College and Coding: The Pros and Cons of Higher Education in the Software Engineering Landscape

Learning to Code: Four Years at a University or a Coding Bootcamp?

So you’re probably wondering how to get started in the software engineering field. First step: learn to code. There are two main routes to accomplish this goal. One option is to enroll in a University and get a degree in computer science. The other is to enroll in a coding bootcamp. Let’s explore the pros and cons of both.

How Long Will It Take to Complete My Coding Education?

A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years assuming you are a full-time student who passes all your classes. On the other hand TrueCoders offers two courses that finish much faster than a four-year degree.

TrueCoders offers a Live Software Engineer Bootcamp that finishes in nine weeks. This software engineer bootcamp is for those who want to learn how to code in an interactive and full time environment. It runs Monday through Friday from 9 am until 3 pm Central Time over Zoom with live instructors providing instant feedback and Teaching Assistants for additional support. Class sizes are capped at 15 students per cohort. This option is more intense than TrueCoders’ self-paced course and requires a level of commitment that challenging and fun; however the course will finish much quicker than the college route.

TrueCoders also offers a Self-Paced Coding Bootcamps a much more flexible option than the live course. This course is better suited for those who work a job and cannot commit to the 9 to 3 schedule of the live course or the rigorous schedule of college classes. This course typically takes around six months to complete which is still much faster than the four-year college degree.

Benefits of a Coding Bootcamp

As previously stated the TrueCoders Software Engineer Bootcamp can be completed in as little as nine weeks. Those who choose to get a college degree will still be in their first semester likely taking entry-level core classes. By attending bootcamp you will be leaps and bounds ahead of your collegiate peers in a job sooner gaining much-needed experience –not to mention income.

Coding Bootcamps are designed to transform someone with no coding experience into someone who works in one of the many positions within the coding field. TrueCoders begins with teaching their students how to use C#. The bootcamp aims to provide a focused learning experience using practical projects to quickly and effectively transition an individual student into a new career. On top of an effective curriculum TrueCoders also offers one-on-one support for its students.

TrueCoders includes career services which will help you with resume drafting and writing optimizing your LinkedIn account engaging in mock interviews and advice with job search techniques.

Benefits of College

College is a popular option for software engineering and computer science. The Washington Post points out the fact that the number of computer science degrees are rapidly increasing. So why should you consider the collegiate route?

During the four years it takes to get a degree the student will most likely not be able to work full time as most colleges require their students to take at least twelve credit hours in a semester. One key advantage of the college experience is networking. The US News has a great article on tips for networking. Students will be exposed to many people in their field. In addition colleges offer career fairs and centers. This is a great way to get an idea of what companies might be a good match.

Why not do Both?

Going through a coding bootcamp before college will put you leaps and bounds above your collegiate peers who have no experience coding. Knowing a lot of the material before taking a class will result in a better understanding of the material when you enter the class.

Pricing

Whether you choose the 9-week live course or the Flex Self-Paced option the tuition costs much less than a 4-year college program. However tuition is not the only variable to consider when choosing between college and bootcamp. One must consider the pricing for housing textbooks parking and more.

The beauty of the online bootcamp is that you never have to leave the comforts of your own home saving both time and money.

In Conclusion

Both college and coding bootcamp provide individuals with the necessary knowledge and job searching skills to become successful in the software engineering field. The best option may vary depending on how much time the individual has how much time and money they are willing to put into achieving their goals. TrueCoders offers faster results for a fraction of the price. TrueCoders sets its students up to enter the software engineering field much faster than a 4-year degree from a college.

Unsure of what to do after High school? Need a career change? Dive into the world of coding here! #coding #careersincoding #careeradvice

Interested in coding but you don’t want to go through four years of college? A Coding Bootcamp might be for you! #collegealternative #coding #careeradvice