Career changers: How to get into code

Have you considered a career in coding but unsure where to start?

Maybe you’re not sure if you can balance the basics of learning a new language whilst holding down a million other of life’s responsibilities. Perhaps you lack the confidence you need to dive in and start a career in coding.

But do you want to hear some good news? With the right tools and the right attitude, you can learn to code and join the ranks of “developers as the next mass profession.”

Will it take time? Yes. Dedication? Sure. But it will all be worth it when you’ve picked up some hot new coding skills to enter your dream career, start a brand new idea, or give you a little boost in your existing position.

We’ve put together a short beginners guide to get you started.

What is coding?

In basic terms, code is the language used in computer programming, coding is the action of classifying this language. It is used to create computer software, applications and websites. It is a vital role in the tech industry and can open up a multitude of career pathways. 

Why get into coding?

Simply put, there are more opportunities in coding than there are coders. Estimates for 2020 showed there could be 825,000 job openings for IT professionals across Europe, meaning that anyone qualified in coding would have plenty of companies looking for their skills. 

Software design is popular in the job market these days. Take a look at your household goods. Is Alexa happily chatting away in the background as you setup your new smart TV? Are you programming your brand spanking new smart toaster as an iRobot speedily cleans the floors of your home?

Essentially, software design is embedded in the creation process of so many handy products popping up all over the shop.

What this product creation process requires is someone who knows a lot about code. This means if you can code, you can enter a rapidly expanding job market full of endless opportunity, not to mention a pretty serious pay packet.

The beauty of coding lies in its ability to jazz up an otherwise ordinary desk job into something pretty spectacular. Fancy a stab at problem-solving? Have a flair for creative writing? Want to create something that really makes its mark on this modern world?

Even better than that, you’re not just limited to one industry, company or even one role. There are coding roles in a variety of exciting and progressive industries with handfuls of employers all seeking enthusiastic coders for a variety of different positions. From user experience designer to front-end web developer, you will be in high demand.

University vs online learning

You do not need to have a university degree to get a job in coding. Employers are looking for candidates with the right skills, not someone with a degree. If you know how to code, you have these skills and that is what companies will focus on. 

With the advancements in online learning, you now have more opportunities than ever to find a course that suits your lifestyle and experience. Online learning brings flexibility alongside a full time job and can bring you the knowledge you need far quicker than a university course.

Building a portfolio is the most crucial part of your learning. This allows you to show employers what you can do and will make you stand out against other candidates.

Where to start?

Front-end coding is a pretty good way to break into the game, beginning with learning HTML. From managing websites, developing apps and coding email campaigns, this is one skill that will prove to be incredibly valuable.

Simply put, HTML is the standard markup language for web pages and HTML elements are the building blocks of HTML pages. They form the pages, images, paragraphs and other areas of a website and effectively links them together.

Back-end coding looks at how the website is built, how it works, and how the information is pulled to the front end of the website for users to see. 

Full-stack coding means learning both front, and back-end, and puts you in a great position to see a project through from end to end. Our full-stack developer course means you can learn the latest industry language, create your own portfolio to show potential employers, and gain the skills needed to fill the ever-growing skills gap. 

Next steps

Our expert career consultants are available to answer any questions you may have and to discuss the best course for your experience. Their job is to ensure you get the best start possible into coding and then our StudentCare team will ensure you continue to receive the support you need to complete the course. In addition to this, we have a Career Services that offers our students unrivalled help towards landing their dream role.

Student Testimonial

We asked student, Matthew Richardson, what led him to choose our full stack web developer course.

“I looked at other training providers that offered this course, but what was different about this course with Learning People is the way you learned the theory of different best practices within the full stack developer course and applied them to real world scenarios. This helps you create a  portfolio of work through milestone projects during the course graded by actual developers working out in the industry.“

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