I've been lurking on blind for quite some time now and made a few comments here and there. I've read a lot of topics on bootcamps and the mixed reviews that come with them. I would like to get the community's input and insight. I graduated with a BBA, Business Admin and Finance a year ago. I also went to UCLA Extension for a more niche Certificate related to Finance. Hate my job, doubt anyone is interested in that part. So I've been accepted to University of Maryland online for a BS in Computer Science that will take me ~2 years to complete (since I'll be attending part time). I am also going to go to a top notch bootcamp (think Codesmith/ Hack Reactor/ Lambda) pretty soon (few months away). Here's my overall plan: 1. Complete one class for BS in CompSci 2. Quit my current job 3. Go to bootcamp 4. Get a job as a software engineer (what are realistic outcomes? I know they vary) 5. Work 6. Finish BS in Computer Science 7. Potentially switch to a top company? I know this is basic but I've been really into AI and just reading a lot about it. I have a lot more to learn. 8. Probably go for online Masters (ideally UIUC/ UCLA/ USC/ GTech/ UT Austin) 9. Continue my career/ live life Feel free to be completely honest. I know the schools are competitive to get into, I'm confident in my ability to get a high GPA/ GRE. I also am a citizen in the US, if that has any impact (seems like it does from browsing Blind).
Why not this ordering: 1, 6, try 4 if it works: continue to try for 7 indefinitely and if it doesn’t work 2, 3, try 4 again. Then revisit whether you still need 8.
Makes sense, appreciate the insight. The sole reason for the bootcamp is because eating glass sounds more appealing than staying where I’m at until I finish the BS Computer Science. I know it’s probably overkill, but I’m willing to pay for the peace of mind
But the problem in your thinking there is optimizing for the short term when you need to be making all your decisions that are best for getting you to where you want to be in 5 years or so. This is just temporary. Keep your eye on the prize, stay focused, run all decisions against the question of whether this increases your chances of reaching your goal
I don’t think bootcamp a are useful. In this day and age if you really want it you can learn some programming without forking over money to a bootcamp. The only bootcamp I would ever recommend is a bootcamp that is free and takes a percentage of ur future job salary. If I where you I would continue working and study on your own or continue working and attend the part time bs degree
Thanks! I’m not planning on solely relying on the bootcamp. I’ve been learning the basics (for loops, callbacks, and recursion) mostly from self study.
Try 42 bootcamp it’s free. They really makes you work a ton.
I haven’t personally gone there, but I know that a friend of a friend tried it
Will look into it, thanks!
I think having experience matters more than degrees nowadays. I know that some people do get into good companies from bootcamp. But it costs a lot too. Work on side projects, learn one language well, then start applying to startups. I think it depends on the specific field you want to get into. AI requires masters or PhD nowadays for top companies.
Appreciate the insight. I'm comfortable with the cost of it. I'm strictly focusing on getting very proficient in JS, then will branch out. That's the point of the Masters (maybe two because of a very specific niche interest I have), I looked up people on the Google/ Microsoft/ Amazon AI teams and they all have Masters and PhDs.
Have you considered going straight into an online MS? You may need to do a bit of work to get in, but I don't think a BS CS will mean much if you are going to get a MS CS anyways. Also, why do a BS CS and a boot camp? No need to do both.
Yes, but my GPA is shot. I spent 2 years working full time and 1.5 years of that wanting to drop out. I got a 2.0 for 3 semesters, literally getting a 0% in homework for some courses. Dumb mistake. I managed to get a 3.7 and 3.8 my last two semesters while working full time. Needless to say, I doubt a 3.0 GPA overall will help my chances. Now that I'm more mature I can take school seriously and get a high GPA.
Take a few CS classes at a cc and put that info in your application essays. You might not get in your first try, but often they give feedback about your issues. I don't think it's worth years getting a BS since you already have an undergrad degree.
@OP what did you end up doing? The CS degrees are unneeded if you go to a decent bootcamp, and the whole point of the bootcamp is that it's a faster and cheaper route to software engineering than a CS degree. I graduated from one of {Hack Reactor, App Academy} without any CS degree and have since been working for 3 years as a software engineer. Over 95% of my bootcamp's grads had a full time SWE job within 6 months. Those that didn't were mostly lazy kids bankrolled by parents, and could have gotten a job if they had put in the necessary effort. That said, I'm pursuing an MS CS now in order to work on more interesting problems.
I got accepted to a top tier bootcamp (either the one you listed or similar) and am going through the process now. I also got accepted to Northeastern BS Analytics online with a substantial scholarship. I’ll take classes and see how I like it. I’m not sure how to go about getting into a top MS program. I figure a few free classes can’t hurt. I just want to be a very competitive candidate.
Bootcamp plus BS CS plus MS CS is overkill before you get your first job. All you need is one of them. Analytics is useless for SWE jobs, and may or may not be useless for data scientist jobs.
How about joining Online MCIT program by UPenn. It's a IT degree for non CS majors
Ended up graduating from the bootcamp, got a job, changed jobs, am pretty happy with the result. I’m taking online classes to prep for an MS in CS program (going to apply to several).
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If you already got accepted into UMaryland just go there and go straight to ft after you graduate. No need for bootcamp or postgrad unless you’re genuinely interested in some niche category of software. There are many many people in FAANG with way worse (on paper) education than a Bachelors from UMaryland.
Thanks! That’s useful to know. I am interested in a specific niche so plan on going to Postgrad. I’m using the bootcamp because I’m being impatient. I can’t stay at my job another two years. I left a lot of detail out but the work environment is awful and exit ops aren’t great.