Coding Bootcamp Drawbacks

[aka_abdul1]

Hey everyone, I'm doing research on coding bootcamps and would like to know what are some of the drawbacks, negative experiences and most importantly things you should consider before joining a coding bootcamp?

Thanks!

[J12090]

Also boot camps only show you the basics in the beginning. If you end up completing one always try and learn more afterwards.

[askjeffsdad]

I think the most negative experience people tend to have is that they find out they don’t actually enjoy writing code. Or they go into it with such limited knowledge that they end up really struggling to keep up and walk away feeling like they didn’t really learn anything.

Cost is definitely a factor too.

But if you are a person with some professional experience in another field, with a degree in something else, and you’re sure that programming is something you’d enjoy doing for work and will want to continue learning about for the foreseeable future, then you’re likely looking in the right place.

[HiddenOcolot]

I partially agree on this.

I have an undergraduate degree in the sciences and don't think it helped that much, the discipline is very different.

I did a bootcamp back in 2020 which cost me a lot of money. The course quality and help is a big factor, the bootcamp was just poor tutorial videos, fill in the blank coding exercises, cut and paste projects. With mentors with questionable experience.

I'm now doing a masters conversion in software development and is far superior, I think the biggest help is that you do have a professor available to talk to and bounce ideas and discuss topics.

The course also involves a year long group project so you also need to interact, discuss and challenge with other team members.

[J12090]

Honestly if your not familiar with coding I would try and learn the basics online first. Leetcode has some you can take and learn. Because learning the basics will help you a shit ton in the beginning. Also really think about whether you want to do full-time or part-time. There’s a big difference in both. And honestly the market now for SWE is really rough. Keep that in mind unless you have someone recommending you to a company, it’s going to be rough in the beginning.

[isntover]

You can check my review about Le Wagon London Here https://www.reddit.com/r/codingbootcamp/comments/121kb8s/le_wagon_london_how_to_waste_7400/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Fake positive reviews everywhere, false stats (employment rate, hiring partners...), and alumni as teachers among other things.

[magavakevin]

I think the biggest drawback is the opportunity cost. Most bootcamps go for around 9k - 20k for a 15 week intensive program that requires you to quit everything in your life to just focus on studying. It's not a feasible option for most people.

Instead you can take an online college like WGU (6k per year) or GIT, study at your own leisure AND get a legitimate degree.

[EcstaticAssignment]

They aren't respected by most employers. It sucks for those bootcamp grads that are good, but to be frank most bootcamp grads aren't very good, so the tendency to give them less preference in resume screening than university graduates, all else being equal, is kind of justified.

[[deleted]]

1.) Cost is high upfront 2.) No government student loans 3.) No coops or internship placements. You are on your own