Launch 101: What Is a Bootcamp?
So, you're curious about coding bootcamps and you've got a lot of questions. What exactly are they? What's the big deal? How do I know if a bootcamp is right for me? Enrolling in a coding bootcamp is no small decision. We get that and we want to arm you with all the knowledge necessary to make an informed choice. |
The Rundown So, what exactly is a coding bootcamp? A coding bootcamp is an intensive, accelerated learning program that teaches students the necessary skills to become programmers. How much does it cost? Bootcamps can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. Tuition is definitely more than pocket change and many bootcamps offer scholarships and various financing options to students. How long does it last? Most bootcamps last from 8 - 12 weeks. I can become a programmer in just 12 weeks? That sounds almost too good to be true. What's the catch? No catch, we swear. Bootcamps are able to successfully teach people how to program by focusing on practical and technical skills. These skills are immediately implemented by working on projects, building apps, and building a portfolio. What will I learn? Coding bootcamps teach curriculum that is based on coding languages that are currently in demand by hiring managers. This includes JavaScript, Ruby, HTML, and CSS. What can I do with these skills? How does a career in full-stack web development, data science, digital marketing, or UX/UI design sound to you? Am I guaranteed a job when I graduate? As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Nothing is certain, except death and taxes." While you won't be promised a job upon graduation, your bootcamp will be there to help prepare and support you during your job search. |
 71% of New STEM Jobs Computing occupations are the #1 source of all new wages in the U.S. and make up 71% of all projected new jobs in STEM fields.  Fastest Growing OccupationAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of web developers is expected to increase by 26.6% between 2014 and 2024. |
Do Your Research If you've found yourself interested in attending a coding bootcamp, make sure to do some research and ask yourself these questions beforehand. Is coding right for you? If you don't have any previous coding experience, it's not a bad idea to get your toes wet before taking a deep dive at a bootcamp. Check out Codecademy, an online platform that offers free coding classes, to get a feel for the subject matter. What are your learning goals? If you're interested in walking away with web programming projects under your built and a portfolio of apps that you created, a coding bootcamp is right up your alley. Which bootcamp should I choose? We can't answer that question for you but we can point you in the direction of some resources that can help you decide. SwitchUp and Course Report both feature student testimonials and valuable information that will help you make a decision. Quora is also a great resource for discussions about coding bootcamps. |
 "I was definitely feeling burnt out, and wasn't really interested in doing two more years of school. I had read about coding bootcamps online and thought that I should at least try it. I had also tried to teach myself online by using Codecademy. I did the HTML/CSS and JavaScript courses. I asked a lot of my computer science friends for help, and they eventually suggested that I take a class. I realized that learning to code wasn’t something that I could do easily on my own. I didn't really want another degree, so a coding bootcamp seemed like a great option. I went into Launch Academy to get those fullstack coding skills. While I was there, I realized I liked building websites, and I also realized that I had so much to learn." Larisa Bainton Apprentice Software Developer, Cimpress |
What Is Launch Academy? Launch Academy is a 10-week immersive bootcamp that gives eager learners with little to no coding experience the tools they'll need to add value as a junior contributor to a professional software engineering team. Here's a quick rundown of our programs in Boston and Philadelphia: Boston Program Length: 8 weeks of pre-work (part-time), 10 weeks on-campus (full-time) Graduation Rate: 93% Job Placement Rate: 93% of job-seeking graduates obtained full-time non-temporary jobs in web development Class Size: 35-40 Student to Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Philadelphia Program Length: 8 weeks of pre-work (part-time), 10 weeks on-campus (full-time) Graduation Rate: 100% Job Placement Rate: coming soon Class Size: 11-15 Student to Teacher Ratio: 4:1 |
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