AI Bootcamp vs Coaching:
Which Path Gets You Hired?
You've decided you need structured help to break into AI. Smart move.
But should you invest $10K+ in a bootcamp or take a different path? Let's compare honestly.
AI Native Engineer Community Access
Two Paths. Big Investment. High Stakes.
How Do You Choose?
Bootcamps cost $10,000-$17,000. That's a huge investment if it doesn't work out.
12-26 weeks is a long commitment. What if the pace doesn't fit your situation?
Generic cohort curriculum might not address YOUR specific skill gaps and background.
The Right Choice Depends on Your Situation.
The AI Career Accelerator
Bootcamps and coaching both work, but for different people. The key is understanding what each offers and honestly assessing which fits your background, learning style, and goals.
Assess Your Background
How much do you already know? What are your gaps?
Compare Approaches
Generic curriculum vs. personalized roadmap
Choose Your Path
Pick what fits your situation, not what sounds impressive
Meet Your Mentor
When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.
My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.
I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.
I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.
Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months
"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.
I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."
What You Will Get
Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy
A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.
Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls
Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.
Portfolio-Ready AI Projects
Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.
Interview Prep & Mock Interviews
Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization
Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.
Community Career Support
Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.
The Longer You Deliberate, the More You Lose
Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.
I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of AI bootcamps?
Bootcamps offer structured curriculum (no decision fatigue), cohort community and peer support, brand recognition on your resume, comprehensive coverage from basics to advanced, and career services (resume review, interview prep). They're ideal for career changers who need complete structure and benefit from learning in a group environment.
What are the advantages of 1:1 coaching?
Coaching offers personalized curriculum for your specific background, 4+ hours of direct expert access monthly, flexible pacing (not locked to cohort speed), focused attention on YOUR skill gaps, and often lower total cost ($3K-$6K vs $10K-$17K). It's ideal for people with transferable skills who need targeted guidance rather than starting from scratch.
How do costs actually compare?
AI bootcamps typically cost $10,000-$17,000 for 12-26 weeks. 1:1 coaching programs typically range from $3,000-$6,000 for 90 days. Both can pay for themselves through increased salary, but the coaching path has lower upfront risk. Consider also the opportunity cost of time: 26 weeks in a bootcamp vs. potentially 12 weeks of focused coaching.
Who should choose a bootcamp over coaching?
Choose a bootcamp if: you're a complete beginner with no technical background, you need maximum structure and can't self-direct, you value cohort community and peer learning, you want the brand recognition of a known program, or you have 12-26 weeks to dedicate full-time or near full-time.
Who should choose coaching over a bootcamp?
Choose coaching if: you have transferable technical skills (SWE, data science, etc.), your situation doesn't fit a generic curriculum, you want faster results through focused attention, you value personalized guidance over group learning, you're working full-time and need flexible pacing, or you want lower upfront investment with stronger guarantees.
What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?
You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.
Do I need prior experience for bootcamps vs. coaching?
Bootcamps typically accept beginners and follow a fixed curriculum from basics to advanced. Coaching works best when you have some technical foundation (programming experience, adjacent skills, or partial ML knowledge). If you're a complete beginner with no coding experience, a bootcamp's structured curriculum might serve you better. If you have transferable skills, coaching can be more efficient.
How much time do I need to commit?
Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.
How does coaching compare to bootcamps specifically?
Bootcamps give you a fixed curriculum, cohort community, and brand recognition, but limited 1:1 time (around 2 hours/month). Coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, 4+ hours of 1:1 time monthly, and direct access to someone who hires AI engineers. Bootcamps are better for people who need complete structure. Coaching is better for people who need personalized guidance.
What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?
Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Can I do coaching after a bootcamp?
Yes, and some people do. Bootcamp for foundational knowledge, then coaching for job search strategy and positioning. However, if you already have technical skills, you might skip the bootcamp entirely and go straight to coaching. That's often more cost and time efficient.
Ready to Land Your AI Role?
Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.
30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available