From home; from a coworking space; from a cafe. Because of the nature of the job, you can be a productive software engineer from anywhere. And a growing number of aspiring and current software engineers prefer it that way, according to Hired’s annual software engineering study, which indicates that nearly 40% of software engineers applying to open roles are looking only for fully remote opportunities.
Because as many as 36 million people in North America are projected to be working remotely by 2025, companies have taken note, often expanding remote work opportunities for their teams and new hires, especially considering recent data around increased remote employee productivity and retention.
Training to become a professional software engineer in a fully remote coding bootcamp will set you up for career success in this increasingly remote-first world. Your online coding bootcamp experience will demonstrate to employers that you know how to get the job done from wherever you are – and all the while, you’ll be able to capitalize on the many personal and professional benefits of remote work.
Learning remotely leads to better remote work
Many of our coding bootcamp graduates are currently working in fully remote or hybrid roles. Graduates like Amanda Kheim, a Software Development Engineer at the renewable energy company Generac Grid Services, said that “going through the Hack Reactor program remotely helped me get more comfortable with working in that kind of setting.”
We’ve designed our curricula, class, and project schedules to mirror typical real-world professional team environments that give you the experience you’ll need to join and succeed on a team (remote or not) upon graduation. Having the ability to collaborate, take direction, and work on projects online are important skills to have as remote work grows in popularity across industries. Even if you don’t personally end up working remotely, others on your team might, so training for the job through a remote-first lens will help you be a more productive teammate regardless of where you do your own work.
Perks of remote software engineering jobs, including potentially higher pay & better work/life balance
No matter where you live, you can broaden your job search to include open remote roles across locations. This expands possibilities – and often expands earning potential – beyond zip code. According to Hired, “remote roles command higher salaries than local roles, especially in small markets.”
For many, remote work also allows for avoiding lengthy (and sometimes stressful) commutes. This is the case for bootcamp graduate Andy Lei, now a Jr. Backend Engineer at Deliverr, who works fully remotely.
“I find this situation to be ideal, mainly because I save so much time not having to commute. I live in the Bay Area and I will do everything in my power to avoid being stuck in rush hour traffic,” he said.
No commute is one part of achieving an enhanced sense of work/life balance. Another is the ability to focus on work in an environment that may not have as many distractions as a traditional office setting.
“I find that I’m really productive working remotely. I can create a comfortable work environment that suits my needs and allows me to focus on my tasks without distractions,” said graduate Cise Babatasi, now a Software Engineer at Thryv.
For graduate Meka James, a better work/life balance achieved through her remote role at cybersecurity company Intrusion allows her to be more present for her loved ones.
“My schedule allows me to be there for my family when needed,” she said during a recent interview.
Working through remote work challenges
After years of working in the service industry, which required his in-person participation on a demanding schedule, graduate Anthony Psyk looked for a remote role after finishing his coding bootcamp. He’s now working remotely as a Software Engineer at HealthNote.
“Remote work was something that I specifically wanted to get into. I think after working seven years at an in-person job, it’s a complete 180, and that was intentional. I wanted to really change things up and try something new,” he said. “It’s exciting and challenging.”
One challenge our graduates mention about remote work is communication, which some found easier to establish and maintain in in-person work settings. But Cise Babatasi notes that achieving quality communication and bonding with coworkers is very possible while working remotely – it just takes effort.
“Communication can sometimes be a bit more difficult when you’re not working in the same physical space as your colleagues,” she said. “However, I find that regular check-ins and using tools like Slack and Zoom help to keep everyone on the same page.”
To help you prepare for these challenges, we put a significant focus on building a strong coding bootcamp community in each and every cohort of students.
“We set the tone and expectations for collaboration by emphasizing the importance of mutual support and respect,” said Galvanize Cohort Lead Annah Patterson. “I encourage students to get to know each other and build rapport, as well as instill a sense of responsibility for each other’s success.”
This highly collaborative approach sets the stage for our graduates to move into their new careers with the confidence that they’ll be able to build meaningful connections with leadership and peers, no matter their work environment.
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As more and more software engineers seek out remote roles, and increasing numbers of companies embrace a remote-first approach, now is a great time to think about a future in which you can take advantage of the many benefits of working as a remote software engineer. This future includes a wider range of job possibilities, the potential for higher pay, greater daily flexibility, and increased focus, among other things.
To get started, apply to one of our Hack Reactor Coding Bootcamps. Start learning in a fully remote environment that will prepare you for your new career.
