Java Bootcamps Chicago, IL

The leading programming language in the world is Java. First released in 1995, it is named for the coffee produced on the Indonesian island of Java (a steaming cup of coffee is the logo chosen for the language by Oracle, the developer responsible for the language since 2010). It is a general-purpose computer language, meaning it is versatile and can be used for any number of applications. It is also a high-level language, meaning that it bears more resemblance to human languages than to the mysterious tongues spoken by your computer’s processor. That makes the language both extremely useful and relatively easy to pick up. That makes it an excellent language for any aspiring coder to learn.

To get an idea of the ubiquity of Java, there are an estimated 50 billion Java Virtual Machines (JVMs) in the world, meaning devices that contain an “engine” capable of running Java programs. (Because the JVM is nothing but more code rather than a piece of hardware, the term “virtual machine” is employed to describe it.) Java has been used for everything from controlling the Mars Rover to searching Wikipedia to powering Minecraft, the most successful video game in history. As a result, if there is one programming language that is worth learning, it is Java.

Java is not to be confused with another computer language, JavaScript, which is used to program the front ends of websites. The similarities between the two languages are perhaps comparable to those between Icelandic and Estonian.

One of the best ways to learn to code in Java is by attending a bootcamp. A bootcamp, unlike a regular coding course, is designed to produce graduates who are skilled to suit the needs of the current job market. You may have heard about the “skills gap” that is affecting all of business today, that is the distance between the skills needed by employees and the actual skill level of existing staff. Bootcamps are one way of bridging that gap and bringing usefully skilled candidates into the workforce. Also unlike a regular course, bootcamps are more intense and call for a larger commitment from students, both in terms of time (both in class and while working on homework assignments) and, yes, money. If you’re serious about Java coding as a career, a bootcamp may well be the best path to your goal.

Chicago Careers for Java Bootcamp Graduates

Oracle releases new versions of Java every March and September (Java 17 appeared in September 2021), the goal being to keep the software current and viable even as the tech world marches on. The result of that is that the language should remain in use in the future, and acquiring it will continue to be a valuable skill on the job market for some time. In other words, Java is here to stay.

Chicago’s thriving tech sector and active encouragement of startups, along with its position as one of the world’s leading financial centers makes it a great place to learn the language. Recent studies have shown that Chicago is a sellers’ market when it comes to tech talent, and, among tech talent, Java Developers are some of the most versatile and in-demand people of all.

That’s borne out by salaries: in Chicago, a full-fledged Java Developer commands an average annual salary of $95,000, not counting cash bonuses that average out to $5,000 per year.

In-Person Java Bootcamps in Chicago

There are several options for in-person Java courses in Chicago such as the Introduction to Java Programming offered by General Assembly at its Near North Side Location. Instruction there is fully in-person. Two schools offering classes with remote instructors are offered by ONLC Training Centers and Certstaffix Training. Both offer introductions to Java, with ONLC also offering intermediate and advanced classes. These schools broadcast their instructors virtually, but offer their computer labs (ONLC’s are located in the Willis Tower; Certstaffix Training’s on the New East Side) to students interested in taking classes there. The classes may also be taken fully online.

As far as full-fledged bootcamps are concerned, if you are seeking something truly in-depth that will allow you to launch a career, you will probably need to turn to an online school. Possibilities there are plentiful.

Virtual Java Bootcamps

Virtual learning has become more than just an alternative to in-person classes: it’s a fully valid learning modality that has proven itself effective in terms of time and money since the world began shifting online. An online class is extremely similar to an in-person one, as instructors are still live, and students can interact with them as needed, just as though you were in the same room. The main differences are weighted in favor of the online school, which brings itself to you, instead of the opposite, which has you braving Chicago traffic or crowded L trains at rush hour. The gain in convenience is considerable, as is the gain in comfort that comes with being able to study in your own space without even needing to put on shoes.

Among the virtual Java bootcamps available, Noble Desktop, the creator of this tool, teaches a Java Bootcamp that contains instruction in key computer science principles as well as teaching the language. As a result, students will graduate with the ability to code in the language and with an understanding of how the computer processes Java commands, an essential skill for mastery of any programming language. Bootcamp graduates will have sufficient knowledge to pass the Java SE 11 Programmer 1 exam, a key certification that will attest to your Java abilities on your resume.

We Can Code IT offers a very thorough Java bootcamp (RemoteCode Digital Online Java Full Stack Coding Bootcamp, also available part-time as Java Full Stack Hybrid FlexCode Coding Bootcamp) that teaches, along with Java, the core front-end programming languages (HTML, CSS and JavaScript) to graduate students ready to assume roles as Full Stack Developers. Tech Talent South offers a full-time Java Immersion that also includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Ruby on Rails. For students who already have a grasp of the front-end languages, AIM Code School offers a Full Stack Java class that concentrates on Java, advanced Java and Java GUI (Graphic User Interface) applications.

Java Classes in Chicago

Not every student needs a bootcamp. This can be for any number of valid reasons: not needing to become an expert in Java, not having the time or money to spend on a bootcamp, or having a desire to get your feet wet and try the language out before committing to a bootcamp. (This will make your first days in the bootcamp that much easier.) For people like these, a simple class in Java may be more appropriate, something along the lines of ONLC Training Centers’ four-day Java Programming Core Skills Level 1 class. Certstaffix Training offers something comparable in their five-day Java Programming class. Both ONLC and Certstaffix Training have computer labs located in Chicago; they offer the option of using these while attending their remote instructor classes.

Choosing a Java Bootcamp

You’ve decided that a Java bootcamp is the right path for you. Now the question facing you is: which? Settling upon one is going to take some time and careful thought, but the effort will be rewarded by getting the best possible educational experience for your investment, and then by getting hired for an in-field job.

The first question you’ll have to answer is whether you want to learn online or in-person, bearing in mind that, in Chicago, the better bootcamp choices are in the former category. Next, you’ll have to be honest with yourself about the price tag, how much you can afford, and what types of financing plans are available from the schools you’ve taken under consideration. Then, you’ll have to decide exactly what it is you want to learn, and match that to the syllabi of the various bootcamps. When it comes to Java, that will mean deciding whether you want a bootcamp that focuses only on that language, or whether you want a full-stack curriculum that teaches (for example) front-end languages as well. While those are the three principal choices you’ll have to make, there are other factors to take into account as well such as whether career counseling, resume assistance or 1-on-1 mentoring is included with your tuition. Take your time thinking about the bootcamp you will choose: all good decisions are informed ones.