How to Become an In-Demand Developer with The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp

At the time of writing, there are over 43,000 open jobs for Java developers on LinkedIn. Java is a flexible programming language that sits at the center of many important applications. And if you’re thinking of becoming a Java developer, you have plenty of options to help you reach your goals. You can opt for self-study, traditional college, and of course, coding bootcamps.

The Software Guild’s Java bootcamp gives you a supportive environment to learn Java programming with a quick turnaround. Soon enough, you’ll have the software development skills you need to land your dream job and pursue your passion projects. 

And because of this school’s student-focused mission, you’ll be learning from passionate instructors with decades of industry experience—instructors who can give you practical theory with a very helpful real-world perspective.

What Is The Software Guild?

The Software Guild is a coding bootcamp founded in 2013 by a team of professional software developers. These developers had a lofty goal to reproduce the old-time guild format, where apprentices learn how to craft quality goods from an experienced veteran. 

Since its founding, The Software Guild has produced over 1,400 full-stack developers, equipping them with industry-relevant skills and assisting them to launch their dream job. Its 2020 Minneapolis graduates earn a median pay rate of $60,008 within 180 days of graduation, according to independent verification from the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR). 

With The Software Guild, there are several paths you can take to become a full-stack developer. You can choose either the .NET/C# or the Java Bootcamp.

Why Learn Java?

Java is a programming language with a vast array of applications. If there’s something that you’d like to do with interactive software, there’s a way to do it in Java. From building games along with web and mobile applications to controlling smart devices, Java programming makes these possible.

Since it was first released in 1995, the programming language has increasingly spread its web of influence across several spheres of human endeavors such as gaming, IoT, artificial intelligence, big data technologies, and many more. 

As a high-level programming language, Java allows you to write human-readable instructions, translated into instructions that a computer can understand in simple binary code. Because you can use Java in various ways, it’d be tedious to rewrite code constantly, so several frameworks help you quickly get to a specific result. 

Frameworks are blocks of pre-written code that give you a starting point for many of the tasks you’d want to complete. Frameworks allow you to develop Android apps, control embedded systems, build video games, and more quickly than starting from scratch. Though they aren’t unique to Java, they’re one of the keys to its well-known flexibility. 

But, before you can start using the frameworks to complete the projects you’ve dreamed of, you have to establish a foundation. And that’s where The Software Guild comes in. After completing the Java Bootcamp, apprentices will have gained the skills to assume any of the following roles:

• Software Developer
• Web Developer
• DevOps Engineer
• Solutions Architect
• Java Android Developer
• Software Engineer
• Quality Assurance Engineer
• Database Administrator
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Computer Programmer, among several others. 

A Complete Guide to The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp 

The Software Guild builds its entire teaching framework upon providing intensive and practical training to students, revamping the master-apprentice learning style. This approach employs many assignments, class exercises, and hands-on projects to help students retain what they have learned.

There are also several capstone projects where students build software from scratch, preparing them for problems in the real-world workplace. That learning approach helps students build critical thinking and problem-solving skills—essential qualities necessary for success in any tech career. 

The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp Curriculum

Diving deeper into the course specifics, the curriculum covers a 12-week training period divided into two parts that focus on different aspects of programming. Before the classes start, students are expected to have completed the pre-work. This short module teaches the basics of GIT, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

Next, students advance to the first section of the bootcamp training, which runs from Week 1 to Week 5. This part of the course exposes students to object-oriented programming. Here, they learn to write Java programming language and build applications. At the end of this section, students carry out a capstone project to build a functioning Java application from scratch.

Students can expect to learn:

• The basics of object-oriented programming and Java syntax and that includes using the NetBeans IDE, debugging, and boolean expressions
• How to create Java classes that utilize inheritance and polymorphism
• How to read and write into the file system, query in-memory locations, and format dates properly
• How to test applications and handle errors effectively

Advancing to the second part of the program, the students will learn server-side programming. This involves learning how to:

• Consume and create REST web services using Spring MVC’s Web Frameworks, jQuery, AJAX
• Create functional websites with forms
• Design and create a new database with MySQL 
• Utilize the databases you’ve made to pull information into your Java applications

Like they did at the end of the first part, students will showcase their mastery of full-stack development by building an application from scratch. They will also get access to career coaches who will provide necessary guidance when searching for jobs and preparing for interviews.

Despite its emphasis on hands-on and fast-paced learning, The Software Guild also ensures it provides balance to the syllabus. As part of its tradition, it organizes regular in-house social events and game nights where students can bond with one another and develop better communication skills.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp?

Getting quality education at affordable prices is one of several perks of learning at The Software Guild. For the online full-time Java course, the tuition cost is $10,000 with a registration fee of $125. For the in-person program, the tuition is $13,750.

The Software Guild allows learners to pay their tuition in installments, but they have to pay the enrollment fee before they begin. In-person apprentices may pay half their tuition on Day 1 and the second half on the first day of Week 7. Meanwhile, the second half of the installment for online students is due when they start the second half of the session.

There are several other payment options available outside the upfront or installment payments. They include the Skills Fund loans, which come in Interest-Only Repayment and Deferred Payment options. You can also fund your tuition by taking a loan through Climb. 

A couple of financial aid schemes are available at The Software Guide, including the Code Louisville Award and the GI bill for veterans. You can visit the website for more information. 

What Do You Need to Begin The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp?

After paying your registration fee and settling your tuition according to your payment plan, The Software Guild recommends that you get the following ready:

• A computer
• Access to fast Internet

The Digital Coding Badges Program 

The Digital Coding Badges Program provides an alternative path for people to learn Java at their own pace. The curriculum is similar to that of the full-time Java Bootcamp. However, it is divided into four parts, each covering an aspect of the syllabus. 

Level 1 is the foundational step, teaching the basics of programming. Level 2 is where you will dive deeper into coding and learn how to build software. Level 3 focuses on training apprentices to host web services, create websites, and validate form data. The last lap, Level 4, is where you complete your training and become a full-fledged developer. At this stage, the curriculum also provides extensive training on job-search and interview skills.

Looking at their curriculum content and quality of delivery, both the full-time and self-paced programs are alike. But they show differences in their tuition and available modes of payment. 

How Much Does the Digital Badge Program Cost?

In total, the Online Digital Badge program costs US$9,000. Each badge comes at a unique cost, as listed below. Students will be required to pay upfront before they begin each badge.

• Level 1: $2,000
• Level 2: $2,750
• Level 3: $2,750
• Level 4: $2,500

Is The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp Worth It?

“I had a lot of friends that were in the tech field. Though they were already into tech, they attended The Software Guild and I noticed that they were pretty successful afterward.”

That was Mariana Bonish’s first impression of The Software Guild. Before branching into tech, she was a practicing occupational therapist and behavioral expert. But she began to develop an interest in the tech field after noticing how happy her friends were about their jobs. “I noticed that they were always happy about their jobs and that got me curious.”

After some persuasion from her friends, she took up some coding challenges and discovered that she loved it. That was when she took the bold step of pursuing a career change. She joined The Software Guild’s in-person Java Bootcamp in August 2019.

“Coming from a different background, it was intimidating at first as there was a whole lot of information to take in. You can say two college semesters rolled up in 14 weeks. But, I received a lot of support from the instructors and my classmates. It was a really good experience.”

By November 2019, she had completed her program, and she already had several interviews lined up. Recalling the support she got from the career team, she said: “They tell you the hard stuff you need to know as you prepare for your interview. I had a lot of interviews I had to prepare for but I never felt like I was on my own. I knew they were going to provide me with all those resources and support while I do my best.”

A couple of weeks later, she landed her first tech job. Today, she works as a consultant at an IT consulting firm. “I really do like my job and more than anything. I like the company that I work for.” 

For those looking to learn or are learning Java, Mariana has one piece of advice: “Do not worry so much about learning the syntax and details as it relates to Java. Instead, try to understand how the pieces fit together. That helps to apply the knowledge to be more versatile developers.”

Boost Your Developer Career with The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp

In recent years, the demand for software developers has been on a high, and projections indicate that the trend is not likely to end soon. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, for example, predicts a 22 percent growth in the industry within the decade. 

In its unique way, The Software Guild prepares people to key into this vast market by providing affordable tuition, teaching in-demand digital skills, and producing competent tech workers within a few months. 

Like it has done for nearly a decade now, The Software Guild allows you to kick-start your tech career. Take that first step and register for The Software Guild’s Java Bootcamp today.