Taking the first step down the path of becoming a technology professional is vey daunting to many of us. Maybe I was never great at math or science, or I was but it has been a long time since I’ve been since I’ve been in school. Possibly I am in tech, but don’t know about how to learn the latest cutting-edge skills. Or maybe, the thought of sitting in a classroom again does not excite me.
Independent of your hesitation, CNM Ingenuity’s Deep Dive Bootcamps might just be that first step for you down the path to a technology career. On such example of project-based learning is our Internet of Things / Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp.
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is composed of billions of connected devices that collect and share data. Increasingly our homes are turning “smart” with doorbell cameras, intelligent thermostats, connected lighting, robot vacuums, automatic irrigation systems, and even smart appliances. Our smart watches track our workouts, count our steps, and monitor our sleep. IoT is making our cities and our manufacturing facilities “smart.” With the availability of cheap computer chips and a ubiquitous wireless network, it is possible to turn anything into a smart connected device. The Internet of Things is merging our physical and digital worlds. It is making the fabric of the world smarter and more responsive to our needs.
Project-based Learning
Unlike a traditional classroom or online learning, the Deep Dive Bootcamps teach a concept and then have you immediately apply it to a real-world situation. While many of the Internet of Things students come into the class with only basic math and experience with electronics and/or programming, within days they are learning trigonometric functions and coding techniques that allow them to create a variety of visual light effects. The learn and apply advanced techniques that allow them to make smart door locks or monitor the rooms temperature and air quality. Throughout the course, they build knowledge and skills that enable them to make a smart room controller and a smart houseplant watering system. Their training cumulates in a individual or small team capstone project to their choosing. Students have converted energy from the “wind” made by a passing car to power environmental monitory, created devices to monitor a baby’s breathing in the crib, forest fire detection, and search and rescue devices, as well as digital art installations.
By immediately applying the classroom knowledge to projects, big and small, seemingly incomprehensible topics are grasped and students rapidly gain coding, electronics, 3D design, and rapid prototyping skills over the course of 10 weeks. And, many of the students quickly land in technology roles, either with employers or for themselves as entrepreneurs. It is not uncommon for students to double their pre-bootcamp salary when they graduate.
Dream Big, start small and scale fast!.
The bootcamp experienced was summered up by one of our employer partners:
“(The Internet of Things Bootcamp) is unique because the students are getting “hands on” experience with IoT at the grass roots level. It’s learning the IoT skill while at the same time you are learning about this new technology in a strategic context as well. I am also very impressed by the student’s projects using IoT to solve real world issues—that’s how we all win in the IoT environment. I think most people get IoT at the strategic level but then wonder, “how do we use it to make improvements in our processes, how do we get started, etc.?” That’s where IoT Bootcamp is so strong and valuable…you are using your knowledge/skills to save real world problems. It’s a perfect match to my IoT recommendation: Dream Big, start small and scale fast!.”
H. Brent Baker Sr., Maj Gen (Ret), USAF
VP of World Wide Industrial Markets at PTC
Are You Ready To Get Started On Your Tech Career?
While the above highlights the Internet of Things, the same applies to our other bootcamps: Full Stack Web Development, Java + Android, User Experience / User Interface Design, Digital Media, and Data Science. And, we continue to add more offerings to help you get into the latest technology fields.
Start your journey at: https://deepdivecoding.com/bootcamps/
