Coding skills are in high demand at the moment (opens in a new tab). If you’re considering a career in development, now is the perfect time to jump in. Unfortunately, some assume that without a university degree, becoming a WordPress professional isn’t an option.
On the contrary, a coding bootcamp (opens in a new tab) can help put you on the fast-track to a rewarding career as a web developer. Between lower tuition costs and expedited curriculums, there are many benefits to learning programming skills through these types of training courses.
In this post, we’ll explain what coding bootcamps are and how they work. Then we’ll look at five quality options for you to consider. Let’s get started!
An Introduction to Coding Bootcamps
Coding bootcamps are technical training programs that provide a fast-paced and often inexpensive alternative to traditional degrees. These intensive courses are based on the premise that virtually anyone can learn to code.
They’re also designed to teach you the skills employers value most from programmers and developers. A coding bootcamp can be a viable option if you’re looking to change career paths (opens in a new tab), and save you time and money in the process.
In addition to teaching you relevant proficiencies, coding bootcamps offer environments that let you apply your skills to gain hands-on experience for real-world problems and applications. They also provide an opportunity to network and make connections within the development community.
Another benefit is the variety of program structures available. Coding bootcamps can last anywhere between six to 40 weeks, depending on whether you enroll full or part-time. Most last about 15 (opens in a new tab). There are also in-person and online options.
If you’re still not sold on the idea of a coding bootcamp, it might help to consider employers’ opinions. According to Indeed research, the majority agree that bootcamp graduates (opens in a new tab) are just as likely to be top performers as candidates who have computer science degrees.
5 Coding Bootcamps for Developers to Consider
If you’ve made the decision to go the bootcamp route, it’s time to decide on a program. Let’s take a look at five that are worth considering.
1. Actualize (opens in a new tab)
Actualize (opens in a new tab) is an online coding bootcamp that is taught by experienced software engineers and educators. They offer an in-person course in Chicago, as well as several online options (opens in a new tab):
Topics covered include:
- Fullstack web development
- Front-end development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS)
- Back-end development (Rails)
- Version control (Git, GitHub)
- Programming languages (Ruby, OOP)
The online program consists of four weeks of at-home exercises, followed by 12 weeks of live training and ‘in-class’ instruction. Using virtual classroom technology and video conferencing, you’ll partake in real-time exercises and have regularly scheduled due dates.
You can also choose between two different online bootcamp schedules. The first is the daytime option, which runs Monday through Friday for five hours per day. The night and weekend option involves three and a half hours Monday through Thursday nights and eight hours on Sundays.
To learn more about the Actualize online coding bootcamp, including tuition costs, you can visit their website (opens in a new tab). Once you’re ready to apply (opens in a new tab), you just need to provide your name, email address, and phone number to get started.
2. The Tech Academy (opens in a new tab)
Another option to consider is The Tech Academy (opens in a new tab). This learning platform offers a variety of online bootcamps (opens in a new tab) for web development, computer programming, and technology:
Their bootcamps cover full-stack development, front-end development, and back-end development. Some examples of courses include:
- HTML and CSS
- Version control
- JavaScript
- Database and SQL
One of the benefits of The Tech Academy is it gives you the option of completing the bootcamp entirely online, in-person, or using a combination of those methods. They have locations throughout the United States in Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Colorado.
However, whether it’s in-person or virtual, bootcamp participants will receive the same training. The online course utilizes phone, email, Skype, and The Tech Academy’s Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver coursework and lessons.
These bootcamps are an effective option if you’re looking to gain an entry-level position in the tech industry. If enrolled full-time, you can complete the Front-End Web Developer Bootcamp in eight weeks (14 weeks if part-time).
You can visit their website to learn more about the individual bootcamps (opens in a new tab) they offer. The Tech Academy utilizes open enrollment, so you can apply and get started (opens in a new tab) when it’s most convenient for you.
3. Skillcrush (opens in a new tab)
Skillcrush (opens in a new tab) is another institution offering online coding bootcamps for developers. They provide flexible programs that can be finished within a few months:
The (usually) three-month courses cover a range of coding and design skills, such as:
- Front End Developer and React JavaScript (opens in a new tab)
- Front End Developer (opens in a new tab)
- Web Developer (opens in a new tab)
- WordPress Developer (opens in a new tab)
Skillcrush is also helpful if you’re interested in pursuing a career in web design. They offer tracks for visual and user experience (UX) design (opens in a new tab) in which you can learn concepts such as journey mapping as well as how to use programs such as the Adobe Suite.
These programs include mentor support, a resume and portfolio review, and lifetime access to course material. If you’re a newbie, you might also consider trying their Free Coding Camp (opens in a new tab).
4. Fullstack Academy (opens in a new tab)
Fullstack Academy (opens in a new tab) is a popular platform for programming education. They offer full-time and part-time coding bootcamps in New York (opens in a new tab) and Chicago:
Fullstack Academy is best if you already have a beginner-level education in computer science but want to kick it up a notch. It offers the only advanced JavaScripted-centered bootcamp (opens in a new tab) in Chicago. The New York campus also offers a cybersecurity course (opens in a new tab).
If you can’t make it to one of their campus locations for their intensive curriculums, they also provide a remote option. The Fullstack Remote Immersive program (opens in a new tab) is 17 weeks and teaches cutting-edge software development. It includes coding challenges, video instruction, and real-time support.
You can visit their website to learn more about the tuition prices and start dates (opens in a new tab) for each program. Then you can check out the enrollment process and begin your application (opens in a new tab).
5. General Assembly (opens in a new tab)
General Assembly (opens in a new tab) is a popular and valuable training platform. It offers a broad range of courses that make it useful for developers and WordPress professionals at all levels:
It offers both full-time and part-time programs in topics that include:
- Front-End Web Development (opens in a new tab)
- JavaScript Development (opens in a new tab)
- React Development (opens in a new tab)
Online courses are also available for HTML, CSS, and web design. Additionally, through its Dash program (opens in a new tab), General Assembly offers a platform where beginners can learn to code for free.
One of the biggest advantages of choosing a General Assembly bootcamp is that they have a Catalyst program (opens in a new tab) where you only pay tuition after you’re hired. This lets you focus on the learning experience, rather than stressing about the cost of it.
Visit their website to learn more about their available programs. You can also use their helpful Find Your Course tool (opens in a new tab) to uncover which specific bootcamp makes the most sense for your career goals.
Conclusion
Programming can be a rewarding, flexible, and lucrative career path. Unfortunately, some people let the lack of a traditional software engineering or computer science degree keep them from pursuing a WordPress development career (opens in a new tab).
In reality, you can learn web development at a coding bootcamp like the ones we discussed in this post:
- Actualize (opens in a new tab): A 12-week online bootcamp with flexible scheduling options.
- Tech Academy (opens in a new tab): A variety of online bootcamps in web development and computer programming taught by expert software engineers.
- Skillcrush (opens in a new tab): Three-month programs that include courses for WordPress development and front-end development.
- Fullstack Academy (opens in a new tab): Intensive bootcamps for experienced developers based in New York or Chicago.
- General Assembly (opens in a new tab): A broad range of bootcamps that only require you to pay tuition after you’ve been hired.
Do you have any questions about coding bootcamps? Let us know in the comments section below!
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