Paid intensive training.
WHAT THEY PROVIDE
Structure Pace Peers Sometimes, employer connections
WHAT THEY DO NOT PROVIDE
A guarantee of employment.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE PAYING
What proportion of graduates find relevant work Over what period How that is measured Whether the figures are verified
WHY MEASUREMENT MATTERS
Employment statistics are frequently defined generously.
WHAT TO ASK SPECIFICALLY
How many started, how many finished, how many are working in the field now.
WHAT TO CHECK
Whether you can speak to recent graduates, chosen by you.
WHY CHOSEN BY YOU
Provided references are selected.
WHAT CURRICULUM TO LOOK FOR
Fundamentals, not only a framework Projects you keep Practice with real tools
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Programmes teaching only one technology Guarantees of placement Income-share arrangements with unclear terms
WHAT TO READ CAREFULLY
Any agreement where you pay from future earnings.
WHY
Terms vary enormously, and some are punitive.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Whether the same money on time and self-teaching would serve better.
WHAT THE HONEST ANSWER IS
It depends on whether you can sustain structure alone.
WHAT TO VALUE MOST
The peers and the accountability.
