Are Coding Bootcamps Still Worth it in 2025?
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It's no secret that the tech landscape is going through some tough times. Headlines about layoffs in big tech companies are more common than we'd like—even big tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are laying off seasoned engineers. This shakeup has many wondering about whether coding bootcamps are still worth it to do, or if it’s best to wait a few years. In this blog post, we’ll try to provide a balanced view about why it may or may not be worth it.
Assess your timeline, resources, and goals
First, be real with yourself about your timeline, resources, and goals. How quickly do you need to learn new skills? What’s your budget for education? Is this something you can afford right now? Will something about your timeline, resources, or goals change in the next couple of years?
Consider your current job situation
Next, think about your current job. Is staying put an option? If you looked back a year or two from now, would you be happy if you were still in your current job? Is it possible to keep working at your current job while enrolled in a bootcamp? Now is an incredible time to be in tech, with all the new innovations in AI and the scarcity of talent able to help build the future.
Self-study vs. structured learning
Be honest about your learning style. A lot of people have tried to watch Youtube videos as an introduction to programming or enrolled in a self-paced course, but don’t end up finishing. If this sounds like you, realistically it sounds like self-study might not be the right path for you.
Think back to previous learning environments (e.g. high school, college): were you able to effectively self-study, or were classes and the structured environment essential for your learning? Bootcamps offer a structured, immersive learning experience which might be what you need to stay motivated and on track.
Consider your comfort level with networking
You’ll have to hustle hard to get a job after your bootcamp. Are you comfortable cold emailing hiring managers so they’ll give you a chance? Are you comfortable adding strangers on LinkedIn so you can grab a coffee to build out your network? If putting yourself out there sounds daunting, it might be a challenge to find a role post-graduation.
Leveraging personal connections
When the job market is tough, every personal connection counts. Think about your network: do you know someone in the industry who might be inclined to give you a chance once you're trained? Could be a friend who is willing to refer you to their company, or a family member with a business who needs a website so you can build out your portfolio. Having a potential inroad can make a big difference in how quickly you can transition into a new role post-bootcamp.
Consider other program options!
We're seeing that Cybersecurity classes are really in demand (of all the tech programs we offer) because many cybersecurity programs offer job placement at government or healthcare employers. People view this as more stable compared to junior software engineering jobs. You can see Cybersecurity classes here.
Hear from recent graduates
"You'll get hired as a junior dev, but it's not going to be the same crazy offers as you used to hear about. It changed my life though, I felt so stuck at my last job."
"Right now college grads aren't getting trained up in the stuff that matters. So when you go to a bootcamp and learn React, Next, Tailwind, whatever it's an easy choice for an employer to pick you instead."
"It's hard out there. I applied to literally hundreds of jobs for MONTHS and heard nothing but I got an apprenticeship which just converted to a full-time offer. You really need to work hard to find someone to take a chance on you"
Conclusion
So, are coding bootcamps worth it in 2025? We think they are—if you are willing to work extremely hard and are okay with not immediately getting a job. Job searches are taking 6+ months—and it is especially challenging for new engineers—but people ARE still hiring today.
If you’re not okay with either of these things, it might be worth it to keep your current job and see if you can enroll in a lower-commitment option. To help you in your journey, check out our post IT Exploration: Trailblazing Tech Narratives and get to know Joseph Harisson and Erika Evans, IT experts sharing their experience in the field!
