u/jcasimir wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
This is an interesting point actually. If the space for beginners and such is elsewhere, then are we saying this sub is like the yelp for bootcamps? We're talking about what bootcamps to go to or avoid, but not really about the work that one does in the bootcamp and afterwards? M
u/michaelnovati replied ·
also replying to u/GoodnightLondon
I'm seeing the market fork a bit. I'll try to make a diagram to explain my views:
Appr = apprenticeships/internships/pathways, etc...
**FAANG CANONICAL LEVELLING SYSTEM**
2018 2020 2022 2024 2026
AI-Adjacent ➡️ ⬆️ (lower than entry level "SWE" but good jobs)
Appr. ➡️ ⬆️ ➡️ ⬇️ ⏹️
Junior ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬇️ ⏹️ (top tier CS grads only)
Mid ➡️ ⬆️ ➡️ ➡️ ⬆️
Senior+ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ⬆️
So I basically see the entry to SWE but chocked off entirely - other than CS grads from top schools.
BUT I see this idea of "prompt engineers", "AI-training engineers", "people building simple things with AI tools that don't involve actual CODE".
**Bootcamps will be positioned to fill the need of those roles, the shopify developer of today might become the prompt engineer of tomorrow and bootcamps might be ideal to fill those roles.**
The problem right now is it's the chocking year and bootcamps are dying, like Rithm for example.
The best bet for survival is lay most people off, pause/shutdown, turtle up and rebuild and get ready for 2026 AI-adjacent world (e.g. Bloomtech strategy)
The next best bet is shrink down hard and run a lean and mean 2-3 person company with 20 person cohort. (e.g. Launch School)
The worst thing you can do delude yourself into think you go upmarket and can fill those Mid Senior roles and keep on chugging, but are actually producing Apprentichip and Junior engineers that have no jobs to go to.
Unfortunately all of this is **SPECULATION** and bootcamps have to make a call on what they do NOW.... very stressful times.