The world of tech moves fast, and one of the most popular (or at least most advertised) ways to keep up is getting involved in coding bootcamps.
They teach you new skills and new languages, connect you with others, and aim to provide you with the experience to keep you moving forward in your career.
And when it comes to bootcamps, one name you'll see everywhere is Thinkful.
But is Thinkful the real deal? Is it good, is it worth your money, and is it a boot camp where you should spend your time?
In today's guide, I'll break down everything you need to know.
Big update here: Thinkful is now known as Chegg Skills, so we're reviewing with that in mind.
What are Chegg Bootcamps
Chegg Skills (formerly Thinkful) has been around the block for a while now (it launched back in 2012 and became part of Chegg as of 2019), and they've definitely expanded their course catalog since they first launched.
These days, they offer bootcamps in some of the hottest fields in tech. Think:
- Data science and data analytics
- Software engineering
- AI prompt engineering and fundamentals
- Cybersecurity
- UX/UI design
- Leadership
- Sales
- Marketing
- And so many more.
And the best part? They offer these bootcamps in a variety of formats to fit your lifestyle:
- Full-time: Immerse yourself in the learning experience and graduate faster.
- Part-time: Balance your studies with work or other commitments.
- In-Person: Learn alongside your peers in a dynamic classroom setting (available in select locations).
- Online: Study from anywhere in the world with their flexible online platform.
- Hybrid: A mix of online learning and in-person interaction.
So, whether you're a busy professional, a recent grad, or someone looking to make a career change, Chegg Skills has a program that can work for you.
What's on the Chegg Skills curriculum?
Okay, let's get our hands dirty and dissect what Chegg Skills really offers in its curriculum. We'll focus on a few key areas to give you a taste of what to expect.
Data science
The Data Science bootcamp is a popular choice, promising to equip you with the skills to analyze data, build models, and extract valuable insights. But does it live up to the hype?
- What they say: Chegg Skills emphasizes hands-on learning, industry-relevant projects, and career support. They showcase potential salary figures and highlight the growing demand for data scientists.
- What we found: While the curriculum covers essential topics like statistics, programming, and machine learning, it lacks depth in some areas. The focus seems to be on foundational knowledge rather than advanced techniques. Also, the marketing materials could be more transparent about the actual job placement rates and the level of career support provided.
Software engineering
The Software Engineering bootcamp aims to turn you into a full-stack developer capable of building web applications from front to back. But does it provide the necessary tools and guidance?
- What they say: Chegg Skills highlights their immersive learning experience, experienced instructors, and career services. They showcase successful graduate stories and emphasize the high demand for software engineers.
- What we found: The curriculum covers many technologies and programming languages, which is a plus. However, the depth and rigor of the program may vary depending on the specific instructor and cohort. Also, the emphasis on career services could be more detailed, providing specific examples of how they support graduates in their job search.
UX/UI Design
The UX/UI Design bootcamp promises to teach you the skills to create intuitive and engaging user interfaces. But does it provide the design thinking and practical experience you need?
- What they say: Chegg Skills focuses on user-centered design principles, hands-on projects, and portfolio development. They showcase successful design projects and highlight the growing demand for UX/UI designers.
- What we found: The curriculum covers essential design principles and tools, which is a good starting point. However, the program could benefit from more emphasis on user research, prototyping, and testing. Also, the portfolio development aspect could be more robust, providing more guidance and feedback on building a strong portfolio.
Overall curriculum considerations
While Chegg Skills offers a variety of bootcamps in popular tech fields, it's important to be aware of some general considerations:
- Depth vs. breadth: Some programs may prioritize breadth over depth, covering a wide range of topics but not diving deep into any specific area.
- Instructor variation: The quality of instruction and mentorship can vary depending on the specific instructor assigned to your cohort.
- Marketing vs. reality: The marketing materials may not always accurately reflect the actual learning experience or job placement outcomes.
The problem here is that Chegg offers such a broad spectrum of courses that the quality could vary from one to the next.
Whatever you're interested in, you'll get the best feedback by conducting your own research (Reddit is great for this) and asking specific questions about the curriculum, instructors, and career support before deciding.
What are the reviews and public opinion of Chegg Skills?
Alright, let's dive into the messy world of online reviews and see what past and current students really think about Chegg Skills.
The Good: Success stories and positive experiences
- Course report: Chegg Skills boasts a decent 4.53 average rating on Course Report, with many students praising the program's flexibility, mentor support, and career services. Some graduates highlight successful career transitions and positive learning experiences.
- Individual testimonials: Chegg Skills' own website features glowing testimonials from satisfied customers, showcasing success stories and positive feedback.
The Not-So-Good: Frustrations and concerns
- Trustpilot: Things take a darker turn on Trustpilot, where Chegg has a dismal 2.3 rating. Recent reviews are filled with complaints about scam activity, unauthorized charges, and poor customer service. Many users express frustration with the lack of refunds and difficulty canceling subscriptions.
- Reddit: Reddit communities offer a mixed bag of opinions. Some users appreciate the structure and resources provided by Chegg Skills, while others find the curriculum lacking and the pricing unreasonable. Concerns about the quality of instruction and the effectiveness of career services also surface.
Key takeaways from the reviews
Navigating the sea of online reviews can be tricky. This is really annoying because there are thousands of reviews across the board, some sites giving Chegg nearly a full five-star average, and others hover around the 2-star mark.
Therefore, it's inconsistent at best. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:
- Mixed bag: Chegg Skills has a mixed reputation, with both positive and negative experiences reported.
- Recent concerns: Recent reviews on Trustpilot raise red flags about potential scams and billing issues.
- Curriculum concerns: Some users find the curriculum to be basic or lacking in depth, while others appreciate the structure and resources.
- Career services: The effectiveness of career services seems to vary, with some graduates finding them helpful and others feeling unsupported.
- Individual experiences: Ultimately, experiences with Chegg Skills can vary greatly depending on individual learning styles, goals, and expectations.
It's crucial to read reviews critically, consider both the positive and negative feedback, and weigh them against your own needs and priorities.
Don't hesitate to reach out to past students, attend online info sessions, or try out free introductory courses to get a firsthand feel for the program.
How much does Chegg Skills cost?
Interestingly, a lot of the educational content on Chegg Skills is now hosted on Guild Education rather than on Chegg themselves, so bear this in mind, as prices will vary depending on the course you go for.
Therefore, it's pretty impossible to get the prices since it's only on a sign-up basis, which makes it infinitely difficult to compare to other providers.
What are the best alternatives for Chegg Skills?
While Chegg Skills might be a popular name, it's not the only game in town. That means before jumping on the bandwagon, it's worth exploring alternatives that might better fit your needs and goals.
Top contenders in the bootcamp arena
If you're looking for a tech-focused bootcamp with a strong reputation and positive student outcomes, here are a few top contenders to consider:
- Springboard: This platform offers a variety of online bootcamps in fields like data science, software engineering, and UX/UI design. They're known for their comprehensive curriculum, mentor support, and career services. Plus, they're often more affordable than other options.
- General Assembly: While GA has received mixed reviews, they have a wider range of courses and a strong focus on in-person learning experiences. If you thrive in a classroom setting and want a more hands-on approach, GA might be worth considering.
- Flatiron School: This bootcamp is known for its rigorous curriculum and strong emphasis on career preparation. If you're looking for an intensive program that will push you to your limits and equip you with in-demand skills, Flatiron School could be a good fit.
Finding the perfect match: Your boot camp checklist
Choosing the right bootcamp is a big decision. Here's a checklist to help you navigate the options and find the perfect match:
- Curriculum focus: Does the curriculum align with your career goals and interests?
- Learning format: Do you prefer in-person, online, or hybrid learning?
- Tuition costs and financing: What's the overall cost, and what kind of payment plans or scholarships are available?
- Career services: How strong is their career support, and what are their graduates' job placement rates?
- Student reviews: What are other students saying about their experience with the bootcamp?
Don't hesitate to attend online info sessions, connect with alumni, or even try out free introductory courses to get a feel for different bootcamps. The more research you do, the better equipped you'll be to make the right choice.
The power of personalized mentorship
If you're looking for a more personalized and tailored learning experience, consider exploring mentorship options like MentorCruise.
With MentorCruise, you can connect with experienced professionals in your field of interest and receive one-on-one guidance, support, and advice. This can be a valuable supplement to a bootcamp experience or even an alternative for those seeking a more individualized approach.
Wrapping up
To finish off with, I want to say that I don't think bootcamps, in general, are worth it.
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do, especially if you're looking to progress a career in tech, is to work on your individual skills, work on building up your GitHub, build a worthwhile portfolio, network, and build your relationships with the right people, and keep going in this direction.
Bootcamps are just non-essential in this process. They may be helpful for the resources, but then it's making sure you choose to work with a bootcamp with good, well-respected resources.
Otherwise, you may be doing more harm than good.
If you're looking for assistance or guidance during this process, then it may be worth taking the mentor or coaching route, where you'll get personalized, experienced advice that can actually help you move forward.
Think about it and see what decision you can make that's best for you.