Getting a Job After a Coding Bootcamp: Learn the Facts

The best coding bootcamps prepare students for the job market just as well as a college diploma or degree program does. They have career resources that can help you build your soft skills and prepare for job interviews and technical interviews. The idea behind coding bootcamps is to replace the need for a four-year degree.

In this article, we’ll give you helpful tips on how to get a job after completing a coding bootcamp program. This guide also includes facts and examples that will help you with your job search. You’ll be able to impress your hiring manager with a deep understanding of coding and the web development hiring process.

Top Ways Coding Bootcamps Help You Get a Job

• In-Demand Skills: Coding bootcamps are known for their ability to keep up with coding trends. The vast majority of bootcamp grads possess the technical skills necessary for a modern-day tech career.
• Project-Based Curriculum: You can expect bootcamp projects to be part of your program’s curriculum. Bootcamp projects are an excellent way to gain real-world experience with coding programs and understand how they work.
• Networking Opportunities: In addition to learning valuable skills, you also get access to a vast network of bootcamp alumni who have attended the same bootcamp as you. Networking with these alumni can help you solidify your future as a coding bootcamp graduate and find professional work quickly.
• Access to a Hiring Network: Coding bootcamps are a huge part of the tech community. Companies invest in bootcamps to later hire the graduates from these programs. Mentioning your coding bootcamp education to the company you are applying to will undoubtedly help you during your interview.
• Mentorship: Coding bootcamps are great for developing your practical skills for a career in tech, especially when a mentor is part of the process. In most cases, bootcamp mentorship programs provide an excellent opportunity to understand different coding aspects by working with seasoned professionals who teach these programs.

What Is a Coding Bootcamp? 

A coding bootcamp is an educational program that offers online teaching and accelerated learning through short-term training courses. Students can learn all about programming and develop their technical skills, specifically coding skills. If you attend an accredited bootcamp program, you’ll become proficient in essential programming languages and concepts. 

As part of your bootcamp education, you have the option to specialize in different coding languages. Even though online coding bootcamps don’t last as long as traditional college degree programs, they still offer valuable career services. You will also have the opportunity to delve deeper into software development, data science, digital marketing, and UX/UI design. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp?

It takes up to six months to get a job after graduating from a bootcamp. According to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR), most bootcamp graduates are employed within 180 days. For example, 89 percent of Tech Elevator graduates in 2020 were employed within this time. About 78 percent of Launch Academy’s 2020 grads were employed in the same time.

The time it takes to get a job after a coding bootcamp depends on a few different factors. If you attend an intensive program with career services, you’re more likely to get a job quickly than if you attend a short course. You will also get a job more quickly if you have previous work experience.

Getting a Job After Coding Bootcamp: Quick Facts

• Bootcamps are short and fast-paced. A bootcamp can last from a few weeks to a few months, depending on its format and curriculum. Students find bootcamps to be more cost-effective than degree programs and more convenient to fit into busy schedules.
• Bootcamps prepare you for a programming job. While bootcamps don’t cover every aspect of coding, these training programs teach the fundamentals that every professional coder must know. The technical knowledge coding bootcamp grads possess is similar to that of college graduates.
• Bootcamps are affordable. Typically, the average coding bootcamp cost is around $13,000, but tuition can range from $8,000 to $20,000. Some bootcamps even offer income share agreements (ISAs) as well as financial aid and scholarships to help you pay.
• Bootcamp graduates find jobs. As explored above, the majority of bootcamp graduates find jobs within six months. Many companies seek bootcamp graduates to fill vacant entry-level jobs. 
• You can successfully graduate from a bootcamp. Even though bootcamps are challenging, they take a lot less time to finish than a four-year university degree. Personalized programs and immersive classes will help you graduate on time. 

Do Bootcamps Guarantee You a Job?

Some bootcamps will guarantee you a job, but not all. As we’ve mentioned above, a large percentage of coding bootcamp graduates can find work after they’ve completed their courses. As well, a few bootcamps offer job guarantees. However, there are a lot of factors that can help or even interfere with your job search success.

While a coding bootcamp sets you on the right track for landing a job, it doesn’t guarantee a coding job right after graduation. In order to find a meaningful coding position, you’ll need to network and communicate with a lot of potential employers, as well as have a suitable job application ready to be sent out.  

What Is a Coding Bootcamp Job Guarantee?

A bootcamp job guarantee is an agreement that some bootcamps offer in which you can get your money back if you don’t find a job. Many coding bootcamps offer job guarantees through ISAs and tuition refund policies. The cost of tuition for bootcamp students who graduate and find a job is deferred through ISAs. 

If you cannot find a job within a certain period after graduation, some bootcamps offer full or partial tuition reimbursement. Coding bootcamps might be too expensive for some, but there are many ways to help you pay for a coding bootcamp.

Tuition Refund

Many bootcamps offer graduates a job guarantee that includes a tuition refund. If students do not receive a job offer within a certain time after graduating, they can get back the tuition they paid. In most cases, the tuition refund has strict guidelines.

Income Share Agreement

Bootcamp students can use income share agreements, also known as ISAs, to start their training programs with little or no payment. The student pays the bootcamp a set percentage of their income once they graduate from the bootcamp and find a job. 

What Jobs Can You Get After a Coding Bootcamp?

Job	Median Salary	Outlook	Recommended Bootcamps
Senior Software Engineer	$120,346	22%	Turing, Zip Code Wilmington
Software Product Manager	$99,519	22%**	General Assembly, Nuclio School
IT Project Manager	$88,654	11%	General Assembly, Nuclio School
Backend Developer	$86,236	13%	Devmountain, Skill Distillery
Full Stack Developer	$79,472	13%*	TrueCoders, Parsity, CodeBoxx
Front End Developer	$76,070	13%*	Devmountain, Skill Distillery, Code Fellows
UX Designer	$75,336	13%*	DevPoint Labs, DigitalCrafts, Flatiron School
Software Developer	$73,099	22%**	Code Fellows, Coder Foundry
Data Analyst	$62,405	25%	Ironhack, Devmountain
Junior Developer	$53,803	13%*	4Geeks Academy, Claim Academy

*Job outlook information has been sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on web developers and digital designers.

*Job outlook information has been sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.

Top Jobs You Can Get After a Bootcamp: A Close Look

Senior Software Engineer

The senior software engineer is responsible for managing the entire software development process while also being part of the creative side of software development. They create software solutions and develop programs to streamline user tasks. These professionals have a high annual salary for bootcamp learners.

Software Product Manager

Software product managers determine how a product should be developed. Their role is to serve as intermediaries between the customer, the leadership team, the development team, and sales and marketing.

IT Project Manager

IT project managers oversee and carry out duties linked to an organization’s information technology (IT) goals and initiatives. You can become an IT manager with a coding bootcamp education and a few years of in-field experience.

Backend Developer

Backend developers are in charge of creating and maintaining the structure upon which any software, website, or program’s front end is built. They coordinate multiple components and synergize them so that the software functions smoothly.

Full Stack Developer

A full stack developer works both on the backend and the front end of a program. A full stack developer should be skilled in several areas including databases, visual design, and UI/UX management. Bootcamp job placement rates are high for full stack developer roles.

Front End Developer

A front end developer makes sure that visitors can interact with the page easily. To code a website’s appearance, they combine design and coding and fix any bugs that appear on the front end of the website. Many online courses from bootcamps can teach you challenging computer science concepts for this developer role.

UX Designer

UX designers are tasked with making software more user-friendly, enjoyable, and accessible. UX designers will usually work with HTML and CSS code as well as Python to transform a product. There are many HTML bootcamps that can help you learn the skills you need for UX design.

Software Developer

Software engineers and developers evaluate the specified requirements to design user-friendly software. They assess how each component of an application or system will work together. The software developer also creates models and diagrams showing how the software code will look for a particular application.

Data Analyst

Data analysts organize and research large datasets using data analytics tools like SQL. A qualified data analyst must have strong coding skills to manage large databases and data servers effectively. Learning SQL can be challenging, but the best SQL bootcamps offer a well-rounded educational experience.

Junior Developer

As part of the development team, junior developers assist in creating software. Their duties include learning about the codebase, participating in design meetings, developing basic code, fixing bugs, and supporting the design manager.

How Much Do Coding Bootcamp Graduates Make?

According to PayScale, the average salary for entry-level software developers is $68,599. A lot of organizations are looking for high-performing bootcamp grads, so they pay well for entry-level jobs. As a bootcamp graduate, you’ll possess all the necessary practical skills to fill a junior role in an ever-expanding coding job market. 

Companies That Hire Coding Bootcamp Graduates

Many companies hire coding bootcamp graduates. Below, we’ve compiled a list of top firms and organizations that seek fresh bootcamp graduates for employment.

• Access Development. Located in Utah, this company deals with business-to-business and loyalty programs and is always looking for hot prospects. If you’re a bootcamp grad, they’ll hire you and pay you well.
• Granicus. Granicus is a government contractor focused on technology. You will have many opportunities to work on various contracts at Granicus because of its high demand for software developers.
• Progressive Insurance. This is one of the largest auto and home insurers in the country. It has an extensive online presence with a robust website, and its ability to support various mobile apps set the company apart from the competition. Bootcamp grads have been hired in the past, so you should see what jobs are available.
• Eventbrite. This is a company that sells tickets online and often hires bootcamp alums. 
• Scribd. This popular website is a digital library and bookstore, all in one. Scribd offers a wide selection of books, audiobooks, and more, and the company hires many bootcamp graduates as bootcamp graduates.
• Sweeten. With Sweeten, people planning major renovations can get in touch with general contractors who offer personalized support until the job is completed.
• OpenLattice. The OpenLattice platform is used for managing data in core societal institutions. The organization is looking for recent bootcamp graduates to join its ranks.
• Embark. As a leading provider of online admissions and application software to colleges, universities, and fellowship programs worldwide, Embark is looking for recent bootcamp graduates.
• Button. The employees at Button are masters at creating synergized ads that benefit the application developers, ad brands, and publishers. Button is looking for fresh talent in recent bootcamp graduates.
• Synapse. Synapse builds tools that companies can use to integrate banking features into their own products and services. Synapse is also seeking to hire recent bootcamp graduates.

Is a Coding Bootcamp Worth It?

Yes, a coding bootcamp is worth it, and it will help you get a job in the future. Coding bootcamps are an excellent option for those who want to learn a particular skill in a short time. Companies view these programs positively and seek out talented bootcamp graduates. Most bootcamp students can find employment in various tech companies within a short timeframe.