If you are thinking about becoming a web developer, chances are you are considering three options:
1) Getting a computer science degree
2) Attending a coding bootcamp
3) Teaching yourself
After I graduated with a MA in Psychology, I considered all three of these options. Here are the pros and cons I discovered.
The Computer Science Bachelors
If you are fresh out of high school and can afford college, getting a CS degree is probably a great move for you. If you are looking to switch careers or already have a bachelors degree, I would not recommend this route. Unless you already have the required math and science classes, getting a second BA/BS in Computer Science will likely take you 3-5 years, depending on your class load.
Not to mention the additional student loans you will have to take out. My estimates of going back for a second BA at a local public college put that cost at around $20k, minimum. There are post-bachelors out there (such as the program at Oregon State) that take less time, but cost even more– over $30k.
A CS degree is not neccesary to break into web development (especially front-end web development). I have met plenty of web developers who have no degree or completely unrelated degrees. The downside of a CS degree is the classes are more theory-based then practical. You will be stuck taking challenging classes that have nothing to do with web development. The computer science courses are unlikely to teach you the relevant technologies that web developers use today.
Note that when I recommend against a CS degree, I am speaking only for careers in web development. There are certain software developer jobs where a CS degree is required and neccesary. I’m also sure that my colleagues with CS degrees possess certain knowledge and skills I do not. Getting a CS degree, however, is an impractical for many people trying to break into the field.
The Coding Bootcamp
Can you actually learn everything you need to be a successful web developer in three months? I have seen individuals enter the coding bootcamp I attended (and later taught at) with no coding experience and come out with a job. I also suspect that the learning curve on their first job was a little steeper than mine. Still, it is evidence that it can be done. Wisely, though, bootcamps are moving in the direction of offerring extended programs to students with no previous coding experience.
Are bootcamps worth the $10k+ price tag? It depends. Some people find that a bootcamp is the only way for them to learn, because it forces them to code for 8+ hours a day. If you decide to attend a coding bootcamp, you need to carefully research student outcomes. Are students actually finding jobs after graduating? How long does it take them to find a job? How much do those jobs pay? If the coding bootcamp doesn’t offer any help with job placement, it is not worth it. An easier time breaking into an entry-level job is the main advantage of attending a bootcamp.
Does the coding bootcamp have a quality curriculum that will work for your learning style? There is no way to really confirm this ahead of time. I can tell you that quality bootcamp graduates are not good web developers because of the bootcamp. They are good web developers because they are already self-motivated and good at teaching themselves new skills and concepts.
Absolutely do not attend a bootcamp if you have not attempted to learn any web development on your own first. You need to make a reasonable assessment if this is the right career for you. Do not throw away $10k studying something that may not be a good fit for you.
The Self-Taught Developer
I spent a year and a half studying web development from various sources online before attending a coding bootcamp. Learning on my own was difficult and I hit many challenges along the way. The main reason I attending a coding bootcamp was the dearth of information out there on becoming a .Net developer. There are free step-by-step curriculums out there for learning Ruby-On-Rails or front-end development, but not for .Net development. I knew learning the .Net stack was the wisest choice due to the sheet number of jobs in North Carolina. All you have to do is search “.Net developer” on Indeed to see this.
I hope to finally provide that curriculum for individuals through this blog. The self-taught method is challenging and uncertain, but I promise you that it is possible to learn on your own, build a portfolio, and find a job afterwards. If you are self-motivated and able to study independently, this is an excellent option for you. For some people, it is the only option. After all, not everyone can quit their job to attend a coding bootcamp full-time.
In my next post, I will go over some strategies for successfully learning web development on your own.
I want to learn all sorts of things. I am a recalcitrant PHP 4 person.