To the uninitiated, choosing the right Bootcamp course might seem like an impossible task. There are online and in-person courses, in some places there may be government ran as well as private company ran courses to decide between, and that’s before you even try to decide which exact subject area to study. We’re not covering any new ground by telling you that it’s important to get this choice right: you are, after all, going to be investing a fair chunk of both your time and finances into this venture. But how are you supposed to make such a decision?
Choosing a subject or area of study:
One of the most important choices to make before applying for an online bootcamp course would be what exactly you wish to study. There are courses out there covering all kinds of vocational skills, however the most prominent are the digital and tech-based courses.
If you’re simply looking to upskill and improve your knowledge in your existing field, then this might be more straightforward. You’re going to want to choose the course which best compliments your existing skill-set, and the demands of your current job or goals.
However, if you are looking to undertake a bootcamp for the purposes of reskilling, this may be a more complicated decision. Before deciding upon a course subject, you’ll need to clearly define your goals and motivations – what precisely are you hoping to get out of enrolling? What are your interests with regards to career prospects, and where are you trying to get to ultimately?
You should also take into consideration your existing knowledge and skills. Do you already have a degree, or other formal education? How can these skills compliment or be transferred towards your eventual goals? All of these questions are relevant to the decision, and you should be asking these of yourself.
Choosing the best course provider:
There are even more bootcamp providers than there are subject areas to choose from, and getting this part right is just as important. Having narrowed down your decision on subject area though, you can now begin to properly consider the different provider options.
If you’re completing an online bootcamp, the options available may seem overwhelming. There are so many bootcamp providers online. First, consider what your budget is, as this will determine which courses are available to you. The cost can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of pounds, so it’s important to know what you can afford.
Research the top providers within your budget, and then begin to read into student reviews. One of the best ways to truly evaluate course providers is to consider the experiences of previous students: Course Report is a good place to start. Additionally, you could get in touch with the course providers and ask for information on their alumni, such as current positions held, average salary increases, or re-employment success rates. They should be happy to speak about this, and if they’re not, that’s probably not a good sign.
Finally, you’re going to want to really consider how much time you want to spend enrolled on the bootcamp course. Do you want a quick refresher on existing skills? Then look for shorter courses. Are you looking to learn a completely new skill, with the hopes of eventually gaining employment in a relevant sector? You might want to consider enrolling on a longer, more intensive course. Some course providers may offer multiple options for similar courses, but others won’t, so it’s a good idea to have in mind a general timeframe.
Conclusions
With there being so many course providers out there offering such a huge variety of courses, actually making that decision can be daunting. But with the right guidance, it shouldn’t be an impossible task. And if you’re still not sure, you can contact Comparebootcamp for a free consultation!