The Benefits of Tech Bootcamp

Technology is constantly changing and evolving. For some, a career in the tech industry is an exciting prospect; however, the cost of a formal education is quite high, to say the least. If you’re looking to start a career in the tech industry but don’t want to deal with student loan debt or the time it takes to acquire a four-year degree, you might be interested in a technical bootcamp program. Today, we’re going to talk about the benefits of participating in a tech bootcamp. Let’s begin.

What Is a Technical Bootcamp?

When we think of bootcamps, we might conjure up images of drill sergeants, military fatigues, and challenging obstacle courses. A technical bootcamp is somewhat similar to an actual bootcamp in that it’s intended to provide you with a whole lot of information in a short amount of time; however, there isn’t any yelling, or forced push-ups or obstacle courses. In essence, a technical bootcamp condenses an entire degree program into just a few short months, providing participants with the opportunity to learn the skills required to begin a career in the tech field.

Career-Ready

Let’s say you work in the tech industry, but not in a tech role. If you’re feeling like you want to make a change and get hands-on with technology, a tech bootcamp is a great alternative to a traditional college or university. Certain employers might even contribute to the cost of a tech bootcamp, but even if yours doesn’t, your boss will most likely appreciate your drive to learn something new.

Tech bootcamps are also an excellent choice for those who are unsure about whether they want to go to a traditional college or university, but want to get into a tech role. In this scenario, you’ll learn the skills you need to become career-ready in a relatively short amount of time, and soon you’ll be working an exciting job in tech and making a nice salary.

It’s More Affordable

The cost of college and the effects of crippling student loan debt are thoroughly documented. In fact, the expenses associated with a college degree can sometimes act as deterrents, leading young people to explore alternative education paths such as trade schools. In certain cases, they might seek out careers that don’t require a formal education. For some, this might mean giving up on their dream job due to the high cost of college or the fear of accumulating overwhelming student loan debt.

Tech bootcamps are often more affordable when compared to traditional colleges and universities, with the average tuition being around $13,000. In addition to this, most tech bootcamps offer both part-time and full-time programs, which can help mitigate costs and provide a more flexible schedule for those who are working while they learn. Just imagine getting into a new tech career without the burden of having to make insanely high monthly student loan payments—not too shabby!

It’s Quick

Lots of people talk about the college experience—hanging out on campus, going to parties and events, and discovering oneself in the midst of the chaos associated with student life. All of this can be exciting, sure, but the education itself is the primary reason anyone should want to go to college, right? Well, take into account that for most tech jobs you’ll need at least four years of school to get started on your career, and even then, some employers might want to see a master’s degree. That’s a lot of schoolin’!

Most tech bootcamps take around 9 to 12 weeks to complete; however, some may be as short as one month or as long as 30 weeks. Whichever the case, this is still far quicker than going for a four-year degree. Those who want to jump into a tech career quickly and who don’t necessarily require the whole college experience might decide that a tech bootcamp is a better fit for them.

Networking Opportunities

One of the most valuable assets of any career is a solid professional network. During the course of a traditional degree program you’ll no doubt meet lots of people, even some who share the same career aspirations as you. In this case, at least some of the people you meet along the way could wind up being valuable network connections.

On the other hand, tech bootcamps are absolutely chock-full of like-minded individuals who share a passion for your chosen career path. Despite the shorter length of a tech bootcamp when compared to college, you’ll be surrounded by potential network connections, including fellow students and instructors. In other words, you’ll have far more opportunities to gain career insight and forge lasting professional relationships.

You might be thinking that most employers in the tech industry would prefer candidates who possess a four-year degree, but this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, many employers are more concerned with a candidate’s skills and how they apply to the role in question, rather than which school they went to. In the last few years Amazon and JP Morgan Chase were among the top employers who’ve hired the most tech bootcamp graduates, so there’s a great chance you can land an exciting new job at the conclusion of your program.