Bootcamps exists to get student jobs. There is really no way around that. Without the promise of a new skill set that will allow individuals to change or progress their careers, the Bootcamp industry wouldn’t exist.
At Lighthouse Labs, we believe that student outcomes are one of the most important standards by which Bootcamps should be judged. With this belief in mind, we have released our 2016 Student Outcomes Report, the first of its kind in Canada.
We made the decision to produce this report because we believe in transparency. We understand that Bootcamps are a big investment of time and money and that outcomes matter. By publishing our Student Outcomes Report, and committing to doing so annually, we are putting faith in our team to provide results for everyone who comes through our doors.
With two years worth of in-depth data, we've seen trends emerging that are very encouraging. In the past year, 96% of our job-seeking graduates from our Web Development and iOS Development Bootcamps found employment within four months of graduation. Of those jobs, 97% were technical roles, including software development, front-end, back-end, full-stack and mobile development. We're proud of our graduates, many of whom have gone on to work for companies such as Google, Uber, Mobify, and Axiom Zen.
Full-Time Roles vs. Apprenticeships
Post-Bootcamp, the type of employment available to job seeking students varies from full-time roles to short-term apprenticeships. While it is natural to focus on securing full-time employment, we've found that apprenticeships can offer graduates the flexibility to get on-the-job experience in a variety of roles and industries.
At Lighthouse Labs, focusing on apprenticeships as a priority was one of the first decisions we made as a company. We are big believers in lifelong learning, and a Bootcamp is just one part of that journey. Our program is designed to teach students the best ways to pick up concepts, problem solve, debug, and contribute to any role they may encounter as a developer.
For many, launching a completely new career after a Bootcamp involves a lot of learning and experimentation. Apprenticeships can offer the perfect starting point for students. With a shorter termed engagement, students get a chance to try out different roles and technologies before committing to a specialization. We have also found it to be a great way for Bootcampers to get their foot in the door and begin building their network within the technology industry.
At Lighthouse Labs, our Career Services team works with employers to ensure that our alumni have access to strong mentorship from senior developers to maximize the amount of learning they receive during these apprenticeships. For these reasons, we have seen a great amount of interest from both employers and students in apprenticeships and it is reflected in our employment statistics:
- 64% of our alumni take on apprenticeships immediately after the Bootcamp: This allows them more time to learn before committing long-term to a specific role. Over half of these placements turn into full-time roles after the apprentice period is completed. For those that don’t pursue further employment with their initial employers, our Career Services team is there to provide support in finding their next position.
- 31% of our alumni base obtain full-time employment after Bootcamp: Many of these students have a good idea the type of work they want to take on post-Bootcamp and engage with our Career Services team during and after the program to get them into the right roles.
We have found that both apprenticeships and full-time employment are good options. Many of our students seek the flexibility and experimentation of an apprenticeship while others enjoy the certainty of committing full-time.
When will I find a job?
Bootcamps are very intensive. Between learning new skills, working on projects and preparing for future employment, some students can feel overwhelmed. And, for many, the job search doesn’t officially start until after graduation. At Lighthouse Labs, our students connect with our Career Services team half way through the program. They work on resume reviews, networking events, and connecting them directly with interested employers. By the end of the program, our students are ready to join the workforce.
Before the end of Bootcamp, 15% of our alumni have already secured jobs. One month after Bootcamp, the number of employed alumni is over 50%. By the end of four months, 96% of alumni are employed.
What if I am not at a Bootcamp to get into a technical role?
While many Bootcamps are geared towards helping students make a career change into tech, of our graduating students, 30% don’t end up immediately pursuing a technical role. Many use their Lighthouse Labs experience to progress their careers in different ways. This includes full-time students who will be returning to their studies at University, corporate skills upgrades, entrepreneurs, and individuals pursuing personal interests. While we encourage all individuals interested in attending a Bootcamp to seriously consider a career in a technical role, Bootcamps remain a viable option for those looking to pursue other career goals.
Completing a Bootcamp usually brings out mixed emotions for students. Relief and happiness at having completed such an intensive program, nervousness to be starting a new career, and sadness at leaving a group of people that have spent countless hours together solving problems and learning new skills. As an organization, the overwhelming emotion we feel at Lighthouse Labs is excitement. We take pride in what our students have accomplished and know that they are fully prepared to enter the world of Web Development. While we don’t represent all Bootcamps, we hope that this article has shed some light on our standards as a Bootcamp.
To read more about Lighthouse Labs student outcomes, please download the Students Outcome Report here.
Want to save $500 off our programs? Check out our Early Bird Challenge and Part-Time promotion here.
Social Login