To Bootcamp or Not To Bootcamp
Tags: learning, education, discuss, beginners
Published: 2019-03-19 14:32:32

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title: To Bootcamp or Not To Bootcamp
published: true
description: 
tags: learning, education, discuss, beginners
---
3/25/2019 3:36PM UPDATE: Welp, spoke with the bootcamp. They were incredibly impressed after asking me what my timeline would look like for working on things. I went into huge detail about using freeCodeCamp, SoloLearn, Udemy, etc. Talking about how I look at jobs but never apply for them because I'm nervous and not as confident. Only thing now is I need to talk to someone about financing which still makes me nervous.

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Whenever it was I decided to get serious about coding, I discovered bootcamps. Initially I had done some searching for 'web designer' and 'web developer' (yes, I know, two different things) jobs on LinkedIn and Indeed. I came across one of those 'too good to be true (but I fell for it anyway)' job postings. There was one for a Front End Dev position with no list of languages I needed to know stating the job would start off with paid training. Later I come to find out this includes some kind of contract and shipping off a few states over and it would be a bootcamp-like setting. The plus side? It was free, you were paid. The place would pay for you to move but that just wasn't (still isn't) an option.

So I dove in more into the bootcamp idea and came across one that's two hours away from me. They have a flexible program for those who work full time (or you just need something that works with your schedule) so you wouldn't have to quit your job or drop everything to go in and code, code, code. So I took the bait and started with the process of looking into this bootcamp. My concerns though are the financing (especially with a new-ish car and some student loan debt from college) and the mandatory weekends where I would need to make some kind of arrangement to stay in the bootcamp's city for the weekend (hotel, maybe family?, drive 2 hours to and from both Saturday and Sunday). 

As I went through the process though, I took the readiness test. I emailed the admissions rep to confirm I'd completed the test and she said a student success coach would be in contact. A day or so later I talked to my dad about the idea and he stressed to 'be careful'. Days continued to go by and I had heard nothing regarding the bootcamp, making the assumption that maybe I messed up on the readiness test. I chalked it up in my head that maybe no response meant 'no' and to move on. 
So I stumbled across Udemy and found Colt Steele's Web Dev Bootcamp which is ultimately A LOT cheaper (and it was on sale when I paid - $11.99!). Before going the bootcamp route, I did my research. Was it a good idea? What could I expect going this route? Should I get my master's instead? Should I do self-taught? I looked the bootcamp up on Course Report, looked at reviews. Compared it to a bootcamp actually in my city (which has no flexible option and is $1000 more).

I guess what I'm saying is, anyone out there with bootcamp experience? If so, did you come across the same 'what ifs'/questions/anxieties? Would you recommend it? Not recommend? Why? 

Or...

Are you self-taught? Obtained your masters or undergrad in this area? Why did you choose this route? Did you consider a bootcamp? What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you everyone and happy Tuesday! :)