Summer is a great time for vacation and relaxation. But why not turn that downtime into something productive? If you’re a student or just taking a break for the season, summer is the perfect opportunity to learn new skills.
Summer coding programs are an ideal opportunity for aspiring tech workers. Even if you don’t want to work in tech, a summer coding bootcamp can equip you with the skills to perfect your website or turn that app idea into reality.
So, when school gets out this year, it may be the right time to learn how to code. In this article, we’ll go over five of the top summer coding bootcamps, and how to find the program that’s right for you.
Types of Summer Coding Programs
There are dozens of excellent summer coding programs available around the country. These courses vary widely, and it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you commit.
- Summer Coding Camps
For some students, a summer coding camp is an excellent choice. Coding camps offer a well-rounded introduction to coding in a youth-focused environment. While most summer coding camps won’t train you for a career, they’re an excellent way for students to learn a valuable skill.
- Summer Coding Programs for College Students
Unlike most camps, summer coding bootcamps for college students offer a high-level coding introduction. These programs, geared towards adults, explore complex material and (often) equip students with marketable skills. Computer science students frequent these programs as a way to supplement their studies. Nonetheless, any student can benefit enormously from a summer coding program.
- Summer Coding Bootcamps
Summer coding bootcamps are full-fledged career training programs. They offer the highest-level coding education available in the category. Coding bootcamps are specifically designed to help students learn marketable skills and prepare for a job in tech. These full and part-time programs are intensive, and graduates leave with an in-depth understanding of coding.
Top Five Summer Coding Programs
Now that you have an idea about what’s out there, here’s a list of the top summer coding programs available today. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it should help you get the ball rolling with your summer education.
ID Tech is a popular summer coding program for kids, teens, and young adults. ID Tech offers five different coding programs at over 150 university campuses across the United States. Students, aged 7 to 19, are welcome in a variety of courses, including game development and an artificial intelligence program.
All-girls and coed classes are available, and students can opt to learn online. ID Tech classes feature no more than ten students per instructor. Some students who completed the ID Tech summer coding program launched careers at tech giants like Google, Microsoft, EA Entertainment, and Warner Brothers.
Trilogy Education Services offers a range of coding bootcamps at dozens of universities across the country. These programs, while not explicitly reserved for college students, are a convenient choice for many adults. Trilogy bootcamps are designed to equip students with marketable coding skills in full-stack web development, data science, and more.
These programs are an excellent opportunity for students seeking to supplement their university education during the summer and learn skills unavailable in the standard university curriculum. Trilogy bootcamps run year-round, but summer is an ideal time for many students.
Fullstack Academy, a well-respected coding bootcamp, offers its Summer of Code program for students in New York City and Chicago. The program is ideal for computer science or STEM students seeking necessary hands-on tech skills. Portfolio building is a massive part of Fullstack Academy’s summer coding bootcamp and provides a valuable edge during the job search.
Summer of Code is a summer-long commitment. Courses run between June and August. And, like most coding bootcamps, the program provides job-training education designed to make students competitive in the workforce.
The Lambda School offers an online Summer Hackers program. Summer Hackers provides women with an opportunity to learn professional coding skills in an intensive 15-week program. Live instructors teach classes during the day, and students hone their skills after class.
Summer Hackers is a career training program and offers real-world development opportunities to help prepare women for a job in tech. The program is ideal for college students looking for an edge, and women who want a comprehensive introduction to coding.
We Got Coders is a 6-week summer coding retreat in the United Kingdom. Students will attend comprehensive JavaScript development courses and learn how to apply their skills in the real world. After graduation, students can apply their skills to land a job in the tech industry, or supplement other higher education. We Got Coders is based in Surrey, UK.
How to Choose a Summer Coding Program
Choosing a summer coding program doesn’t have to be complicated. The most important factors to consider are your goals, budget, and availability. If you’re just looking to learn the basics, a summer coding bootcamp probably isn’t the best choice. Instead, consider a coding camp or an introductory course. If you’re a college student looking to boost your skills, then an advanced course or bootcamp is a great start.
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.
