The common ground between human and computer communication is coding. Coding allows communication with computers by applying languages, usually by binary code, at the initial layer. Beyond that initial layer, there are more complex languages that can be incorporated for different purposes. Another way to describe coding is a visual mixture of letters, numbers, and words, that are only understandable to coders and computers. Terms such as “coding, ” “programming, ” “computer programming, ” and “writing code” can all be used interchangeably, and there is a gamut of career opportunities available no matter the title. Programmers provide instructions to computers for how to behave when making websites and apps, processing data, and creating complex algorithms and databases. In short, coding is what drives technology.
The first languages that most coders learn include HTML, CSS, C and C++, Java, JavaScript, and Python. Beyond the rudimentary languages, many people strive to learn several languages to be considered solid programmers. The titles Software Engineer and Programmer are often confused. One way of describing the different roles is to think of software engineers as the architects that design the blueprints of a framework for a program, then pass those plans to programmers, who use existing code or write custom code to translate the guides into instructions that a computer can understand.
Currently, the most efficient way people learn how to code is through bootcamps. Bootcamps range from beginner-friendly options to coding programs designed for specific uses such as FinTech, web development, or data science. Coding bootcamps provide immersive, career-oriented training with a lot of hands-on practice in writing and working with code. Since bootcamps are less time-consuming than most college degrees, bootcamp graduates can enter the job market immediately after completing the bootcamp and quickly advance up the career ladder. Available positions for programmers continue to grow every day, as do new uses for coding. Whether learning the tools for front-end or back-end development and especially for those looking for instruction on both sides (full-stack development), bootcamps are a terrific investment.
Phoenix Careers for Coding Bootcamp Graduates
A career as a coder with knowledge of a few languages means being in one of the most in-demand professions in the world today. Some languages considered the most beginner-friendly and still integral to a wide variety of fields include HTML, CSS, C and C++, Java, JavaScript, and Python. Once you learn basic languages, it’s easier to understand what it means to code and add more languages over time. The fastest way to learn these languages thoroughly and become employable in a variety of roles across any industry is to take a bootcamp.
Those who find coding a good fit tend to share a few other traits such as soft skills like communication, business experience, curiosity, and overall strong math and science abilities. Generally, required skills for computer programmers include expertise in the most well-known languages such as Python, SQL, JavaScript, and C/C+/C++. There are subsets of every language that are directly applicable for specific career paths, and the more a coder is familiar with the different aspects of the main codes, the faster they’ll land an excellent job.
Growth in Phoenix’s tech market is on track to grow at a phenomenal 22% rate, according to CompTIA’s projections, which also ranked the state sixth in the nation for percent uptick in tech occupations. Computer programmers start at a higher-than-average salary compared to all other professions, so choosing a place to live and work that brings both a high quality of life and a relatively low cost of living is important. Phoenix fits the bill for both qualifications with a cost of living that is easily considered low compared to a job in computer programming.
The Valley of the Sun, as the area around Phoenix is nicknamed, has an average of 250 sunny days. Located in the Sonoran desert, most outdoor activities in the summer are enjoyed late or early in the day, and residents enjoy outdoor activities at any time of the day or night in the winter. This is great news for coders since so many computer programming jobs can be flexible in both hours and workdays.
For those who need coding skills, sample titles and salaries include Computer Scientists at $81,000, Software Engineers at around $99,000 annually, and Mobile Developers at $111,000. However, as a programmer gains more experience and begins to find their niche, they can generally expect to earn salaries in the mid-to-high six-figure range.
In-Person Coding Bootcamps in Phoenix
In-person coding bootcamps are the most popular way to gain programming skills, and Phoenix has plenty of options at both the beginner and advanced levels. Bootcamps are designed to be highly experiential to set up students for success. Taking a bootcamp in-person is a great way to learn from a local expert. Noble Desktop, the creator of this tool, has found ten top-ranked schools that offer bootcamps in the area.
The University of Arizona, the nation’s largest university, holds a beginner-friendly Coding Bootcamp designed to prepare students for a career in web development. The course can be conveniently scheduled for just ten hours per week, allowing participants to continue their current job or school schedule or take a more time-intensive option in as little as twelve weeks. Bootcamp attendees get an overview of what full-stack development is like through exposure to tools such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP, Bootstrap, and jQuery. Graduates receive career and job matching services.
Additionally, Arizona State University holds a twenty-four-week FinTech Bootcamp. This comprehensive program covers topics including Python for FinTech uses, blockchain, advanced trading algorithms, and cryptocurrency. During the bootcamp, participants work on creating a professional portfolio they can show to their potential employers. Graduates also receive career services to help them land their first job.
A separate school, the University of Arizona, offers a Coding Bootcamp that prepares participants to work towards becoming full-stack web developers. Attendees delve into the sections of web development such as front-end fundamentals, server-side and database architecture, advanced front-end frameworks, and data structures with algorithms. Additionally, the University of Arizona provides students with one-on-one career coaching in partnership with Trilogy Education Services.
Hack Reactor offers a Software Engineering Immersive for those ready to commit to a deep dive into what it takes to be successful in the field. This bootcamp is designed for those who already have basic coding experience writing code in JavaScript and are ready to take the next step into becoming a Software Engineer. Attendees are provided with opportunities to live code, participate in pair programming, perform exercises and give presentations so they can feel confident in their skills upon graduation.
The Data Science Bootcamp offered by General Assembly is for individuals with a math background and some experience with Python who want to speed-launch their career in data science. After reviewing Python fundamentals, students begin to leverage their abilities to apply to programming tools such as GitHub. Moving beyond the basics, attendees acquire skills in programming concepts such as NumPy, Unix commands, using Pandas to clean and extract data, and using web scraping tools. By the end of the course, students will have also explored statistical modeling and regressions, machine learning models, and NLP.
DevMountain offers a truly immersive Web Development bootcamp, including housing, for thirteen weeks. Attendees work on three projects that, when completed, provide the graduate with a strong portfolio. Among the topics covered are HTML and CSS fundamentals, JavaScript, React.js, Node.js, and how to set up databases. This is the right bootcamp for those who want to become full-stack developers upon graduation.
By the end of Tech Talent South’s Code Immersion bootcamp, graduates will have created an app using what they learn about coding fundamentals. Methods explored include object-oriented programming, HTML and CSS, and working with APIs. Students also learn how to code in JavaScript and Ruby on Rails.
Virtual Coding Bootcamps
Phoenix residents can avoid traffic and find convenient times to take classes by enrolling in virtual coding bootcamps that can be attended from anywhere the student prefers. The bootcamps are live, immersive, comprehensive, and hands-on. Since these bootcamps are live, students have their questions answered in real-time and can even share their computer screen with the instructor if they’d like. Virtual coding bootcamps range from beginner to advanced and offer a variety of focused topics.
Noble Desktop’s Software Engineering Certificate provides instruction on the skills it takes to be a Software Engineer or Full-Stack Developer. Students will learn many popular languages, frameworks, libraries, and tools, including JavaScript, Python, Django, React, and Node.js.
Noble’s Data Science Certificate teaches students the skills to manipulate and perform complex analyses on data. The program prepares students for entry-level data science and Python engineering positions.
The Front-End Web Development Certificate takes students from the basics of coding to the level of knowledge they will need to have for a career. Students learn HTML to mark up webpages, CSS for styling, JavaScript and jQuery to add interactivity and animation, and Git to track code changes in this course.
Another option is the Full Stack Development Bootcamp. This comprehensive program covers every aspect of being a Full-Stack Developer, from all parts of a web application, including the front-end design to back-end data management. A few of the other topics covered include client-side fundamentals in JavaScript programming, with React.js, Node.js to create web apps, MongoDB for working with databases, and Express.js for API development.
A popular program is the FinTech Bootcamp, covering the coding needed for a career in financial technology. The curriculum includes an examination into the possibilities that Python offers for this field in data science, finance, and machine learning, SQL to query databases, and machine learning to understand topics such as WACC, NPV, and IRR. Graduates will have a project to include in their professional portfolio upon completion.
The JavaScript Certificate presents the elements of one of the most popular programming languages in an experiential learning environment. Those earning this certificate will be able to build entire web and mobile apps using this versatile code. With a large number of tools already written on top of the core JavaScript language, users can apply vast amounts of functionality with minimal effort.
There is also a Python Developer Certificate that begins with the basics of Python and then incorporates dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms. Students learn object-oriented programming, work with APIs and get an overview of web databases using SQL. Topics also covered include an introduction to Django, a web framework used for back-end web programming, and Django REST, used in work with images, authentication, and API endpoints.
Coding Classes in Phoenix
An alternative to bootcamps and certificates are coding classes. These live classes offer an excellent opportunity to learn subjects of interest in a less immersive setting. There are in-person and virtual class options to fit the needs of the student best.
General Assembly offers a beginner-friendly course in Python to learn how to build code and work with data. The class presents key programming concepts such as object-oriented programming and data science fundamentals. Attendees will wrap up the class by creating an API to pull in third-party data.
A favorite class offered either in-person or online by General Assembly is Data Science. This class is best suited for those with previous experience in programming or a quantitative field who would like to expand their essential skills in any area that leverages big data. In this experiential class, students cover Python programming and data exploration, data modeling, and machine learning.
Also offered by General Assembly is a Front-end Web Development Class. This class welcomes beginners to the world of web development, building a solid footing in responsive design throughout the session. Attendees learn how to use HTML and CSS to build and style a vibrant website and make their site interactive for the user with JavaScript. After the class, students have gained keener insight on hosting a website on a server and basic terminology.
Noble Desktop also offers several short-duration coding classes. One class is Coding Tips & Tricks, a three-hour class during which students discover how to code with much less typing by utilizing Emmet, Sass, and Sublime Text.JavaScript & jQuery is for students who already know some HTML and CSS and are ready to move on toward learning JavaScript code and jQuery—the industry-standard framework that allows for easier writing with JavaScript.
Choosing a Coding Bootcamp
There are many advantages to bootcamps such as flexible ways of taking the subject you want, financing options, and job guarantees. There are questions you’ll want to ask yourself during the application process to determine whether a bootcamp is a good investment.
Applicants should start by looking through all of the different bootcamps available to see which one feels right for them. Doing this research will help students compare course lengths, costs, and curriculum content. Students will also want to consider scheduling concerns: do you want to learn over the weekend, nights, or in a traditional 9-to-5 setting? Can you handle 40 hours per week, or does a part-time option appeal to you more?
You should also consider what languages you want to learn and your primary focus area. Many coding bootcamps teach full-stack development: students learn a combination of front-end and back programming languages. However, you can also find bootcamps that focus solely on front-end or back-end development. There are also coding bootcamps for aspiring data scientists, web designers, and FinTech professionals. These will all teach a distinct range of skills and tools.
In general, coding bootcamps are for students dedicated to learning a significant amount of information in a fast-paced, comprehensive and immersive, and hands-on session that prepares graduates for a future career. Most bootcamps offer career and job search help, too, making the investment worthwhile. Besides the job coaching that numerous bootcamps offer, establishing relationships with other students in the course provides a great way to gain mentorship and networking that last throughout a career lifetime.