‘I think everyone should learn how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think’
OK, so Steve Jobs knew a thing or two about coding.
But you don’t have to be a programming expert to see how technology is changing the world around us. The basic knowledge of coding languages is becoming a fundamental digital literacy – and one which might not be as hard to learn as you think.
To find out more, we spoke to Nell Campbell of the Learning People, one of the UK’s biggest providers of digital qualifications, who gave us seven great reasons you should consider learning to code:
1. You’ll improve your career prospects
First and foremost, learning to code will help get you hired.
Almost every industry imaginable is crying out for Developers, and not enough people currently have the skills they need to get ahead.
In fact, studies show that over the next five years an additional 800,000 workers with digital skills will be needed to meet the rising demand from employers in Europe alone.
Learning to read, write, and understand code will instantly help put you ahead of the curve.
2. You’ll earn more money
Coding is an extremely lucrative industry – partly because it’s facing such a huge skills shortage.
Starting salaries for Junior Developers usually come in at around £30k, which only increase as you add more coding languages to your arsenal and build your experience.
As you progress, your skills won’t just be in high demand – they’ll become invaluable. And with Senior Developers earning £65k+ and rising, you’ll never feel underappreciated in coding.
3. You’ll keep your credentials fresh
From 2015 onwards, learning to code became part of the national curriculum.
Not only does that mean that the workforce of the future is already setting themselves apart, it also means that words like Java, Ruby and Python will start creeping their way into everyday conversations and, if you have kids, worse – their homework.
Having a basic knowledge of coding will help ensure you’re able to keep up. At the very least, it will mean you actually know what they’re talking about…
4. You’ll be able to travel
As a Web Developer, you’ll have the opportunity to freelance. And with freelancing, comes freedom.
You’ll still have meetings and deadlines, but you’ll have the autonomy to manage your own schedule, and choose to work on the projects which you’re most passionate about.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take your skills to destinations around the world – a great way to get away from the traditional nine to five (see also: fund your travels).
5. You’ll improve your problem solving
If you’ve never considered coding, it can be easy to form misconceptions.
But rather than being a set of indecipherable symbols only understood by techies, you might be surprised to learn than it’s much more about finding solutions for issues than coming up with complex algorithms that 99% of people won’t understand.
To put it simply, if you enjoy asking questions and solving problems, you’ll gain great satisfaction from a career in web development.
6. You’ll have more than a day job
With coding, the more curious you are, and the more you want to learn – the better.
A great Developer is inherently inquisitive, and never stops looking for new opportunities to build their skills, even outside of working hours. And with a less rigid working day, you’ll be able to dedicate more time to any side projects you’ve got going on.
So whether you want to add some customisations to your blog, build a website from scratch, or even develop a brand new mobile app, you’ll have the skills to pursue your passion.
7. You’ll never stop learning
Finally, learning to code is a continuous process.
Because the technology is always changing, there are always new skill to pick up and languages to learn. If you’re someone who loves learning new things and pushing yourself forward, then you’d make a great developer.
Need three more reasons? It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s easy to pick up. And if you’re not interested in something that has those credentials, we’re not sure we can help you…
Why study with the Learning People?
The Learning People is one of the UK’s leading providers of IT and coding qualifications.
They partner with some of the biggest names in tech, including CompTIA and Cisco, and use their expertise to ensure your training is always up-to-date with the latest industry trends – meaning you develop skills that are actually in demand right now.
And, as all of the training they provide is industry recognised and delivered by expert tutors, you’re guaranteed to get dedicated support whilst you study.
Other benefits of studying with the Learning People include:
- They’re tech career experts
- 50,000+ students worldwide
- Alternative to traditional university education
- Most in-demand skills for today’s job market
- Award winning StudentCareTM
- Partnered with biggest accreditors in the world
- Exclusive student benefits; CV detox, NUS, industry events & more
To find out more about getting certified, talk to The Learning People today.
The Learning People are leaders in providing careers in tech, through professional online education; specialising in world-class certifications in coding, project management, IT, cyber security and digital marketing.
