Prepping for Life After the Bootcamp: What to Do After Your Program

Let’s start this post the same way we started the last post where we covered what to do before and during the bootcamp program: Congratulations! Completing your bootcamp program is a big deal! We know how much work goes into navigating and completing a bootcamp program so you should definitely be proud of yourself.

With that said, while we’re sure you've learned a lot of new skills and technologies during the bootcamp, it’s important to note that the end of the program doesn't mean the end of your learning journey. In fact, it's just the beginning. We’re so passionate about this point so we’d like you to read it again: the end of your bootcamp program does not represent the end of your learning journey, but rather it represents the beginning of your learning journey. But how could this be? As we said at the top, completing a bootcamp program is a big deal because it is no easy feat. However, bootcamps don’t cover everything. By definition and by design, bootcamps are intensive, short-term training programs. In other words, they’re meant to be expedited.

In this blog post, we'll go over some tips to help you continue your learning journey after completing a bootcamp program. These tips will not only help you improve your skills but also help you become job hunt ready, and stay competitive in a crowded bootcamp-infused market.

1. Keep Learning

This may seem straightforward, but here us out…

Putting aside the point that bootcamp programs are expedited learning experience that don’t cover everything, technology itself is also constantly evolving, and there are always new things to learn. Even experts or those who have been in the field for decades don’t know everything because there are always new things to learn. That’s why it's important to keep your skills up to date by continuing to learn, attendees meetups, online workshops, and seminars, and staying on top of the latest by reading industry blogs and articles. This will not only help you stay current with the latest trends and technologies but also keep your skills sharp. Hiring teams want to know that you have a growth mindset and are aware of how technology is constantly evolving.

More specifically, consider taking advanced courses that build on what you learned during the bootcamp. These courses can help you deepen your knowledge in a specific area and give you a competitive edge in the job market. Consider something in tech or design that you’re passionate about that you want to be known for. Consider something you want to get really great at. Consider something that can help you stand out from others. You can be a generalist and have a specialty that you’re known for.

In general, you can’t become a great developer after a couple of months, you can’t become a great designer after a couple of months, and you can’t become a product expert after a couple of months. The reason so many bootcamp-grads find themselves not able to find work soon after their programs end is because they’re not ready (putting aside a competitive market, a looming recessions, and mass layoffs of course!). This may sound harsh and we don’t mean to offend anyone or be too hard on anyone. We want to see as many people come up in tech and design and product as possible, that’s why Rita Lab exists! We’re sharing these thoughts because we’ve seen this happen time and time again. Make your overall journey shorter by spending more time building on what you’ve learned.

2. Keep Working on Projects

To be very honest, at the end of the day, the projects from your bootcamp program are student projects. There’s definitely value in these projects! And you should be super proud of the work you’ve done. But consider building on top of what you’ve done outside of a program-setting. Show that you’ve kept practicing and pushing yourself. Practice makes perfect, and the best way to improve your skills is by putting them into practice.

How? There are many ways you can do this. First, consider personal projects based on things you want to get hired for. The projects on your portfolio should reflect the kind of work you want to get hired for. If you want to work at Spotify, consider having music-related projects on your portfolio. You’re totally allowed to have personal projects on your portfolio, especially if they showcase your skills and potential! Second, look for freelance projects or contribute to open source projects to keep honing your skills. This will not only help you build your portfolio but also give you real-world experience working on projects that you can showcase to potential employers. Sometimes, finding freelance work is hard, so consider pro-bono work. This may not be feasible for everyone, nor may it be something some may want to do, but it can be helpful in getting hired at the end of the day.

With that said, in general, when working on projects, make sure to challenge yourself and work on projects that push you outside of your comfort zone. This will help you grow and develop new skills that you can apply to future projects. It may be harder to hold yourself accountable to project work outside/after the bootcamp, we totally understand. However, the reward will be so great!

3. Stay Immersed in the Tech Community

Similar to life after college, life after a bootcamp program can be a little lonely. Now that you’ve completed the program and have less access to all of the things that a bootcamp program can bring you, it’s more on your to put yourself out there. But definitely consider doing so!

How? Again, there are many ways you can do this. First, consider attending meetups, conferences, and networking events. These are great ways to stay immersed in the tech, design, and product communities. These events provide opportunities to meet other professionals in your field, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and connect with potential employers. When attending these events, make sure to engage with other attendees and ask questions. This will not only help you learn but also show that you're eager to connect and learn from others in the industry. Second, connect with others on your own and directly. Leverage tools like LinkedIn to grow your network. You never know when a connection might lead to a job opportunity. Lastly, building on top of the last point, be intentional when connecting with others and genuinely try to learn from them. Don’t go right into a new connection trying to get a job. Go into a new connection trying to learn from them. You’ll walk away with so much value and it may organically lead to a job opportunity.

We know putting yourself out there can be difficult. It's not something that’s easy for everyone - we get it. If you resonate with this, know that we know it’s never easy at first - but we can assure you that it always gets better over time.

4. Get Job Hunt Ready

Now that you've completed the bootcamp program and with all of the above in mind, there comes a moment where it’s time to get job hunt ready. And there are many ways to do this.

First, make sure your resume is ready to go. We’ll share tips in the future on how to put together a rockstar resume. Second, make sure your portfolio is up to date and reflective of the skills and experience you've gained during the bootcamp, AND the kind of work you wish to get hired for. Third, make sure you have a solid cover letter base that you can tailor to each individual job you apply to. In fact, in general, make sure to tailor your materials to the specific job you're applying for. This is super important.

When applying for jobs, don't just rely on online job postings. Reach out to contacts in the industry and let them know you're on the job hunt - even those you’ve been connecting with as per the previous section. They may be able to provide valuable insights or even refer you to job openings that aren't publicly advertised.

It's important to remember that the job hunt process can take time, so don't rush. Take your time, be patient and don't get discouraged if you don't land a job right away. Keep working on your skills and building your portfolio, and the right opportunity will come along. And before AND while you look for work, sharpen your interview skills. This is a whole thing within itself. We’ll also share tips in the future on how to prepare for tech, design, and product job interviews.

In conclusion, be persistent!

Completing a bootcamp program is a huge accomplishment, but it's just the beginning of your learning journey. To continue to grow your skills, it's important to keep learning, keep working on projects, stay immersed in the tech community, and get job hunt ready. With hard work, dedication, and persistence, you'll be able to turn your passion for technology, design, and product into a successful career. We're sure of it! Good luck! You got this!