Changing careers - Government Skills Bootcamps

[ChildcareIsBroken]

I'm looking into changing careers and considering applying for a skills bootcamp in one of the tech jobs.

Has anyone done this successfully?

I'm wondering how realistic it is to do while working part time but taking care of a toddler on other days? I'll have the time in the morning, evening, during naps and on weekends.

What path did you go for and are you happy?

TIA

I don't have any relevant experience - are you doing the CAD for construction? Good luck with it :)

So I'm finally applying for a bootcamp. I learned a bit of python and SQL just to get an idea if it's for me and I'm enjoying it very much.

But now there are 4 bootcamps I can apply for:

• web development
• software engineering
• cyber security
• data science

How do I decide which one to go for? I had a look at descriptions of each, spoke to some friends who are coding and I'm not sure. Anyone has any advice of what can help in making this decision?

Which one pays the most?

At first probably similar. I'm more thinking what I'd enjoy the most. And what field is in demand.

Hey @ChildcareIsBroken how did you get on? I’m in the same boat at the moment (just started a thread and yours was suggested to me!) I’m trying to decide which path to go for. (Data Analytics or web/software dev.)

Hey @UniversalMamma,
I got on a boot camp but declined it after reading a lot of bad reviews of this particular company.
I since found out people recommend, amongst others, Northcoders and Makers. The issue is they're full time and I can't quit my job - it would be too expensive to study full time and send two kids to nursery. Otherwise I'd definitely apply.
So instead I did a Kickstarter with Code First Girls and will start another one soon. I'm also learning online using YouTube and free courses like Codecademy. I hope by the end of the year I can start applying for jobs.

And the best part is - I'm really enjoying it all.

Where are you at?

Hey great to hear you are enjoying the online courses, etc! I’ve dabbled in some of them and do enjoy them but ultimately lose steam a bit without the structure of a course or a deadline to work to!

I’m guessing the course you sacked off is the HyperionDev one? I honestly got such a bad impression of them and so glad I swerved them…

I’ve looked at code first girls however they haven’t had courses available in my region yet. The courses sponsored by companies and with a role at the end look very good. How did you find the kickstarter?

Will check out north coders and makers, thanks!

Is there a particular area you’re interested in? Did you get any further with deciding which route to go down?

I’ve been looking for some of the AI / machine learning ones (which cover both software and data stuff), however these ones seem to be fewer and farther between! Surprising actually as you’d think there would be a lot of focus on AI skills. I wonder if they’re more complex to teach than web dev (etc.) and need better resources and expertise.

Yes, it was HyperionDev. I read some shocking reviews of it, so I'm glad I didn't accept in the end and glad you didn't either.

AI/Machine learning is a great idea, but you're probably right that it needs different expertise.

I'm thinking of something to give me full stack or software engineering and then go from there. It's hard to decide when I've never worked in the field (though I've worked a lot with software engineers and developers). From talking to people they said you can start and then decide which way to go. So that's kind of my goal.

Regarding Code First Girls I recommend checking their website regularly because it took me a while to find a course in my region. There are also international courses sometimes open to everyone.

The kickstarter I attended was good, though not all instructors were equal. One wasn't that great at explaining things. But anyway it's important to find the time between classes to study, otherwise classes aren't enough.

And yes, I'm planning to apply for the course with a role in the end.

I think back end might pay more. Don’t forget cybersecurity or cloud skills.

Hey op, I didn't do a boot camp but I did teach myself some front end skills alongside being a SAHM to a baby and toddler. I studied using free online resources while the kids napped and during the evenings. I also squeezed bits in here and there like watching YouTube tutorials whilst cooking dinner or washing dishes etc. It wasn't easy and it took a long time to get confident but after that I started taking on freelance work part time and now I work full time in an employed role. My employer is currently training me in a backend language so I can work full stack. It's been about 4 years total to get to this point, roughly 1.5 of self teaching, 1.5 of freelancing, and now 1 year ish in my employed role. My SIL who is child free and was unemployed at that time did a full time boot camp which lasted 3 months and then went straight into full time self employed work which she still does today. So there are lots of different routes in which can fit different circumstances but I would definitely say experience is valued more than qualifications. I work in a team of 5 devs and 4 of us are self taught career changers with no relevent qualifications. The 5th did comp Sci at A level and then joined as an apprentice. Our backgrounds are mostly in creative industries. Good luck and feel free to pm me if you want any advice.

Good point about cybersecurity and cloud, the opportunities I found that suit my schedule are different, but I was looking for those courses initially.

Thanks for sharing. This is great and congratulations on your achievements! Glad you and your SIL found your calling.
Thanks, I'll contact you if I have questions.
One of the things I want to do now is to work on a little project to have something to add to my CV.

Just found your post. How did you get on?

I'm researching this career change myself.