Is a Coding Career Right for You? 10 Signs You Should Learn to Code
Are you interested in pursuing a coding career? Are you curious about how platforms like Google and Facebook function? Coding and programming can be the key to answering your questions and lead you to a rewarding career in tech. If you want to learn how to know if a coding career is right for you, read our guide below.
Coding involves using computer programming languages to give computers a set of instructions. Coding has become an in-demand skill for almost every industry. Whether you become a data scientist, programmer, systems engineer, or software developer, you’ll need to learn how to code.
10 Signs a Career in Coding Is Right For You
The tech industry is adding new jobs every day. Coding is a brilliant career, especially for people who love challenges, logical thinking, and problem-solving. Before you start on the pathway to becoming a coder, there are some things you might want to consider. Below are a few signs that a career in computer technology is right for you.
1. You Love Solving Problems
If you get excited when there is a problem to solve or a new challenge to overcome, coding might be the perfect match for you. If you are constantly finding creative ways to solve problems, programming languages and frameworks can become your tools for finding solutions.
2. You Learn New Things Quickly
Technology is constantly evolving. As a coder, you have to be able to keep up with the industry’s fast pace. It’s important to stay on top of trends and new tech. You must be ready to network with other developers to learn the latest trends, iterations, and tools.
3. You Ask Questions
If you always want to know why things are the way they are, coding is the path you should pursue. A good coder is a creative thinker who enjoys discovering how components work and innovating new ideas to improve existing technology.
4. You Like to Do Things for Yourself
When you have a personal interest in your career, it makes working fun. Coding is a skill that can be applied to many different industries. Many programmers enter the field because they enjoy solving problems independently and getting recognized for their hard work.
5. You Are an Excellent Team Player
As with most careers, coding involves collaboration. You often will work in a team with other designers, programmers, and engineers. This makes communication a key factor for any coder. Even though much of the work is independent, you will need to be able to communicate with your team.
6. You Strive for Perfection
As a coder, you can’t afford to overlook any details. Every line of code must be accurate. Programmers can also be responsible for debugging software and computer programs. If you are a perfectionist, a coding career is a great choice for you.
7. You Are a Patient Person
Coding can often be a test of patience. The work can be tedious, so you need to be patient enough to sift through the lines of codes for errors and bugs. You need to be able to keep your eye for detail, even when your work gets repetitive.
8. You Value Job Security
If job security is one of your top concerns, you probably should learn how to code. Tech jobs are experiencing a positive growth rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that tech job opportunities will increase by 11 percent by 2029. This is much faster than the average projected growth rate across all occupations.
9. You Thrive with Remote Work
Even though coding requires collaboration, you can work remotely from your home in many different jobs. Especially in recent years, many companies have transitioned to remote offices. All you need to do a coding job is a computer and a steady Internet connection.
10. You Love Technology
If you appreciate technology and are interested in how you can harness the potential of technology to solve problems, then a career in coding is a great fit for you. You can innovate the latest ideas in tech and become a forward figure in the industry if you have the right experience.
How to Start a Career in Coding: Top Tips to Get Into Programming
There are several ways you can kick-start your career as a coder. You could start with a degree in computer science or gain the necessary skills through work experience or a bootcamp. These are some things to consider as you start your coding career.
1. Decide on Your Field
You must identify why coding is essential to you and what you aim to use the knowledge for. Learning to code requires time and effort. After you have decided that you want to enter a coding career, think about the field that excites you most. It could be web development, software development, data science, mobile app development, or another field.
2. Get an Education
You can learn to code by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related subject. This usually takes four years to complete. Alternatively, you can also take online coding courses or attend a bootcamp program. These are specially designed to teach you everything you need to start your programming career. A great way to solidify the skills you learn at bootcamp or online courses is to pursue a tech apprenticeship after your program.
3. Learn a Programming Language
You should master at least one programming language. For instance, if you learn SQL, you could become a database administrator. If you master CSS and JavaScript, you could become a front end web developer, and if you learn Java or Swift, you could end up building mobile apps.
4. Practice
It’s important to be fluent in the programming languages you choose to learn. This means you must practice, practice, and practice some more. Write your own code, create something, and ask a coding peer or mentor to provide feedback. You can also find many coding communities online to help you.
5. Build a Portfolio
As you practice, put together a portfolio. As you apply for jobs, you can provide a portfolio to potential employers to showcase your skills. Remember, you are not the only candidate for a position, so examples of your work can help differentiate you from other applicants.
Is Coding a Good Career?
Coding is a great career choice. As we mentioned previously, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a positive rise in available IT jobs in the next ten years. This field offers you a wide range of opportunities, and many of them are well paid. It is an excellent way to impact the world and be well compensated.
How Much Do Coders Make?
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for computer and information technology professionals is $91,250. This is almost twice the average for all occupations. Salaries will vary depending on the complexity of the code, area of specialization, location, years of experience, and job responsibilities.
What Jobs Require Coding Skills in 2021?
- Backend Developer
- Full Stack Software Developer
- Front End Developer
- App Developer
- Web Developer
Backend Developer
Median Salary: $81,161
A backend developer is someone who builds and maintains the technology that powers the server-side components of a website Their backend code adds utility and functionality to everything the front end developer creates. These developers create, maintain, test, and debug the entire backend of the website. They also have a high average salary.
Full Stack Software Developer
Median salary: $78,967
Full stack developers design user interactions on web pages. They develop both front end and backend website architecture, which makes this a versatile and lucrative coding career. They also handle all the control and maintenance of databases, servers, and systems engineering. User experience and front end development are important parts of this job.
Front End Developer
Median salary: $75,277
A front end developer has one primary role, which is to ensure that website visitors can easily interact with a web page. They find creative ways to develop websites and complex applications using web technologies like DOM, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. They do this by combining a complex mix of design, technology, and programming skills.
App Developer
Median salary: $70,527
App developers are computer software engineers who create, test, and program applications for mobile devices. They work alongside graphic designers, data scientists, and other software experts to create applications. These web or mobile developers typically work in teams and collaborate on ideas and concepts for use by private and public enterprises.
Web Developer
Median salary: $60,259
Web developers are mostly found developing and designing websites and web applications. They use several programming languages and web technologies. Their other responsibilities include managing the site functionality, integrating security measures, and implementing web applications. Becoming a junior web developer is a great way to enter the industry.
Top 5 Coding Bootcamps to Start Your Coding Career in 2021
A coding bootcamp provides an easy and fast route to starting a career in tech. Coding bootcamps are short-term immersive training programs for aspiring programmers. They provide industry-standard knowledge and technical skills. Many of them focus on teaching people how to code in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and Ruby.
Bootcamps are much more affordable than formal education. Most bootcamps also emphasize supporting students in finding employment with good tech companies after graduation. Below is a list of the top five coding bootcamps to help you start your coding career.
Coding Career FAQ
Is coding enough to get you a job?
While having coding skills is useful, you need to make sure you also know how to apply those skills to the specific client and company needs. You must ensure you update your technical skills to match a company’s current programming requirements.
How difficult is it to get a programming job?
If you are confident in your skills, it can be easy to get a programming job. These skills can lead you to a career in a variety of industries both in and out of tech. Any company that is looking to build a website can benefit from hiring a programmer.
How difficult is it to code?
It is easy to learn how to code, depending on the language. However, just like any new skill, it can be challenging at first. It is not impossible to understand, but it will require a lot of effort and attention.
Is Python more complicated than HTML?
While Python is considered more difficult to learn than HTML, to be a successful programmer you’ll need to know both. They are both common programming languages that can be incredibly useful in the field.
