The Best Thing to do this year as a woman is to Learn Programming 

Various accelerating technological advances are characteristic of the 21st century. Practically whatever you do or what you look at has something to do with modern technology. Everything from the alarm clock on the phone that wakes you up in the morning to the coffee machine that makes coffee just by pushing a button to the internet and smartphones has resulted in making life significantly easier for those using this technology. Behind all things, you can see on the net including pictures, content, layouts, and charts there is a hand of a programmer to get it to look the way it does. Why do you need to learn to program, especially if you’re a woman? Here are some significant reasons.

1. It guarantees a job

Remember, we are living in the era of technology and the advancements we are observing in the niche are nowhere near ending. With the growing use of technology-enabled devices each year there is also a greater demand for programmers. The BLS or Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that in this decade the coding jobs will become available mostly to the people living outside the United States. This is mainly because businesses are contemplating hiring people all around the world as they can pay lower wages for their services. Jobs in the fields such as working for a web development company or as software development and computer system analysts appear to have greater prospects in the upcoming years. The estimated growth in job opportunities for programmers is between 9 to 21%. However, although this statistic is correct, it’s also worth mentioning that there is apparent discrimination towards aspiring women programmers, and the world of Tech needs more women in it. In fact, a study of more than 100 employees and 21 tech companies, shows that women were more likely to experiment, be creative, and fulfill tasks.

2. There is no need to attend a full 4-year degree course


Although one of the ways of becoming a programmer is by getting a computer science degree you may still become a programmer without getting a degree. Most programming jobs do not require an IT or computer science degree but they are interested in knowing about your coding capabilities. It means that even if the degree is useful and can open many doors it is not essential. For example, if you can get a Cyber Security certification or software development diploma it can appeal to the hiring managers.

The same thing applies to certification as well. If you have included certification programs in your CV such as a specialization in network security management for instance it may create a good impression together with your skills. Additionally, you can take a bootcamp to get started. Many coding bootcamps offer career services to help match students with employers when they complete a course.

In terms of gender-based inequality in the workplace, hiring managers should also note research showing that diversity in the tech workforce would affect future buying trends. This is because women account for more than $7 trillion of U.S consumer spending. Think of it like this, if the market is hiring more women, consumer spending will increase, thus contributing to the overall economy’s GDP. Just another reason to pursue programming if you’re a woman.

 

3. It is possible to work from home


Because most of the jobs in the field of coding just require a computer with an internet connection people many times have the opportunity to work from home. Although it depends on company policy this is a viable alternative for many. If you work as a freelancer your job will always be conducted remotely. These advantages make coding a greatly sought-after job opportunity especially for people looking to balance work with family life and feel that they are wasting a lot of time that may have been spent fruitfully. It also allows people an opportunity to apply for jobs around the world without having to relocate and worry about the commute. Furthermore, working has grown massively in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic anyway, and it is here to stay, according to career coach Chris Cooper: “Organizations and employees have been forced to adjust to remote working by embracing greater flexibility. Moving forward, it is likely that we will see more of a hybrid approach to working.”. However, it is safe to say that as a programmer you can leverage the benefits of remote working with or without a raging pandemic. 

4. You can develop anything

Computer programming allows you to digitize your ideas like no other profession. These ideas may include an app you wish to develop that may go viral after placing it in the market. Keep in mind that creating an app is not an easy job because it requires time, effort, and money, however, if you achieve this as a woman, as an underrepresented demographic in the industry, it would be greatly inspirational, and would also pave the way for other aspiring women programmers.

In the normal case, you have to pay a developer to place life into your idea but if you are a programmer yourself a lot of time and money is spared for the development of the app exactly the way you wish. The fact is that no one can develop an app exactly the way you want it.

Many programmers eventually embark on the path of becoming self-employed. By being aware of coding they are at an advantage for opening up a business of their own. As a businesswoman, this can be a good way to attempt and close the opportunity gap between women and men programmers. You can seek out to give equal opportunities to other women if you’re in charge of your own business.

The business can be anything from an online store to having your own web development company. There are numerous advantages to learning programming. Some of the advantages of knowing code are job guarantee, getting an opportunity to develop interesting applications, developing your problem-solving capabilities, and many times a chance to work from home.

Inspirational Tip: Women In Tech Who Made It

As a concluding note, I would like to leave you with a few inspiring women who have or are paving the way for programmers like you, who are still uncertain if they should pursue a career in programming:

Mitchell Baker: Co-founder of the Mozilla Project and acting chairwoman of the Mozilla Foundation.

Elizabeth “Jake” Feinler: Came up with the internet URL system we take for granted today.

Hedy Lamarr: Although indeed a Hollywood superstar, she created the communication system that would later become the basis for WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

Grace Hopper: As a Navy WAVES lieutenant, Hopper was part of the Harvard team that built the first-ever computer, the Mark 1.

And lastly, a fun factWomen who enter IT jobs earn 33% more than women in traditional rolesIf these women did it, then so can you!

 

About The Author

Eve Romley is a psychologist with 6 years of expertise by profession, but she is really passionate about writing, and always curious to learn new things. In her free time, she likes to explore the outdoors and exercise.

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