Even outside of the technology sector, there are a rising number of jobs that are reliant on knowledge of computer code, with eight of the top 25 opportunities this year requiring some form of programming understanding.
Even back in 2015, seven million job openings were in occupations or positions that required coding skills, with this type of employment role growing 12% faster than the market average.
In this post, we’ll look at how you can start a career in programming and optimise your earning potential in the digital age.
1. Online Courses
While coding may be a specialist skill, it’s one that’s widely taught across a broad range of online courses.
For example, you can visit the Codeacademy platform, which is an interactive learning site where you can learn to code completely free of charge.
You can also learn a huge range of popular languages through this interactive platform, including Python, CCS, Ruby on Rails and the world-renowned HTML.
Other prominent examples include Coursera, Udacity and Udemy, so be sure to appraise these various courses in more detail online and compare the market before you make an informed decision.
2. Experiment With a Raspberry Pi Kit
If you’re more of a hands-on learner, you may be better served by gaining practical experience of coding through an accessible device or computer.
One of the best devices for this particular purpose is the Raspberry Pi, which is essentially a low-cost, credit-card sized computer that can plug directly into a computer monitor or smart television.
Specifically designed for kids and younger users, these devices can be easily and freely purchased online, while they enable individuals to explore computing and learn the basic principles of coding in languages such as Python and Scratch.
Incredibly, it’s also more than capable of doing everything that you’d expect from a standard desktop computer, from browsing the Internet to playing games. As a result, it serves as a multipurpose personal computer that offers excellent value for money, while its merit as an educational tool is incredibly hard to ignore.
3. Find a Mentor
Not only can it be daunting to learn coding in the first place, but it’s also a lonely pastime (or profession) that demands the guidance and the experience of others.
With this in mind, why not seek out an advisor or mentor, who has experience of coding and access to a broad network of professionals with similar and associated skill sets.
Over time, this type of individual can prove to be worth their weight in gold, particularly if they’re also willing to provide you with opportunities to work and help channel your innate passion and determination.