Why Enroll in a Coding Bootcamp to Become a Software Engineer

✓ Affordable study

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Bootcamps tend to be cheaper (~S$5,000) and faster (three to six months) than enrolling in a postgraduate programme. They are recognised by tech employers, and graduates usually start applying for software engineering jobs after about three months of training. Bootcamps are also a popular option for those seeking to switch careers and become software engineers from unrelated industries.

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✓ A focus on practical skills

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Due to the short duration of bootcamps, students tend to learn many practical skills but relatively little Computer Science knowledge. The drawback here is that bootcamp graduates are likely to take on more entry-level positions than Computer Science graduates. It also makes it harder for bootcamp graduates to get roles at larger tech companies where software engineering is a core competency, a Computer Science foundation is needed to work on products, and job applicant pools are more competitive. More bootcamp graduates may find themselves working in non-tech or smaller tech companies, and software agencies. 

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✓ Employment opportunities

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However, to bolster the employment prospects of their graduates, most bootcamps in Singapore have relationships with employers. They usually invite employers to a demo day, where they can meet graduates. Some bootcamps like ThoughtWorks and JumpStart are also subsidiaries of a software agency, and are able to hire graduates into their own parent company. 

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If you are interested in signing up for a basic coding bootcamp in Singapore, look for those who partner with IMDA's Tech Immersion and Training Programme (TIPP) as they are the most reputable. Rocket Academy is in the process of becoming a partner.

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If you already have a background in coding and are specifically interested in learning the language Go, you can also consider Go School. This is a four-month bootcamp by Ngee Ann Polytechnic that pays a S$1,200/month stipend to students who have completed tertiary education before Jan 2019.