By: Justin Medeiros

Software development is vital for today's businesses, and the job market for software engineers, web developers and other related jobs continues to grow at a steady clip. So too does that bring training and professional development opportunities for these positions. One popular offering is the coding boot camp. Coding boot camps are short-term skills acquisition classes that teach people to build apps and websites as they become better versed in tech development. And they're on the rise: more than 16,000 people enrolled in them last year.

Coding boot camp might introduce you to the basics of writing code, but is the cost of completion really worth it? Here are some things to consider when you're trying to decide whether you should enroll in coding boot camp - or not.

Coding Boot Camp Does Not Launch a Career

Coding boot camp is great for learning particular skills. However, it's not extensive enough to help launch a career. Boot camp is fast and rather rushed, and while you'll learn necessary web coding skills, you probably won't be ready to lead a development team when you graduate. In addition, employers know these shortcomings when it comes to coding boot camps. Only 12 percent of business leaders say that they actually think boot camp grads are more prepared than others to be high performers, which means a boot camp education likely won't help you score a job in the long run.

Coding Boot Camp Is Cheaper Than College

College is also a place where you can learn to code and prepare for a tech career. Coding boot camp, however, is a much more affordable option than college, and you probably won't have to take out student loans to attend. The most expensive coding course is about $17,000, while a year of college will cost you around $30,000 per year (for multiple years). This means that you can have an educational experience that won't set you back too far financially. But you still need to keep return on investment in mind. Make sure that the skills being offered in the bootcamp match the one required in the job you want.

Coding Boot Camp Is Intense

If you want to learn specific skills fast, there's no better option for you than coding boot camp. While the boot camp might be short and specific, it can teach you useful skills very quickly so you can make the most of your time and money. While boot camp can't teach you everything you need for your career, it can be a good choice if you want to be seen as a more skilled candidate. If you have the extra time and money, you should definitely consider it. Otherwise, you could save your resources and find a job that lets you learn as you go.

Explore Your Options

Before taking the leap of enrolling in a training program, be sure to explore your career options. Some courses might be offered for languages or skills on the decline. Or –even better – there could be an increased need for the skillset you currently have, making the need to invest time and money in a training program unnecessary. The best way to determine this is to contact an experienced recruiter. My team at Micro Tech Staffing Group is constantly keeping an eye on industry trends and can provide insights on skills in demand right now.