Are Coding Bootcamps as Good as a University Computer Science Degree?

Back in the old days, you went to college and got a degree. Then, you went into the workforce. Now, people have the option of learning skills online with coding bootcamps. The question is, though, are coding bootcamps as good as a computer science degree? The short answer is yes, and the longer answer is sometimes, they are even better. Now, let’s see why.

Proof of Completion

One of the biggest reasons people want to get a degree from a university is the diploma will show they completed the required coursework. You also get proof of completion with a coding bootcamp. You can use your certificate to open doors in the working world. Just make sure you choose a legitimate coding bootcamp that offers certificates or you won’t be able to prove your coursework to potential employers. Fortunately, it’s not hard to find these coding bootcamps online. Ideally the coding bootcamp will help you build out a full portfolio of projects that will prove your expertise.

The Curriculum

Universities leave some important information out of their classes. For instance, you don’t learn much about solving big problems, building real world application, or test driven development. Which are all requirements for professional development jobs. On the other hand, coding bootcamps provide in-depth problem solving and testing information, along with other valuable information. This information actually puts coding bootcamps ahead of computer science degrees. By the time you finish your coding bootcamp, you’ll be ready to handle whatever the working world throws at you. The same isn’t true for people who have degrees in computer science.

Networking

Networking is another aspect where coding bootcamps are either equal to or have an edge when compared to universities. Many coding bootcamps have built-in networking tools so you can network as you go through your coursework. Networking helps get jobs, so this is critical.

Employment

Speaking of jobs, you need to look at your employment prospects. While universities usually leave you to fend for yourself, coding bootcamps help with job placement. They also help you build a portfolio, which is helpful when finding a job. That portfolio will open some doors for you when it comes to landing interviews and getting jobs.

Collaboration

A lot of people think that collaboration isn’t possible with coding bootcamps, but that isn’t the case. The best coding bootcamps encourage collaboration between participants. By pairing them up to work on projects to setting up forums and discussion boards, collaboration is a big part of these coding bootcamps.

It’s easy to see that an coding bootcamp is at least as good as a degree from a university. Best of all, you don’t have to spend four years of your life if you go to a coding bootcamp. This means you will be able to dive right into the development world and start gaining real life experience. If you are interested in attending a coding bootcamp please feel free to reach out to us with any questions on attending one of the upcoming devCamp semesters.