Learn code? Are you ready?

Due to the global skills shortage in the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sector, the prediction is there will be more than 800,000 available jobs in ICT in Europe by 2020.  This has caused an increased interest in technology as a career choice. Because of this, many people are deciding to learn code to take advantage of this growing market.
Whether you want to advance in your current job or change careers, coding can help you land your dream job. It can also help you to create products that you never thought possible.
Learning a new skill like coding may seem daunting, but the effort is worth it – especially when you learn code. However, you have to be in the right mindset to be successful. Here are four questions to ask yourself to see if you’re ready to get started.

Do you enjoy coding?

This is the first question you need to ask. And if you’re completely new to the concept of coding, the only way to find out is to try. There are many online coding tutorials, such as Codecademy,  that you can try for free to see if coding is something you will enjoy and have a knack for. Another option is to try our free 5 Day Coding Challenge. If you learn code, it opens up many possibilities in all areas of technology. It can help you become a skilled and well-rounded professional.

Are you motivated to learn code?

This question shouldn’t be taken lightly. It plays a huge part in determining your failure or success in learning to code. Learning an unfamiliar skill isn’t easy. You need some serious self-motivation behind you to stick with it when the going gets tough. It’s important to be excited about the educational process as well as the end result. Successful web developers are in a constant state of learning – so coding is more about the journey than the destination.

Do you have the time?

Learning to code takes a lot of time and effort, but the good news is there’s more than one way to become a web developer. You can go the traditional route and obtain a university degree, which will take several years. Or you can sign up for a coding bootcamp and learn the skills you need to start a career in web development – in only a matter of weeks. But this intensive form of learning will take some focused attention and commitment. You have to be available and willing to put in the hours necessary every day during those weeks of bootcamp to learn the craft of coding.

What are your goals?

To help you decide if you’re ready to learn to code, you need to determine your goals and how you will be applying your new skills. Are you forging ahead to a new full-time career, or do you want to make some extra income on the side with freelance work? Perhaps you want to use your new skills to help you in your current job or to get a promotion. Maybe you just like the idea of being able to tweak your own personal blog and have no interest in earning an income from web development. There’s no wrong answer here. What’s important is to determine what you’ll be using your coding skills for – so you can formulate a plan to help you move forward and reach your goals.
Interested in becoming a software developer? Why not try our free 5 Day Coding Challenge by registering below?