Is a web development bootcamp worth it?

Those who want to transform their careers turn to tech bootcamps to start pursuing their dreams in just a few months. Many who have come through our virtual doors have become software engineers, scrum masters, and even entrepreneurs. If you're considering a Web Development Bootcamp, you may wonder if all your effort is worth it in the long run. Will you get a job? Will you love what you do? How much money and time will you put into the program?

We'll dive into the different ways you can earn your web developer title and whether a bootcamp is right for you.

Different ways to become a web developer

University Degree

This is the traditional route when it comes to web development. Most people aiming to enter the field enroll in software engineering or computer science. Still, other relevant courses can get you there.

Pros: usually completed over 3-4 years, degrees dive a little deeper into what you need to know to become a developer than a bootcamp. Students often have opportunities to take internships during the summer months, which can help link them up with their first job post-graduation.

Cons: a standard route for younger people fresh out of high school; a degree is not ideal for those who need to make a quick career change.

Self-teaching

There are many free and affordable resources that lay the groundwork for various coding languages like Python or JavaScript. There are also multiple communities like GitHub and StackOverflow where developers exchange ideas, and more experienced coders are more than happy to help out a beginner.

Pros: this is the most cost-effective option. You may only need to dish out a few hundred dollars to get the basics down and start coding.

Cons: self-teaching requires a lot of discipline and lacks the structure and network that a degree or a bootcamp provides. Learning to code comes with its fair share of frustrations and challenges, and those taking on programming alone may be more likely to quit. Bootcamp

Designed to teach you the basics quickly (usually a few months), you'll learn enough to get you started in your first developer role. Bootcamps cut out any excess courses or knowledge that isn't specific to coding basics.

Pros: you get into the field faster and build a network more smoothly as you're surrounded by other budding developers, experienced teachers, and mentors well-established in the industry.

Cons: bootcamps are incredibly time-consuming and take a lot of determination during the program. Participants must often reorganize their priorities and outside commitments before taking a bootcamp. (Pro tip! Lighthouse Labs offers a Web Development Flex Program, which delivers the same quality education experience while letting you better balance other life priorities that you can't put on hold!).

Ready to launch your own web development career? Sign up for Lighthouse Labs Web Development program and start your future-proof career today!

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Can I get a job after a Web Development Bootcamp?

Bootcamps take an incredible amount of dedication and drive. Not only that, they often require you to put some aspects of your life on hold for a few months and can cost in the ballpark of $10,000. Knowing this, it's natural to want to know that there's a job waiting for you on the other side of graduation.

What is the success rate of bootcamps?

At Lighthouse Labs, 97% of job-seeking web bootcamp graduates became employed post-graduation, most finding employment within 180 days. We also have a Career Services team that provides a career-matching service which takes the grunt work out of looking for and applying for jobs. All this, combined with our stellar team of mentors and top-tier instructors, adds up to a high rate of employability post-graduation.

After bootcamp, most get their start in junior positions, whether that be junior web developers or front end and back end developers. Our alumni's average starting salary was $54,638, which is right around the national average. From there, salaries increase rapidly, with our graduates seeing an average base salary increase of 62% and 77% three and four years out, respectively.

For those looking for a career with serious growth potential, web development is where it's at. You can follow multiple streams beyond the typical front end, back end, and full stack route (although those are pretty amazing jobs if you ask us).

First, all developer-related jobs have mid and senior-level roles, most of which pay six figures. From there, you can branch off into teaching, consulting, writing, or freelance work, all as side gigs or full-time employment. A few of our grads have gone on to found their own companies combining their coding savvy with entrepreneurship like Junaid Achmad, CEO of JackRabbit Ops.

"It was an amazing opportunity I wouldn't have gotten if I hadn't taken the risk with bootcamp. My experience proves that you can turn your coding boot camp education into a rewarding career with determination and hard work." Junaid Achmad, CEO of JackRabbit Ops

With a web development toolkit in hand, your skills are completely transferable from one industry to the next. Web developers work as scrum masters, project managers, IT directors, SQL database developers, embedded software engineers, and so, so many more.

There are other factors to consider beyond whether or not a bootcamp can lead you to a fulfilling career, although that is potentially the most important. We've already established that a few different pathways lead to a web development job, with a bootcamp being the most direct and structured way.

However, you should consider teaching style, duration and intensity, and whether or not a bootcamp is within your budget. Check out the video by Sean Allen below as he discusses who is best suited for a bootcamp.

So you've decided on a bootcamp; congrats! There are some things that you should know before you jump in.

• Set your expectations

  A bootcamp is no walk in the park. It takes loads of grit, organization, accountability, and drive to see through. However, with the right mindset and support team to cheer you on, you should find success in the end.

• Be ready to fail

  Coding is a lot of trial and error. Even the best programmers make mistakes. The good news is that it's one of the best ways to learn. From the beginning of bootcamp to the end, you'll notice a massive difference in your skills and confidence level.

• You'll face Imposter Syndrome

  Working in a world of high stakes and surrounded by those with a lot of experience can be intimidating. But with mentors, instructors, and others going through bootcamp alongside you, you can best bet you'll get through it. It's also good to remember that every developer struggles with Imposter Syndrome, even at the most advanced levels.

Are coding bootcamps still worth it?

Overall, yes. Bootcamps can offer a quicker way to a transformed career than the traditional university route and with more structure than teaching yourself. They provide a rewarding career with ample growth opportunities. You are also welcomed into an international and diverse community that can help you advance your career path, connect you with job opportunities, and help you with side projects.

There are challenges, but the pros outweigh the cons in terms of long-term success, growth, salary, and flexibility.

For a quick summary, check out the video by Career Programming below.

At Lighthouse Labs, we have two ways to become a web developer; our Web Development Bootcamp and our Web Development Flex Program. Both have the same curriculum, lectures, and assigned homework; the only difference is the delivery format. If you aim to get into the workforce ASAP and can dedicate 12 weeks to full-time study, opt for the Bootcamp option. If you have pressing outside commitments like childcare that can't be put on hold or prefer to balance hobbies and education, the Flex Program is for you.

Either way, you can apply to both by clicking the button below.

Begin Your Web Development Journey Here