Coding powers every aspect of our daily lives. The technologies we enjoy, including websites, games, apps, and databases, are built using coding languages. And because we live in an increasingly digital world, coding skills are in high demand as companies look for employees who can develop and create technology that adapts to our ever-changing digital world.
Unlike Computer Science degrees, which require longer time investments, coding boot camps provide learners with an immersive, hands-on learning experience in a shorter time frame. These boot camps are designed to land you a job in web development, app development, or data science. In addition, they provide additional career support and mentorship to students to ensure their success post-boot camp. Curricula also include a variety of real-world projects that can beef up students' professional portfolios.
For those passionate about building and creating innovative technology that will power our digital economy, learning coding is the place for you. With so many industries using coding to power their services or products, it won’t be challenging to align your passions with a coding path and language. Enrolling in an immersive and hands-on coding boot camp will provide you with the tools needed to launch your programming career.
Washington, D.C. Careers for Coding Boot Camp Graduates
Washington, D.C. is currently ranked as the #3 tech city in America and ranks in the top 5 for startup success. Those either living or moving to D.C. interested in coding will find ample career opportunities. D.C. is home to various institutions and industries that need innovative technology solutions, including the federal government, intelligence community, hospitals, Fortune 500 companies, and national nonprofits.
A D.C.-based Software Engineer can earn about $122,000 per year, 12% higher than the national average. For those interested in mobile app development, a career as a Mobile Developer may be of interest. A Mobile Developer makes roughly $128,000 annually, while a .NET Developer can earn about $114,000 per year. There is a high demand for Back-end Developers, who can make around $117,000 annually in D.C. For those looking for more management experience, a Product Manager and Software Project Manager can earn around $99,000 and $102,000, respectively.
Other complex programming languages such as Ruby, SQL, and JavaScript, that are more challenging to master pay more lucrative salaries. For example, a D.C.-based JavaScript and SQL Developer earn an average of $115,000 and $117,000, respectively. A Ruby Developer can earn an average annual salary of $130,000. Regardless of the specialty or language you choose, D.C. offers many career opportunities for professionals with coding experience.
In-Person Coding Boot Camps in Washington, D.C.
If you learn better in a traditional classroom setting, several in-person coding boot camps are available in D.C. Whether you are new to data science or looking to deepen your current knowledge, you will find the class needed to develop your skill set and get you one step closer to your dream developer career.
Coding Dojo offers a 14-week, full-time coding boot camp that covers both front-end and back-end technologies that will not only build your current skill sets but prepare you to learn the languages of tomorrow. GW Bootcamps offers a ||CPN509||, which provides students with an in-depth background in FinTech and covers topics such as Python, blockchain, advanced trading algorithms, and cryptocurrency. Flatiron offers a Data Science Bootcamp, which covers the fundamentals of Python, data science, data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning models
Virtual Coding Boot Camps
If you’re juggling an already busy schedule, attending an in-person boot camp can be inconvenient and inaccessible. Several schools are offering virtual coding boot camps that are available to D.C. residents.
Several local schools offer virtual coding boot camps. Most notably, Noble Desktop, the maker of this tool, offers live online coding boot camps. If you’re interested in working on the front-end of websites, the Front-End Web Development Certificate will teach you how to build a visually appealing front-end of a website with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For those interested in taking their data science and analysis knowledge a step further, Noble Desktop’s ||CPN411|| is the course for you. This course teaches participants how to manipulate databases and analyze the data through predictive modeling. If you want to be a more well-rounded Web Developer, the Software Engineering Certificate will prepare you to build both the front-end and back-end of websites. This certificate readies participants for a career as a Software Engineer or Full Stack Developer.
Additionally, you can enroll in a Coding Boot Camp through Coding Dojo, which offers both an accelerated and flex path that is adaptable to your schedule. Both courses will teach you the fundamentals of full-stack web development. Fullstack Academy offers a 17-28-week Coding boot camp that will provide you with the knowledge and experience needed to become a Software Engineer. Finally, DigitalCrafts offers a Full Stack Flex program, a 12-week, part-time program that will teach you to build full-stack websites and web applications.
Coding Classes in Washington, D.C.
If you’re ready to enhance your coding skills but are not quite prepared to commit to a boot camp experience, you can enroll in coding classes in D.C.. Several schools are offering both in-person and virtual coding classes in Washington, D.C.
General Assembly offers an in-person and live online Python course targeted toward beginners learning to code with Python. Ledet Training offers an OpenSource HTML and CSS 101 class that covers basic web development. For those with HTML and CSS experience, Noble Desktop offers a JavaScript & jQuery course that covers the fundamentals of JavaScript and the jQuery framework. Additionally, Noble Desktop offers Git Going: An Intro to Git, which introduces future and current developers to the Git code repository and management tools used for collaborations.
Choosing a Coding Boot Camp
With so many boot camp offerings out there, the search can be quite overwhelming. When choosing a boot camp course, you should reflect on many factors, including curriculum, learning style, budget, career supports, and schedule flexibility.
As mentioned above, coding boot camps can be taken both in-person or virtually. Your choice will depend heavily on your learning style. Students who thrive in a traditional class setting often choose in-person boot camps, primarily because of the ability to interact with instructors and cohort members in real time. Recently, however, virtual boot camps have been able to create meaningful interactions and relationships via teleconferencing and communication tools such as Zoom and Slack.
Additionally, depending on where you are in your career, the class schedule may be an important factor as you consider boot camps. For instance, those looking to balance their current full-time work and a boot camp may find that a part-time boot camp may be more conducive. If you have more time to dedicate to a boot camp, a full-time boot camp would likely work with your schedule.
Financing is also a significant factor when choosing a coding boot camp. These boot camps can range anywhere between $1,000 for a 3-day boot camp to $18,000 for a 28-week coding boot camp. When considering boot camps, you should ask about financing options. Often, schools will offer Income Share Agreements (ISA), which will allow you to defer tuition payments until you land a job that earns at least $40,000. Additionally, schools may offer scholarships or tuition discounts, especially for those from underrepresented communities. Finally, many schools have lending partners that can assist you in getting a low-interest loan to pay for your boot camp.
Another important factor is career support. Some schools offer students mentorship programs and various career supports, including resume and cover letter assistance, LinkedIn brand support, and portfolio review. Additionally, schools may offer valuable ways to interact with alumni and potential employers.
Regardless of the school you choose, enrolling in a coding boot camp is a great way to learn to code or take your coding skills to the next level. They will provide you with an immersive and hands-on learning environment to launch your developer career.