Many Switching to Coding Careers in San Francisco

This blog post is one of 4 in the serie Learning to Code in San Francisco.

With the economy in shambles and job cuts growing exponentially in San Francisco, many are  reevaluating their career paths and considering other options.

 

One bright note in the Bay Area economy is the tech sector. While no job segment has been spared, tech is so broad and entrenched here that long-term effects on jobs are likely to be relatively minor.

 

These economic realities are inspiring some who otherwise may never have dreamt of a career in technology to reconsider. High demand, flexible hours and work setting, and growth potential all seem promising to those who recently “got burned” in other careers in the economic downturn.  

 

Software development or computer coding is one field getting much buzz and many “converts.” While the idea of learning and applying various software languages may take you back to the anxiety of high-school Spanish class, the truth is it’s “doable” for a wide range of people and skill sets. Like most things, it just takes time, tenacity and an interest in learning.

True, coding is not for everyone. With challenging coursework, constantly evolving technology, coding languages, and isolation inherent in many coding careers, becoming a computer programmer doesn’t guarantee you success or happiness.

Ready to Take the Leap? What Kind of Coding Program is for You?

Still with us? Great! With hundreds of choices in San Francisco alone, you’ve got two things to consider in choosing a coding course: what do you want to learn and where will you learn it? Here are some options, along with positive and negative factors:

On Campus Study for a Bachelor of Science Degree

⊕	Offers focus without personal distractions
⊕	College campus life enables a well-rounded education
⊗	Full-time onsite learning is especially expensive in San Francisco
⊗	Life altering; everything but studies is “on hold”
⊗	College life is uncomfortable for many over age 25

 

Immersive Learning with a Set Schedule

⊕	These courses are usually quicker than other methods
⊕	An efficient way to reach your goal without extraneous content
⊗	Learning usually many hours each day - doesn’t allow for a good work/life balance
⊗	Given greater instructor involvement, can be more expensive than other programs

3. Online Video Learning Courses

⊕	Flexible; self-guided learning
⊕	Online programs are usually inexpensive (or free via YouTube)
⊕	You learn at your own pace
⊗	You are usually learning from home, where most of us have many distractions
⊗	Little structure requires you to be disciplined in your scheduling and time management
⊗	A majority of "Free" YouTube courses are low quality with upselling motives.
⊗	Most online certifications won’t get you a job and their value ends the moment you log off.

 

4. Hybrid Bootcamps: Online Learning Meets In Person Classes

⊕	Quality instructor-led learning (if you pick the right one!)
⊕	Part-time programs offer good balance between learning and personal lif
⊕	Hybrid means that you receive a combination of self-learning and instructor-led sessions
⊕	They offer competitive pricing options with a higher quality of learning
⊗	Curriculum, quality, and price point are all over the place
⊗	Availability is usually limited to major cities

In the End, Hybrid Coding Bootcamps Are The Best of All Worlds

A hybrid approach – self-guided during the week, and with your peers and instructor-led sessions on the weekend. For many this is the “best of all worlds.”  A hybrid coding bootcamp offers a broad set of marketable skills in a relatively short time  for the least amount of money. 

 

Even better: it may be your least expensive option. For instance, Nucamp in San Francisco is just $349 to learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript in four weeks. There are myriad other languages to learn but these core strengths will get you started in a new career with a bankable future.