Coding has gone from seeming like a form of mystical magic to a skill taught around the world to children and adults. No longer seen as some unattainable skill reserved for scientists and wiz-kids, coding is gaining popularity across a wide range of industries and communities. Here’s why you should join the thousands of people who have made coding their latest hobby.
Learning at Your Leisure
Coding can be learned from the comfort of your own home – all that’s required is a computer and, in most cases, an internet connection as well. Adults and children can attend classes online, through Meetup groups, and with a private instructor. You can also learn coding according to your learning style. Visual learners will find YouTube videos extremely helpful, while those who retain information easily can access hundreds of articles about the subject online. Kids have even more choices for learning to code and can even attend a fun after-school program at an organization like ours – the Coder School – which specializes in introductory coding.
Job Opportunities
The importance of technology has been evidenced in the growth of STEM jobs throughout the past couple of years, and it shows no signs of slowing in the future. Software engineering, web development (front and back-end), video game design, and mobile app development are all jobs that require coding knowledge. Even if you don’t plan to work in these specific industries, many employers will see coding on your resume as a bonus, making you a better candidate for the job.
Another Tool in Your Toolbox
One of the great things about coding is that you can apply it to a whole range of other hobbies and projects. If you enjoy writing blogs, coding will allow you to customize your layout, so it appeals to even more readers. Are you interested in making your own video games? Programs like Stencyl, Unreal Engine, and even Roblox Studio can be mastered with even the most basic coding skills. What may seem like a series of numbers and characters assembled in random patterns is actually a portal to endless creative possibilities.
The Ultimate Puzzle
Were you the kid who immediately completed the puzzles on the back of the kid’s menu? Do you play Zelda games without throwing the controller in frustration? Are Sudoku and word searches your idea of a good time? If you answered yes to these questions, then you’d almost certainly enjoy learning to code! Coding is the ultimate puzzle, you are trying to figure out the best way to make the language come to life on a screen or in a machine’s movements, and that involves a ton of problem solving abilities. Like any good puzzle, the results will make you feel proud, and motivate you to start on the next problem.
Want your child to learn coding? Coding skills can be facilitated and mastered during free time as an exciting and productive hobby. Still don’t believe us? Check this out.
A full history of coding and computer programming can be found here.
