Why Everyone Should Learn to Code
Image by Apple
Note: This story was written by Holly Zbierski
Coding skills are becoming increasingly valuable as humans grow more dependent on rapidly advancing technology. It is now to the point where jobs that do not utilize technology to its extent are a minority, which is astonishing considering the first functioning modern computer was created in 1938 and the Internet itself was only just born in 1983. Nevertheless, the capabilities of computers have developed at such a rapid pace that their uses and applications are nearly endless, infiltrating all kinds of job fields and occupations. Because of this, it is in everyone’s best interest to learn how to code if they do not have these skills already.
“Coding teaches you how to think.” -Steve Jobs
Overall, coding is a pattern of being given a problem, trying a solution, making mistakes, and then iterating the code until the program works as intended. What may seem like a simple process can offer very valuable skills regarding critical thinking through its practice.
Initially, problems are always broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces, a helpful approach to problem-solving that is easily transferable to other areas of life; using logic to methodically plan out the steps necessary to reach an end goal is a great habit to get into. Then, there is a surprising amount of flexibility in how an individual may want to tackle each piece of a problem. Despite how it may seem at first, coding actually provides the opportunity for a lot of creativity because there are typically many different ways to solve a given problem. When it comes time to run the program to test it, mistakes are natural and nearly essential. It is through these mistakes that the real learning is achieved. Becoming comfortable with making mistakes, not dwelling on them for long before continuing with the work and looking for a new solution is one of the greatest lessons one can take away from coding.
Your Job Can Be Made Easier Through Coding
Even if someone does not plan on having a technical job one day or is happy in the non-technical position they are in, they can still benefit from knowing how to code. Mark Billion, entrepreneur and software architect, works as a business professional: a position that would not require coding experience. However, because he had coding experience, he was able to automate menial tasks and advertising algorithms, which saved him a considerable amount of time and money. His story is just one example of how knowing how to code, in any job or field, can save workers resources and time by essentially outsourcing some tasks to their computer. Business owners especially see themselves increasing profits by being able to handle things like their website and advertising in-house instead of having to pay someone else to take care of it. Additionally, an individual not working in a job with computers themselves, but working on a team with or having employees that do, could also see positive effects from learning how to code such as helping to communicate better with them, being able to offer more specific advice, or setting more realistic suggestions or deadlines. No matter one’s field, position, or level of previous experience, everyone can learn to code and reap the benefits!
Coding Opens Doors
Perhaps the most obvious reason everyone that is able should learn how to code is the multitudes of job opportunities made available solely by this one simple resume addition. Essentially all jobs of the future center around technology and/or computing — and even those that do not center around it will most likely still have something to do with it. Therefore, people with programming skills are very desirable and in demand right now and will continue to be for a long time.
Aside from the typical jobs that require programming knowledge like data analysts, information technology (IT) professionals, and software engineers, there are plenty of openings in industries not specifically related to tech. In the sciences and health fields, chemists, environmental scientists, and medical researchers have been known to need programs for simulating real-life events and visually analyzing data results. Marketing is also a big area in which the importance of coding skills is increasing for jobs like content marketers, digital marketing analysts, and growth hackers. Other fields people may not suspect have positions that greatly value programming skills are the humanities and arts, for technical writers and instructional, graphic, web, and user experience (UX) designers. Clearly, learning a programming language opens doors and makes the search for a job less of a daunting task because this knowledge is so broadly applicable to nearly any discipline.
Not to mention, the salaries of jobs that require coding skills is an average of up to $22,000 more than those that do not. Burning Glass reports that 49% of jobs in the top income quartile, above $57,000 per year, are in occupations that commonly require coding skills. Some people would sacrifice a high-paying salary like these to pursue a career in something they love instead, but others may consider money a higher priority and find these numbers very alluring. Either way, there is definitely common ground to be found where a job can be found in a desired field with the pay that comes along with needing coding experience for it, as demonstrated by the aforementioned array of opportunities in all kinds of different industries. All in all, having coding skills proves to potential employers that an individual is valuable and deserves a salary in accordance with that, leveling up their earning potential.
Sources:
https://www.burning-glass.com/research-project/coding-skills/
https://www.codecamp.com.au/blog/five-careers-where-coding-skills-will-help-your-kids-get-ahead
https://www.fastcompany.com/3060883/why-coding-is-the-job-skill-of-the-future-for-everyone
https://www.homeschool.com/articles/5-ways-coding-encourages-logical-thinking/
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/blog/why-learn-to-code/