Undoubtedly, computer programming or coding is becoming a popular skill to learn because of the emergence of groundbreaking information technologies. Surveys show that full-stack web developers in the US earn a median salary of over $75,000 a year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 23% growth in coding-related jobs by 2031.
The smartest professionals in today’s competitive job market are the ones who can use technology to their advantage, regardless of their job. But even if you don’t want to work as a coder full-time, a working knowledge of programming will be one of the key differentiating skills between you and other job seekers. In this article, we delve into seven reasons why learning to code is essential in our day and time. You can then decide whether or not to learn how to code.
1. You can make money while learning to code
Many people begin learning to code to show prospective employers they are resourceful, tech-savvy, and versatile. For instance, knowing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can land you a high-paying job as a full-stack digital marketer. But what if you can earn money while learning how to code? Here are a few ways you can be a novice and still make money coding:
- Apply to part-time coding jobs or internships. Better yet, look for low-pressure programming gigs on freelancing websites. Remember, you don’t have to be an expert to accept a gig. Take it as homework that comes with a check.
- Search for local businesses with terrible websites, contact them, and tell them how you can build a new website or revamp the current one and, therefore, improve their business without costing them an arm and a leg.
- Be open to hybrid or “tech adjacent” opportunities like technical writing, tech support, website theme building, QA or software testing, data entry, and social media management. These roles aren’t all about coding but can help you learn to code faster.
- Enter coding competitions. It’s a fun way to practice your skills, build your portfolio, and win cash prizes.
- Build games and apps for birthdays, family get-togethers, or even to “pop the question” and put them up for sale.
- Share your progress with friends and family and on your social media. When people know you can code, they will think of you when they need help or know someone with a programming job.
2. It opens the door to a world of possibilities
If you can read, write, and comprehend code, you are already ahead of the game. Why? Simply because not many people possess this skill set. Whether it’s to improve your career prospects or to fulfill your desire to enhance your digital literacy, there’s no limit to what you can create and contribute to the world of programming.
3. It enhances workplace productivity
When you’ve mastered the fundamentals of coding, you’ll be able to write your own programs, automate an IT process using code, access files much more quickly, and ultimately save time. In the end, you’ll be able to work more productively.
4. It improves problem-solving skills
Coding does not only equip you with the technical know-how you need for your professional growth. It also builds your capacity to analyze a problem, break it down into manageable steps, and come up with a solution. Simply put, when you learn how to code, you train your brain in creative thinking, structured reasoning, attention to detail, and logic. All of these skills are requisites for creating tangible solutions to real-world problems.
5. It boosts confidence
If you frequently work as part of a tech-savvy team, you must have a solid understanding of computer programming. No software developer will take you seriously if you don’t know how various technologies operate. No matter what niche you work in – marketing, human resources, finance – you depend on software to get the job done. Who get’s the job done? Engineers.
Speaking an engineer’s language will not only help you gain their respect and improve communication, but it will also give you the confidence to understand a problem and recommend a solution.
6. It smoothens the transition to entrepreneurship
Coding is a priceless skill to learn if you have entrepreneurial aspirations. Do you have an idea for a mobile app? When you know how to code, you’ll be able to begin with app development and make a preliminary prototype to show what you’re thinking. With your prototype, you may recruit highly qualified developers who understand your vision and take it to the next level. Additionally, you’ll be better able to predict how long each stage of development will take and how much funding will be needed.
7. It enhances interpersonal skills
Say you don’t want to build a business from scratch; you just want to work for one. While coding is not a team sport, most software development projects involve a team working together as cogs in a machine. You’ll probably collaborate with engineers, product managers, and web designers in a technological environment.
One of the many essential professional skills to learn is the ability to work well with co-workers, and what better way to develop it than through coding? Knowing how to write and understand code will allow you to wear multiple hats and be recognized as a valued team member.
Conclusion
Learning to code is a versatile skill. It sharpens your reasoning, lets you practice how to organize your thoughts in a logical and structured way, allows you to view a complex problem in a whole new way, and provides you with the confidence to craft a solution. It opens up more opportunities at your workplace and possibly gives you a new career perspective.
Contrary to popular belief, basic knowledge of coding languages is not hard to learn as you think. It also doesn’t take a long time or cost much money to learn. You can learn it online, in the convenience of your own home, and around all of life’s other commitments. Try it out, and you might end up changing your life for the better.
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