Learning to Code in the COVID-19 Era

The coronavirus has thrown the world for a loop. Remote working is the new normal. Staff hours are being cut. Companies are shutting down. Budgets slashed.

It has taken away a sense of security and certainty for many of us. More people are interested in changing careers, as they see their current jobs being impacted or threatened. And with forced isolation in stay-at-home policies, they’ve had plenty of time to think.

All these factors have accelerated plans for those who are considering changing jobs or fields of study to something more promising. One such area is program coding, a field that has been “recession proof” – as demand for qualified coders and other tech jobs continues to grow.

Bootcamps – intense coding programs “come in many shapes and sizes”: part-time or full-time; onsite or remote; high and low-cost, college-affiliated or independent – and many variations on these. 

Secret Sauce

If you’ve been debating a career move into coding, now may be the perfect time to consider the Nucamp “secret sauce”:

• Affordable: Our programs are a fraction of the cost of comparable coding programs (traditional bootcamps are $10K - $20K; our full-stack program is $1,765) at universities or college courses.
• Hybrid of online/instructor led: Our unique approach blends online and immersive learning, and features highly qualified instructors and small classes.
• We’re nimble: 30% of our classes were by videoconference already, so when the coronavirus caused us to “pause” in-person classes, we were ready to switch to all-online classes.

• Community: With the support system of nearby students, classmates and instructors, and local coworking spaces, we’re a proud part of the community.  

As Geekwire, a top tech news source, noted in a recent profile on Nucamp, while many traditional coding bootcamp courses scrambled to reinvent themselves into online players, Nucamp moved to 100% online in just one week. We estimate it will take less than two weeks to get back to our hybrid approach in all 30 cities we currently serve.

The Nucamp unique approach gives students “the best of all worlds”:

• Flexibility: Designed to be part-time with learning at home during the week at your own pace, school can be scheduled around work and family obligations.
• Access to Expert Instructors, who are typically full-time developers, so they’re empathetic with your busy life and available to help.
• Cost is a great value compared to traditional bootcamps, and you get all of the content.
• Weekly assignments keep you on track and offer “a gentle nudge” if you ever need it.
• Weekend check ins, usually in-person (now videoconferencing) offer students a chance to bond in a sense of community.

Easing Anxiety

With the pandemic, many people are learning and working from home for the first time, or seeing their jobs otherwise impacted. Along with fear of the virus, the lack of structure and communication makes some people anxious. If that includes you, keep these tips in mind for remote-learning during Nucamp bootcamp:

• Have a dedicated space (if possible) in your home for study to help keep you focused.
• Maintain the same schedule as your workday; keeping a routine will make this time less disruptive.
• Consider daily check ins with the important people in your life to ease anxiety about the physical separation.
• Be sure to make time for family and fun. Everyone needs that balance.

If you’re interested in changing careers, there may be no better time to start a coding bootcamp at Nucamp. You’ll build a new skill set and experience for an affordable amount, and “land well” in a secure and growing field during an economic downturn.