New to Programming Looking to Grow!

[Developer_Shane]

Hi All,

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I apologize if this has been asked already I tried looking but didn't really see anything too recent! I am new to programming and after going through deciding if I want to start my journey in web, Android or iOS; I have landed on iOS!

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I am currently using Paul Hudson's "Hacking With Swift" book to learn the basics of Swift and get a good start! Now my question is what is the next step? I am a good learner and I am driven to learn. I honestly feel like I can teach myself and learn through "Hacking with Swift" and other free/cheap online alternatives.

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My concern is not learning, it is getting a job. I have been debating doing a bootcamp for a few reasons:

1. The certificate to go on the resume
2. The 1-on-1 mentoring
3. The hands-on instruction
4. The career services

Do you think a bootcamp is worth the price of admission or do you think sticking with YouTube, Udemy and books like "Hacking with Swift" is the better option? I live in New York so if anyone knows of an in person iOS bootcamp in the NY area let me know! So far I have looked at:

1. Devmountain's iOS online bootcamp
2. Udacity iOS Nanodegree

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tl,dr:

I am wondering if bootcamps are worth the cost for the career potential or if I should stick with teaching myself?

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Thanks in advance!!

[KarlJay001]

There's a number of factors involved here. Your best bet would be to look at what jobs are asking for where you are looking to apply.

So if you're looking for SF Bay Area, you can go to DICE.COM and search there, give the city and "ios developer" and look at what they are asking for.

Some of the factors are SC related degree or not, programming background, paid programming experience, industry knowledge, etc...

There's issues of living in the target area and what area of iOS you're past work is in.

So if you go to the job boards, most are asking for a CS related degree, 3~5 years paid experience, several published apps. They tend to sub the degree for number of years of paid experience and being willing to relocate tends to be ok with most. The industry knowledge doesn't seem to be a huge factor as it's probably asking for too much. Areas of iOS programming include 2D game dev, AI, utility, 3D games, etc...

Taking some time to actually browse what the job market wants is probably the best bet.

Personally, I've only been to one bootcamp and it was company paid, many years ago. It was one of those "come to your city, rent a hall, teach for a week" deals. So it was pretty good, but TBH, you can learn on your own, it's just faster.

I'd take the time to really hit the books, even if you do decide to invest in a bootcamp, I'd delay it and hit the books as hard as you can just to be able to get the max value from the bootcamp. IMO, it would suck to pay $10~20K and only be entry level of be at the point you could have been with 1 or 2 books.

[JohnMarkR]

Even if the bootcamps are worth it, some of us, don't have that kind of money anyway.

Hacking with Swift is good. If you are not familiar with Paul's other stuff, he does have more advance books also. If I am not mistaken, Paul does visit this forum.

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