Software engineering is one of the most sought-after career paths, and there are many people showing interest in learning how to code today. This means that the job market is highly competitive, and while you may have the right academic qualifications or skills, most recruiters are looking for people with considerable experience to join their team.
One of the best ways to gain experience as a software engineer is through fellowship programs.
Software engineering fellowship programs are a fantastic way of learning and, in most cases, getting paid as well! They tend to run anywhere between a couple of months to a year and equip you with the right skills to at least land you an entry-level position.
If you are considering a career in software engineering or looking for a place to hone your skills, here are some irrefutable reasons why you should join a software engineering fellowship program.
Hands-On Experience
Software engineering fellowships are the ideal boot camps that provide practical experience as fellows will be tasked with several responsibilities to help them develop the skills and expertise needed to excel in a job position.
Coding boot camps teach participants different programming languages, how to build and maintain software systems, and so much more.
The best part about these fellowship programs is that you get to learn to code, even if you have little to no prior experience.
An excellent example of an ideal software engineering fellowship is Fellowship at The Bulb. This program teaches fellows from scratch, engage them in group projects, and help them build and launch real products.
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It Will Build Your Network
For many software engineers, having a great network of colleagues is just as important as gathering skills, and joining a fellowship gives you both.
Coding fellowship programs expose you to a vast array of established leaders that will offer mentorship, personalized training, and other networking opportunities. Fellows are often connected with world-class programmers, speakers, executives, and fellowship alumni that provide insights and a front-row seat on how the industry works.
This exposure allows fellows to build relationships that can even lead to a new job!
Besides being connected with industry experts, being a part of a fellowship cohort also helps you network with peers from different backgrounds who could help with projects and the overall learning process.
These peers could also become colleagues, partners, teammates, employers or clients in the future.
It makes Learning Interesting
While there are many success stories on self-taught software engineers, studies show that most people tend to learn faster when they are in a group.
When learning how to code on your own, it is easy to get confused or overwhelmed as you go further, especially due to the vast amount of information available. It may also be difficult to easily find answers to questions on topics that may be hard to understand.
This is why software engineers tend to prefer having a network of skilled coders with similar interests.
In fellowship programs, you are surrounded by tutors, mentors and peers who could offer learning tips and advice. These programs have refined curriculums that weed out unnecessary information and focuses on relevant topics that help fellows build and launch innovative products. This creates a fast-learning environment and reduces the chances of getting overwhelmed.
Fellowship programs also boost accountability as colleagues help each other stay creative, motivated and on track by reminding each other to complete assignments and projects.
Additionally, when explaining concepts to others during group discussions, your learning process is faster and more interesting, as it helps you internalize what you’ve learned. Coding boot camps also teach fellows how to collaborate and work in a team, which is a much-needed asset for software engineers.
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Professional Development
While the primary aim of software engineering fellowships is to teach you everything about software engineering, it doesn’t end there.
Soft skills like communication or public speaking play a considerable role in whether or not a recruiter will hire an applicant.
To set their fellows apart from the crowd, most fellowships offer professional development opportunities by teaching grant writing, leadership, management, organizational, research and interpersonal skills. They also ensure that fellows attend and participate in tech conferences and seminars from across the globe.
Incentives
Software engineering fellowships are known to offer monetary benefits in the form of salary or grants for the duration of the program. The stipends tend to be as high as a full-time job.
This means that fellows can be fully focused on learning without being distracted by a job. Asides from financial support, some fellowships also offer incentives like relocation grants, housing and health insurance. Others may cover the expenses associated with a fellow’s professional development, such as the cost of attending a seminar.
However, some fellowships may be tuition-based or unpaid. Nevertheless, fellows who choose to proceed with this kind of fellowship will still benefit from learning from tutors and networking with great minds.
Personal Confidence
Like earning a degree, graduating as a software engineering fellow from a prestigious organization goes a long way in enhancing your portfolio and ultimately boosts self-confidence.
This is because these fellowship programs are well equipped to provide all the needed training, skills and mentoring needed to scale in job roles.
Thus, as a fellowship alumnus who has worked with teams from diverse backgrounds, you will be confident in your skills and motivated to take on leadership positions at major institutions.
Employment opportunities
Fellowship programs put you in the right environment and on the right track to land you an entry-level job!
As stated earlier, fellowships expose you to an extensive network of mentors, speakers and tutors who are expert software engineers. It also places you in the midst of like-minded colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
For a lot of fellowship alumni, this alone has given them fantastic jobs in several industries.
Beyond networking, graduating from a renowned fellowship program puts you above the rest and increases your chances of getting hired. In fellowship programs like Fellowship at The Bulb, exceptional fellows are offered employment in-house, and The Bulb works closely with others to ensure they are offered full-time jobs in less than three months after graduation.
Conclusion
Software engineering fellowships are an excellent way to learn and launch your career in any industry of your choice. As most fellowships offer financial support and no mandatory prior knowledge on coding, fellows can go in as novices and graduate as professional software engineers, ready to take on full-time roles. Software engineering fellowships are a great way to gain practical experience, network, and boost your portfolio.
