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Hi, If this is going to be your intro into programming, codeschools may not be a good first step. They may say you don't need any prior experience, but typicall

Hi, If this is going to be your intro into programming, codeschools may not be a good first step. They may say you don't need any prior experience, but typically they drop those people out if they aren't doing well so it doesn't mess with their metrics. Honestly, it may take a bit more time, which can be a good indicator if you want to work in this field, is to find out what a local community college is offering for courses and sign up for one programming class. You'll often find that you have time to learn the material and put it to use while being in a classroom setting where the class size is smaller and the instructor can walk you through tripping points. Plus it will be way cheaper. You'll expand your network there too and maybe get a good reference from the instructor who has industry contacts. Any career is a marathon, some people can sprint the distance, most can't. Don't set yourself up for failure from burnout.

kaikai 8y ago
I took a community college class in programming, and also went to a bootcamp. The college class had 40+ people in the beginning, maybe 30 at the end, 3 months later. We spent a week on basic for-loops. I was one of 5 female folks in the beginning, and only 3 of us made it to the end. There were some absolutely intolerable know-it-all teenage boys that made me seriously reconsider my interest in programming, despite getting over 100% in the class (through extra credit and curved tests). At the end of the class I had a commandline game, and had no idea how to do anything but basic programming. The bootcamp I went to was about the same duration. There were ~35 of us, and every single one made it to the end. We were explicitly taught how to work well with each other. At the end of the bootcamp I knew about all kinds of things from databases to css, and had made several complete projects. I hear what you're saying about community college being a good way to try it out, but it's in no way comparable to a full codeschool course. I think Holberton school is multiple years, too, rather than a standard 3 month program like the one I went to.
- downrightmike 8y ago
  That is rough. Good job sticking it out.
harveyspec 8y ago
Thanks for advice, I'm probably underestimating the time it takes to get from beginner to job ready. I was looking at Holberton because of the tuition scheme, but I can see how it could end up more expensive than community college.

kaikai 8y ago

I took a community college class in programming, and also went to a bootcamp. The college class had 40+ people in the beginning, maybe 30 at the end, 3 months later. We spent a week on basic for-loops. I was one of 5 female folks in the beginning, and only 3 of us made it to the end. There were some absolutely intolerable know-it-all teenage boys that made me seriously reconsider my interest in programming, despite getting over 100% in the class (through extra credit and curved tests). At the end of the class I had a commandline game, and had no idea how to do anything but basic programming. The bootcamp I went to was about the same duration. There were ~35 of us, and every single one made it to the end. We were explicitly taught how to work well with each other. At the end of the bootcamp I knew about all kinds of things from databases to css, and had made several complete projects. I hear what you're saying about community college being a good way to try it out, but it's in no way comparable to a full codeschool course. I think Holberton school is multiple years, too, rather than a standard 3 month program like the one I went to.

downrightmike 8y ago
That is rough. Good job sticking it out.

harveyspec 8y ago

Thanks for advice, I'm probably underestimating the time it takes to get from beginner to job ready. I was looking at Holberton because of the tuition scheme, but I can see how it could end up more expensive than community college.