Career Development Category Archives - General Assembly Blog | Page 4

Unwrapping the Future: How Coding Bootcamps are Changing the Job Market

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individuals learning new skills at a coding bootcamp

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

‘Tis the season of giving. And the tech job market is feeling the spirit, thanks to the rise of coding bootcamps. 

Tech bootcamps are spreading joy by expanding access to quality and up-to-date tech skill training. The results?

  • The power to produce tech talent no longer lies primarily within traditional college walls.
  • An increase in the number of individuals able to enter the tech industry.
  • Hiring managers get access to a more diverse diverse pool of tech talent.  

Let’s look at how these coding bootcamps transform the job market one gift-wrapped course at a time.

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Sleigh Your Career Goals: Your Guide to Upskilling During the Holidays

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woman studying rose wrist

It’s easy to slide into the holidays one of two ways — feeling like a humbug discouraged by your job hunt or bright-eyed with ambition (I’ll have so much time!). Either way, you know you need to up your skill game and refresh your portfolio to make a new career a reality.   

Fast-forward a week to binging Home Alone and Christmas Vacation on the couch. Don’t let the short winter days lull you into stalling out — embrace the spirit of growth along with the spirit of the season. Here’s how you can sleigh your career goals this holiday season. 

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CAREER TAROTSCOPES FOR DECEMBER 2023

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A man reading about career tarotscopes for December.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes


Rebecca Szymczak, aka Cardsy B, author of The Saturn Diaries and tarot reader to the stars, consulted her cards and has tips for which signs are going to work with the expansive Jupiter-ruled energy of Sagittarius season to take big leaps ahead and which should be mindful of Mercury’s mid-month retrograde before signing new contracts. She also has insight regarding what to expect when it comes to year-end reviews.

Though we enter December in Mercury’s shadow period, we have the optimism of Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius to kick off the month before Mercury’s retrograde on December 13. It’s best to use the first half of December — particularly the time leading up to the 12.12 portal and new moon in Sagittarius on December 12 — to request needed approvals from clients and higher-ups and to finalize any pending contracts. This holiday season, more people may default to “vacay mode” earlier than usual due to the waning moon and Mercury’s retrograde, so it’s best to plan key meetings and initiatives for the first two weeks of the month. As we move into Capricorn season and toward the full moon in Cancer on December 26, it’s more important than ever to communicate clearly and follow up where needed.

Whatever your sign, growth and celebration are on the horizon. Sagittarius season serves as the expander and road opener — so read on to see what the cards have in store.

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Our Biggest Cyber Week Deals — Ever

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The holidays are here, so that means it’s time to slow down, take a break, and watch the world pass you by… right?

Not even close. We know you’re already slammed and don’t have the luxury of waiting around for your career goals to find you. We’re here to help you make them happen. 

That’s why we’re launching this holiday season with our biggest Cyber Week deals — ever. This week only, take $1,500 off a bootcamp or $500 off a short course in your local currency.* Whether your goal is to begin the new year with a new skill, or completely transform your career in 2024, think of this as your head-start.

TO ACTIVATE YOUR DISCOUNT

  1. Find your course.
  2. Start your application and jump on a call with our Admissions Team.
  3. Mention the code: Cyber-Week-2023 to activate your discount.
  4. Start your course by February 29, 2024.

We also offer a variety of financing options, so be sure to talk with your Admissions Specialist to see what you qualify for. They can make sure you find your best financing fit. We can’t wait to work with you on making 2024 your career evolution year.

*TERMS & CONDITIONS

  1. Students must be 18 years or older.
  2. Discount eligible for legal residents of the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Singapore, and Australia.
  3. Discount amount of $1,500 off a single bootcamp and/or $500 off a single short course.
  4. Discount amount applies in student’s local currency.
  5. New York residents or students attending live at the NYC campus are not eligible for the discount.
  6. Discount is applicable only for bootcamps or short courses, Paid workshops are not eligible for the discount.
  7. The discount can only be applied to one bootcamp and/or one short course per student.
  8. The discount is not available for those already enrolled in a bootcamp or short course, and cannot be applied retroactively.
  9. Prospective students must start their course by February 29, 2024 to be eligible for the discount.
  10. Discount may not be applied to non-refundable registration fee.

Feasting on Knowledge: 5 AI Trends We’re Thankful For

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woman learning about ai trends while pointing at laptop screen

Estimated reading time: 0 minutes

This Thanksgiving, as we gather around tables abundant with all our favorite foods, we reflect upon the richness that surrounds us — including the AI innovations rapidly revolutionizing how we work, live, and connect. 

Just as the holiday season brings people together, AI unites innovation and progress, offering a feast of possibilities for your career. 

Let’s take a moment to dig into the pivotal trends in tech we’re thankful for, along with actionable tips you can apply to keep pace with a hot, evolving job market.

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Celebrating Bahraini Women’s Day: Empowering Women in Tech

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How We Got There — Celebrating Women

In December, Bahrain celebrates Women’s Day to recognize the remarkable achievements and contributions of Bahraini women. In honor of this occasion, General Assembly Bahrain is organizing a series of highly anticipated panel discussions, workshops, and inspirational stories under the theme of, “How We Got There — Celebrating Bahraini Women.” 

These meticulously curated sessions will highlight the accomplishments of Bahraini women across various domains, with a particular focus on the tech industry. 

And while these sessions aim to empower and inspire women, it’s important to acknowledge that the subject matter scope often extends beyond gender. As such, all are welcome to attend and participate, regardless of gender. The discourse will encompass universal professional obstacles and provide valuable insights to a diverse audience. 

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No Degree, No Problem: How Tech Companies Are Valuing Skills Over Diplomas

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woman standing in classroom hall contemplating a career change.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes


What’s not to love about working in a technical role? There’s the prestige of helping build cool digital products that make the world more efficient and more fun. Throw in the solid pay, the flexibility of hybrid or remote work, and plenty of opportunity for growth, and it becomes clear why many want to break into these fields. 

But there’s one potential hiccup — you’re not sure you can get a tech job without a degree

We’ve got good news for you: More and more employers, especially those in tech, are shifting their approaches and hiring based on skills rather than degrees alone. And LinkedIn predicts skill-first hiring will become the gold standard — sooner than later. 

Why this shift? The growing demand for skilled workers isn’t matched by the number of degree holders and qualified workers available. In 2022, 91% of employers struggled to fill vacant positions, up by 4% from 2021’s numbers. 

To overcome these shortages, more than 45% of hiring managers on LinkedIn used skills data to fill positions in the last year, up 12% year over year.

Tech companies are leading this shift, with giants like Google, Apple, IBM, Netflix, Meta, Dell, and others dropping degree requirements for several positions. By adopting a skills-based hiring model, tech companies acknowledge the emerging methods of talent acquisition, such as talent from leading tech bootcamps like General Assembly. 

Tech bootcamps have become viable alternatives to traditional education because they provide up-to-date training on in-demand skills while offering the type of flexibility, time, and cost efficiency that are absent in conventional higher education institutions.

Let’s explore why you no longer need a degree to succeed in your dream technical role.

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CAREER TAROTSCOPES FOR NOVEMBER 2023

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student laying on couch and writing career goals in notebook.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Rebecca Szymczak, aka Cardsy B, author of The Saturn Diaries and tarot reader to the stars, consulted her cards and has tips for which signs are going to work with the transformative energy of Scorpio season to make significant changes and which should watch out the sting of the scorpion’s tale with co-workers. She also has insight regarding recognition from higher-ups that can indicate well-deserved pay increases and new positions as we approach the 1111 Portal mid-month.

November comes in with a greater sense of optimism. This shift is partly due to the holidays arriving around the corner and partly due to increased energy from the new moon in Scorpio on November 13. This new moon serves as a portal to embrace and welcome the big changes we’ve been craving in our careers since 2023 began. Look out for increased clarity and communication between the new moon on the 13 and the 1111 Portal on November 11, bringing in exciting opportunities for many of us. As we move toward the Jupiter-ruled season of Sagittarius beginning on 11/22, good news of financial increase will likely arrive. Getting clear on goals and what motivates and fulfills us is essential, as the full moon in Gemini may bring up time-sensitive decisions.

Whatever your sign, forward motion and change are guaranteed. Scorpio season serves as the cosmic changemaker —so read on to see what the cards have in store.

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How to Afford Leveling Up Your Career: Financing Options at General Assembly

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student writing about financing options in GA classroom

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes


Investing in any type of education to advance or change your career is no small step. And it’s one that requires both time and money. 

The financial element tends to be where many otherwise excited and motivated learners get hung up. When deciding to enroll in a coding bootcamp — or any other tech bootcamp — one question consistently pops up: “Is it worth it?” And it’s not just a question of worth from a general perspective. It’s also a question of financial investment. You want to know the money you’re putting in will give you the return on your investment you want and need.

At General Assembly, we like to let our students answer that question. Is taking a GA bootcamp worth it? We sure think so. And so do our grads. 

Take Luxe Hahn for example. After becoming a mom, Luxe decided to enroll in General Assembly’s Software Engineering Bootcamp. She now works as a Software Engineer at Auctane. When asked about the impact of this career change on her life now, she explained, “I’m energized and fulfilled in my career and even after a full day of squashing code bugs, I’m able to be present for my family outside of work. Not to mention the hours I’ve gotten back in my day by having a flexible hybrid work schedule.”

A career pivot to tech can be immensely impactful, but so can the financial burden to get you there. Luckily, you don’t need to finance your career change alone. At GA, you have a number of options to take advantage of when it comes to financing and tuition. 

This article provides a comprehensive look at various financing options and grants for coding bootcamps and our other tech bootcamp offerings — so you can focus more on your tech career transformation and less on cost. 

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Top 3 Transferable Skills For Your Next Career Move

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woman and man pointing at screen to talk about transferable skills.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Preparing to add that #OpentoWork label on LinkedIn? Perhaps you’ve been laid off or simply feel stuck and want to embark on something new.

Career transitions can be stressful, but they can also be overwhelmingly positive — offering a new beginning and a chance to evaluate, reset, and pivot to a more fulfilling career. 

At GA, we’re all about helping you reimagine your career in design, coding, data analytics, user experience, and more. But no matter what your next career move might be, as you inventory your priorities and assess your options, don’t forget to take stock of another critical element — your transferable skills. 

Regardless of career path, transferable skills are invaluable because you already have them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what counts as a transferable skill, and how to uncover and articulate them to match the top skills employers look for today.

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