The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of software development roles in the job market will increase by 25% between 2021-2031, making the ability to code one of the most in-demand skills around.
If you don’t have a lot of experience with programming but feel left behind without any, it can be daunting to get started. All that complicated-looking code might seem arcane. But is it difficult to pick up the skill from nothing? Here’s what we can tell you about what’s in store for you and the benefits of learning to code.
Is coding hard?
When you come to anything as a complete newbie and compare yourself to seasoned veterans, the gap can feel insurmountable. While learning to code is a skill that takes practice like any other, though, it’s not inherently more complicated than teaching yourself about marketing or learning to play the guitar.
It’s a skill that is accessible to people of all ages, with plenty of instructional courses available as well as handy tools that enable learning. After all, with programming being such an in-demand skill, there is also no shortage of people incentivized to help you to learn it.
It develops problem-solving skills
A key aspect of coding is breaking down a larger project into a series of smaller tasks – compartmentalizing your thinking while building an end product as a whole. When something doesn’t work as intended, you’ll learn to apply that way of thinking to your work as you check for the small error that’s had larger consequences. In this way, learning how to code will also develop skills that you can apply elsewhere in your life.
It encourages creativity
The scope of what you can do with code is incredibly broad. If you’ve seen it online, you can do it with code – and much more besides. The lessons that you learn can be applied to almost any idea that you have in mind, so it’s a great way to create something that you’d like to see in the world!
You don’t need to be a full-time software developer to make use of coding skills, either. It’s a useful string to the bows of writers, graphic designers and other creative professionals if their work is ever hosted online – and, let’s face it, that’s all of you these days.
It can transform your career prospects
As we’ve seen, demand for the ability to code is only set to rise even further, and even a casual ability to dabble in it could help to make your CV stand out from others. It’s arguably the most useful skill that you could develop from a professional point of view. There is a huge community of experts and newbies out there ready to share knowledge and ideas, so don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with them!
