For people who are looking to bolster their toolbox, coding is a growing skill set to acquire. More than 42,000 jobs posted on Indeed denote some mention of JavaScript, and roles for software developers are expected to grow 25% in the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Those people looking to capitalize on this job growth can explore flexible options such as bootcamps that teach needed skillsets, including JavaScript.
JavaScript is one of the top programming languages, according to Career Karma. And for the eleventh year in a row, JavaScript also ranks as the most commonly used programming language on the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, which measures trends in the developer field.
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In fact, about 95% of websites use JavaScript, which differs from another program called Java. JavaScript is used to update content on a webpage, animate text and images, or create web elements that can be hidden, among other effects. It is usually used as a front-end language, which refers to content a webpage viewer can see, but it can also be usedfor the backend by using specific frameworks, such as Node.js.
JavaScript is a basic building block of coding, says Robert Jones, the vice president of product strategy at General Assembly. General Assembly has nearly 100,000 graduates of its programs who work at places like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, along with financial services companies.
“JavaScript is a must. It really is. It’s a must-learn,” Jones tells Fortune, adding that whether you begin learning in a bootcamp or at a university, JavaScript, along with HTML and CSS, are among the first things taught. “Those are kind of like your ABCs of coding because those give you the building blocks to really understand how software works, how code is structured, how syntax works. JavaScript is where you begin to get a lot more capability.”
JavaScript provides malleability of skills, too, says Terry Tilley, the instruction training manager at Codesmith.
“JavaScript is the front-end main language. It’s the language of the internet,” Tilley says, adding that it’s often necessary to convert other programs into JavaScript anyway. “JavaScript is always in the top five skill sets that employers and prospective companies are looking for.” JavaScript is one of few languages that can help individuals become full-stack engineers while only knowing one language, Tilley adds.
The following four programs, which all appear on Fortune’s list of coding bootcamps in New York, will help you build your JavaScript skillset. And each of these bootcamp programs costs less than $21,000.
1. General Assembly
- Cost: $16,450
General Assembly offers a part- or full-timecoding BootCamp, which takes 12 or 24 weeks to complete. Students can choose whether to take the program in-person or online, and learn programs such as JavaScript, React, Node, Django, Git, and GitHub. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared for a career as a software engineer or full-stack engineer in big tech companies and even financial service companies, Jones says. There are various start dates offered per year.
“We teach students the full suite of programming that includes a lot of both JavaScript, and SPIs [Serial Peripheral Interface], and how to use specific JavaScript frameworks like React to create an application,” Jones tells Fortune.
2 . App Academy
- Cost: $17,000
App Academy’s New York City-based software engineering bootcamp teaches JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, SQL, HTML, CSS, ReactJS, and Redux with the goal of preparing graduates to be software developers. The program is offered part- or full-time online or full-time in-person in New York or San Francisco and takes between 16 to 48 weeks to complete depending on the program track. No previous coding experience is required to enroll, and graduates work at companies including Google, Meta, Wayfair, MailChimp, Slack, Uber, Amazon, and Microsoft.
3. Code Immersives NYC
- Cost: $17,890
At Code Immersives NYC, students learn Fullstack JavaScript web development, MongoDB, Express, React, and Node. The program is offered in person in New York City and takes 45 weeks to complete. It prepares students for careers in web development and software engineering. Code Immersives commits the first 15 weeks of the bootcamp to teaching introductory web development, including JavaScript and the following 15 weeks to advanced JavaScript and other intermediate skill-building. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
4. Codesmith
- Cost: $20,950
Codesmith’s coding bootcamp is offered full-time or part-time, with in-person and online options available. Students can complete the program in 13 or 38 weeks, depending on their track, and learn how to use programs like JavaScript and tools such as React, Redux, MongoDB, PostgresSQL and Node.js. The program prepares students for mid-to-senior level careers as software, front- or back-end or full-stack engineers.
“We teach what’s colloquially known as ‘vanilla JavaScript,’ which literally means that we teach you how to build stuff just using JavaScript with no extra features or added things,” Tilley tells Fortune. “Then we teach you the most popular JavaScript framework used in the industry.”
The program also teaches system and pattern designs, TypeScript, developer operations, and related skills. Codesmith offers entry-level courses such as JavaScript for beginners for those interested in further learning. Codesmith additionally offers free services such as information sessions and video recordings to help prospective applicants to the program gain knowledge prior to applying.Start dates occur multiple times per year.
Things to consider before enrolling in a Javascript bootcamp
People who are learning to code online increased from 70% to 80% year-over-year, per the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey. And now it is easier than ever to learn programs such as JavaScript.
Coding bootcamps, which are available in a number of formats, can help individuals learn the ins and outs of programming languages such as JavaScript. However, it’s important to consider the type of bootcamp you take and the curriculum it offers. While some bootcamps may devote a week or so to teaching Javascript, other programs, such as Code Immersives NYC, teach JavaScript throughout the duration of the camp, building upon basic coding skills to develop a more advanced understanding of the program.
If you’re in the market for a bootcamp, Jones suggests thinking about the differences between programs that are completely online and self-guided versus courses that offer instructor-led learning and professional services, such as resume and interview training, alumni networks and events, and other career guidance.
“If you’re looking to really become one of the software engineers at one of those big companies and get paid a high salary for it, that’s where I think most students are successful in choosing a full-service boot camp,” Jones says.
It is important to gain some familiarity with coding prior to enrolling in any bootcamp offering, Tilley says. If you are looking to work in the industry, it is good to know what discipline you are interested in and what skills are suited to that role so you know what to look for in each program’s curriculum.
“It’s important to get a good, holistic understanding of front-end versus back-end because that’s going to help you then understand things like full-stack curriculum versus a front-end curriculum versus a back-end curriculum,” Tilley tells Fortune. Then, it’s necessary to understand which program languages are “widely used,” Tilley says.
“Especially if you’re first getting into the industry, you want to get something that gives you more options,” Tilley adds.
Before making a final selection, Jones recommends looking for a “well-rounded” curriculum that combines elements of front and back-end technologies, a program that helps you build a portfolio of code and projects—both team and individual work—and a program that offers career services or “outcome support.”
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
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