8 Careers You Can Get After a Coding Bootcamp

A coding bootcamp is one of many effective ways to start your career as a software engineer, web developer, or other tech professional. We know it’s an investment of time, dedication, and money. That’s why we want you to understand what kind of career you can look forward to upon completing bootcamp. 

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Tech and non-tech companies alike need people to help them develop software, design games, keep information secure, create apps, and so much more. Not only will your enrollment at a coding bootcamp help prepare you for those jobs, but some bootcamps, like App Academy, can also help you get those jobs.

Can I Get a Job After a Coding Bootcamp?

Yes, you can get a job after a coding bootcamp! Employers generally look for candidates who have:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming languages and relevant technologies taught during the bootcamp, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or specific frameworks like React or Node.js.
• A Portfolio: A strong portfolio that showcases projects completed during the bootcamp, demonstrating problem-solving abilities and practical application of knowledge.
• Experience in Collaborative Work: Evidence of teamwork and collaboration through group projects or open-source contributions.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication skills as part of a team and ability to clearly articulate ideas to instructors and peers.
• A History of Continuous Learning: A willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies, given the ever-changing nature of the tech industry.
• A Strong Work Ethic: Demonstrated dedication, work ethic, and a proactive attitude toward problem-solving.

Coding bootcamps check all the boxes that potential employers want to see from you. You’ll graduate with technical skills and a programming portfolio. You’ll have experience in collaborative work with peers and teams. As such, you’ll learn effective communication skills. And your commitment to a bootcamp shows both a willingness to learn and adapt, as well as a strong work ethic.  

As you look at different coding bootcamps and consider which one might be best for you, look at that bootcamp’s job placement rate among graduates. This will help you get a sense of how successful each bootcamp might be in helping students get jobs.

Careers You Can Pursue After a Coding Bootcamp

Once you finish coding bootcamp, what kinds of careers can you expect to find? Let’s look at 8 of the most popular ones out there.

1. Software Engineer

As a software engineer, you'll play a crucial role in developing, implementing, and maintaining various software applications and systems. Your general responsibilities will involve analyzing user needs and designing solutions, writing code to create software, testing and debugging code to ensure functionality, and collaborating with other team members to achieve project goals.

Your daily activities may include attending meetings to discuss project requirements, writing and reviewing code, troubleshooting and fixing issues, and updating documentation. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may work on a specific part of the software or handle the entire development process.

Software engineers are in high demand and make an average of about $115,000. Your projected salary will vary depending on experience, location, and the industry you work in. Generally, entry-level software engineers can expect a competitive salary, and with experience, your earning potential increases significantly. Moreover, software engineering offers excellent opportunities for career growth, as you can specialize in various areas such as web development, mobile app development, or artificial intelligence and move into leadership roles as a software architect or project manager.

Learn More: Software Engineer Salary Guide

2. Web Developer

Web developers construct websites and web applications. You’ll work closely with clients to create functional websites and user-friendly interfaces, and ensure optimal website performance and responsiveness. Web developers usually specialize in either front-end or back-end web development or can do both as full-stack developers (more about those below).

The median annual salary for web developers in 2023 was about $76,623. As you gain experience and expertise, your earning potential escalates.

Front-End Developer

On the more creative side of web development, a front-end developer is responsible for creating the visual elements of a website or web application that users interact with directly. You’ll use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build user-friendly interfaces and ensure the website's functionality and responsiveness. Front-end developers collaborate with designers and back-end developers to bring designs to life and optimize the user experience (UX).

Learn More: Best Coding Languages for Front-End Web Development

Back-End Developer

If you prefer the server side of web applications and websites, then back-end development may be for you. You’ll work with databases, server logic, and application programming interfaces (APIs) to ensure the smooth functioning of the application. Back-end developers handle data management, server configuration, and application performance, enabling seamless communication between what users see and what goes on in the background.

Learn More: Best Coding Languages for Back-End Web Development

Full-Stack Developer

To become a full-stack developer, you’ll need proficiency in both front-end and back-end development. You’ll need a comprehensive understanding of various programming languages, frameworks, and databases to handle the entire web development process. From designing user interfaces to managing server-side logic and databases, full-stack developers are versatile and capable of independently creating complete and functional web applications.

Learn More: How Much Do Full-Stack Developers Make?

3. Data Analyst/Scientist

Coding bootcamp graduates who are more analytically minded might consider a career as a  data analyst or scientist. The career of a data analyst or scientist offers a blend of technical skills and problem-solving. 

Your job will be to understand your client’s data needs so you can develop strategies for data collection. You’ll spend your days cleaning and organizing data, conducting statistical analyses, and creating visualizations to present findings effectively. You may spend time querying databases, using programming languages like Python or R to manipulate data, and employing machine learning techniques to build predictive models. 

Data analysts and scientists are highly sought after in the job market due to the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making. Salaries can vary depending on location, company size, and level of expertise, but in 2023 the average data scientist made around $142,381 per year.

4. Mobile App Developer

Mobile app developers design, build, and maintain applications for mobile devices. They collaborate with the development team and clients to understand project requirements, create technical specifications, and write the app’s code using programming languages like Java, Swift, or Kotlin. You’ll be expected to debug and test the app to ensure it functions correctly and meets quality standards. You'll continuously update and optimize the app to enhance UX and fix any issues that arise. 

Learn More: Best Programming Languages for App Development

App developers often work in fast-paced and dynamic environments, cooperating with designers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Your attention to detail and problem-solving skills will play a significant role in creating successful and user-friendly apps.

In 2023, mobile app developers made between $73,319 and $96,050 on average. But with more experience, developers can earn well over $100,000 annually. The exact salary can vary based on your location, the company you work for, and your skill level.

5. DevOps Engineer

DevOps engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams, fostering collaboration and streamlining the software development and deployment process. Your duties in this career will involve automating and optimizing various stages of the software development lifecycle, from coding and testing to deployment and monitoring. You'll monitor the performance and stability of applications in production and troubleshoot any issues that arise, ensuring a seamless UX.

Salaries for DevOps engineers can range from $119,324 to $140,240 per year on average, with variations based on experience, location, and the company's size. DevOps engineers are in high demand due to the ever-increasing focus on automation and continuous delivery in the software industry.

6. Information Security/Cybersecurity Analyst

The job of an information security or cybersecurity analyst is to protect an organization's computer systems, networks, and data from potential security breaches and cyber threats. Your work will safeguard sensitive data, maintain compliance with security regulations, and keep the organization safe from cyberattacks. Throughout your career, you’ll monitor and analyze security incidents, implement security measures, and respond to security breaches. 

On a more day-to-day basis, you’ll be asked to conduct vulnerability assessments, identify potential weaknesses in a company’s systems, and recommend security enhancements. You'll also be responsible for configuring and managing security tools such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems. You might occasionally collaborate with other IT teams to ensure that security measures are integrated into all aspects of an organization's infrastructure.

The average salary for an information security or cybersecurity analyst is about $102,600 per year, depending on years of experience and where you work. 

Learn More About Cybersecurity:

• 6 Best Programming Languages for Cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity vs. Software Engineering

7. Video Game Developer

Video game development is an exciting and creative career choice for individuals passionate about both programming and gaming. Your primary responsibility is designing, creating, and writing video game code for various platforms, such as consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. 

You’ll collaborate with a team of designers, artists, and other developers to bring the game concept to life. Your part will involve writing and debugging code, implementing game mechanics, and optimizing performance. You'll be expected to participate in game-related brainstorming sessions. Your job may include testing and debugging the game to ensure it runs smoothly and is free from technical issues.

Being a video game developer requires proficiency in programming languages like C++, C#, or Java and familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal.

Projected salaries for video game developers vary depending on experience and the size of the company, but the national average is around $115,155 per year.

Learn More About Becoming a Video Game Developer:

• How to Become a Video Game Developer 
• The Best Programming Languages for Video Game Development 
• The Best Jobs for Gamers 

8. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineer

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), AI/ML engineering is an increasingly in-demand career. Should you choose this path after a coding bootcamp, you’ll spend time developing, implementing, and maintaining AI/ML models and algorithms to solve complex problems and improve processes. You’ll work with large datasets, analyzing and extracting valuable insights to train models effectively. You’ll also be responsible for testing and fine-tuning models for optimal performance.

Some of your time will be spent researching new AI/ML techniques, cleaning and preprocessing data, and experimenting with various algorithms. You’ll need to know programming languages like Python and tools like TensorFlow or PyTorch.

Once you have a year or two of experience as an AI/ML engineer, you can expect to make around $118,309 per year.

Read More: 

• Becoming an AI Engineer: Roadmap, Skills, and Roles
• The Best Programming Languages for AI Development
• Is Python Good for Machine Learning and AI? 
• Is Python or Java Better for Machine Learning?

Companies That Hire Bootcamp Grads

Plenty of companies are looking to hire coding bootcamp grads. Here are just 3 that have been actively hiring bootcamp grads in 2023.

JPMorgan Chase

This major financial firm openly courts bootcamp graduates through their Emerging Talent Software Engineers program. Employees work worldwide in every aspect of the company, from client-facing software to internal analytics. 

Accenture

Accenture works in various fields for its clients, including cloud systems, AI, app management, and security. This means they’re constantly looking for candidates with the exact skill set you’ll learn at coding bootcamp. 

Slack

As a tech company, Slack always needs new software engineers, developers, and app designers. The skills you learn at bootcamp will be helpful when applying for a job at Slack, which gets a 4.2 out of 5 on Glassdoor. 

And these aren’t all! Some major tech companies are hiring bootcamp grads right now!

How Coding Bootcamps Can Help You With Your Job Search

A quality coding bootcamp will offer comprehensive job support, including resume reviews, interview coaching, and networking opportunities. They often have partnerships with companies to facilitate job connections for graduates. These bootcamps may also host job fairs and provide access to exclusive job boards, enhancing graduates' chances of landing desired tech roles. 

When you join App Academy, you’re not only learning how to code. We help our students with their resumes and job interview prep, and connect you to our robust alumni network to help you find fulfilling jobs after bootcamp graduation.

Kickstart Your Career at App Academy

At App Academy, we can prepare you to start a new career as a software engineer or web developer. Our comprehensive curriculum teaches you the skills you need to land your first job, and our career coaches are here to help you through the job search process.

Sign up for a live online info session to learn more, or schedule a 1:1 call with one of our team experts. Start your software engineering career today with App Academy, and see how far you can go!