What Is The Best Way To Prepare For A Java Bootcamp?

Java bootcamps are one of the best ways to learn Java online. Over time, they have proved to be a great career launchpad for budding Java professionals. According to recent data, 74% to 90% of bootcamp students got into a job within six months of graduating.

The coding bootcamp industry is expanding; today, you can find so many coding bootcamps across the world. In the US alone, there were 120 plus bootcamps in 2020, and this number is only growing with the increasing demand for tech professionals. It is expected that the bootcamp market will reach $889.37 million by 2026.

Why Coding Bootcamps?

So, what works for the coding bootcamps? Why do so many students get jobs instantly after graduating from these coding bootcamps? There are many reasons for it. A bunch of things like format, teaching style, duration, and career assistance have worked for Java bootcamps and made them popular among learners. So, let's understand them one by one.

Format: Bootcamps have a compressed training schedule, which only includes in-demand skills that can make you employable. In a Java bootcamp, you can expect to learn the latest skills, such as Spring Boot, Hibernate, Microservices, Rest APIs, Cloud Computing, etc. When you have the skills employers are looking for, you automatically get an edge over applicants who don't have these skills in their resumes.

Teaching Style: Bootcamps are popular because they don't make you memorize the definitions and concepts but help you understand their application. This approach enables you to gain an in-depth understanding. They offer hands-on training, where you work on assignments and projects to apply your knowledge actively.

Duration: The small duration of the coding bootcamp also works in its favor as most students don't want to enroll in long-duration programs, especially if they are working or have just graduated from a 4-year CS program. The coding bootcamps are just 12-24 weeks, so the time commitment is less. The shorter duration and less commitment make it a feasible option for students to learn and update their skills.

Career Support: Apart from teaching skills, bootcamps also prepare you for coding jobs. They have industry experts to help you enhance your resume, build an appealing portfolio, and learn interviewing skills. So, when you go out for interviews, you are more confident and aware of questions the interviewer might ask. The placement support helps you find jobs faster and even negotiate for the salary you want.

Coding bootcamp act as a foundation stone for building a successful career. But hopping onto a Java course without preparing for it would look like a wild goose chase. So, make sure you do comprehensive research and prepare for it before applying.

Preparation Before Applying To A Bootcamp

Most students enroll in a program because of the promise of a job and a hefty paycheck after graduating. But all bootcamps are not equal; they differ in quality of instruction, student's outcome, and placement rate. So, if you want to make your bootcamp a rewarding experience, make sure you have chosen the best Java bootcamp.

Keep a note of the following things when choosing a coding program.

Curriculum: Tech landscape is constantly changing, so to stay up to date, you need to learn skills that are relevant. Learning a technology that may go obsolete in the future is unfruitful. So, go through the curriculum to ensure it is updated and includes the in-demand skills. Also, the skill taught should align with your career goals. If you want to become a scrum master, the Java course should teach you the scrum/agile method.

Duration: Bootcamps can be 3-6 months long. So a Java coding bootcamp can be anywhere between this duration. While you must choose the longer program as it will be more comprehensive and give you more time to learn Java online and practice than the shorter ones. But at the same time, it's essential that you make the decision based on the time you can commit to the bootcamp.

Teacher: Along with the course, also look at the teacher's portfolio so that you can check their teaching and industry experience. You must prefer bootcamps that have hired professionals to teach the curriculum. They will relate the concepts with real-life examples and help you gain a practical understanding of the concepts.

Hands-on Training: Ensure that the curriculum has enough assignments and projects to help you understand the practical implementation of concepts. A course that follows the hands-on approach will be more beneficial for you to learn the concepts in-depth and understand where and how to use the Java skills. It should teach you to use the right tools and techniques to develop a Java program.

Career Assistance: Career assistance is an additional service offered by the coding bootcamps to their students, helping them find a job. Therefore, the coding bootcamp should have industry experts to help you take your resume to the next level and give you tips for giving interviews. Whether you are a beginner or a working professional, a few tips from the industry people will simplify your job-hunting experience.

Placement Rate: If you are willing to find a job right after graduation, you must check the placement rate of the bootcamp. A placement rate of 90 percent or more will ensure that you find employment after graduating. To confirm if the placement rate shown is correct, check the reviews of the students or contact them through LinkedIn.

Now that you have selected the best coding bootcamp, you can apply to the bootcamp that fits all the mentioned criteria. Make sure that the bootcamp has options like an income share agreement for fee repayment if you are unable to pay the total fees upfront. With such options at hand, you can postpone the payment until you get a job.

Preparation Before Starting A Bootcamp

You have now completed the most daunting task of picking the right bootcamp. Now, it's time to gear up for it. Don't think that you have won the battle finalizing a bootcamp. Remember, bootcamps are great learning experiences, but at the same time, they are intensive and require a full-time commitment. You can only make this experience fruitful if you have prepared yourself for what a coding bootcamp entails.

Define Goals

Clear all possible roadblocks and define a goal so that you are motivated throughout the coding bootcamp journey. You might want to upskill or get a job; make it clear before starting so that you complete the journey with that aim in your head.

Fix A Start Date

As you've selected the bootcamp, you know how long it would be. So, it's best to decide on a start date to schedule everything beforehand. If you know the start date, you'll be able to finish your commitments before starting the coding bootcamp. Do keep in mind that full-time coding bootcamp will not leave you time for anything else except studying. So, clear your schedule before enrolling.

Demonstrate Your Passion

The best Java bootcamps take in students after interviewing them. That's why they have small batches of 3-7 students. If you are unable to show your determination and passion for coding, you might lose your seat at the bootcamp. So, be prepared for it.

Make A Schedule

Coding bootcamp schedules are very hectic. In a full-time program, you may spend 9-10 hours studying, and, in some cases, it can go up to 12 hours. So, you must begin devoting some time to studying the subject to prepare for the upcoming learning schedule. It may look tough initially, but this habit will make it easier for you to transition to the bootcamp's training schedule.

Start With Java

While coding bootcamp teaches you programming from scratch, learning a bit about what you will be studying will help you begin your journey smoothly. You can get yourself familiar with the fundamentals of Java. Knowing these concepts beforehand will mentally prepare you for the commitment expected from you.

Conclusion

If you follow all the given tips, you'll be able to enjoy your coding bootcamp journey. And, when you enjoy something, you are more focused and dedicated. So, with some research and preparation, you will be able to make the most of your Java bootcamp.

SynergisticIT is the best Java bootcamp based in the tech hub, California. Its training program is a mix of theory and hands-on exercises to help students gain an in-depth knowledge of Java.