Should I Learn Computer Programming?
Should I Learn Computer Programming?
The daily news and Government statements now are full of statements encouraging people to learn computer programming, or coding. This technical capability is to help everyone both retain their jobs and seek new work opportunity. Many will call it ‘future proofing’ because working in the future, will be all about technology-related opportunities. With this, the answer to the question as to whether you should learn programming is clear: it is an undeniable yes.
However, asking whether to learn coding is very similar to asking whether you should learn to cook. The answer to that is also an undeniable yes, but the real issue is ‘to what level of expertise?’ And this is where learning to become a hotel executive chef is a completely different proposition to just being able to cook well for your family at home every day.
If you are starting out your working life and career now, a commitment to coding and programming is definitely a valuable professional option. With this capability, your future and work options are almost infinite. If you are a mid or late career professional, however, relaunching yourself as a coder-programmer will come with very significant challenges in terms of being recruited and also, in terms of promotional growth. This is because a career relaunch after already working for fifteen or even twenty plus years will never bring you to the same income level as you had before you changed over from your old profession to coding and programming.
As a mid or late career professional, you should nevertheless, take some time to learn basic coding, taking perhaps an “Introduction to Python” or similarly simple and basic programming course. What you do with that basic course is then up to you but if you have zero understanding of coding these days, you are definitely at a disadvantage, professionally and socially.
“ ... if you have zero understanding of coding these days, you are definitely at a disadvantage, professionally and socially.”
It is exactly in those terms that you should take stock of how well-versed you are with computer technology and the internet today. You might communicate via WhatsApp and even have a FaceBook account, but do you have Linked In? Or SnapChat? You might do some online shopping via Lazada or Shopee but do you know how to search the internet for employment opportunities, or for free upskilling courses? Do you know what Trello is?
Familiarity with the most popular applications does not turn anyone into a technological wizard, but constant exposure to different online events and communities does increase your comfort with the internet so much so that you can even lay claim to being labelled “net savvy.” And that’s definitely a plus when it comes to boosting your employment appeal.
The pandemic has seen an influx of professionals working in the ride-hailing and delivery sectors, as companies downsize to survive the pandemic. These professionals range from certified accountants and engineers to retirees from government agencies. This group of people has added to the already-dire employment conundrum in the country, where students are not able to secure jobs upon graduating.
The simplest answer to that is, it depends what you are trying to “tell” your prospective interviewer. But that sounds ridiculous because it’s obvious that you’re trying to get the job you showed up for, right? Possibly. But let’s break this down into more deliberate and separate parts of the process.