Coding is the process of programming a computer to do something you want it to do. Because English (or French or Mandarin) contains too many shades of meaning in its vocabulary and syntax, and computers function only when they’re given unequivocal directions, they have to be programmed in special languages that were designed to be unambiguous. “Italicize” can mean several things in English; the HTML command tag <i>…</i> refers to an italic typeface and nothing else.
Because computers don’t speak human languages and humans want computers to do things for them, humans have no choice but to learn the languages that computers “speak” so that they can write instructions—code—for the computer to perform. Coding, therefore, is nothing but writing a long series of instructions to the computer. Behind every application lies line upon line of computer code.
One of the best ways to learn to code is to attend a coding bootcamp. Bootcamps are more intensive than regular classes and designed to teach students skills that are immediately transferable to the job market. Bootcamp graduates have the kind of knowledge that recruiters are seeking, thus bootcamps are an excellent way to prepare for a coding career. Bootcamps come in varying lengths but are all intended for career-minded individuals seeking to break into a new field. Some of the longer bootcamps can even make a viable substitute for a college degree, as the skills taught are so career-oriented. There are investments of time and money involved in a bootcamp, but they can pay off in the form of a new career with considerable growth potential. Good coders will always be in-demand.
London Careers for Coding Bootcamp Graduates
The most obvious career for a coding bootcamp graduate is a coding specialist, a role for which the demand will outstrip the supply by a considerable margin for the foreseeable future. Entry-level coding specialists in London’s capital make approximately £34,000 per year. Senior coding specialists make closer to £44,000, while coding managers take home annual salaries of £51,500 on average.
Coding bootcamps can also eventually lead to software developer roles. Software developers are responsible for creating software concepts, not just coding them. Software engineers have an annual average salary in London of £58,000, while, further along the career path, full-stack developers earn £63,500 per year on average.
In-Person Coding Bootcamps in London
Probably the most straightforward way to find a coding bootcamp is to attend one of the live ones that are available in Greater London. General Assembly, at its Whitechapel location, offers a twelve-week full-time Software Engineering Immersive class geared to beginners seeking to break into coding roles. Payment plans are available and there is job support for graduates at the course’s end. Le Wagon, located in Haggerston, offers a full-time Web Development class that runs for nine weeks. It, too, is geared towards beginners and also includes available payment plans and job support for graduates.
Virtual Coding Bootcamps
Another option for learning to code is a virtual bootcamp. Unlike a class in a brick-and-mortar school, virtual education takes place in the comfort of your own home, minus classroom distractions and minus the travel to and from school. There is a lot to recommend it. Moreover, a virtual class is nonetheless live, with the teacher readily able to interact with students whenever necessary.
Noble Desktop, the originator of this tool, provides an entire range of coding bootcamps, the most in-depth of which is their Software Engineering Certificate. In 288 hours of virtual online instruction, the bootcamp covers the skills necessary for being able to code both the front and back ends of websites—in other words, to become a Full-Stack Developer. Languages covered include CSS, HTML, and JavaScript for the front-end and Python with Django and Node.js for the back. The program includes one-to-one mentoring of students and offers several payment plans. Also available is a Front-End Development Certificate, a bootcamp that covers CSS, HTML, and JavaScript and produces graduates who are qualified to code the front ends of websites. One-to-one mentoring and payment plans are also available with this bootcamp.
Noble also offers a Data Science Certificate program. This bootcamp runs for 84 hours and covers Python programming fundamentals along with using SQL to query datasets. Once again, one-to-one mentoring and payment plans are available.
Other options when it comes to live online coding bootcamps include Fullstack Academy’s Live Online Coding Bootcamp (17 weeks, mostly full-time) and DigitalCrafts Full Stack Immersive bootcamp (16 weeks, full-time; also available part-time.) Both programs are similar and teach students how to work as full-stack developers. Learning Fuze, Coding Dojo, and the Flatiron School also offer similar programs.
Coding Classes in London
Not everyone needs a bootcamp to learn what they need to know. For such individuals, a coding class may represent a better fit. Among the options for this type of course is a 14-hour introduction to coding from General Assembly or their beginner Python class (40 hours) that teaches students the rudiments of programming—a language well-suited to both data science and back-end web development. Even briefer are some of the half-day classes offered by Noble Desktop, including An Introduction to Git and Coding Tips and Tricks. On the data science front, New Horizons has a one-day introduction to SQL querying that can be a first small step towards a career in data analysis.
Choosing a Coding Bootcamp
If you’ve decided that a bootcamp is for you, you have some important choices to make before honing in on a final selection. You’ll have to decide first and foremost whether you want to learn in a traditional classroom or online. You’ll have to consider price as well: some bootcamps cost as much as a car. There are often payment plans available, but those require careful consideration. You’ll also have to take into account such additional features as job guarantees, availability of one-on-one coaching, scheduling, and the length of the bootcamp. And don’t forget to make sure that you’re signing on for a bootcamp that covers what you want to learn: if your interest is in data science, selecting a software engineering bootcamp isn’t going to bring you much closer to your goal.
It’s a lot to decide, but you’ll be making a big investment in terms of time, money, and energy. Three good words of advice: research, research, and research. Good decisions are invariably informed ones.