Coding remains an important technical skill in 2021, with countless industries seeking coding-savvy professionals for their tech teams. That said, learning to code can seem daunting to the uninitiated — especially since the craft is practiced in multiple languages. It can help, however, to start by learning a single language as a foundation for mastering coding in general.

In this article, we will explore the process of learning JavaScript, a prevalent coding language used by developers across a variety of industries and specialties. Specifically, we will discuss the importance of honing JavaScript abilities in a coding bootcamp.

Four Reasons to Learn JavaScript in a Bootcamp

Originally introduced in 1995, JavaScript has endured as one of the most popular coding languages in the world. In fact, according to Stack Overflow’s 2020 Developer Survey, JavaScript was ranked as one of the “most loved” coding languages among surveyed developers, recording a 58.3 percent approval rating. JavaScript was also ranked the second “most wanted” language by the same survey.

Such findings are a testament to JavaScript’s enduring usefulness and accessibility. And, as a result, JavaScript is an ideal gateway to learning to code.

While there are many ways to approach learning JavaScript, one of the most practical, efficient, and cost-effective ways is through a bootcamp. These courses teach coding fundamentals in a fast-paced yet comprehensive learning environment, using real-world projects to teach the in-demand skills that employers are seeking in candidates. Many different types of coding bootcamps are offered, but it’s important to take the time to find the right one — one that has credibility and will stand out to employers, such as Columbia Engineering Coding Boot Camp. Make sure to do your research so that you’ll be happy with your choice and gain the career success a great bootcamp can enable.

There are a number of reasons that bootcamps are a great way to learn to code. Let’s explore the top four reasons that make bootcamps a great fit for new JavaScript coders.

Accessibility and Flexibility

Accessibility is a cornerstone of most coding bootcamps, as incoming learners usually come from a variety of backgrounds — often with unique scheduling needs. Bootcamp participants may be established learners supplementing a degree, new tech professionals looking to increase their hiring marketability, or career upskillers interested in pursuing promotions or role changes with their current employer.

Regardless of motivation, bootcamps benefit aspiring coders of all experience levels, giving learners the flexibility to engage with the material, their instructors, and other learners on a schedule that works with their busy lives. Columbia Engineering Coding Boot Camp, for example, offers its immersive digital curriculum to both full- and part-time learners of various skill levels (in either a 12- or 24-week course). Given JavaScript’s enduring popularity and range of uses, this type of personalized learning is a great way to become proficient in the language’s characteristics and applications quickly and efficiently.

Practical Curricula

Most bootcamps offer a welcome challenge for aspiring coders. These courses tend to be fast-paced and intensive, shaping their curricula around practical, hands-on learning.

Bootcamp learners are usually given a chance to complete coding projects that simulate real-world experiences and showcase crucial coding skills and techniques in action. Projects featuring JavaScript may include JavaScript-oriented web development, browser coding, and broader applications — most of which speak to JavaScript’s primary purpose in making digital entities more interactive.

Portfolio Opportunities

Project-based learning is not only beneficial for honing hard coding skills — it can also help new coders establish a professional portfolio highlighting their work. Following bootcamp completion, a coding portfolio is a valuable asset to have in your initial job search. It serves as a comprehensive summary of your experience in a variety of coding literacies, demonstrating your skill set and helping you stand out in a large pool of candidates. Columbia Engineering Coding Boot Camp provides ample opportunities to practice JavaScript through projects rooted in full stack development, webpage creation, data structures, and algorithms. These types of portfolio projects not only demonstrate your overall abilities, but also show employers you have the specific skills they require of their employees.

More Job Opportunities

In addition to helping learners create their first professional portfolio, most coding bootcamps equip their certificate recipients to pursue a wide variety of positions. JavaScript skills in particular have proven to make aspiring coders more marketable in many tech industries — some of which value bootcamp certificate holders in high regard as potential employees.

In the web development industry, nearly one in three hiring managers reported hiring a bootcamp certificate recipient for open developer roles (according to HackerRanks’s 2020 Developer Survey). And, 53.6 percent of managers cited JavaScript as their most wanted coding fluency among all prospective hires. By learning JavaScript in a bootcamp, you will reflect the needs of such hiring environments, proving to managers that you are fully prepared to accept a job and hit the ground running.

The following are a few leading positions that make use of JavaScript coding skills:

Summary: Should You Learn JavaScript in a Bootcamp?

JavaScript is one of several key coding competencies impacting a range of industries — one that hiring managers continue to favor in job applicants. By learning this crucial skill, you may enhance your hiring marketability for a variety of tech-based roles.

Coding bootcamps are one of the most effective pathways for mastering top coding languages, including JavaScript. Their flexibility, accessibility, and thorough learning approach consistently give aspiring coders the skills and credentials needed for promising coding-oriented roles — many of which offer competitive, lucrative salaries.

To begin your coding bootcamp journey, consider Columbia Engineering Coding Boot Camp. In the meantime, for more information on coding-related learning, see the following guides: