Hey everyone! I'm seriously considering making a career switch from market research to software engineering. I'm thinking of taking 3 to 4 months off work to do a full-time coding bootcamp, probably either Hack Reactor or Flatiron School. Before I dive in, I'd love to hear from people who have made a similar jump. I have a few questions: 1. Which bootcamp did you attend, and would you recommend it? Why or why not? 2. How well did the bootcamp curriculum prepare you for your first job? 3. What aspects of the bootcamp did you find helpful, and what was missing? 4. Did you feel job-ready after finishing the program? 5. How long did it take you to land a job after graduation? 6. How significant was the bootcamp's reputation for getting interviews? 7. Did the bootcamp assist you with job placement, networking, or interview prep? I'm really looking forward to your advice and insights. Thanks a bunch!
3 Answers
I used to think bootcamps were the way to go, but they aren’t great for newbies without prior programming experience. They are really designed for people who already know some coding and just need a boost. If you’re starting from scratch, community colleges might be the better route. Bootcamps are so fast-paced that it can be overwhelming for beginners.
Honestly, I’d advise against it. The job market is pretty rough right now, and it feels like bootcamps aren't really cutting it. There are experienced developers struggling to get interviews, and entry-level positions are few and far between these days.
It seems like you might have missed the prime bootcamp hype; it was really booming around 2020-2022. Now, breaking into tech through a bootcamp doesn’t feel like the best strategy. With the rise of AI, there are tons of developers in the market, which makes it tougher for beginners to find roles. I think learning coding in relation to market research could be more beneficial, like using Python for data analysis.
That’s a really good point! Combining your existing skills with coding sounds like a smart approach. I'm definitely considering how to apply programming in my field.