Is a Cloud Engineering Bootcamp Worth It? Exploring the Value of Cloud Engineering Bootcamps
In today's digital age, cloud engineering has emerged as a promising and lucrative career path. As businesses increasingly migrate to cloud-based infrastructures, the demand for skilled cloud engineers continues to grow.
If you're considering a career in this field, you may be wondering if enrolling in a cloud engineering bootcamp is worth the investment of your time and money. You likely also have some questions about the differences between a bootcamp and a degree program and which might be a better fit for your goals.
QuickStart’s Cloud Engineering Bootcamp is an exceptional option for those looking to embark on this journey. With a comprehensive curriculum and virtual hands-on practice, it equips aspiring cloud engineering professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
But before we dive into the specifics, let's explore the advantages of enrolling in a cloud engineering bootcamp.
Advantages of Enrolling in a Cloud Engineering Bootcamp: Is a cloud engineering bootcamp worth it?
Enrolling in a cloud engineering bootcamp program offers a range of career-focused advantages — from updated IT training to industry-recognized certifications — especially if you want to be fully immersed in this type of role.
Hands-on Learning Experience
One of the primary advantages of a cloud engineering bootcamp is the virtual, hands-on learning experience it provides. The structured curriculum, immersive training modules, and real-world simulations offered by bootcamps give you practical exposure to the field.
In this career-driven, educational format, you get to learn from industry experts and professionals, gaining insights that go beyond theoretical knowledge and into real-life IT cloud computing scenarios you’ll encounter everyday in the field.
Rapid Skill Development
Because of its immersive nature, cloud engineering bootcamp programs are designed to condense and intensify the learning process. They focus on in-demand skills and technologies, preparing you for entry-level roles efficiently while emphasizing training focus on job-readiness.
Additionally, bootcamps update their content to stay in line with industry changes, ensuring you're always learning relevant skills. One of the highlights with this type of IT training is that it allows you to learn how to navigate some of the cloud field’s newest trends, from the integration of AI/ML to serverless computing and low/no-code environments (Forbes). Plus, you’ll also learn applicable updates in programming languages, infrastructure, and cloud troubleshooting, which only helps diversify your skill set within the industry.
Industry-Recognized Certifications
Certifications also hold significant value in the cloud engineering field. Reputable bootcamps, like QuickStart, often offer common certifications that are highly regarded by employers. Earning these certifications can enhance your job prospects and credibility in the industry.
The cloud certifications that you will be prepared for after attending QuickStart’s Cloud Engineering Bootcamp 24 week training include:
- CompTIA ITF+
- CompTIA Network+
- Azure Fundamentals
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Cloud Engineering Bootcamps
Now that we've explored the advantages, let's take a closer look at the cost-benefit analysis of enrolling in a cloud engineering bootcamp.
Comparing Costs to Traditional Education
When compared to traditional four-year degrees, cloud engineering bootcamps offer a more cost-effective option. Basically, you can avoid accumulating student loans and long-term debts while making an investment in a solid career path with increasing opportunities and growth potential.
Did you know that the average student accumulates more than $37,000 in total student loans (Education Data Initiative?. And that’s only for federal loans. The average private student loan amount is $54,921 — a massive amount for the typical student aiming for an entry-level career after graduating.
By contrast, most bootcamp programs range between $12,00 and $15,000 — with the average bootcamp costing $13,579. That’s a much more affordable price point, and a faster on-ramp for entering the workforce, for the modern learner.
QuickStart’s IT Bootcamps, in comparison, are around $5,000 to $8,000 depending on bootcamp, duration, and funding. Furthermore, if you qualify, you could also get WIOA (Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act) funding for employment-based training. WIOA essentially helps people access training, education, and support services so that they can fill important jobs in their communities.
Time-Saving and Fast-Track Opportunities
Along with saving money, IT training bootcamps can also save you time. Bootcamps typically allow you to complete your training in a matter of months, enabling you to enter the job market sooner than traditional college graduates. This fast-track approach can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
In general, bootcamp programs are much shorter and intensive than traditional college degree programs. For example, the QuickStart cloud engineering bootcamp program is 24 weeks long, which is about six months. In contrast, many college degree programs take a full four years to complete. That’s a longer timetable and a much higher cost for largely the same result: job preparation to launch your career.
Addressing Potential Drawbacks and Limitations
While cloud engineering bootcamps have numerous advantages, it's important to also address potential drawbacks and limitations before making a decision.
Intensity and Time Commitment
Bootcamps are known for their rigorous and fast-paced nature. Balancing personal and professional commitments can be challenging, making relentless self-discipline all the more crucial for success.
Like with many other pursuits in life, online IT bootcamps aren’t always easy; they require hard work, hours of study, and fierce dedication. However, the results are well worth it! You’ll receive an accelerated form of education that prepares you with the skills modern employers are actually looking for.
If you think about it, this single cloud engineering program changes your entire career trajectory, connecting you with experts that help you become job-ready in a matter of weeks, not years.
Job Search and Earning Potential
To remain transparent, it's important to understand that typical entry-level salaries in cloud engineering may not be as high as those of experienced professional-level roles. Landing a job after completing a bootcamp isn’t guaranteed, though the best cloud engineering bootcamp programs can help with that.
Because at the end of the day, entry-level roles give you the start to climb the corporate ladder into those more professional-level positions. And everyone has got to start somewhere.
And online IT training programs, like bootcamps, can give you an even further head start.
At QuickStart, we prepare learners to apply for jobs and provide tips and resources through our Career Services program. Remember that persistence is key in the job search, and the long-term career growth and earning potential in the cloud engineering field are promising.
It’s important to also remember that hiring a new employee of any kind is a personal transaction. It represents a company's investment in you as a person and as a working professional.
This type of transaction can take time to complete, no matter how qualified you might be for a particular position or industry. The hiring process, though exciting, requires a unique form of patience and perseverance.
There are so many variables — experience, certifications, job and career fit, location, preferred income, etc. — that go into landing a job. The one factor with the greatest influence is consistent, dedicated effort on your part to continue the job search.
This effort doesn’t just mean applying for new jobs; it also means spending the time to properly prepare your profile and resume, polishing your LinkedIn presence, and actively networking with others.
QuickStart’s Cloud Engineering Bootcamp
Now that we’ve explained the basics of bootcamp training, let's delve further into QuickStart’s Cloud Engineering Bootcamp and what sets it apart.
Immersive Capstone Projects
Immersive projects are one of the biggest benefits to obtaining your education through a degree program — and unlike many degree programs, your projects won’t start during your third or fourth year.
Instead, QuickStart immerses students in hands-on projects immediately, helping you develop and practice new skills as part of the same process. This helps you become even more familiar with new abilities in cloud computing — preparing you for a cloud career in a way college degrees don’t.
Additionally, QuickStart consults with industry experts, hiring managers, and cloud engineering professionals to curate a leading-edge curriculum. Our bootcamp includes immersive capstone projects that showcase your understanding and proficiency in cloud engineering competencies, highlighting your project experiences from the 24-week program.
On-Demand Mentoring Sessions
Unlike many college-level degree programs — where students are sometimes treated as more of a number than a name — IT bootcamp training programs are dedicated to your personal success. This commitment includes a partnership with a personal mentor, someone with extensive industry experience who can help you identify skills gaps, answer questions, and serve as an advocate as you deepen your career.
Throughout your cloud engineering bootcamp experience with QuickStart, you'll have access to industry-expert mentors who can provide that guidance and support. Even after completing the program, mentoring sessions remain available to you for up to 12 months, ensuring you continue to receive valuable insights.
Career Support
If you’re looking for an education partner that truly cares about your outcome as a learner and a worker, you’re looking for QuickStart.
Like we mentioned previously, QuickStart’s Career Services Program is designed to assist you in every step of your career journey. We offer resources for resume building, mock interviews, and provide internship and job opportunities to help kickstart your cloud engineering career. These resources prepare aspiring cloud engineers for challenging positions at the front of the cloud industry.
Our career support services are continually one of the biggest reasons why students choose QuickStart as their cloud engineering learning partner of choice. We’re with you every step of the way, from the moment you first consider us to the job application process.
Training Towards Your Cloud Career
So, is a cloud engineering bootcamp worth it?
With the right program, you can gain valuable skills, certifications, and industry knowledge while saving both time and money.
Ultimately the choice is yours on how you choose to receive your training. Especially in a career that will continue to grow consistently in the foreseeable future.
If you are interested in pursuing online IT training in cloud engineering, QuickStart’s Cloud Engineering Bootcamp offers a comprehensive and immersive learning experience that equips you with the tools you need to succeed in this rapidly growing field.
Explore our program today and take the first step toward a rewarding career in cloud engineering, and to get that head start to propel you forward in the industry.