Have you wanted to get into a lucrative computer programming career but have no idea how to start? You know you need to learn a programming language (or two), but knowing where to go is the hard part. Some places aren’t going to help you build a portfolio, some are not worth the time, and a select few are good enough to get you hired. Here’s a breakdown of some of the computer coding classes that can get you on path to getting hired.
Free Computer Coding Classes
Believe it or not, there are actually tons of really great computer coding classes that are free. Enrolling in them is worth the time and cost as there are many benefits of learning to code. You can check out your local library as they will often host seminars and night classes that will teach programming basics for free. They may even have classes on other valuable computer skills to round out your resume.
If your library doesn’t have any computer coding classes, then your next step is to go online and find some free resources. With a bit of effort, you can find some great classes and tutorials on YouTube, like this one for Python.
Codecademy is another great resource with tons of free classes and hands on projects for you to try out coding for yourself. Udemy is similar in that they also offer free online coding classes. You might not get all the way to a professional level with just these resources, but this is a great way to start.
Online Computer Programming Classes
If you are past the free classes and ready to spend some money to get into the nitty gritty of computer programming, there are several options available. If you used Codecademy as a free resource, now might be the time to start paying. Once you pay, you’ll get access to quizzes and more in-depth classes. MIT offers a number of their computer science and programming classes online for free or, for a small fee, you can have your assignments graded and receive a certificate of mastery. This can be the start of building your resume.
Treehouse is another online computer coding class resource that charges a monthly fee. This monthly fee gets you access to a range of courses on a variety of languages. If you are really serious, they also have a Techdegree service that helps you build a portfolio, gives you in-depth code reviews, and access to real time support. While many of these online resources are great and can get you well on your way to a career in tech, there is another option that could be faster and more likely to get you hired.
Coding Bootcamps
The best computer coding classes that you will find outside of an expensive four-year degree are coding bootcamps. In fact, in many cases these coding bootcamps are better than the classes you will find at four-year institutions because they are up to date and state of the art. Coding bootcamps can be in-person or online, and they are intensive coding courses. This means that coding bootcamps can be hard for new students. You will receive hands-on training, coding challenges, and projects, and you will learn multiple languages. It is a one stop shop for everything you need to know to land a job in programming. Many of the coding bootcamps even have job services to make sure that you get hired once you finish their program.
The only downside to these programs is that they can be expensive. Coding bootcamps can run upwards of $20,000. But, don’t panic. There are options available to you. Some coding bootcamps do what is called an income share agreement where you pay nothing for the classes until you get a new job. Once you’re hired, you’ll pay a certain percentage of your salary each year until you have fully paid for the course.
There are also a number of coding bootcamp scholarships available. With one of these scholarships, you won’t have to worry about paying for your bootcamp even after you land a new job.
If you are interested in computer coding classes, then there are plenty of great options out there. The best thing to do is dive in and get started. Once you decide that it is something that you would really like to do for your career, then you’ll pick the right coding bootcamp for you and get ready to change your life.
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.
