Dads Who Code Spotlight

Making a career shift can be risky — especially when you have a family to help support. But training for roles in the tech industry can provide a pathway for career-switchers to join a growing and lucrative field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that computer and information technology jobs overall will increase by 11% between 2019 and 2029. Software developer jobs in particular are projected to grow by 22% during that period, according to BLS data.

The BLS also reports that computer and information technology positions paid a median annual salary of $91,250 in 2020. Jobs such as computer and information research scientists, computer network architects, and computer programmers paid median annual wages of $89,190-$126,830 that year — much higher than the median annual wage for all occupations.

Coding bootcamps provide the chance for individuals to learn new tech skills within months, preparing them to pursue a career change or advancement. Students can opt for part-time or full-time bootcamps, and can find online bootcamps or programs that operate in person.

As Dane Hale — father of three and veteran software developer — discovered: learning to code can definitely be a full-time commitment, but it can also lead to more career flexibility and a better balance between work and family life.

Nashville Software School has helped train future software developers in Nashville since 2012. Students can learn software development, UX/UI design, data analytics, and data science with curricula influenced by feedback from Nashville employers.

Over 1,450 alumni, including Hale, have graduated from Nashville Software School. Hale enrolled soon after the bootcamp launched. The project-based bootcamp challenges students to put their skills into practice. “They did a great job introducing me to concepts in software development and having projects to prove I knew those concepts,” Hale says.

Part of the bootcamp includes career support services, where software developers teach and advise students, Hale explains. The career development team also prepares students for the hiring process through mock interviews and resume development.

“That prepared me to take on Nashville and put what I learned from those lectures to use across the city,” he says. Graduates of Nashville Software School have launched careers at companies like AllianceBernstein, Aspire Health, Eventbrite, and FortyAU.

Bootcamps require a major time commitment, whether you enroll part time or full time. Nashville Software School’s bootcamp takes 3-12 months to complete. Hale, who spent six months learning to code, says the journey was worthwhile — and more attainable than one might think.

“It was a very hard and rewarding journey getting into software development and growing in this industry,” he says. “If you have any passion around software development at all — even if it’s just being curious about it — and you are miserable at your job, take a leap of faith and jump in.”

Nashville Software School makes tech training more accessible by offering bootcamp loans through Ascent and Climb Credit. Students can also enroll in payment plans or use their GI Bill® benefits. The Nashville Opportunity Tuition plan also lets students defer their tuition until they find a job. Bootcamps at Nashville Software School typically cost $7,500-$12,500, which is less expensive than the average cost of a bootcamp (around $13,500).

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp.