What to Look for in a Web Development Bootcamp

Web development bootcamps are a great way to acquire the skills you’ll need to start a new career, but not all programs are created equal. To get the best education for your budget and improve your chances at a positive bootcamp experience, here are a few key characteristics to look for:

1. Comprehensive Curriculum

The first thing you should look for when evaluating your bootcamp options is a broad-based education that covers all the skills needed to succeed in web development. For example, if your goal is to become a Front End Web Developer, then the bootcamp you enroll in should provide in-depth instruction on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript plus some of the most commonly used front end tools, libraries, and frameworks such as Git, Flexbox, Bootstrap, and React. Those who are interested in back end web development should look for a curriculum that includes programming languages like PHP, Ruby, Python, Java, and JavaScript in addition to other back end essentials like Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails, and Express.js.

2. Convenient Scheduling

You should also look for a school that offers a variety of convenient scheduling options. Some training institutions only schedule classes full-time on weekdays, but that’s not a realistic possibility for those who already work 40 hours a week or more. A high-quality school will provide flexible scheduling options including part-time study and classes on evenings and weekends in addition to full-time study during the week.

3. High Ratings and Recommendations

Before enrolling in a bootcamp, you’ll want to be sure that the school you’ve chosen comes highly recommended by former students. Do a quick search online and see what past students have to say about the program. Do they feel like the bootcamp prepared them to start a new career in web development? Were they able to secure a job after completing the program? Do they have any complaints about the school, course of study, or instructor? Pay attention to both the good and bad reviews; while it’s impossible to please everyone, the vast majority of the ratings and reviews should be positive.

4. Cost-Effective Tuition

You should also consider the amount of tuition you’re able to pay and what you receive in return when evaluating web development bootcamps. If you check on Noble Desktop’s convenient Classes Near Me tool, you’ll see that the cost of bootcamps can vary widely, ranging anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000. While some of the variations in tuition can be attributed to more time in the classroom, you’ll see that some schools consistently charge more than others. Don’t assume that more expensive automatically means a better quality school; that’s not necessarily the case. There’s no need to take on a huge financial burden to enroll in the most expensive bootcamp if a more cost-effective option also offers an in-depth, high-quality education in web development.

5. Portfolio Completion

You should also look for a bootcamp that offers you the opportunity to complete a portfolio as you work through the program. Ideally, the assignments that you’re given during bootcamp will be based on real-world scenarios you’ll encounter once you become employed as a Web Developer. By completing these assignments, you’re building up a body of work that will showcase your expertise to potential employers. Before enrolling in a bootcamp, be sure the school includes portfolio-building as part of the program; you can even ask for samples of portfolios completed by former students to help gauge the effectiveness of the course..

6. Networking Opportunities

It’s also a good idea to check if the school offers an opportunity to network with others. Whether you’re learning online or in-person, it’s important to meet with others in your field, including instructors, industry professionals, and other aspiring Web Developers. These types of connections are priceless. In the working world, networking can play a vital role in landing a lucrative position; the more people you know, the more access you have to potential job opportunities, which makes networking a must-have when evaluating bootcamps.

7. Additional Benefits

The best programs will also offer a variety of benefits in addition to the bootcamp itself. For example, many of the best schools will pair students with mentors in the industry to help them as they learn. Another benefit offered by quality schools is payment flexibility; instead of having to pay your entire tuition upfront, you can spread out smaller payments over several months, making the bootcamp more affordable. You can also find schools that offer job placement assistance to students who have successfully completed the program.

What Kind of Salary Can I Expect After Completing Bootcamp?

When you first complete bootcamp, you’ll be qualified to work in an entry-level web development position where you can earn between $60,000 to $80,000. As you continue to work in web development and gain more experience, your earning potential will increase.

After you’ve proven your expertise as a Web Developer, you can move up the career ladder and start earning a salary in the six-figure range. For example, the average salary for Front End Web Developers in the United States is $102,000 per year. Full Stack Web Developers earn a bit more than that on average, bringing in $107,000 per year. Back End Web Developers tend to be the highest earners out of the three main specialties, making $115,000 every year on average.

Take the First Step Toward a Lucrative New Career

If you’re ready to take your first step toward a new career, the most efficient way to become qualified as a Front End, Back End, or Full Stack Developer is to enroll in a web development bootcamp. Bootcamps are intensive programs designed to prepare students for a new career within a few months’ time. With their accelerated schedules and skills-focused curriculum, bootcamps are an excellent alternative to university education. If you enjoy the convenience of learning from your own home or office, you can even find web development bootcamps available live online.

If you want to learn more about web development but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full bootcamp, then consider enrolling in one or two live online web development classes. There’s a wide range of options available to help you get started on your programming education; you can take web development courses on front end or back end languages and tools such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Ruby on Rails, Git, and more.