Break into the IT Field with Online Bootcamps

May 24, 2022 | Ed2Go

The United States is currently experiencing a shortage of tech talent, with 64% of IT executives citing it as a barrier to the adoption of emerging technologies. Korn Ferry also predicts that unless there are more high-tech workers to address this shortage, the U.S could stand to lose $162 billion worth of revenues each year. Meanwhile, universities are unable to produce tech graduates to fill empty positions fast enough. 

Fortunately, online boot camps exist to quickly upskill and reskill individuals, providing tech workers with the ability to meet the growing demands of the industry. By offering flexible and short-term learning options, these tech boot camps offer a fast and alternative solution to minimize skill gaps. 

This post gives you a closer look at what online boot camps are and why they are beneficial. Additionally, you can learn more about what kind of boot camps are available. 

What Are Boot Camps? 

Boot camps are intensive learning programs that are accelerated so students can learn in-demand skills within a short period instead of having to spend years in school. Often lasting for a few days or months, these boot camps are typically conducted online and available in different tech specializations. Most boot camps focus on one specialization and prepare students to sit for the corresponding certification exam, empowering them to start their tech career or advance in their current roles. 

How You Can Benefit from a Boot Camp? 

Through intensive and immersive training sessions, career boot camps help students to develop advanced and in-demand tech skills. This offers them a multitude of benefits in the form of salary increases and career advancements. Moreover, the nature of the program itself can prove to be beneficial for those who are facing time constraints and need to upskill fast. 

Improved Flexibility 

The ability to complete courses quickly and through 100% online methods offers a ton of flexibility, whether you are a working professional that seeks to upskill, or you are currently in search of a job. The fast-paced nature of boot camps allows you to gain in-demand skills without having to quit your job or spend years in a school or university. Most boot camp courses give you the freedom to learn at your own pace through on-demand video lectures, which makes them even more flexible for working professionals who want to expand their skillset. 

Better Career Mobility 

Boot camps focus on in-demand skills that are often transferable across different roles in the tech industry. For example, an AI and machine (ML) learning boot camp could prepare you for roles such as a data scientist, a machine learning researcher, an AI developer, or an ML developer, among a few. 

Enhanced Employability 

Boot camps prepare you for relevant certification exams, and the certificate you earn could improve your chances of getting hired. A certificate serves as proof of your knowledge and skills in the eyes of prospective employers, who may feel more confident about hiring you for the role. 

Salary Growth 

Earning a relevant certification can have a direct and indirect impact on your salary. For starters, the new skills and knowledge that you gain could help you perform your job better, and according to Skillsoft, current job performance was the top reason why IT professionals got a raise. 

New certifications could also qualify you for a promotion, which is another way you can get a salary increase. Additionally, 13% of IT professionals in the Skillsoft survey said that they got a raise because they developed new skills that added value to the organization. 

What Boot Camps Does the University of West Florida Offer? 

The University of West Florida now offers 100% online career boot camps that range from three days to six months, covering a wide range of in-demand IT roles.  

Intensive Format Online Boot Camps 

Besides the above-mentioned IT boot camps, The University of West Florida also offers 10 new Infosec-powered boot camps to prepare you for some of the highest-paying and most in-demand certifications. Infosec is a leading provider of cybersecurity education and training. With over 16 years of success and thousands of certified cybersecurity professionals, they have been trusted by more than 70% of Fortune 500 companies to develop their security talent and teams. 

These immersive online boot camps feature live, expert led-instruction, intensive format (3–7-day duration), unlimited practice exam attempts, extended access, and a 1-year Infosec Skills subscription. They include: 

• Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp (CEH and PenTest+) 
• Cisco CCNA Associate &CyberOps Associate Training Boot Camp 
• CompTIA CySA+ Training Boot Camp 
• (ISC)² CCSP® Training Boot Camp 
• (ISC)² CISSP® Training Boot Camp 
• (ISC)² CAP® Training Boot Camp 

Register for a Boot Camp 

Ready to take your career to the next level or start a completely new one? These boot camps will provide you with in-demand skills and knowledge to prepare for rewarding and high-paying roles.  

Register for our 100% online boot camps and jumpstart your IT career today.