Coding Bootcamps: To Go or Not To Go.

The answer is very much dependent on you. What is your learning style? Can you learn and retain lots of information in a very short period of time? If you are in a bootcamp you will be hit with an information firehose all day long. You will have very little - if any - time to process it before moving on to the next subject. If this is your learning style, it can work for you. If you need more time to learn and process information than a bootcamp offers, you might check out other options, perhaps at a local community college or university. I live in a tech oriented city, with a well regarded bootcamp purveyor, as well as university and cc options, and lots of meetups. I know a number of graduates from said bc school who are very happy with the education they received, and who are now employed. I seriously considered the bc myself, and in the end decided it wasn't my style of learning and went the continuing education route at a local university. It's slower than bc, but a lot less expensive, and better suited to my style of learning. Also consider the cost of the bootcamp vs other options as many of them are very expensive. Also, what is their reputation? Do they guarantee or help their graduates find jobs? Not all bootcamps are created equal. Ask a lot of questions of your chosen bc. Before you plunk down thousands of $$$, make sure it is a good fit for YOU

I am currently in week 2 of a 16 week developer boot-camp, and I'm loving it. It's very intense, but that has caused the 12 of us in the class to already feel somewhat bonded. We work together and are helping each other, already.

I chose this boot camp because it covers several technologies: HTML CSS Python Django Java Script; but also because they help you set up or spruce up your LinkedIn and GitHub accounts, as well as formulate a resume and they are putting us in touch with other events in the community like Hackathons and discounts for the Startup Weekend. To me, those things are worth the cost of the bootcamp in themselves.

A boot camp offers a lot of information in a short time period, so you can ramp up really quickly. But to me the real value is the community and contacts and networking opportunities they offer, along with the help with finding employment afterward.

If you've picked out a bootcamp that looks good, see if you can talk with a previous graduate or someone currently attending and pick their brain. I'd also pick one that will help you develop several projects to create a portfolio, so you can demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

I have to run off to bootcamp now. Good luck with your decision, and if you have any more specific questions, please ask!

~Jonell

I went through a coding school myself and can say that it was helpful - but please be careful when making a decision, because some coding schools are much better than others. The key is to read alumni reviews.

First, checkout Coding Bootcamp Reviews for alumni reviews of coding boot camps. You will learn about pros and cons there and you can read about the best coding boot camps.

Secondly, talk to alumni from different programs - it can help you make a more informed decision!

www.switchup.org publishes articles and tips for prospective students and it contains a directory of all the online/offline schools - I'd recommend joining their mailing list.

whether or not you should attend - it depends on your financial goals, as well as your personal career goals. Carefully write them down and talk to a career counselor if needed!

Hope that is helpful for you!

I recommend joining some code Meetups before you spend time and money on something you MIGHT be interested in doing for the next 10 years. It would suck if you went halfway thru any code bootcamp to discover you don't like coding.

Also I agree with what Elizabeth said. You most know how you learn best.