Coding bootcamps have created an accelerated, affordable path for anyone looking to earn a career in tech. While a Computer Science degree requires four years of college, coding bootcamps can teach the technical skills necessary to work in the industry within a few months and at a fraction of the cost. Offering the bootcamp model remotely further increases the accessibility of a career in tech for some students. No longer do students need to take things like commuting, parking or meal prep into consideration. They can log on from the comfort of their home and dedicate themselves to learning to code. This model can also provide lessons in much-needed virtual communication skills, helping students adapt to the changing world and needs of employers. 

All remote coding bootcamps are not created equally, though. Committing to any bootcamp requires research and careful consideration. Here are seven questions to ask when picking an online coding bootcamp.  

7 Questions to Ask When Picking a Remote Coding Bootcamp 

1. What’s Better: Self-Led or Instructor-Led? 

There are quite a few ways to learn how to code online. Online coding tutorials can range from short lessons to full coding bootcamps and can be self-led or instructor-led experiences. 

Self-led lessons on sites like Codeacemy, Udemy and Team Treehouse provide introductory instructions but aren’t typically comprehensive enough to make a career shift into tech. If you’re preparing for a full coding bootcamp, these are a great resource to jumpstart your programming knowledge. 

Remote bootcamps, on the other hand, are extensive programs that offer a robust curriculum. These bootcamps can be done through two main structures: self-led learning using self-paced videos and various Q&A formats vs. live, online instructor-led classrooms. Determining if a self-led or instructor-led learning model is right for you depends on your ultimate goals and learning style. Here is a breakdown of some of their key differences: 

2. Where Do Graduates of This Program Work? 

If earning a career in tech is your ultimate goal, evaluate how well a remote bootcamp can support that. Is the program designed to connect you the tech industry and help guide your understanding of the job market? Is the curriculum crafted to meet the current needs of employers? 

Do some research on the employers hiring in your area. Evaluate what type of company and position you’re looking for. Then, take a look at the bootcamp’s employer network to ensure they can help you find the type of career you’re interested in. 

A remote bootcamp with a strong employer network can increase your connections and help you identify which positions are a right fit for your goals. With alumni working at various businesses, that can increase the bootcamps’ credibility in the market and the company’s relationship to future grads. 

Grand Circus is proud to work with more than 350 companies to hire our graduates. Whether you’re looking for a small startup or prefer a large corporation, our employer network has a wide range of opportunities. These employers value the adaptability and innovation of our students and appreciate the real-world skills that come with remote learning. Each bootcamp, whether remote or in person, includes a student demo day — giving every student the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned, engage with employers, and present their final projects. 

3. Will I Gain Practical Knowledge?

Employers want to see graduates’ programming skills and coding portfolios. Some online bootcamps rely solely on assessments to evaluate student progress. Grand Circus, on the other hand, ensures every student has real-world experience, a full coding portfolio and final project that can help them stand out in the job market. Our curriculum is crafted, evaluated and adjusted based on employer feedback and the current needs of the tech industry. This ensures every student graduates with skills that can be used on day one in their new careers. 

Students also get lessons on collaborating remotely including insights on how to manage timelines virtually, online communication tools, and video conferencing. This knowledge is often immediately useful when starting on a global team or one with flexible work environments. 

4. How Much Teaching Experience Does the Bootcamp Have? 

As the need for tech talent has increased, new coding bootcamps seem to be popping up all the time. In fact, there are 11 times the amount of coding bootcamps now than there were in 2013. When researching a remote coding bootcamp, be sure the company you select has credibility and experience teaching tech. While programming experience is also important, it’s much different to write code than it is to teach code. 

Grand Circus has been an integral part of Michigan’s tech scene since its start in 2013. We were a pioneer in the bootcamp industry: one of the first. We’ve trained 1,600 bootcampers and have adapted our in-person curriculum and support to remote classrooms. The strength of our community and adaptability in teaching techniques continues throughout our online bootcamp. 

5. What is the Time Commitment?

Learning to code is a process. It’s often one that comes with lessons on how to learn. While a coding bootcamp can’t teach you everything you’ll need to know to work in the industry, quality bootcamps will give you insights on resources that you can use to find an answer when you don’t know it.

It’s important to understand if your remote coding bootcamp will provide enough instructional time for you to gain the skills you’re looking for. A bootcamp offering 20 hours of instructional time is unlikely to prepare you for a career shift. It might be a great way for you to get acquainted with a certain programming language, though.  You should look for a program with at least two hundred hours of classroom time to build the foundational skills you’ll need to work in tech.

Be clear on how much time you’ll need to dedicate to being on your computer, what the bootcamp is promising to teach you, and how those skills can be applied to your goals.

A full-time, instructor-led remote bootcamp is typically an all-day commitment for a few months.  If you’re doing a part-time or after-hours bootcamp, this classroom time will be spread out over a longer timeframe. 

Prospective students also need to consider the lifestyle changes that might be necessary to accommodate their dedication to the program. Determine what additional support might be needed for things like child care and food planning. 

6. What Other Support Does the Program Provide? 

Most remote bootcamps focus on technical training and provide support solely through their instructional team. This can slow the process of getting questions answered, doesn’t provide clarity on career opportunities, and lacks focus on the students’ whole well being. 

At Grand Circus, we have a full staff to support every aspect of learning and students’ overall well being. Each classroom has an instructor and TA to guide students’ learning experiences. Additionally, our Career Services team is dedicated to educating students on the career search. They provide insights on resumes, employers, Imposter Syndrome and more.  Students will also get a dedicated Program Manager for the duration of the bootcamp. This Program Manager will talk to students individually about their progress and any challenges they may be facing. They lead feedback sessions and work to create the best possible experience for every student. 

7. What Kind of At-Home Setup Will I Need? 

Daily life in a home can add unexpected challenges to a remote learning experience. Be sure you have a quiet place to work and listen to instructors. Your setup doesn’t have to be extensive, but it’s important to have a comfortable place that you can work without interruption. 

Also, confirm that your technical equipment can support your needs. Fully participating in a virtual classroom requires quality WiFi, a computer microphone and a camera.  A nice-to-have is two screens (or even a tablet) so you can watch videos while actively coding on a different screen. 

There are many ways to learn programming! As with any bootcamp, preparation beforehand and dedication to the program is key to your success. A remote coding bootcamp offers an accessible option for students looking to gain virtual communication skills and reduces the need for some lifestyle changes. 

Let’s be real — joining a coding bootcamp is a big commitment. There’s a lot to think about, plan for and research. It’s a path that has helped more than 1,500 coding bootcampers gain the skills they need to work in the tech industry. Nearly 90% of our grads earn a technical position, and they learned a lot along the way.

How have others been successful in their journey to earn a career in tech?  

We asked alumni for their best advice to help future bootcampers. Here’s what they had to say: 

Preparation is Key 

Before you apply to a coding bootcamp, educate yourself about the tech industry, bootcamp experience and what it takes to learn programming. Students who have done this research are more likely to get accepted into the bootcamp. Some bootcampers don’t get accepted the first time they apply, and that’s okay! We have a ton of great resources to help you get started. What does “good preparation” look like? 

“I would highly recommend going to Intro to Coding workshops before your bootcamp starts. Do research on the language you’ll be learning and jobs you can get with those skills.  Be prepared and get out of your comfort zone early.”

– Lanna Brasure, 2017 C# .NET Grad, Full Stack Software Engineer at Powerley

“To prepare for a coding bootcamp, I would highly recommend using online resources like CodeCademy, FreeCodeCamp, or Udemy. Each of these are beginner-friendly learning materials for people with little to no experience in programming.”

– Chandler Keyes, 2017 Java Grad, Fullstack Software Developer at Interaction Gaming

When you’re accepted in the bootcamp, the preparation continues! Passing Unit 1, at home pre-work, is mandatory to start the coding bootcamp. For some students, the work can be intimidating. Familiarizing yourself with programming early can ease this early tech learning. It’s also important to plan for life’s necessities for the time that you’ll be in the bootcamp — from childcare to transportation, proactively plan for what you’ll need so you can dedicate your time to learning to code. 

“Once accepted, I went over the pre-work multiple times, and got active in the bootcamp Slack channel. The community is here to help, and was an invaluable resource in getting through my pre-work. I also got myself into the bootcamp sleep schedule/routine ahead of time. I was up by 6:30, in bed by 10 for a week prior. During bootcamp, I was downtown typically from about 7:30 to 7:30 (Pro Tip: Avoid rush hour traffic and get your labs done at GC), so being on that sleep routine ahead of time was a big help.”

– Michael Gleeson, 2017 Java Grad, Software Quality Assurance Analyst at Detroit Labs 

“I wish I had been more honest with myself about childcare needs while balancing my workload.  I tried to do everything and started feeling burnt out midway through the bootcamp.  I am lucky enough that I was able to get more childcare so my partner wasn’t totally saddled with the kids every single night.”

– Kristy Currier, 2019 C# .NET After-Hours Grad, Software Developer at Tyler Technologies

Recommended Resources: 

• Intro to Coding Workshops 
• Info Sessions 
• Blog: Tips to Filling Out a Coding Bootcamp Application
• Blog: Mastering the Bootcamp Interview 
  

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions 

Aren’t quite sure where to start? Been accepted but you’re stuck on Unit 1? Or are you having trouble with a lab in the bootcamp? No problem! We provide several resources to help you find an answer. And if your own research doesn’t provide clarity, ask a classmate or GC staff member! Especially in development, it’s okay to not know the answer. Sometimes what’s most important is knowing how to find the answer. This is a key lesson we cover in every bootcamp. 

“Work together with your classmates, or stay after to get help with an instructor. It’s always important to get help when you need it. It’s really easy to fall behind so if you’re not understanding something; always ask those around you.” 

Chandler Keyes, 2017 Java Grad, Fullstack Software Developer at Interaction Gaming

Recommended resources:

• Blog: Alumni Wisdom Series: Tips for Surviving and Thriving in a Coding Bootcamp 
• Blog: Unit 1: What is It and How Can I be Successful? 
• Blog: 4 Tips to Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 
  

The Journey is Different for Everyone

Bootcamp graduates come from a range of backgrounds — from baristas to psychology majors and just about everything in between. What’s most important is that students are problem solvers, hard workers who are excited about a career in tech. We can help you with the rest. 

In any classroom, it can be easy to compare yourself to others. Are you learning as fast as others, are your assessment scoring as high as your peers, did your classmate earn a position more quickly, do they have more professional experience? These are some of the questions that you may ponder throughout your bootcamp. Everyone is different, especially in a bootcamp environment where students are coming from all walks of life. 

“Own your story/experience! Every single person in your class will have a different background and bring different strengths/weaknesses to the table.  Maybe you struggle, maybe you’re switching industries entirely, maybe you’re the oldest/youngest in the room, maybe -insert-whatever-here. Some people will have job offers before they finish GC, and that’s awesome.  Others will hustle for a few months post-graduation and that’s awesome too. Continue to be real, to own your own story, and pursue positions that you WANT to be involved with and proper opportunities will present themselves.

And if you’re a perfectionist — don’t be afraid to break stuff!  A good majority of the bootcamp (and arguably development as a whole) is smacking headfirst into failure on a daily basis.  The quicker you accept that as fact, the quicker you can remap your brain to rolling with the failures and keep pushing through to a solution.”

– Kassie Jones, 2018 Java Grad, Software Engineer at Amber Engine 

“I would tell students or recent graduates: don’t compare yourself to others, your story is not the same as someone’s story. It’s okay if you don’t get the job before bootcamp [ends] or two weeks after you graduate or if you don’t get the new topic right off the bat it will eventually click in and in no time it’s going to be a breeze. Be patient and focus on yourself.

– George Almonte, 2019 Front-End After-Hours Grad, Development Support Intern at Oplogic

Grand Circus Provides the Structure & Network to Support Students’ Dreams 

There are many ways to learn programming. For bootcamp students, our classrooms provide a supportive, insightful learning environment led by instructors and teaching assistants and supported by program managers and career services specialists. We’ve built a culture that not only creates a valuable learning experience but also nurtures the emotional well being of every student as they go through this career transition. 

“Everything GC did supported my career in one way or another — from my teacher teaching me the best practices in code and challenging me to do better every day to my career services representative giving me the tips on landing a job, tweaking my resume and connecting me with employers. The resources and connections can help anyone that wants to become a programmer achieve it. GC is a fantastic place to start when looking to earn a career in tech.”

– George Almonte, 2019 Front-End After-Hours Grad, Development Support Intern at Oplogic

“I took a huge chance by quitting my full-time job and taking a bootcamp. It was something I had been working toward on my own for a few years but needed structure and a learning environment to succeed. It was the best decision of my life. I am so happy in my current role and excited about where my new career path will take me. It truly is a good fit for me and I love learning new things every day.

Also, the bootcamp was almost like an adult summer camp, but with hard work and lessons. You’re in this bright, energetic environment where everyone is there for the same reasons and eager to learn. You have so many resources available all the time and someone is always willing to help. Plus you develop a bond with your cohort and also I may be biased because summer in the city is great. If anyone ever has any questions I am more than happy to offer advice and my point of view.”

– Samantha Mazzola, 2018 C# .NET Grad, Software Developer at United Shore

“Networking and personal recommendations were huge for me. Many of my interviews would not have happened without the help of Grand Circus staff. Grand Circus’ name carries weight in Grand Rapids. “

– Andre Otte, 2019 C# .NET Grad, Web Development Intern at BizStream

“Grand Circus is amazingly connected in the community and well rounded for adults to transition industries.  I think a common misconception may be that it will make the transition into a career in development “easy.”  The transition isn’t easy; it takes hard work, dedication, and serious hustle. If you can do those three things, Grand Circus is a great channel to do it through.

– Kassie Jones, 2018 Java Grad, Software Engineer at Amber Engine 

If You Want a Career in Tech, a Bootcamp is Worth the Hard Work 

And it’s just that — hard work. Learning any new skill takes persistence and problem solving. Students put in a ton of effort to achieve their dreams, and we’re here to help every step of the way. Students should take the commitment seriously and be realistic about the expectations of the program. 

“Nothing will be handed to you at bootcamp, the teachers and staff will give you guidance and help but you are 100% responsible for putting in the work you need to be successful at Grand Circus.  Expect to work and be excited for your growth along the way.”

– Kristy Currier, 2019 C# .NET After-Hours Grad, Software Developer at Tyler Technologies

“Be certain that you want this. A coding bootcamp is like going all-in in poker. It’s high risk/high reward. You’ve got to be able to give it your all. If you can get through that final project, trust me, you’re going to be just fine.” 

– Michael Gleeson, 2017 Java Grad, Software Quality Assurance Analyst at Detroit Labs 

“I can’t stress enough that what you get out is what you put in. That’s why it’s important to have an open mind and a sense of humility. This bootcamp is many things, but it is not an automatic guarantee of a job. If you’re going to make this commitment, you need to be willing to put in the work. Not just while in class, but at home. Do extra research. Do the extra exercises. Stay after class and mingle/learn with your fellow students.  Anything and everything you can do to maximize your time and experience will go a long way to helping you find that first new job. Grand Circus puts you on the path, it’s up to you how far you go.”

– James J Burger, 2017 Java Graduate, Developer 1 at  Dominos

A big shout out to our alumni for sharing their tips. 

Grand Circus graduates work at more than 350 companies. Explore the job market and figure out what type of tech jobs appeal to you, and we can share insights on what those companies are looking for in new hires. 

Whether you want a fast-track option to earn a new career or need a more extended program to balance life’s responsibilities, we have a schedule option that can work for you. Our full-time bootcamps are Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm; our after-hours bootcamps are Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 6:30pm – 10pm.

Are you wondering how to make your application stand out?  Curious what our Admissions team looks for? Our hope is this blog can send you in the right direction in creating the best application possible!  

Our coding bootcamps prepare students for a complete career change into tech.  Many of our students start in entry-level Software Developer roles after graduation.  Our bootcamps cover lessons in both technical skills as well as career search prep, through our career services team. We’ll explore three different ways to ensure you’re leaving the best impression in your application process: Preparation, Logistics and Things to Consider.

Grand Circus’ Tips to Complete an Awesome Coding Bootcamp Application

Preparing to Apply

From the beginning to the end of your journey, taking bootcamp seriously is imperative.  This journey starts before you even apply! In applications, we look for students that have taken the time to put themselves on the right path to be a successful bootcamp student. When preparing to fill out your application responses, think about these questions and how you can incorporate the answers into your application:

• Why is Grand Circus a good fit for you?
• What characteristics and traits make you a good fit for a coding bootcamp?
• What inspires you to have a career in tech?
• Are you passionate about learning to code?  What is your reasoning for wanting to attend a bootcamp?  If coding is not something you believe you’re truly passionate about, you must consider if you will be happy in a career in technology.  
• Have you had any coding experience (of any kind!)? If not, you might want to consider taking one of our free classes or a workshop with us. Although they aren’t required to apply, it’s a great step in preparing!

Other ways to prepare include doing your research on Grand Circus and Coding Bootcamps, our blog is a great place to start!  

• 7 Traits of a Successful Bootcamp Student
• Step by Step Becoming a Coding Bootcamp Student
• The Secret to Being a Successful Bootcamp Student
• Programming Languages

Taking a free class or workshop first to get a feel for our classroom.  Taking a class with us can help you to understand the Grand Circus learning environment and if coding is right for you.  Getting a feel for our classroom can also help you determine if a Full Time Bootcamp or After Hours Bootcamp is best for you.  Full Time Bootcamps run are 12 weeks long, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm, After Hours Bootcamps run for 26 weeks, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday, 6:30pm – 10pm.  Both bootcamps cover the same amount of content, After Hours tends to be a better option for those who hope to keep their current full-time positions while attending a bootcamp.

Logistics of the Coding Bootcamp Application

The details matter!  Although it might not seem like it, small things like spelling, grammar and using complete sentences can impact your application.  Small details will help the first impression our application team has of you. A few small tips that will make a huge difference:

• Take your time, don’t rush through the process and think about your answers carefully.
• Fill out the application on a desktop or laptop, rather than a mobile device.
• Have someone review it and read it over, it’s always helpful to have an extra set of eyes before you press submit!

Things to Consider before a Coding Bootcamp

Becoming a bootcamp student can be a big adjustment and major time commitment, thinking through these questions can help determine if you’re ready to apply.  Bootcamps take a lot of work beyond the walls of the classroom, so there are logistics to consider to make this possible.

• What will you do if your application is accepted?  At this time, you should start to think about life planning, financing, career options and beyond.  Think about how your life is going to change while attending a bootcamp with us, what obstacles might you have to overcome?  
  • Alumni Wisdom: Tips for Surviving & Thriving
  • Alumni Wisdom: Life After Bootcamp
• This is our very first impression of you as a student.  Often times short answers with little to no details cannot provide us enough information to begin to get to know you.  Think about how you can portray who you are in the application, what is going to make you a good student at Grand Circus?
• Have you had coding experience?  If so, make sure that’s portrayed in the application.

We’re looking forward to reading your awesome applications!  If you have any questions, reach out to us at bootcamps@grandcircus.co

You’ve done it. After weeks of careful research and planning you’ve finally completed your application to a coding bootcamp and taken the next step on your journey to a career in tech. But as you finally build up the courage to hit submit, you can’t help but think: “what’s next?”

While the application is an important part of gaining admission into a coding bootcamp, it is just one step in a larger process that allows tech training companies like Grand Circus to get to know you as a person, a professional and a student. With the application complete, it’s time for you to start thinking about thinking about the next important step: the interview. (more…)