Coding is a hot topic right now, and it’s not just for software engineers. As technology continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, coding skills are more critical than ever before. But what if you’re not sure if learning to code would be a good idea? This blog post will discuss how to decide if becoming a coder is right for you and some of the benefits of learning coding skills.
Why You Should Learn Code: The Benefits
Many companies need developers. The demand has never been higher, and the number of open positions continues to grow. Learning code can be a great way to gain employment after college or for people looking to switch fields. The most common reason respondents have chosen their current profession is that it offers career advancement (35%). This was followed by a good compensation/benefits package offered (14%) and working with interesting technologies or solving challenging problems (12%), suggesting that being able to advance within the field may not only benefit your bank account but also feed your sense of fulfillment at work.”
How can you know if coding is appropriate for you?
You can think about learning to code if :
1. You like solving problems
If you enjoy problem-solving for the sake of issue solving, coding could be a good fit, according to developer Stephen Bly. Do you like solving puzzles, mind teasers, and breaking down complex problems into smaller logical components? If that’s the case, you might want to try your hand at coding. Daily, you’ll have to dig through lines of code to repair a defect or figure out how to use current code to construct something new. This necessitates a problem-solving mentality.
2. You enjoy learning and crafting
Learning to code is a learning process that requires you to learn new material and then apply it. Whether this means creating your website or app from scratch or tweaking an existing platform for customization, programming teaches how to absorb knowledge and use it productively.
3. You want to be a developer
While it’s true that you could go to school specifically for software development, the truth is that there are many related jobs in which coding skills can be used. For instance, if you have a knack for design and understand how code works, then learning web development may not even require additional schooling by 2021.
As an architect or designer who understands programming languages like HTML/CSS and Javascript becomes more common over time, the demand will only increase further between now and 2021.
4. You enjoy staying organized
Learning coding will require you to stay on top of all the information coming at you – whether it lectures about Python syntax or lessons about best practices when building apps – so organizing yourself well is vital. You should also be prepared for plenty of trial and error as things usually don’t work perfectly the first time around. Having good organizational skills can help keep yourself calm during these moments until everything falls into place (or close enough to it).
5. You are curious how tech works
If you are curious about how technology works or want to build your tools and apps, coding is the best way to learn. For example, knowing the foundations of HTML and CSS can help you grasp what elements make up a webpage and how they are designed.
6. You Love Working On Computer for long hours
This is a significant portion of the work. Sure, other tech jobs need you to engage with people, such as product and engineering managers. You’ll have meetings with product managers, designers, managers, and others to create a product. As a developer, though, you will be glued to your computer for long periods. Coding may not be for you if you dislike sitting at a desk and staring at a computer for lengthy periods.
Coding Might Not Be For You If
1. You are not interested in how tech works
This is not to say that you can’t learn to program just because you’re not interested in how it works. It’s possible, though, that the intricacies of coding will bore you out. You may even feel like quitting before finishing your first course or training program if it does turn out to be boring for you.
2. You are afraid of failure
It takes time and effort for developers to create software products, so there is always a chance that something could go wrong during development (and beyond). This means that as an entry-level developer (or anyone who Facebook doesn’t employ), there’s also room for error when working on projects.
3. You’re satisfied with your current job
You might not want to learn how to code unless you plan on switching careers. Learning a new skill can be difficult and time-consuming, so if your current job is fulfilling enough as it is, there’s no need for you to waste valuable time learning something else entirely.
However, understanding coding basics also demonstrates the potential ability to pick up other computer languages easily in the future – essential skills that could come into play later down the line at work or during the first interview with another company.
The benefits and challenges of learning to code
- Higher Salary
- Real-World Application
- Higher Job Opportunities
What Should You Know Before Learning To Code?
An excellent place to start is by learning about the coding process. Think about what you want in your career and how knowing to code will help you accomplish that goal. For example, do you need more creativity? Are there specific tools or programs that are hard for other people to use where it would be easier if they knew to program?
What problems does not have these capabilities create in the workplace? It’s also helpful to understand some of the skills needed when working with a developer on projects so that you can tell whether or not your current skillset could make up for this gap.
The Bottom Line
So is learning to code right for you in 2021? By now, we hope that the answer has become apparent. There are no easy answers here, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with exploring coding as a hobby or side project if you feel so inclined. But it might be worth asking yourself: Why do I want to learn how to code in 2021? If your reason falls into one of the categories above, then, by all means, go ahead!
The world needs more talented coders than ever before, and this trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
