I dropped out of my coding boot camp
F ive Five weeks after enrolling, I dropped out of my web development boot camp. Like a shoe that was two sizes too small, the boot camp just wasn't a good fit. So, I decided to teach myself how to program. Nine months later, I was working as a full-time web developer.
Despite my experience, I think boot camps have their merits. But they also have plenty of flaws. If you're thinking about enrolling in one, here are my takeaways.
Several co-workers and friends have said that they could never learn to program on their own. Boot camps are useful tools in this regard—they hold you accountable. If you enroll, you will study for eight hours a day, five days a week, for six months straight. Boot camps keep you honest about how much time you're putting in and ensure you stay invested.
You've probably heard it's easy to get a job programming. This is true for experienced developers. If you have five or more years of professional experience, then yeah, the world is your oyster. As a new developer, I've got some bad news for you: getting your first job will be hard. Most companies see junior developers as a liability. Graduating from a boot camp doesn't guarantee you a job, but it can make finding one easier.
