Treating computers and the languages used to code them like a mystical force is a huge mistake for legions of job seekers. Many people simply expect technology to work so they don’t want to take the time to learn why or how. Steve Jobs once said that everyone should learn to code a computer because it “teaches you how to think.” He was right. Computer coding is not difficult but it does take some key critical thinking skills and those skills can help anyone in any line of work whether they are pursing IT or not. If you never thought about learning to code before, here are some things that might make you consider it.

1. Understanding information architecture. Many people prefer to learn step by step instructions to follow when interacting with software. However, understanding how all the parts work together can help you work with any program just by learning to navigate the architecture behind how it functions.
2. Team building skills. When you learn to code you will be working with a number of other people to develop a tool or a site that can benefit a large number of users. This kind of collaborative work environment is becoming increasingly more common so building these skills will be important in the workplace.
3. Ability to educate others. Knowing how something works can also help you translate that information into understandable language when you’re trying to teach someone else. This can be invaluable for a wide range of jobs. When you know how something works you can determine the best ways to describe it for your audience.

Learning to code can give you opportunities beyond information technology. Some careers that can benefit from a background in coding include:

• Technical Writer
• Instructional Designer
• Project Management
• Marketing

If you’re interested in learning code the easiest first step is to check out Codecademy, an online source that teaches code for free.

Do you want to know more about how coding can help your career? Contact the team at VincentBenjamin to learn more!