But what exactly does a bootcamp entail? Will it help advance your career? And how can you get the most out of the opportunity?
To give us a real insight into taking part in a tech bootcamp, we spoke to Asha Makwana, 32, who completed the Data Analytics at Ironhack in London and graduated in August 2022.
Before Ironhack, Asha was working for the NHS as a lab assistant. Since graduating, she has been offered a job as a junior data scientist for NHS England. Asha is super excited because it involves working with healthcare data and using data analytics/science to help improve the healthcare system.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO ENROLL IN A BOOTCAMP?
Before Ironhack, my role was very diverse but often repetitive. The part that I enjoyed most was the data side, but I didn’t feel like I was challenging myself or reaching my full potential. So, I enrolled on the Data Analytics bootcamp with Ironhack.
What drew me to Ironhack was the fact they taught Advanced Data Analytics, it was a mix of Data Analytics and Data Science. That’s something which was a unique selling point for Ironhack. When I was looking around, I didn’t find many courses that were Data Analytics but were also doing a bit of Machine Learning. So, in terms of getting the skills that you need to get that data job, that’s what makes Ironhack different from other courses.
Although based in London, the course is conducted remotely, which I appreciated because it allowed me to collaborate with people from across the country. Working with a diverse group was beneficial; we had participants with varied experiences, and we could combine our resources, skills, and insights. I also found it more comfortable since I study better at home, making remote learning the ideal choice for me. For insights from a coding bootcamp hiring manager, this kind of diverse and adaptable learning environment can be highly valuable.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO A CAREER IN TECHNOLOGY?
In my role as lab assistant, we fed the diagnosis of a test along with the outcome into a national database. I was responsible for the data quality, and that’s where my passion for data analytics grew and I knew I wanted to explore it further and upskill via a tech bootcamp.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE BOOTCAMP HAS HELPED YOUR CAREER?
When interviewing for my current role as junior data scientist for NHS England the hiring managers really liked the fact that I took the initiative to upskill myself by going to a bootcamp. It’s great that I get to go back to working in healthcare but this time I will get to use data analysis to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ANYONE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A BOOTCAMP?
Make the most of your tutors. My course leader had so much industry knowledge. Especially for me, as I come from the public sector, I don’t really know what it’s like working in a business environment. He was really open to answering questions about the experience of being a junior data analyst or scientist, what you’re expected to do, he was so full of knowledge. Whenever you asked him questions, he was always there to answer. Even if it might be a silly question, he would always say that no questions are silly, he was just amazing!
And once you’ve graduated make the most of the career service. That’s a great thing about Ironhack, you’re supported even after you’ve finished your learning. They help you come up with action plans to find paid employment. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
If you’d like to find out more about a bootcamp and whether it’s the right fit for you, we recently spoke to Gabriel Pizzolante, UK Growth Marketer at Ironhack international tech school, about why a bootcamp could be better than a degree.
https://www.ironhack.com/en/campuses
