My Review of Completing a 6-Month Government-Funded Bootcamp and Landing a Job

In the first half of last year, I completed a 6-month government-funded program, and three months after finishing, I landed my first job. A lot of people around me have been asking about it, so I figured I'd write it all up.

1. Choosing the Course

The main criterion I used was less about the curriculum and more about "who the instructor is." I'd heard many people say that even for the same course, satisfaction varies wildly depending on the instructor, so I dug up as many reviews from past students as I could.

2. The Biggest Hurdle After Completing the Course

It was the portfolio, not the technical skills. I built three projects, but the question that kept coming up in interviews was "Why did you choose this technology?" Projects that just listed features didn't get much of a response.

3. What Actually Worked in My Job Preparation

• Two coding test problems every day for three months
• Recording my spoken answers to CS questions and listening back
• Trying out the services of the companies I applied to and noting three areas for improvement

Of these, the recording was by far the most effective. When I talk to myself it sounds fine, but listening back to the recording, everything fell short.

4. The Honest Downsides

The government-funded program itself isn't a magic bullet. I don't think six months is enough to fully build your fundamentals. I had to keep studying on my own after finishing, and honestly, that period was harder.

That said, being able to get started without spending money is a clear advantage. If any of you are preparing right now, I'd recommend planning how you'll spend the three months after completing the course before you even think about the course itself.