With an increasing number of businesses relying on the work of programmers, knowing how to code has become one of the most valuable tools in today’s job market. And while we typically envision college as the main factor in bolstering one’s career success, when it comes to landing a tech job, short-term boot camps do the trick. They teach students the basics, help them build a portfolio of projects and prepare them for a quick transition into the flourishing field. We’ve rounded up the five best, based on instructor quality, curriculum and job placement.
With a focus on one-on-one learning, this program allows students to attend virtual meetings as well as daily Q+A sessions with their mentors — all of whom have years of programming experience. Those who enroll will learn full stack development and data science and even get help with the biggest challenge: navigating the job market. Students will build a professional portfolio, learn how to prepare for interviews, and if they don’t find a job within six months of graduation, they’ll get a 100 percent refund on tuition.
Designed specifically for beginners, Bloc’s coding program allows students to choose a curriculum that aligns best with their individual needs. Those who want to become a web developer as quickly as possible can sign up for their six-to-12-month program, which covers programming fundamentals and well as front-end and back-end web development. There’s also the more in-depth one-to-two-year camp, and a six-to-18-month program for those who want to learn how to design and build apps. Regardless of the chosen track, students should be prepared for a rigorous program that requires consistency, discipline and accountability.
This interactive school has a striking promise: “Our students don’t just ship code; they become developers. ” Through 800 hours of coursework, they’ll learn how to think and build like software engineers — from developing a mastery of code to understanding exactly how products are designed. And if any issues come up along the way, students are covered. With just the click of a button, they can access on-demand help from technical coaches via chat and screen-sharing.
Through a series of live lectures, students will learn programming basics and receive full training on fullstack Javascript — the most in-demand stack among employers. The best part: The entire program is designed to mirror an actual classroom. Students can watch their instructor tackle coding challenges step-by-step, work on projects with classmates and even sign up for virtual office hours. While the program certainly isn’t easy — Fullstack maintains that “this is probably the hardest program you’ll ever take” — those who complete it can expect to score some of the best jobs in the field.
With courses that touch on UX Design, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, WordPress and Ruby, Skillcrush’s immersive programs offer a little bit of everything. From the very start, those who enroll are given a “blueprint” — a step-by-step guide to prepare them for their particular career route. By the end of 12 weeks, students will have not only tangible technical skills, but also a portfolio with dozens of projects to show to prospective employers.
