Coding bootcamp job placement programs and guarantees are some of the most enticing aspects of this new form of job training. However, many students still wonder if they can get a job after coding bootcamp. To answer this question, this article takes a closer look at coding bootcamp job placement rates and career prospects for people with programming skills.
While not many coding bootcamps disclose their outcomes publicly, those that do were found to have high success rates. In its 2020 outcomes report, for example, General Assembly noted a 74.4 percent job placement rate within six months of graduation among students who received full-time career coaching.
According to Career Karma’s 2021 State of the Bootcamp Market Report, major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase are some of the largest employers of bootcamp graduates.
What Are Coding Bootcamp Job Placement Rates?
Coding bootcamp job placement rates are a statistic used to evaluate the success of bootcamp graduates. Different schools use different metrics to measure job placement rates. They are typically published by coding bootcamps on a yearly basis and look into the types of programming jobs and average salaries that bootcamp students receive upon graduation.
Unlike colleges and universities, some of the best coding bootcamps publish their placement statistics for prospective students to see. Bootcamps work directly with the tech industry and provide unmatched career resources for grads. Before deciding where to study, be sure to familiarize yourself with coding bootcamp employment rates and placement rates.
As a prospective student, you should really read into the coding bootcamp job placement claims. Aim for a school with at least a 50 to 60 percent placement rate. Check to see if the school’s in-person program performs better than its online program. Try to find out what career services bootcamp grads are offered, and if it seems to help with their job searches.
Some bootcamps even publish the average starting salary of bootcamp attendees. Be sure to take this statistic into consideration as well when making your bootcamp decision. If the base salaries are too low for you, you may want to consider a different bootcamp. Also, check to see how often graduates receive an increase in salary, and what the average salary increase is.
You may also want to consider the legitimacy of coding bootcamp job placement rates. Look for schools with a strong online presence. Scour the Internet for honest bootcamp reviews and see if they match the job placement report. There are also schools like Flatiron School that had their outcomes reports independently verified to ensure full transparency.
Factors You Need to Understand the Job Placement Rate
An outcomes report typically covers key metrics like graduation rates, acceptance rates, median salaries after coding bootcamp, school rankings, and largest employers. However, all schools are free to include or exclude any metrics they desire as long as the data shown is accurate and not tampered with.
Different bootcamps also fall under different jurisdictions, which could vary depending on location and governing bodies. As such, it can be difficult to compare the success of two coding bootcamps, even if they produce equally high job placement rates.
When it comes to job placement reports, fine details matter. It should be noted that simply reading the highlighted numbers on a coding bootcamp outcomes report barely scratches the surface. In the section below, we will go over crucial terminology and fill in the common gaps that are typically present in outcomes reports.
Graduation Rate
More often than not, people tend to get graduation rates and employment rates mixed up. These are not the same. Graduation rates indicate the percentage of students who have successfully completed a program while employment rates refer to the percentage of students who have found a job after their bootcamp education.
Some coding bootcamps with the highest job placement rates also fail to provide accurate details of students that make up said percentages. For example, a school may have a 90 percent employment rate, but the actual numbers may actually represent a specific number of students from a specific program during a specific enrollment period.
Bootcamp Acceptance Rate
Bootcamp acceptance rates are also an important metric to look at. Other terms that may be used in place of this are admissions rates and enrollment rates. Bootcamps with open admissions generally accept most applicants while others can be more selective and only accept top applicants or students with some sort of professional experience
In the case of the latter, the school would already have the best students to work with. After providing them with in-demand programming skills and extensive support through a dedicated career success team, it is more likely that the students would have higher chances of employment.
What Jobs Count for the Placement Rate?
Different bootcamps use different criteria when calculating their job placement rate. Some schools may forgo any distinction between all jobs that their graduates land. Some may include jobs with an average starting salary of below $40,000 while others may even include jobs outside of the tech industry.
When looking at an outcomes report, it is crucial that you look at all the details and ask these questions. How long did it take them to find a job? Did they gain full-time employment? Did they find a job that utilizes the tech skills they picked up at the coding bootcamp? How much time and financial investment did they put into the coding bootcamp before finding a job?
Getting a Job After Coding Bootcamp: What Jobs Are Available?
Getting a job after coding bootcamp is a highly possible endeavor. However, there are certain factors that may influence the outcomes. The number one factor is specialization. Some tech fields run a higher employee deficit than others, so do your research before choosing. Be sure to examine your strengths and weaknesses before you select a career path.
So, what jobs can you get after web development bootcamp? Depending on the bootcamp program you enroll in, you can get a tech job in almost any corner of the industry. Graduating from a bootcamp is a good way to get your career in tech started, whether you choose to study data science, web development, cyber security, or software engineering.
Most applicants don’t know what they want to pursue, and that’s okay. Software engineering, for example, is an excellent choice because of its positive outlook, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting 22 percent job growth for software developers between 2020 to 2030. Bootcamp graduates with software engineering education can branch off into all sorts of tech fields, as illustrated below.
Web Developer
Web development is a popular career in tech. Web developers are responsible for creating and developing functional websites using front end and backend technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and more. According to PayScale, a web developer earns $60,949 on average while more experienced professionals can earn up to $90,000.
Data Scientist
Data scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to derive valuable insights for the businesses and organizations they work for. It is a lucrative career path that earns professional data scientists an average salary of $97,680, according to PayScale. Data scientists are sought after by major tech companies and organizations across industries to help them make important business decisions.
App Developer
An app developer is also sometimes called a software developer. As the name suggests, app developers build programs and applications that are not only functional but also bring about a positive user experience. The average application developer makes $72,323 per year, according to PayScale.
Game Designer
Game designers build and develop game applications for various platforms. To become a game developer or a game designer, knowledge of C++, Java, and C programming may be needed. PayScale estimates that game programmers make an average of $63,403 per year and the figure can go up to $89,000 with more experience in the field.
Cyber Security Expert
A cyber security expert is in charge of keeping a company’s network and systems safe from cyber attacks. They typically perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessment to find potential threats. Due to the important work they do, cyber security experts are paid handsomely. PayScale reports that cyber security engineers earn $98,928 per year on average.
Does Previous Education Matter?
Previous education matters, but only to an extent. If you’ve graduated from college, that’s a plus. A college degree is not a necessity, but a bachelor’s degree can improve your odds of job placement after coding bootcamp. When it comes to tech skills, real-world experiences can outweigh academic backgrounds.
The majority of software engineers have a computer science degree. When it comes to salary, the difference between college and bootcamp graduates is small. Initially, college graduates can expect to earn between $3,000 and $5,000 more on average, but the gap narrows over time.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
When you consider the cost of a four-year degree vs coding bootcamp, it may be best to avoid college and attend a coding bootcamp instead. In the time it takes the competition to graduate, you should be done with your bootcamp and already three years into a career, even if you started with an entry-level job.
How to Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp
Life after coding bootcamp can be difficult, especially when it comes to a job search. Many schools offer career services that can show you how to get a job after coding bootcamp, along with career preparation tips and techniques. However, not all coding bootcamps offer these services. As such, you may need to take matters into your own hands.
One challenge bootcamp alumni may face is competing against those who have graduated from a computer science program. While there are many employers in the tech industry who actually prefer bootcamp grads, many are still old school. Those employers still see college degrees as the superior form of education.
While it is certainly possible to impress those old-school employers, you will have better luck pursuing a tech career at a company that values bootcamp alumni. You can find these employers in almost every major tech city in the US, like San Francisco and New York City. Here are a few other things you should do to find a job after coding bootcamp.
1. Show Off Your Skills
Show off all of your skills. While your technical skills are extremely important in finding a job, you’ll need to demonstrate your other skills as well. One advantage bootcamp graduates have over college degree holders is the curriculum. In coding bootcamps, you will learn the most in-demand soft skills for your desired job in the industry.
2. Learn Additional Programming Languages
Most coding bootcamps teach a few programming languages. Usually, you will learn the most in-demand languages like JavaScript and Python. However, if you take some time on your own to study the more niche programming languages, you will further impress employers. Having knowledge of a variety of languages is one of the best ways to one-up your competition.
3. Enroll in Online Classes
If you have already completed an online bootcamp, you probably think this is excessive. However, there are many online resources you can use to improve your employability. They are a great way to learn programming languages and acquire career development skills. You can learn Google Analytics or Adobe Illustrator to spice up your resume. Keep in mind, bootcamps and online classes are available for international students as well.
4. Attend Networking Events
Networking events are typically an important part of a bootcamp’s career services. However, you can also find info about networking events by simply searching online. Attending networking events is a great way to get your name, resume, and portfolio out there in a professional way. In addition, potential employers will be impressed by your initiative to keep yourself up to date.
5. Aim for Startups Before Setting Your Sights on Big Companies
A lot of bootcamp graduates have their eyes set only on major tech companies. However, it is best to keep your options open and explore potential career opportunities at other small- to mid-sized companies. Startups can be a great place for your tech skills and career to flourish, considering their professional environment and work culture.
Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bootcamp
There are a lot of important factors to consider when choosing a bootcamp, including whether or not coding is right for you. For some, location is the make-or-break factor. If you are living in a tech-focused area like San Francisco, for example, you would have a lot of options in your favor. However, if you reside in a less central location, online coding bootcamps are likely your best bet. Let’s look at other factors below.
- Program offerings. You likely have a set career goal in mind. You want to make sure that the coding bootcamp you choose offers the career track that aligns with your dream job. It is best to request an information packet or contact the school directly for more details about their programs so you can make a fair comparison of all available options.
- Cost. Some coding bootcamps cost more than others, depending on the location, specialization, curriculum, and format. You may want to start with a budget so you can maintain full control of your finances. From then on, you can explore your financing options and pick one whose tuition costs suit your capacity.
- Schedule. Determine if you want to study full-time or part-time. Make a realistic schedule that you know you can follow because coding bootcamps can be quite intensive and challenging. If you are a career-changer or you plan to keep your job while studying, look into programs that are flexible or self-paced.
- Career services. Career services have been found to help students become more well-rounded job candidates. This is because they help you prepare for your next job interview, craft a robust resume and portfolio, and build the confidence to communicate effectively. Do your research, determine your soft skill gap, and find a school that can give you substantial support and resources.
- Bootcamp reviews. There are a lot of bootcamp reviews online. While they may not accurately represent the entire coding bootcamp experience, they may be able to shed some light on what it’s like to learn at a particular school. See what graduates liked or disliked about the school and see if those things would negatively impact your own experience.
What Can You Do to Improve Your Chances of Finding a Rewarding Career?
To improve your chances, you first need to pick the right coding bootcamp. Coding bootcamp job placement rates are all over the board, so choosing a program with high placement is key to success. Bootcamps like Thinkful, App Academy, Springboard, and BloomTech (formerly Lambda School) have proven track records of student success. Here is a complete list of steps for how to enhance your coding bootcamp job placement prospects, starting right now:
- Look at the best tech jobs and determine the tech career path you wish to pursue.
- Join a community like Career Karma.
- Research coding bootcamps and apply for the right one.
- Enroll in a bootcamp that offers a job guarantee or apprenticeship program after graduation, but be sure to read the fine print.
- Build a portfolio.
- Be persistent and submit job applications regularly.
Will You Get a Job After Bootcamp?
You can get a job after coding bootcamp, but there is no guarantee that you will definitely land one right off the bat. A lot of factors influence your employment chances. It depends on your specialization, skill level, location, and experience. You are, however, more likely to secure employment if you attend a coding bootcamp that offers a job guarantee.
If you follow the tips we offer above, you’ll set yourself up for success after coding bootcamp. Jobs are competitive and placement isn’t always a sure thing. A great coding bootcamp will get you halfway, but the rest is your responsibility. With hard work, a great portfolio, and a dedicated community, you can head out into the job market with confidence and glowing qualifications.
Coding Bootcamp Job Placement Rates FAQ
According to CIRR data, approximately 71 percent of coding bootcamp graduates land jobs within 180 days of graduating. Some coding bootcamps, like Thinkful and BloomTech, have higher job placement rates than others. Note that higher coding bootcamp job placement rates may not actually reflect the actual numbers, considering different schools use different metrics to measure employment success.
Do free coding bootcamps offer job placement?
No, there isn’t any free coding bootcamp with job placement. However, they may offer some form of career services. If you are interested in coding bootcamps with a job placement guarantee, you can check out Codesmith, Hack Reactor, App Academy, and Tech Elevator, among others.
Some of the bootcamps with the best job placement rates include Thinkful, App Academy, Springboard, and BloomTech. For example, the Thinkful job placement rate is 81 percent. However, as important as job placement rates are, this should not be the only thing that goes into your bootcamp decision process. Be sure to research programs and curricula as well.
Some bootcamps are worth it for job placement services, which may include an actual job guarantee or career support from a dedicated team. If you attend a bootcamp with a job guarantee, you are likely to get your money back should you not find employment within a stipulated time.
Meanwhile, if you attend a bootcamp that offers robust career services, you can become a well-rounded job candidate, ready to impress employers with impressive soft skills and tech skills.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
