30-Year-Old Non-CS Major Considering AI Bootcamp
Hi, I'm a 30-year-old non-CS major currently working an office job. I've developed an interest in AI and am looking into bootcamps. I've come across several options like Code States, Fast Campus, and Sparta Coding Club, and I'm curious about the actual job placement rates after completion and the quality of the curriculum. I'm especially worried about whether I can keep up given my lack of math/statistics background. Are there any non-CS majors here who have attended an AI bootcamp?
8 answers
I had a similar concern, and I attended the Fast Campus AI Bootcamp at age 32. Math and statistics were really tough at first, but the bootcamp taught from the basics, so it was manageable. However, getting a job wasn't as easy as I thought, so I recommend preparing a portfolio alongside it.
If you're a 30-year-old non-major, the math/statistics burden might be quite heavy. Sparta Coding Club is said to have a relatively low entry barrier. However, there are also reviews that it teaches too superficially, so your willingness to do additional learning will be important.
I completed the CodeStates AI Bootcamp. I was a non-CS major, but since the curriculum was practice-oriented, I was able to make up for my weak math skills through projects. For employment rates, trust real reviews more than official materials. I got a job as a data analyst in six months, but many around me didn't.
As a non-CS major who attended a bootcamp at age 29, I can tell you honestly that math isn't fully covered in bootcamps. You'll need to study linear algebra and probability theory separately on YouTube. Still, if you're interested, go for it—determination matters more than age.
I went to a government-funded academy instead of an AI bootcamp. There were many non-majors, and the curriculum was similar. If you're worried about math, it helps to take free courses like K-MOOC to cover the basics of linear algebra in advance. For job placement, individual competency varies a lot, so don't rely solely on bootcamps.
I attended Fast Campus, and they had a separate foundational session for those weak in math, which helped me a lot in the beginning. However, even after finishing the bootcamp, you'll need to study for another 3 to 6 months to get a job, so make sure you have enough time and financial flexibility. Good luck!
As a CodeStates graduate, I know you might be worried about the math. I had zero knowledge of statistics myself, but don't be too intimidated—most of it is handled with Python libraries in the bootcamp. What really mattered more was logical thinking and consistency. I'm now working at an AI startup.
For a non-major in their 30s, the job competition will be tough in reality. Rather than the bootcamp itself, what matters more is proving yourself afterward with a GitHub portfolio and Kaggle projects. You can get through math with help from ChatGPT or the community, so take courage.