Looking for a high-paying job? You'd better learn this skill
To me, terms like ActiveX, CICS, Heap Sort, JavaScript, KLOC and SQL look like garbled nonsense. Unfortunately for me, that means I'd have a tougher time landing a job in a labor marketplace that places increasing emphasis on computer coding skills.
According to MarketWatch, nearly half of the jobs offered in the top income quartile in the United States — meaning they pay $57,000 annually or more — require computer coding knowledge or skill.
Eek. That takes me off the list. Before you dismiss yourself from it too, know this: It's not just tech positions that require coding experience — it's most jobs.
"Computing has become a tool in every industry," explains Alison Derbenwick Miller, vice president of Oracle Academy. Miller says that coding knowledge is now needed for workers across fields.
Angela Copeland has a successful marketing career in New York. But she started college as a computer science major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York first. Copeland told MarketWatch that her computer coding education has proven vital to her marketing job. Says Copeland:
"Although I transitioned away from computer programming and into marketing, having a coding background has really helped me. First, when I've worked on website projects, it's easier for me to communicate directly with developers. In the end, this causes my projects to get done faster and more accurately."
According to DIY Genius, coding is a valuable skill to have, no matter where or how you plan to work.
Even if you have no plans to become a software developer, spend a few weeks or month learning to code and I can guarantee it will sharpen your ability to troubleshoot and solve problems. ... Who knows, you may discover that coding is something you really enjoy and you may actually want to become a software developer. Considering that an experienced developer can earn more than $100,000+ a year, it's not a bad skill to master.
There are several places you can learn to code, from your local community college to online courses. Check out these ideas from DIY Genius.
If you're raising kids, have you pushed them towards computers and coding — especially knowing STEM positions are going to be even bigger in the future? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.
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