Within the last couple years, we’ve seen a heightened awareness of coding and its importance in today’s world. Figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are portrayed to be overnight success stories all because of coding. Is the potential of being a millionaire reason enough to learn to code? Sure, but any of those guys would tell you it wasn’t that kind of cookie cutter story.
Regardless of your chances of becoming an overnight success, I am convinced that coding is important. It should be a skill taught everywhere, to everyone. Sure we won’t all like to be electricians or plumbers. But, knowing how to fix a pipe would certainly come in handy at some point. Knowing how to code, how to build that app you need, how to personalize your automation system, knowing why an app does what it does is a priceless skill. Wanting to ‘own’ the tech company is frankly not enough. You should know how to get your hands dirty in some code also, and here are 5 reasons why:
- Coding enhances your critical thinking skills
Before writing any piece of code, the coder is forced to sit and think about the problem, derive possible solutions and then determine the best one. The risks, the outcomes and the consequences of the possible solution is assessed, then a judgment is made based on the needs and requirements of the solution. This is everything needed to develop, grow and exercise critical thinking skills.
- You learn patience
Nobody needs more patience than a programmer. Sometimes your code works, sometimes it doesn’t, and the truth is we hardly ever know why. This, in my opinion, is the greatest feat of the programmer. Coding takes time to evolve into the product you envision. Have patience and keep at it.
- Coding opens up a world of opportunities
Coding is international. Learn to code and you work anywhere in the world, literally. Banks, Government agencies, Oil companies all need programmers. Technology is everywhere, every company has IT operations at its core, and if it doesn’t? Well, it probably time-travelled from 1989. Opportunities are out there, but I’m not saying it’s easy, you need to be goooood if you wish to land a high paying tech job.
- Coding can be the solution to many of your problems
Hate filling out forms with the same information every day? Tired of redundant Excel tasks or need to optimize your grocery shopping? Well, there can be an app for that, and YOU can build it. You’ll have the freedom to build an app that is perfect for you and solves your needs. How about one single app that does everything you need to do?
- A robot will soon replace you
It’s 2017, and if you have not heard about Alexa, or Echo, or Siri, then you’re either no longer alive or hold the record for the longest living person on earth. Basically, robots are already in our homes, here are a few to start. Robots are affordable and in the palm of our hands. If you’re thinking, you don’t own a robot, just wait until that smartphone in your hand uses AI technology like you’ve never known. BBC is happy to tell you if a robot will take your job soon. If your results are good, then learning to code can make you even better and more valuable at your current job. If not, then you should start coding to learn to manipulate those same Robots planning to take your job.
If those five reasons, aren’t enough to convince you to learn to code. Then, I’d take it that you already have a master plan to still be relevant in the workforce in 20 years, and that plan must be Genius. If you’re convinced however, here’s a bonus of 5 online resources through which you can learn to code without stepping foot in a classroom:
Go forth and Code!
Anonymous says:
You make me want to learn to code.