Your Kids Can Learn To Love Coding With These 4 Easy Steps

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that their kids often find it easy to get into a new activity or hobby without much prodding from parents. This is especially true for activities like sports or music. However, when you mention programming for kids, the reception can be lukewarm. Most people wouldn’t really put the words “exciting” and “coding” in the same sentence – especially those who haven’t tried it yet.

Of course, we know how fun and empowering coding is, but the problem lies in helping kids see past misconceptions about coding to see how fun it really is! Fortunately, we have 4 surefire steps that will turn that “no way” to a “fine, I’ll try it out, I guess.” And trying it out is all you need – once a kid or teen experiences the fun in coding, they’ll be singing a different tune.

The Lowdown on Coding

So what is this coding thing, anyway? Well, remember how humans communicate with other humans through the use of language? It’s just like that. The only difference: instead of communicating with a person, you are communicating with a machine. This is why when you learn to code, we use programming languages. And if you look at these lines of code and don’t understand a single thing, it’s okay! It’s just communicating with the computer

Imagine going to a foreign country with a different language. Of course, understanding what’s being said is hard because you don’t know the language. However, once you start learning the language, everything starts to make sense! It’s the same thing with programming languages – it looks like gibberish until you start to learn the syntax and methods of speech.

The idea of talking to machines may seem like something straight out of a sci-fi film, but the truth is, humans have been doing it for a long time! But we’re not talking about bloodthirsty artificial intelligence like in “The Terminator.” Through programming languages, humans can give orders to computers and make them perform different types of actions based on the situation. The computers can do normal commands and calculations exponentially faster than humans, without getting tired, burnt out, or talking back.

What’s In It For Them?

So why should you encourage kids or teens to take up coding? There are so many hobbies and recreational activities out there, why should kids choose coding? For one, coding allows kids to bring to life things that normally would be impossible. When it comes to creativity and imagination, kids are a bottomless well. They can be superheroes one day, and futuristic androids the next. They can have dragons for pets and dwarves and elves for sidekicks.

Coding empowers kids and teens, allowing them to unleash their imagination and turn their fantasies into reality! Of course, this doesn’t mean that coding will magically give your kids superpowers, but it allows them to create a superhero from scratch, armed with all the powers that they wish. They can build artificial worlds where they are the hero and they’re off to a wonderful adventure together with their comrades. And when you put it that way, maybe they can be superheroes themselves!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s go ahead with these 4 easy steps to pique your kids’ interest in the fascinating world of coding.

Step #1: Make Coding Fun Again!

A lot of youngsters care a lot about what others think about them. And cool is a word that some wouldn’t associate with programming; in fact, a lot of kids think coding is boring and only losers or nerds do it.

How do you combat this? Simple, just make coding fun for kids and teens. It’s actually as easy as it sounds – think of all the things that kids find cool, and associate it with coding.

Let’s take, for example, Minecraft – a game that’s popular with the kids. So what does Minecraft have to do with coding? Well, Minecraft is written in JavaScript, a popular programming language. In Minecraft, players can code inside the game itself! You see, the game has an item called a Command Block, where you can input lines of code. With Command Blocks, players can do anything from spawning a mob, or even create a fully automated farming system.

Kids as young as 7 years old are learning to input basic codes using Command Blocks to make Minecraft more fun. While Minecraft is one of the most obvious examples of how cool coding is, it’s not the only one. Kids and teens love games and gadgets, and these things run using lines of code. Youngsters will find it fascinating that these seemingly magical contraptions operate using a code, and with enough training, they can pull off the same feat!

Step #2: Coding and Real Life Applications

You can also get teens and kids hooked on coding by using practical and relatable examples. Let’s be honest – lines of gibberish don’t really mean much at first. However, they will understand things better if you take situations and examples from real life.

Kids are generally easier since they are curious and creative, but, they also have a short attention span. The same is true for some teens, so when you’re explaining certain aspects of coding, simple and linear examples are the best. For example, if you want them to explain conditional statements, ask them what they would do if their classmate Bob suddenly invited them to have lunch. Bob’s a nice guy, but not your closest friend, so will you go? No? Then what if Bob said he’ll pay for your lunch, will you join him then? Probably yes. Explain that the example is the basic concept of conditional statements. The computer’s actions depend on what conditions are met and what events are triggered.

Step #3: Simplify the Process

If you start talking to kids and teens about variables, arrays, and algorithms, all you’re going to get are blank looks. Even ordinary adults with no programming background will find it difficult to understand. Programmers have their own language, with different terms and word definitions. For ordinary folks, a bug is an insect. For programmers, a bug is a break or error in the program. To get kids interested in coding, you have to speak their language. Use simple terms! Don’t worry, once they know enough about programming, they will become more familiar with the advanced terms.

Also, if you want kids and teens to love coding, you should put them in an environment that’s conducive for learning. Not all mentors and guides on the web are good for kids and teens. Some are targeted at adults and require a faster pace. What you need is a learning environment that’s specifically designed for kids and teens. Here at Coder School, the pace is a lot slower. The focus is not on learning as many things as possible, but to make sure the students are having fun.

Step #4: Coding Classes For Kids Turn Coding Into A Social Activity

Loneliness makes things less fun for kids and teens, and they are more likely to quit an activity if they’re doing it alone. Although it’s possible to learn coding through YouTube videos, it isn’t as fun as attending coding classes for kids. Aside from finding new friends, they can maintain their interest for coding because they are surrounded by other kids and teens who all love coding.

With coding schools, kids and teens are encouraged to work together as a team. Instead of coming up with a project or small program on their own, they join forces to build something truly amazing. As they say, two heads are better than one!

A Note To Parents

There are actually parents out there who discourage their kids from coding. Some parents fear that if their kids get attached to coding, they’ll lock themselves in their rooms and forget about social interaction, physical activities, and family. This is simply not true. A lot of youngsters do tend to keep to themselves, but this is mostly due to their personalities as opposed to being a side effect of learning programming languages.

Coding may even encourage kids and teens to go out and explore more. After all, you can’t get inspiration for new coding projects inside your room. A lot of programmers go around, observe their surroundings, and take note of everyday problems that can be solved by a program. This is what coding is all about – solving everyday problems using a program. And you can’t find problems to solve inside your room.

On the other hand, some parents really want their kids to start coding. This is especially true for parents who are programmers. However, kids and teens have their own minds and you should take care not to overstep your boundaries. Sharing your love for coding is fine, but don’t force them to like it. Your reasons for loving programming languages may not be the same as your child’s, but it doesn’t mean that they’ll love it less. Allow them to discover how great it is on their own and simply be there to offer support and guidance when they need it.

Do you have a budding developer on your hands? Nurture and develop their love for coding by signing up for a class at any of our locations nationwide! Alternatively, you can try us out by taking advantage of our free trial lesson today!

Are Coding Jobs Boring?

You’ve probably started to hear about the benefits of learning to code and are wondering if it’s right for you. Without a doubt, one of the biggest questions crossing your mind is “will it be boring?” Like any new skill, the initial steps will always seem a bit menial and repetitive, but eventually you harness your true power and you’re never the same. (Remember fidget spinners?)

But, what about when coding is your job?

Well, the same rule of thumb applies. Coding is a skill that unlocks a whole world of possibilities and makes it possible to even create whole worlds online, at theme parks, and in video games. It’s literally the building blocks to so many things we use in our daily lives, which puts incredible power at your fingertips. For certain people, the entry level tasks of a coding job will be frustrating at first, there’s no getting around that fact. The work will challenge you to solve problems through repetition, and force you to have a keen attention to detail. But, if you’ve looked into coding for some time now, then you probably find excitement in these challenges.

The great thing about coding jobs is that they are not resigned to one industry. Web and software development jobs are expected to grow 44% by 2024, which means there’s going to be a lot of open positions in startups, engineering firms, and even game studios. While there are major differences in each industry, each requires the use of basic coding.

It’s important that you don’t get caught up in all the intricacies of coding and focus more on the result of your hard work. As a computer programmer you will have the chance to create everything you see on the internet, along with things the world hasn’t even seen yet! Since coding is the basis for all systems, you can end up creating totally new systems and solutions for any problems that arise in your job. If you love social media, think about how great it would be to develop Instagram’s newest feature, or a new filter for Snapchat. Imagine helping other game developers design the next Super Mario or working in a mobile app company that’s creating the next addictive game.

Coding is not for everyone, but it’s also not reserved only for “tech geniuses.” If this was the case, we wouldn’t have all the technology that allows us to be creative, connect with others, and make money. Your journey begins with a basic knowledge of coding, but you decide where you want to take that knowledge and apply it. What others may find boring about a coding job, you may see as the path to endless workplace solutions and lifetime opportunities. Some more information on why coding should be your next hobby here.

4 Reasons Coding Should Be Your Next Hobby

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.

The History of Coding and Computer Programming

History of Coding Diagram

Coding and computer programming are always changing and evolving. As coder nerds, it’s exciting to think about how we can program computers to do complex things, and to look back into history and see that this has been happening for quite a while. Learn how programmers throughout time have imagined and invented new possibilities with programming and coding, and how they’ve used their (mostly mathematics) skills to make their ideas become a reality – something we deal with on a daily basis, thanks to them. We’ll highlight a few big names and things concerning programming:

Heron of Alexandria

Programming dates all the way back to 60 A.D., to the time of Mr. Heron of Alexandria. This fella was a mathematician and engineer who was known for his amazing inventions and machines. There was one machine in particular that perhaps sparked the evolution of computer programming – this specific machine had puppets on it, and underneath the machine were a series of strings that you could pull, to make the puppets do certain things. By simply re-wiring the machine or re-programming the machine, you could manipulate the puppets to do different things. So, that’s one of the first recorded examples we know of where you could program or change the way something is operated without having to take it all apart and rebuild it.

Joseph Marie Jacquard

Then, as far as computer programming, things went dark for quite some time. There was very little progress for the next 1,800 years or so. It was in France that the next influential programmer came along – Joseph Marie Jacquard – and took programming to the next level by inventing the “Jacquard loom”. If you aren’t too familiar with what a loom is, well, it’s a giant machine that created certain patterns on carpets, rugs, and blankets. Basically, the French dude used a set of punch cards made of metal (much like early computer programming, imagine that) that he would stitch together and run through the loom, and the loom would read these cards and weave a pattern accordingly. Consider Jacquard the loom programmer, if you will.

Charles Babbage

Towards the end of the 19th Century, someone in London, UK started to create waves in the programming world. He was a mathematician as well (surprise, surprise). Considered by some to be the “father of the computer”, Charles Babbage invented the first mechanical computer, called the analytical engine, that others (whom we’ll mention later) would then use as inspiration in their more complex, electronic designs and computers. But before that invention came to be, he had this dream of a machine that could perform calculations, and he called it the calculating engine. After asking Parliament for a fairly large budget to try and build the thing, he gave up halfway when he had a better idea – the analytical engine.

Analytical Engine

So of course he went back to Parliament to ask for more money to build his new idea, to which you can probably guess Parliament’s reply – “NO, finish what you started with the calculating engine.” Babbage never did complete the calculating engine after having the better idea to build the analytical engine, and never got the money to be able to build that. So, with the calculating engine only partially built and the analytical engine only designed, Babbage never finished what he started. But, just because it wasn’t built yet didn’t mean you couldn’t write “software” for it – and that’s exactly what one person did, someone who worked very closely with Babbage. Her name was Augusta Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace – but we’ll call her Ada Lovelace.

Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace was – you guessed it – a mathematician, and also technically the world’s first computer programmer, who was intrigued by what Babbage had thought up with his analytical engine. So much so, that after an Italian dude had written a book about the analytical engine, she translated the book from Italian to English, and learned all about how the machine worked. So not only was she good with languages (see where we’re going here?), she was in theory creating a program, or language, for this machine that didn’t technically exist.

Then, like before, progress with programming went quiet for some time until around the middle of the 20th Century, during World War II. This was when progress really started to take off, as far as modern computer programming. While the Germans had the Enigma machines to protect their communication during the war, the British (Allies) had Alan Turing. If you’ve seen the 2014 film The Imitation Game, you may recognize the name. If you haven’t seen the film, you should see it – it has Benedict Cumberbatch in it – but we’ll tell you why he’s important.

Alan Turing

Any guesses on Alan Turing’s profession? Yep, another mathematician. Basically, this guy was “The Bombe”. Let us explain. Doing top-secret work breaking military codes used by the Germans and Axis powers, Turin (with the help of his coding team) was able to crack the ever-changing ‘Enigma’ code by inventing a computing machine that helped reduce the work of code-breaking. This machine was called The Bombe. By breaking the code, the Allies were able to understand German naval movements. Definitely Bombe.com, right?

Tommy Flowers

During the later stages of World War II, another British fellow made some progress in computer programming; a guy who actually wasn’t a mathematician, but worked as an engineer in the British Post Office. His name was Tommy Flowers. His job had to do with telegraph relays. If you’re not familiar, basically telegraph relays were a wire that went from point A to point B through electromagnetic currents (a transistor). Tommy Flowers basically took those telegraph relays and built a programmable computer. It wasn’t like a computer we know today, this computer was literally an entire room made up of wires and pulleys, with electromagnetic currents running through it.

Early Computers

This machine was known as the Colossus (it really was colossal). With a few redesigns and copies of the original machine, around ten units helped in code-breaking during the war, giving the Allies a clear advantage in key battles like D-Day in Normandy. Most of them went out of commission after the war. It was actually top-secret and people didn’t really talk about it, and people who didn’t work with it didn’t know about it for quite a while – until the 1950s.

Other than what we know as the Colossus being one of the first computers, the other “first” computer was the “Manchester Baby”. Basically, it had a series of switches and buttons that would light up a range of lights. Compare this to modern-day Raspberry Pi (yes, we have a camp for that).

Programming Languages

The 1950s was really when computer programming started to take off with programming languages. The first programming language that really counts as a programming language was something called short code, which was created by someone from the company IBM. With a set of predefined variables, or mathematical expressions rather than instructing a machine, like that of machine code (like what we’d been talking about above). There were actually jobs in the ’50s created to compile these expressions, variables, and operators into short code, called “compilers”. Jobs around computer programming have been in high demand ever since. IBM then built on top of their short code and called it speedcoding. It was an idea to make coding faster and more efficient (funny that in the 1950s, this is what they thought would be the fastest, most efficient way of coding). “Programming time should be minimized,” was IBM’s statement with speedcoding. Then the question arose – “Isn’t the idea of taking symbols and translating them into other symbols essentially what we designed and built the computers to do, and can’t we have the computers automate this?” Well, a couple people answered that question by creating A-0 and Autocode, the first automated computer compilers.

Early Automated Computers

Grace Hopper, a US Navy officer, was recognized for creating the A-0 in the United States, while Alec Glennie from the UK created Autocode. Because this was around the same time and there wasn’t much collaboration between the two countries (and GitHub didn’t exist) with this type of programming development, they both claimed to have created the first automated computer compiler. The first programming language that is actually still around today was created by IBM (again) by a guy named John Backus. The language is called FORTRAN. The problem back then was that you couldn’t just type this into a computer screen because they didn’t have screens, and you couldn’t type this language into the computer, because they didn’t have typing tools like keyboards, either – so you still had to turn it into something that the computer could, well, compute.

Ancient, Native Code Languages

So when FORTRAN was first created, you’d have to encode the language onto a punch card (not much different than that of the loom, from 100 years previous, right?) and then feed them into the computer, and see what happens (and you thought C++ took too long). As FORTRAN still exists, pretty much every programming language in the world–even the ones that we use today–are somehow based off a language created by Backus. He created multiple languages, of which he created a few at a time, that most others came from.

The other significant one: ALGOL. ALGOL has evolved since it was first created and is also still around today, as are other coding languages that evolved from these, such as PYTHON, C++, and JavaScript (which we teach in a lot of our camps). Because coding languages have exponentially evolved from this era, we usually cover a brief history of their origin and their father languages, based off of those created by Mr. John Backus – so we will end our history lesson for today and pick up where your coding language interests take you: to TheCoderSchool!

Class dismissed. And oh, if you’re interested in more reasons that coding should be your next hobby, check here.

Coding Schools – growth path to the Future

It’s no surprise that in Glassdoor’s analysis of the Best Jobs in the US that 20 out of the 50 careers are in coding or computer programming. Jobs in the technology sector are still very prominent within the United States even with outsourcing of IT services to other countries. Glassdoor takes into consideration the number of openings within the United States, the median base salary, and satisfaction rate.

Burning Glass Technologies recently released a report with statistics that support Glassdoor’s findings. They found that jobs that pay in the top income quartile (more than $57,000 annually) require applicants to have an understanding of computer programming language. Additionally, jobs with a progressive career track pay up to $22,000 more on average than jobs that do not require coding skills. This report backs up the claim that having coding knowledge will set you apart from other applications in most industries. The expected growth for jobs for software developers is 24 percent by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Algeria is taking a very positive approach to its above average unemployment rate. In the article “Algeria Is Tackling Unemployment With Their First Coding School” from The New Web, the company Code213 is combating the problem. The company is a sister company of Paris-based programming school Simplon.co that has seen success teaching individuals around the globe how to learn computer code. Code213 teaches their students classes ranging from how to manage WordPress websites, data sciences, and digital project management. The approach is a hands-on process called “learning-by-doing” instead of sitting in on lectures and webinars. After the completion of this six month program, students will get the opportunity to intern with businesses that Code213 partners with. The company is focused on grassroots growth within their own community. Students who complete the six month program are required to host an introduction to coding seminar for children. Their goal is to spark interest with kids at a young age in hopes of “drawing on the ambitions of Algerian youth.”

TheCoderSchool also offers a unique approach to how we educate our students. In other coding schools, students are put in classrooms or webinars where the there’s a one-size-fits-all curriculum. At theCoderSchool, we offer coding classes where the ratio of students to teachers is 2:1. This means that our students will have a customized approach to whatever their interests are. For example, we have students at age 10 creating wonderful games and apps. It is easy to see the joy of every student creating their own game and being able to share it with their fellow students and family.

The rise of coding will be more apparent in an age where individuals grow from consumers to creators and influencers. Learning the language of code will feel like becoming fluent in another language before traveling to that country. We strongly believe that teaching kids at a young age through game and app development grabs their attention early. A fun atmosphere paired with passionate and engaging teachers sets our curriculum apart from other schools. We take pride in how we teach and testimonials from our customers are outstanding.

Visit our website to learn more information and sign your little coder up for their first free lesson. If interested in the full history of coding and computer programming, try this.

Most Common Computer Languages

In our modern day and age you’ve probably heard computer code jargon thrown around in conversation. No matter your demographic or location, code surrounds everyone. There are many different programming languages that are used to write the websites you visit, the apps you use, and the social media platforms where you get your daily dog and cat videos. Code is written to help guide your computer carry out functions. In this article we will discuss and explain the most common computer languages.

Java:

Java is a programming language that your computer reads to run programs, applications, and websites. Once the most popular enterprise (or business-oriented) language, Java is often the language of choice for AP Computer Science courses in high school. Careers in Java include computer scientists, software developers, game designers, and application developers. If you have used an ATM recently, the machine was probably running off of Java.

Swift:

Swift, a language developed by Apple, is most commonly used for iOS or Apple apps on your iPhone or iPad. Apple products and apps are extremely prevalent now and will be for many years to come. Like Java, Swift has a steep learning curve but once you learn the foundation it will become easier to understand.

Ruby On Rails:

Ruby on Rails is a great language to learn because the basics are easier to grasp for coders. Big websites like Soundcloud, Airbnb, and the streaming service Twitch TV. Ruby is a free software that allows users to make suggestions and improvements to the software itself. Ruby is a common platform to make E-commerce websites and stores, which is useful because individuals are becoming more accustomed to using their phones instead of their desktops when making purchases.

Javascript:

The beauty of this language is that it runs within almost every website you will use. Your browser has Javascript running in the background during normal day-to-day tasks. Javascript helps run HTML and CSS on your browser to make the user experience better. This language can tell servers like Twitter to open up a tweet in a bigger window. Important functions such as subscribing to a businesses profile or being able to view others comments in a thread are run by this language.

Python:

When studying computer information sciences in college, most introductory courses are using Python to teach coding at a base level. Although the code is easily taught, it is very powerful. Python can build websites, apps, and also host servers like DropBox. Websites that have used Python’s infrastructure to run their platforms include: Spotify, Google, and Instagram.

How do these compare with other languages? Check out the TIOBE Index, a graph showing relative popularity of various languages, including some trends over time.

TIOBE's index of popular languages. TIOBE’s index of popular languages.

The beauty of learning coding is that you can choose whichever path interests you. Learning the tools of the trade will open up a blank canvas for your creativity and drive to create something to help others. According to Wired in the article “The Next Big Blue-Collar Job Is Coding,” the national average salary for coders is $81,000. The coding market is also expected to expand by 12% by 2024. Becoming familiar with these five programming languages at a young age will will set your child far apart from students who do not have prior experience.

WHAT TYPES OF JOBS CAN CODERS GET?

What kind of job can Coders get?

Have you noticed how fast our world is diving more and more into the digital realm and how much we continue to heavily rely on technology? Advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), augmented reality, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are becoming even more relevant in not only our personal lives, but also the work we do. Well, it’s no coincidence that as a result, more and more MBA graduates are choosing tech-related jobs (according to ZDNet).

In fact, we’re willing to assume you probably used a technology tool such as Google Search to find out what types of coding-related tech jobs were out there. Screens have become a part of our everyday lives, but the fact that your son or daughter might enjoy staring at a screen more often than not isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s safe to say that your kid is not going to have much difficulty landing a sweet job in the workforce based off his or her skills learned in coding. Yes, even video games can be promising in the tech industry!

So, to answer the question of what types of tech jobs are available for coders, there are a ton. Coding is such a broad spectrum and it opens the doors for so many different tech job opportunities, but we’ll highlight a few of the top tech jobs in demand (based off of earnings and satisfaction rate):=

Data Scientist

Data scientists gather (you guessed it) data and analyze it for specific business interests and then work with marketing departments to capitalize on that knowledge. Data scientists must be familiar with data-gathering software and programming (of which they gain a basic knowledge from our classes). You may think that they just sit in front of a computer all day like any other techie job, but data scientists are so valuable that they are often called into meetings and planning sessions with other departments within a company, like IT or marketing.

Information Security Analyst

Think of this job as a security guard for specific networks and companies. They analyze systems and come up with a strategy to prevent, monitor, and respond to data breaches and cyber attacks, which are ever so common. Remember when Ashley Madison’s website was hacked in 2015? Or perhaps when Sony Pictures suffered a security breach? Or how could we forget the massive customer data breach with Target in 2013? Your kid can help prevent this with learning how to code.

IT Manager

While the job title might give off the impression that you’re behind a computer or in a server room all day, the IT manager wears multiple hats within a company and is relied on for so many different things. From attending marketing meetings and planning sessions with executives about software, apps, and systems to installing, upgrading, and protecting computer systems within an organization, the IT manager is the Jack-Of-All-Trades for the tech world.

DevOps

DevOps is a perfect combination of the traditional developmental role and the operations role, to make sure products and apps get to market faster, software updates roll out more regularly, and the entire launch process is smoother and more reliable. They’re the efficient coders, and able to adapt to ever-changing situations.

Mobile Developer

Most of the things we do online are done via mobile devices. When developers are building a website, it’s common knowledge that it’s best to design a website from a mobile-first perspective. In other words, how does the site look on mobile, and is it compatible with mobile vs how it looks on desktop? Mobile developers apply their knowledge with tools like Swift to create and publish iOS apps while Android app developers use Java, C#, or C/C++.

UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience)

This type of job is perfect for the design-focused coder. What good is a website if the layout isn’t easy for the user to understand, use, and take action? The wizards behind the experience of the website or app are developers, but also designers. Knowledge and experience in coding and using tools like Swift or HTML might better understand what to avoid with a site and how to implement certain features that make the user experience smoother.

Front-End Web Developer

This type of techie job is for the creative mind. Front-end web developers use Javascript, HTML, and CSS to create their own web pages, and work cohesively with back-end web developers (see below) as well as graphic designers and content writers to make sure the website looks and works great.

Back-End Web Developer

Using tools such as through PHP, Java, Ruby, Python, or SQL, a back-end developer is a more in-depth developer. They look at databases and deal with troubleshooting, and are deeper in the “weeds” of code than that of a front-end, design-centered developer.

Software Engineer

A software engineer knows code like JavaScript, Ruby, HTML, and CSS and understands how a product is designed, built, and managed. With this knowledge they can find solutions to problems with apps, websites, or software and improve them or build on them.

Let’s face it – there are so many other opportunities for coders as far as jobs go. Although coding may not be required for the job, it definitely helps set you apart from the competition. Think of it like knowing a foreign language – it could be the difference whether you’re selected for the job or not.

At theCoderSchool, our programs are designed to help kids learn the skills that, according to Glassdoor, are needed to excel in the job world, and especially in the tech industry – skills like creativity, judgment, and flexibility. Our camps are staffed with a ratio of about 6 students per 1 of our trusted Code Coaches ® who have lots of experience teaching kids throughout the year.

We’re not only building websites and relationships – we’re building future generations of awesome coders and jobs! Curious to see which classes are best for you, your son, or your daughter? Get started by finding kids coding classes near you. Or if you’re already a coder and looking for a job, try Jooble for software developers.

Check out our coding camps too!

How Much Do Coders Make?

How Much Do Coders Make?

Learning to code is about so much more than just making a lot of money. It’s challenging, fulfilling, teaches you to think and helps you make improvements to the world you never thought imaginable.

With that being said, everyone needs to make a living some way or another. That’s the nice thing about learning to code as the jobs pay a lot more than anything else. How much more do they pay?

“Jobs requiring coding skills pay $22,000 more than positions that don’t, and the demand for employees with such skills is expected to grow 12 percent faster than the overall job market during the next decade, according to a report published Wednesday.”-Burning Glass Technologies

Teaching and learning to code has become a global movement. Getting ahead of this trend can help position you for a very long and lucrative career in coding. How did Burning Glass Technologies figure this out? They analyzed 26 million online job postings published in 2015 that were posted on job boards, newspapers and websites. They combined this data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Data from the College Board suggest not enough students are getting an early start in the field. Only 2 percent of students in the College Board’s advanced placement program studied computer science last year, and only 22 percent of those students were female. Computer science was the fastest growing Advanced Placement test in 2014 and 2015, however, as the number of students taking those tests increased 25 percent.”

At theCoderSchool, we can help you get ahead of these trends and potentially help carve out a long lucrative career in programming with our Code Coaching and Code Coaching PRO programs.

Coding is a Passion Worth Exploring

It’s not always easy to motivate your son or daughter to start learning a new skill, but it helps to have a visual representation of how coding applies to real-life situations. This story from Miral Kotb is a fantastic example of how learning to code opens up the doors to creative freedom and ingenuity.

Starting from an early age, Kotb was a natural coder and developed her skills quite quickly. Eventually, she was able to combine her passion for coding with her passion for dance and founded iLuminate, a theater company that seamlessly fuses technology with dance. They’eve even used the technology to get onto America’s Got Talent! Learn more about her story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Xg1dUhVI9i0

Stories like this are actually more common than people think. The ability to code–and code well–sets children up for successful future no matter where they choose to apply it. And as Kotb shows, the possibilities are endless.

Opportunity isn’t the only lesson we can learn from iLuminate. As Made With Code states, “If we can inspire teen girls to see that code can help them pursue their passions, whatever they may be, then hopefully they will begin to contribute their voices to the field of technology for the benefit of us all.” Encourage your daughter to get heavily involved in coding, because you never know where it will lead her.

Is you son or daughter ready to start their coding journey? Contact us today to find a Coder School location near you. We offer coding classes in the Bay Area and across the United States!

Coding is a Passion Worth Exploring

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Xg1dUhVI9i0

Is you son or daughter ready to start their coding journey? Contact us today to find a Coder School location near you. We offer coding classes in the Bay Area and across the United States!