DU Launches Women's Coding Boot Camp
Twenty-four week program is designed to help women become web developers
The University of Denver’s Center for Professional Development, in collaboration with Colorado Women’s College and University College, will launch a 24-week Women’s Coding Boot Camp on Sept. 10. This is the first time the program has been offered at DU and it is the first local all-women coding boot camp.
The full-stack program offers women an empowering learning experience as they advance their careers in technology. A preview event will take place Aug. 9 at 6 p.m., when students will be able to learn more about the program, meet instructors and get a glance into the world of coding. Students are encouraged to register for the boot camp by mid-August. The cost of the program is $10,000.
“This is an opportunity for women to build a supportive community of like-minded peers and learn and gain mentorship from top female leaders in the tech industry,” says Michael McGuire, dean of University College, where the Center for Professional Development is housed.
The Women’s Coding Boot Camp is designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Classes will be taught by women in the technology industry, and mentorship and career planning will be offered.
“At the Women's Coding Boot Camp, our goal is not just to get more women into technology jobs,” says Ann Ayers, dean of Colorado Women’s College. “Our goal is to empower women to enter the industry with their ideas, points of view and most importantly, their voices.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web development ranks among the world’s fastest-growing professions, with jobs projected to increase at a 20 percent annual pace through 2022. The opportunities for skilled developers have already outstripped the labor supply: of more than 150,000 new openings posted each year, some 50,000 go unfilled. On top of that, women employed in technology boost the bottom line for companies, according to a report from Morgan Stanley.
Women continue to hold fewer positions in technology and leadership of top performing companies. The Women's Coding Boot Camp is one way to begin solving this problem. The goal for the Center for Professional Development and its partners is to be the leaders in providing a pipeline for women interested in web development to expand their skills as they enter and lead the workforce.
The curriculum ranges from the basics of coding, algorithms and data structure to intensive training in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, Bootstrap, Express.js, React.js, Node.js, Database Theory, Bookshelf.js, MongoDB, MySQL, Command Line, Git and more. Participants will also receive a range of career-planning services, portfolio reviews, recruiting assistance and extensive staff support. Area businesses participating in the Coding Boot Camp’s employer network will advise on curriculum, products and student needs. No previous training or experience is required.
Women who complete the program will have the skills they need to develop dynamic end-to-end web applications, as well as develop a robust portfolio of projects to demonstrate their working knowledge of web development. Additionally, they will receive a certificate in Full Stack Web Development from the University of Denver.
“We’re excited to be the leaders in Denver for creating opportunities for women interested in full-stack web development,” says Christine Gallager, associate director of the Center for Professional Development. “The convenience of being able to complete the program while remaining employed full-time is of great value to this population.”