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Internship w/ start-up or Design Bootcamp designation?

over 9 years ago from , Student Designer/ Photographer

I'm having trouble deciding between doing a paid internship or a design bootcamp call Designation (http://designation.io/learn_design) It looks like a good program. It's $2000 for 10 weeks and about 60 hours a week. I also do a lot of photo and other freelance stuff so I'm wondering if that may be an issue since they demand so many hours.

I was thinking that if I don't do the program, I could learn from teamtreehouse.com or read the A Book Apart series.

I'm still in school, I have 2 years left, studying web design/development .

Would love your opinions.

12 comments

  • Daniel FoscoDaniel Fosco, over 9 years ago (edited over 9 years ago )

    I'm currently doing the 10-week UX Design Immersive Program at General Assembly and I've worked at a startup before.

    Both are awesome experiences (GA kicks ass), but I would go for the bootcamp. You'll probably have plenty of internship/job offers after you work your ass off for 10 weeks in your portfolio, and this focused learning experience is not really something you can get anywhere else, specially not in college.

    I'm assuming this not an offer from Google or the likes.

    PS: Choose Google.

    3 points
    • Arma GetronArma Getron, over 9 years ago

      What is your GA program like?

      1 point
    • Gabriel GarridoGabriel Garrido, over 9 years ago

      How's the GA program so far? Did you have any formation prior going there? I'm really interested in applying for next year!

      0 points
      • Daniel FoscoDaniel Fosco, over 9 years ago (edited over 9 years ago )

        I'm a Publishing major that transitioned to tech. I have 2 years of design experience, but wanted to get a solid UX design foundation and portfolio to fully transition from webdesign/marketing guy to Product Designer.

        I'm on week 3, and so far the word is extensive. Even though I'm familiar with most of the topics shown, the amount of information and scope of projects makes the course live up to the Immersive tag and leave little time for horsing around.

        They cover all the steps of the design process, focus relentlessly on user testing and have a no-bullshit approach to the fact that the sole objective of the course is for you to get a job in UX. Every week they bring in design professionals for talks — and the last project is supposed to be in tandem with a real client.

        It's much more expensive than Designation (which I don't know much about tbh), but so far the experience has been flawless and worth every penny.

        EDIT: Here's the link to the syllabus for NY, where I'm attending.

        0 points
  • Oz ChenOz Chen, over 9 years ago

    Designation and other design camps will always be there, but that's not necessarily the case for your paid internship.

    Without knowing ANYTHING about your internship (which can change my response),

    my vote: Paid internship. Experience is worth its weight in gold.

    1 point
    • Will C, over 9 years ago

      I agree with Oz.C.

      Design camps will always be there and have multiple sessions. A paid internship is different.

      During my internship I completed a few projects that would of not been able to be done at a bootcamp. Also, it exposes you to a live environment for a design firm, company, etc. Day to day production is a different perspective and fun to experience.

      1 point
    • Aaron GrandoAaron Grando, over 9 years ago

      Agreed. A design bootcamp can help you boost your skills if you feel like you need it. But an internship is experience that can go on a resume under "Work".

      Having interviewed a number of folks that have come out of the GA Immersive courses, it was almost universal that the best of them had some real-world experience in their field already under their belt. YMMV, of course.

      Paid internships are somewhat difficult to find, too. Why not work the internship until you save enough to cover the design camp? Assuming since you're looking at an expensive 60hr/wk camp that you're not hurting for rent and necessities. Would be nice to have one cover the other and get the benefits from both.

      2 points
  • Cole TownsendCole Townsend, over 9 years ago

    Internship over bootcamp. There are so many bootcamps.

    0 points
  • Account deleted over 9 years ago

    Would you like to learn while paying or earning? Make your choice. Also workplace is a better school then real schools/workshops etc (at your point)

    Ah, if the startup is a s-hole don't even think stepping in. Just hang there for a week and you might understand what's going to happen to you in there.

    0 points
  • Ben LeeBen Lee, over 9 years ago

    Depends on the startup. If someone you admire wants to personally mentor you at a startup, that's a fantastic opportunity. If you were approached by one of the founders, it's most likely a ploy for cheap labor.

    0 points
    • Emelyn BakerEmelyn Baker, over 9 years ago

      What's your reasoning there?

      I'd be concerned if a young company approached me (less than 20 people) and I didn't have any face-to-face contact with the founders during an interview process. I'd argue if a founder isn't involved with the first 20 hires, that's a sign of negligence and danger.

      0 points
      • Ben LeeBen Lee, over 9 years ago

        Internships are first and foremost a way to grow and learn from those more experienced then you in your prospective field. If an individual from an early-stage startup is approaching you for mentorship, it should very well be your future mentor.

        0 points