Here’s why you should learn how to code
Technological change happens at an ever-increasing pace in today’s society, and if we don’t try to keep up we will be left behind
Programming – everyone should learn it. Why? It’s fun. It’s interesting. It’s the tool that will shape your future – and everyone else’s. As Apple Inc co-founder Steve Jobs once said, “Everybody should learn how to program a computer ... because it teaches you how to think.”
Young Post asked First Code Academy (FCA) why the teens of today should start learning how to code.
“Being able to code is one of the most important core skills for students today,” explains Michelle Sun, the founder and CEO of FCA. “When they graduate in a decade or so, all the industries in the world will be transformed by technology. Coding is the key to accessing and unlocking the opportunities available in that world.”
A common misconception is that only geeks are into programming. This isn’t true – and in fact, coding is becoming an increasingly useful skill to have in your arsenal. Jobs involving programming are in high demand, and that demand is only going to rise in the future.
“Coding is a skill that is becoming more and more relevant, with many industries looking for technological solutions to increase their competitiveness and efficiency,” explains Yang Li, an instructor at FCA. “Learning to code develops in people a pattern of thinking, a mindset for problem solving and a framework for logical thinking.”
There’s also the possibility that artificial intelligence programs will eventually replace many jobs done by people. Research into artificial intelligence has now advanced to a stage where it potentially places white collar jobs at risk. A piece of software, for example, has been developed that does in seconds what takes human lawyers 360,000 hours to complete.
Alan Cheung, a quantitative strategist at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch and an instructor at FCA, suggests that teens should start making efforts to learn to program, as coding will play an increasingly important role in our future.
“Many parents place great emphasis on getting their children to excel in Chinese, English and Mathematics but have not yet recognised the importance of coding. It’s a basic literacy skill, one we can’t overlook because programming also exercises skills like critical thinking and problem solving.”
It’s true – the technology industry is continuously evolving, and rapidly so. Keeping up to date with the latest technological advancements makes you more adaptable to change, which is an exceedingly important skill which is not taught in the classroom.
“If you know how to code, you potentially know how to design websites, develop apps and make video games. These all command good programming skills that allow you to unleash your creativity.”