Bootcamps are often seen as the fastest gateway into the tech world: within just a few months, participants are promised a pathway into UX/UI design or web development – with projects, hands-on practice, and clear job prospects. But how close does this promise come to reality?
We spoke with three of our juniors to learn more about their experiences — from the bootcamps themselves to the application process and the start of their new jobs.
Our Juniors:
Alex: 3-month full-time bootcamp in Web Development (previously a Cultural Manager)
Anne: 6-month part-time bootcamp in UI Design (previously a Social Worker)
Agustina: 6-month part-time bootcamp in Web Development (previously a Quality Developer)
Why did you decide to join a bootcamp, and what was important to you when choosing one?
Agustina: I decided to join a bootcamp because what I’d been doing before had stopped fulfilling me for quite some time. I was missing creativity and variety. At the same time, I didn’t want to leave the software development field completely — I just wanted to do something different within it.
The turning point came when I built my own blog using a CMS. I realized how much I enjoyed creating things and seeing results immediately. That’s when I knew: this is what I want to do.
A bootcamp felt like the perfect path — compact, hands-on, and a chance to collaborate with others on real projects. It helped me transition faster and get back into a creative environment with great colleagues.
Alex: I wanted to change careers and knew that bootcamps could be funded with government education vouchers. The provider near me also had a good reputation with the employment agency. The curriculum was similar to what other providers offered.
What were your experiences during the bootcamp?
Alex: My experience was mixed. The course had two major advantages: from day one, we consistently used Git, and at the end, we built a project using Next.js. Version control with Git — the whole workflow with remote branches and code reviews — is something you can’t really learn through tutorials or online courses. And with Next.js, we newbies were introduced to a very popular React framework.
What really bothered me, though, was the selection of participants. Some people in my course had no prior experience with programming and could barely use their laptops properly. That could have been filtered out during the application phase. They should have been encouraged to complete a free introductory course first, like on freecodecamp.org, before starting the bootcamp.
Anne: Looking back, I’d say the balance at my provider tipped more toward the negative side. Here’s what I didn’t like:
The course material hadn’t been updated since 2018. In tech, where things change dramatically every week, that’s an absolute no-go — and it created a huge additional workload.
The standard design tools at the time (Adobe XD and Sketch — Figma was barely mentioned) weren’t part of the curriculum. For career changers, that meant taking a second, self-taught crash course through YouTube tutorials and similar resources.
In short: lots of extra work, plenty of frustration. Without my mentor and tutor — who thankfully kept us connected to the real working world and current tech standards — I probably would have quit.
Agustina: For me, the bootcamp was exactly the right step. At first, I tried applying for jobs directly — I already had my engineering degree, four semesters of computer science, and some work experience. I even applied to farbenmeer. Even though it didn’t work out at the time, I knew: that’s where I want to be. I told myself that with a bit more experience, I’d have a real shot.
That’s the mindset I took into the bootcamp — always with the goal of trying again afterward. And that’s exactly how it happened: right after finishing, I got my dream job at farbenmeer, with amazing colleagues and exciting projects. It couldn’t have gone better. So yes, I’d absolutely take the same path again.
How ready for the job market did you feel after the bootcamp?
Alex: Hardly at all 😅
Anne: As a total UI newbie, I didn’t feel “ready” at first. But in my early 40s, with some life and work experience behind me — and knowing I’d successfully faced new and challenging situations before — I realized in hindsight that I wasready to take this step and invest the time and energy into my professional growth.
Agustina: Honestly, I overestimated myself a bit afterwards, haha. Things went really well for me during the bootcamp — I picked everything up quickly, and in the final project I thought, Wow, look at what we built in just six weeks! That really motivated me and made me feel ready. Of course, in practice I later realized there’s still a lot more to learn, but the bootcamp gave me the confidence to get started right away.
How was the response during your job search?
Alex: Surprisingly positive. Only one hiring process felt like they expected more from me than just being a good team fit and having basic skills. It was tough to find openings at the true junior level, though. I also think my background as an IT project manager helped me a lot. It wasn’t that classic transition people talk about — from carpenter to coder. I already had some “insider smell,” so to speak. Other bootcamp grads who switched careers from completely different fields had a much harder time and some are still looking.
Anne: Honestly, in spring/summer 2024 there were hardly any jobs I could apply for. I did get a couple of nice responses from HR people and recruiters who said they really liked my portfolio. But I didn’t make it into the actual interview process. According to feedback, that was mostly because I’d applied for senior positions as a junior — and my lack of experience simply didn’t match my ambitious goals.
Agustina: I’d say the response was pretty good. Sure, there were some rejections — that’s just part of it. But after two months, I had two great job offers: one from farbenmeer and another from a company focused on mental health workshops and programs in meditation, yoga, and more. Those are topics I’m personally passionate about, so that was really motivating.
How was your start in the new job?
Alex: Exciting, rewarding, and exhausting! The devs at farbenmeer are the most supportive team you could imagine. Still, the transition from bootcamp to a real job is quite a challenge. In some companies, you go through months of framework training before working on projects. At farbenmeer, everything is tailored individually — and that means you really have to understand your own learning needs and seek the right support. Learning on the job is demanding, but it’s also a huge sign of trust toward someone so new. I’m really grateful for that.
Anne: My job start went really well, mainly thanks to a socially skilled and supportive design team. They helped me fill what felt like 2,836 gaps in my Figma skills and supported my growth in day-to-day work. At the same time, they made me feel trusted from day one — confident that with a bit more polish and experience, I could build solid expertise. I’m truly grateful for that.
Agustina: Honestly, my start was much better than in my previous jobs — mostly thanks to my wonderful colleagues at farbenmeer. They’re warm, empathetic, and always supportive. Of course, at first, I didn’t always find my rhythm in the projects and had to deal with a bit of frustration because I’d overestimated myself. But things kept getting better each time, and step by step, I found my footing.
Would you recommend doing a bootcamp?
Alex: I think if you really want to work as a programmer, a bootcamp can be a good option. Many people — myself included — need that one intense learning phase and maybe a certificate that says, “Yes, I can do this!” But I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who’s already coding actively, has a portfolio site, or small showcase projects. If you can get funding through an education voucher, though, it’s definitely a great opportunity.
Anne: Honestly, that depends entirely on the provider. I can’t recommend all of them.
Agustina: I’d definitely recommend it. You can learn a lot — especially through practical, project-based work — and get a solid introduction to web development. But I’d also say: don’t expect to find a job right away afterward. It’s not a magic trick — it’s an intensive learning program that gives you skills and opens doors, but the rest is up to you: applying, networking, staying consistent. If you’re motivated and enjoy teamwork and real projects, it’s a fantastic experience.
Do you have any tips for people considering a bootcamp — or already in one?
Alex: If you’re a complete beginner or a slow learner, start familiarizing yourself with the programming languages beforethe bootcamp — for example via FreeCodeCamp, Scrimba, or Udemy. That way, you’ll spend the bootcamp reinforcing your knowledge rather than learning everything from scratch. Many participants struggle because the pace is very fast.
Anne: Considering how much the tech world has changed in recent years — it’s no longer the guaranteed safe career path it once seemed — it’s worth keeping a close eye on the job market. Is it still saturated? If yes, that’s not a disaster — but it means you’ll need either a lot of perseverance or a bit of luck to land the right job right after the bootcamp.
Agustina: Even if you don’t have prior experience, you’ll learn an incredible amount in a short time. I was so impressed by how well my fellow participants handled everything — it was amazing! Of course, they practiced a lot and explored things on their own.
I’d absolutely recommend joining a bootcamp: just give it a try, have fun, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Our group had such a great time — and you could really see that in our results. We all learned so much and made the most of our time.
The experiences of the farbenmeer juniors prove it: a bootcamp can be a springboard – but it’s not a magic solution. To succeed, you need initiative, resilience, and a strong support system.
When choosing a provider, it’s crucial to ensure that the content is up to date, hands-on, and relevant to the job market. The tech world evolves rapidly – and anyone aiming to build a career in it shouldn’t start with material from 2018. Continuous learning is part of the journey.
Tip: Since bootcamps can be quite expensive, it’s worth checking with the employment agency to see if you qualify for an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).
If you’d like to learn more about career changes into software development or UX/UI design, or simply want to have a personal chat about it – feel free to reach out directly to Alex, Anne und Agustina 😊
