Is Coding School the Right Path for Career Changers?
Sigma School
6th October 2024
The tech industry is booming.
According to research, global IT spending is expected to hit $5.3 trillion in 2024, a 7% increase from 2023. Investments in AI, cloud services, and cybersecurity mainly drive this growth.
Be it a long-lost passion or simply following the trend, it's clear that more people are exploring careers in coding.
But is it worth leaving behind the years you've invested in your current career to get into tech?
This article explores whether coding schools are the right choice for people looking to switch careers.
By the end of this read, you'll know if joining a coding class fits your career goals and situation. We'll cover both personal factors and industry trends to help you decide.
A coding school is an educational institution that teaches coding and computer science skills.
They are designed to prepare you for roles such as software development, web design, or full-stack development.
Coding schools offer a broader range of learning options.
The most common ones are:
What makes coding schools so attractive is how quickly they can get you into a tech career. But how can career changers figure out if it's the right move for them?
Coding schools offer a much faster path into tech careers by condensing years of learning into 3 to 6 months.
Instead of covering everything, you’ll focus only on the skills that make you a proficient coder and are directly applicable to tech jobs.
Unlike traditional degrees, where a lot of time is spent passing exams, coding schools prioritize what you'll actually use in the workplace.
This shorter timeframe also gives you more opportunity to start job hunting earlier. Many coding schools even offer job placement support to help you land a position after graduation.
What will set you apart from other job applicants is the real-world project you complete during the coding course.
Many degree graduates leave without having built anything tangible. Whereas coding school grads finish with a portfolio of actual projects to show potential employers.
All within 3 to 6 months.
When it comes to switching careers in tech, coding schools have a clear advantage.
Related Reading: Coding Bootcamp vs Computer Science Degrees
The tech industry is growing fast. With that, the demand for skilled professionals is rising across the globe.
In the U.S. alone, tech jobs are expected to increase by 15% between 2021 and 2031, adding over 600,000 new positions.
But this isn't just a U.S. trend.
Globally, the tech workforce is projected to hit 55 million by 2030, especially in regions like Europe and Southeast Asia.
One of the big reasons remote work has exploded in popularity is that companies are now looking internationally to meet these demands.
They’re no longer limited to hiring locally. This has led to a surge in digital nomads.
With areas like AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing on the rise, companies need more skilled workers, but the talent supply hasn’t caught up yet.
In 2022, there were over 660,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. alone. That gap shows how hard it is for companies to find people with the right skills to meet the growing demand.
If you're considering a tech career, now might be the perfect time to jump in and capitalize on this growing demand.
Also read: Beginner's Guide to Careers in Coding and Tech
As a working adult, finding time to learn new skills while balancing your current job is hard.
Not everyone can afford to quit and make a full switch to tech. For those only looking to upskill, leaving a job just to make time for learning isn't practical.
That’s why coding schools have created flexible options.
At Sigma School, we offer two learning modes to fit into various schedules:
Not all coding schools offer the same level of flexibility, but most provide less time-restrictive options.
You can build job-ready skills while still holding onto your current job, so there's no need to worry about quitting and losing income.
However, before jumping into coding school, it’s important to take a moment to reflect.
Ask yourself if you have the passion, commitment, and resources needed to thrive in that kind of environment.
Many people are drawn to coding because of the promise of remote work and high salaries. But without the right skills and a genuine interest in the field, it’s easy to lose momentum.
Often, software development courses require these passion and skills:
If you check these boxes, congratulations. You’re one step closer to tech careers.
Before jumping headfirst into a coding school, it's important to understand the time and financial commitments involved.
Related Reading:
How to Prepare for a Coding Bootcamp: Essential Tips for Success
How to Pay for a Coding Bootcamp: Funding Your Tech Education
Coding isn’t just about building apps or writing code.
You need to figure out what really interests you so you don’t end up wasting time and money on a coding course only to realize the career path isn't what you want.
To make sure you're heading in the right direction, consider these factors before committing to a coding course:
This will help you pick the right program to focus on the skills that will be most useful for your career.
Now that you’ve done some self-assessment, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of this educational path for career changers.
Paying for a software development program can either be a smart investment or a total miss.
Typically, one of the biggest concerns for career changers is time and money, since both come with a level of risk.
In terms of time, coding schools offer faster routes to learning. But when it comes to money, it can raise eyebrows.
Even though they cost less than a traditional degree, people still wonder if it's worth the price.
At Sigma School, we take some of that financial risk off the table.
For our Complete Software Development Program, we offer a job guarantee or a 100% money-back guarantee. If you don’t secure a job within a year after graduating, we’ll refund your full tuition.
Of course, there’s more to the risks and benefits than just time and money.
Let’s break it down further.
Here’s a complete list of pros and cons if you're thinking about joining a coding school.
| Pros of Coding Schools | Cons of Coding Schools |
|---|---|
| Fast Track to a New Career: Courses from coding schools take 3-6 months, letting you switch careers quickly. | High Cost: Coding schools can be expensive, ranging from <0,000 to $20,000. |
| Job-Ready Skills: Focuses on practical skills that are used in real-life projects. | No Accreditation: Coding schools aren't typically accredited. This could be a drawback if you prefer formal qualifications. |
| Flexible Learning Options: Many offer part-time, full-time, online, or self-paced programs to fit different schedules. | Intense Learning Environment: The intensity of the program can lead to burnout or make it difficult for some students to keep up. |
| Job Placement Support: Coding schools often include career coaching, resume help, and interview prep to improve job prospects. | Varied Job Outcomes: Job success can vary depending on your personal effort, the school's reputation, and your location. |
| Project-Based Learning: The focus is on practical skills like building real-life projects and hands-on learning, rather than just theory and passing exams. | |
| Appeals to Employers: Many companies are increasingly valuing skills and experience over formal education. | |
| Up-to-Date Curriculum: The curriculum is often tailored to current industry trends and tools. | |
| Real-World Experience: You build real-world projects that you can showcase in your portfolio, helping you stand out during the job hunt. |
This list should help you weigh the pros and cons so you know exactly what to expect.
If you’ve decided to join a coding school, that’s awesome!
But before you jump in, there are a final few things you should think about before you officially enroll.
It’s important to ensure the coding school meets industry standards and has a solid reputation.
You can start by looking into their student success stories, reading alumni testimonials, and checking whether companies frequently hire from the school.
For example, at Sigma School, we share student review videos on YouTube and encourage honest feedback on platforms like Course Report. We also regularly shout out to students who have recently landed tech jobs.
Endorsements, especially from real people, are a strong reflection of the school’s reliability.
Job placement assistance means the school helps you with things like internships, hiring networks, building your resume, and prepping for interviews.
This kind of support gives you a leg up.
However, not every coding school offers this, and the level of support can vary.
Sigma goes beyond just helping with resume building and interview prep. They also connect students directly with job opportunities through their network of hiring partners.
While other coding schools might provide support for interview preparation, they often lack these direct hiring connections.
The learning environment directly affects how well you absorb and apply what you’re being taught. If it doesn’t fit your style, you’ll likely struggle with the lessons.
That’s why it’s worth doing a little research on things like the available learning modes (online, in-person, or hybrid), program structure, and whether there’s mentorship.
This will help you figure out if the course is a good match for how you learn best.
If a coding school doesn’t seem like the best fit for you, don’t stress—there are plenty of other options out there.
You can explore self-paced online courses and local community college programs or even dive into free coding tutorials and mentorship-based learning.
Changing careers is never a walk in the park, whether you're moving into tech or any other field.
It's important to take a step back, think about your goals, and weigh the pros and cons of coding schools. These are just the first few steps before the real journey begins.
If you're leaning toward a coding school, Sigma School offers a coding bootcamp with job placement support and even a job or money-back guarantee.
It’s specifically designed to help career changers succeed, giving you both peace of mind and a better shot at landing a job.
Further Reading: How to Know When a Career Change is Right for You: Signs and Benefits
