As the world progresses in this digital era, proficiency in coding has become a necessity. Knowing how to code is becoming crucial for understanding, using, and creating technology. The significance of coding can be observed in the current job market, where the demand for individuals proficient in coding is on the rise. According to Burning Glass Technologies, approximately 20 percent of “career-track” employment opportunities in the U.S. require coding skills.
Here’s a rundown on why you should learn how to code.
The Prevalence of Coding
In today’s society, coding has become increasingly prevalent. As various industries have become increasingly dependent on technology, the demand for coding skills has also increased. The following are some industries where coding is prevalent:
- Technology: Coding is the backbone of the technology industry, with software development and web development being the most common coding applications.
- Healthcare: Coding is used to develop and maintain electronic health records (EHRs) and to create medical software for managing patient data and analyzing medical images.
- Finance: Coding is used to develop financial software for managing investments and analyzing financial information.
- Gaming: Video games and other interactive media are created through coding.
- Automotive: Coding is used to create software for self-driving cars and develop control systems for traditional cars.
- Education: Coding is used to create educational software and online learning platforms.
- Robotics and artificial intelligence: Coding is used to create software that controls robots and other machines and to develop algorithms for artificial intelligence.
That said, the job market still lacks programmers. With that, the question arises, is coding hard? Because people may assume that plays a part in the shortage of programmers.
The complexity of the language and the need to understand more than just the basic language can make coding difficult. However, there are several resources available to help people learn how to code. Online courses, coding boot camps, and even self-teaching resources can help individuals become proficient in coding.
Now that we have highlighted the prevalence of coding, let’s jump into the benefits of learning how to code
Coding Can Help You Understand Technology
Technology is ubiquitous in today’s world and is continually evolving at an astounding rate. Coding already has a significant role in this technological evolution and will become even more important as automation advances. Coding will provide you with the tools needed to become a part of the change that will shape the world in the near future. A few examples would be roles in RPA, creating software for global banks or healthcare organizations, and even improving self-driving car technology.
Coding and Programming Careers Offer Excellent Earning Potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in coding and programming offer significant earning potential. In 2021, the BLS reported the following median annual salaries for various coding and programming-related professions: Web developers ($78,300), Network and computer systems administrators ($80,600), Computer programmers ($93,000), Database administrators ($101,000), and Software developers ($109,020). It is worth noting that these figures are significantly higher than the national average salary for all occupations in 2021, which was $97,430. These statistics demonstrate that careers that involve programming, coding, or scripting skills tend to be associated with above-average salaries.
Coding Offers a Variety of Career Opportunities
The job market for individuals with coding skills is diverse and far-reaching. In addition to the technology sector, various industries such as healthcare, education, government, and social services need individuals with strong coding abilities. Non-profit organizations also require coders’ expertise to achieve their objectives across various social issues. Additionally, individuals with specialized knowledge in industries such as energy, agriculture, and telecommunications are highly sought after. For those inclined towards entrepreneurship, freelance coding work for multiple clients can be a viable and fulfilling option.
Coding Is a Universal Language
Much like the universality of mathematics, code serves as a universal language that is consistent across the world and does not require translation. A language barrier can be an obstacle when one may be transferring jobs or relocating to another country. However, the fact that coding languages are standardized globally means that the skill can be transferred to any location. Therefore, coding is one of the most versatile and transferable skills a person can possess.
Coding Can Enhance Creativity
With coding, you can take an idea and bring it to life. It also gives you the skills to break down complex problems and develop creative solutions.
For example, by knowing how to code, you can create online blogs and complex websites of your own design instead of using pre-existing templates. As an aspiring business owner, this can be an excellent way to create a strong visual identity for your brand and stand out when designing an online portfolio.
Coding can also provide many opportunities in more creative fields like graphic design, web design, and app development. As an alternative, coding is useful for non-technical positions. For example, if you are a writer and need to edit a blog layout, create a newsletter, or conduct a survey, you can use HTML or CSS.
Coding Improves Efficiency in the Workplace
Acquiring coding skills has the potential to improve one’s efficiency in the workplace. The ability to design and develop applications that automate repetitive tasks can enable individuals to focus on more complex duties. This can greatly enhance productivity and creativity in the workplace, allowing employees to make more meaningful contributions.
The Bottom Line
Employers in a variety of fields recognize the value of coding skills and are willing to reward those who demonstrate proficiency in this area. This makes possessing coding skills invaluable when you are looking to stand out and secure a great job.
Acquiring coding skills can enhance one’s problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. Aside from that, coding can be an excellent tool for fostering creativity, allowing individuals to create personal projects like websites and apps.
Overall, learning coding has the potential to provide both professional and personal benefits. It can aid in the development of a well-rounded individual with a diverse set of useful skills.
