When considering a career in the tech industry, many people ask if a coding bootcamp is worth it. Perception is a big part of it. Will others look down on them? Will employers take them seriously? These are all valid questions you should be asking any time you pay for a training program. The goal is to be more marketable. If you can do it without spending the time and money to get a four-year degree, why wouldn't you?

If you run an online search, you can find plenty of articles talking about the pros and cons of bootcamps. As you may have already noticed, they're constantly contradicting each other. The bigger challenge for many curious parties is many sources seem to be legitimate. When you get out into the industry, you might find some companies that only accept candidates with four-year degrees, but this is rare. If there's anything tech companies understand, it's the many ways their best coders can be trained.

A bootcamp covers a fraction of what you'd expect in a four-year computer science program. What some outside parties might not realize is many of the required courses aren't related to coding. In fact, they have nothing to do with computers and the tech industry at all. They're general eds every college student is required to take. Coding school classes break it down to the essential skills you need. When you sign up for a bootcamp, professionals break it down the skills coders use every day. Those skills are condensed into a shorter program with a laser-like focus. The idea is to get more people into the industry equipped to move forward and innovate.

What Can You Expect from a Code School?
Coding school classes can range from bootcamps to more focused classes. For example, you might take a class to learn Java or CSS. It depends on what area of tech you're trying to get into. If you're more interested in Android apps, you need to know Java. If you're moving into web development, you'll want a more eclectic skill set. Classes can be taken both in person or online depending on the school. You can make your decision based both on the school and your own preferences. Online classes can fit into a busy schedule while classes on a physical campus help some students learn more effectively.

What do you need to get into a program? While some students are learning to code in high school, coding schools have a few simple prerequisites. Many are simple. For example, you should have a basic knowledge of computers. If you're calling technical support to install a basic Windows program or figure out how to turn on your computer, you have more work to do. If you understand the Microsoft suite, Google docs, and other similar programs, you're already on the right track.

You don't have to be a tech guru, but you should know how to find your way around a computer. If you're interested in mobile apps, you might want to explore Android phones and get an idea of what you like. What are the most common errors that cause apps to crash, and what improves your experience?

Is Code School the Right Choice for You?
The market is going digital. Wherever you look, you can see examples of the progress being made in the tech field. Everybody is online meaning businesses have to go online to survive and thrive. The right SEO work can make the difference even for small local companies. If you have a strong understanding of coding, you can be part of this movement.

One of the most important things to understand about tech is that it’s always changing. It’s never stagnant. So if you’re interested in a career in coding, you should know the learning process never ends. Sometimes, you’ll run into a whole system overhaul. Other times, it will require only small changes. If you’re ready for ongoing challenges and opportunities in the growing tech industry, click here.