you graduate while your new baby-developer skills are still fresh, because guess what, if you don’t use them, you lose them.
Whatever you choose, you’ve got support and resources to succeed.
Speaking of, if this article has been helpful to you, consider sharing it with friends. I’m also happy to answer questions; you can find me on Twitter, at an AnitaB.org event, or possibly a Python meetup (I’ll be the one without the neckbeard).
I’ll be tackling more subjects related to the soft side of software development in upcoming articles. Subscribe below if you are interested. Until next time!
Your friendly neighborhood developer,
Kaylan