Courtney Grace
The need to learn coding is quickly becoming a reality for employees in every industry as tech continues to advance all kinds of roles. Learning how to code can give you a significant leg up in your current career or help you change into the wildly popular tech industry.
But where do you begin your journey to learn coding and apply it to your career (be it present or future)?
If you’re entirely new to coding and aren’t sure what it is, begin by reading Coding 101 to familiarize yourself with what it is and why it’s useful.
Now that you know what coding is, this article will break down how, where, when, and why it’s crucial now to develop this skill.
How to learn coding
In short, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to learn coding. Everyone has different schedules, learning styles, and unique needs that will help them choose the right way to learn. However, one important skill you’ll learn in your coding education is just how important it is to be a lifelong learner — with coding, there’s always something new to learn, and it’s just as important to identify how you learn best.
These are just a few of the many ways you can approach learning how to code.
Coding bootcamps.
We may be biased, but coding bootcamps have long since been proven as the most efficient way to learn a whole stack of languages that can be used to create mobile or web applications, fix bugs, or create new products.
A coding bootcamp, admittedly, is best for anyone wanting to make a career switch into something related in the tech industry like software development, software engineering, programming, or anything in cybersecurity or data science, to name a few. These are considered some of the best jobs you can get right now. A coding bootcamp education and portfolio can increase your chances of consideration.
Self-taught.
For those who want to learn coding on their own time and at their own pace, self-taught is a great option. Plus, it gives you more freedom and say over the types of skills you learn, as some may be more tailored to your specific career goals.
There are hundreds of free coding tutorials available online. With a bit of research around the types of languages you should be learning to help improve in your own field, you can likely find a free coding course that will teach you that skill. YouTube also provides excellent tutorials.
College or university degrees.
Though plenty of tech companies don’t require a college degree, not every industry has caught up with the times. Computer science degrees are useful to have, though most college curriculum focuses on larger picture principles and less on those hard skills like coding. Nonetheless, it’s a great field to consider studying in college, but bear in mind that you may be looking at a few years’ worth of time and money commitment.
Learn More: 38 Best Jobs You Can Get Without a College Degree
Where to learn coding
A big consideration to consider is where you might learn coding best. That consideration alone could influence how and when you start.
In person.
Are you someone who needs a classroom environment and an in-person instructor you can interact with regularly? Are you the type of person who needs to go to a classroom or an office setting to focus? Consider an in-person bootcamp or college course so you can separate home and work spaces.
Online.
Are you someone who likes to study from the comfort of home so you can decompress as needed? Are you better at sourcing a solution to a problem on YouTube, Reddit, or other community forums than you are at asking classmates and instructors? Online learning may be for you. Luckily, online learning is just as immersive and supportive as in-person after the COVID pandemic shifted everyone to a remote setting.
When to learn coding
While demand is still red-hot and companies are paying top dollar for talent, now’s the best time to learn coding. Over the next five to ten years, it’s not unlikely that coding will be a required skill like typing accuracy and digital literacy.
When you learn coding is really up to you — though anyone will tell you that starting out, it’s very important to do a little daily. Like any good habit you’re working to develop, it can be easy to fall off the wagon if you don’t apply a bit each day.
Why learn coding
Now that you know the how, when, and where to learn coding, let’s address the resounding “Why?”
“Why should I learn coding?”
The truth is, millions of software engineering jobs are left open every single year due to the lack of available talent. Despite great job opportunities, security, and pay, there are a lot of misconceptions about who would make a great programmer. (If you’re curious, take this quiz: Is Software Engineering for You?) That indifference leads people to not try, even if they could be really great at coding.
Engineers and developers in the tech industry are some of the highest paid individuals in the world. If you want to eventually achieve financial independence or just enjoy long-term growth in your role, you should learn coding.
Learn More: Average Software Engineer Salary
Ready to learn coding? Start today
Coding is the best skill you can learn for your future and career: point blank.
To learn more about App Academy’s bootcamp programs and the solutions we offer our students, download our Student Experience packet here.
