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Times have passed when having a good job, and stable career was all about making big bucks. People are looking for more than just money from the work they do. From self-development books to career coaches, everyone’s talking about “finding your passion” before you look for a job. Success is more about what drives your soul and is purposeful to you than what pays a good salary (though earning a good living is also necessary). But even then, many are still confused about which career path to choose out of many that seem “purposeful.”
While it is complex for some to look within and find the work they love, most stick to the basics and go for careers that provide financial security but no mental peace. However, others have found jobs that drove their passion, seemed like life’s sole purpose, and provided financial security and stability. Programming is one such career that ticks all of the boxes.
1. Always in-demand
Programmers like doctors are perhaps always in-demand and will be at least till the near future. The 21st century is the most tech-driven era. Technology is constantly changing. New programming languages and more frameworks are developing than there were more than a decade ago. Technology and programmers work hand-in-hand to fill the gap between a problem and a solution. Especially since the pandemic, there has been an increase in dependence on technology, creating more opportunities for making money in coding, development, and data-driven jobs. Many sectors, other than IT, are integrating technology into their systems, like healthcare, pharmaceutical, education, and business, thereby increasing the demand for programming jobs. Programmers can find their place in almost any type of company – large-scale or a start-up – and in any sector.
2. Coding and Programming are easy to learn
Contrary to popular notion, programming is easy to learn and master, given that you have a knack for learning and a zeal to excel in these careers. Learning to code is similar to learning a language or painting. To become fluent in French, you must memorize the alphabet, learn its grammatical rules and practice speaking. It’s not something that you can acquire overnight. Yet, if you practice every night, you can undoubtedly attain some fluency in the language. You can master any skill through consistency and practice. It’s a myth that only geniuses can master programming. Though there is a difference between learning how to code and becoming an exceptional programmer, nonetheless, it isn’t a difficult skill to acquire. To become an excellent programmer, you need aptitude, skill, and an understanding that most programmers don’t have. Most programming jobs don’t even require you to be a genius. All you need to master is basic logic, reasoning, and understanding of what you’re doing.
3. Learning to code is free
One of the reasons why it is easy to learn to program is the financial factor. Even if you have a drive or passion for something, you may not have the finances to support your learning – a common case for many students. But going the typical route of attending college and majoring in computer science or math isn’t the only way you can become a programmer or developer. In addition, learning to code is much easier now. The e-learning industry has witnessed a significant boom in the past couple of years, propelled by the pandemic. In addition, there are free online learning resources – from courses and video tutorials to boot camps – that anyone can access from anywhere in the world. Due to the ease of access to learning code and languages, children can begin learning at a young age, making the transition to a programming career more manageable.
4. Freedom to work from anywhere in the world
Commuting to work takes away a considerable chunk of time you could have invested in something productive. According to a US report, the average one-way commute for an individual is 27.6 minutes. Another study showed that a 20% decrease in the time for one-way commuting could increase employer productivity to 30 million dollars worth of benefits. While some think the commute is necessary for any job, programmers don’t. Tech-driven careers, especially programmers, have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer, a stable internet connection, and maybe a cup of coffee or whatever gives you a buzz to work. Many jobs shifted to the hybrid and fully-remote working models after the pandemic. However, even before COVID-19, programmers worked from home or wherever they wanted to. Even though the lockdown restrictions have been lifted, many people prefer working from home.
5. Great pay
Although the beginning of this article discusses passion over anything else when deciding on a career, you cannot ignore the monetary factor of a programming career. Programming, alongside other tech careers, is one of the most lucrative jobs. Another issue is that passion-driven careers often don’t get you the financial stability you want. But that’s not the case with a programming career. The average salary for a programmer is $89,190, which is expected to grow 10% by 2030. As technology makes its way into every sector, the average salary for a programmer is bound to grow.
6. Job security
Programming is likely to stay in demand for a long time. It has high monetary benefits, providing more job security than most careers. Not only that, most jobs today might become obsolete in the future, thanks to AI and automation, but not programming. Even for leveraging technology for automation and other tasks, organizations need programmers, coders, and data engineers. Where automation and technology could make other jobs obsolete, programmers need not worry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 13% growth in computer and tech careers from 2020 to 2030. BLS expects an increase of 660,000 job opportunities in the information technology field. Programming and coding apply to various industries, making the related careers flexible.
7. Opportunity for growth
There is plenty of room for growth as a programmer in the tech industry. All you need to master are basic coding, mathematical, and programming skills; you can quickly upskill and switch jobs within the industry. Not only that, many large tech organizations like Facebook, Amazon, and Google are always hiring. As a programmer, developer, data scientist, or engineer, you always have the option to switch gears by upskilling or attending a boot camp. A lot of programmers don’t even work in the corporate sector. Instead, they choose to work as independent contractors or freelancers. Given the demand for tech careers, many programmers opt to work as freelancers since it is more rewarding. They can set their own rules and clients, therefore more room for growth.
Conclusion
Programming is a great career choice if you seek flexibility, financial freedom, remote working options, and much room for growth. Of course, it has a learning curve like every other career or job. However, you can land a programming career if you’re driven and motivated.
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