Technology has become an integral part of our lives since the industrial revolution. And it is thanks to the talented software developers and programmers that keep moving technology forward up until today.

As emerging technologies transform how everything works in the modern world, many businesses are looking for people with programming skills to keep up with the changes. They are willing to pay more because they believe coding can help turn business ideas into reality. Given this, programming is a valuable skill to have today as it opens up numerous career benefits. We'll explore more of these advantages as you read on, so let's get started!

What is Programming?

Programming is the process of creating instructions for a computer to execute. It requires the use of various languages machines will understand, such as C++, Java, Python, etc. Through programming, we can create simple websites to complex algorithms and applications.

However, as you might already know, programming is a complex process that involves coding, debugging, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Creating a program that works as intended may take days, weeks, and even months. Regardless, doing the process and seeing what you built from scratch brought to life is rewarding.

Now that you've learned what programming is all about, let's take a closer look at the skills you can acquire in this field.

Skills You’ll Acquire From Learning Programming

Programming teaches you a lot of things, from technical to non-technical. And these are the skills companies look out for when hiring Angular Developers, Network Engineers, etc. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Hard (Tech) Skills

1. Algorithm Design and Development: This involves developing algorithms and data structures to solve problems efficiently and effectively.
2. Debugging and Troubleshooting: This requires a systematic approach to finding and fixing bugs or errors in code.
3. Design and Architecture: This is the creation and implementation of a design that meets the project's needs.
4. Database Management: This involves creating and managing databases, such as setting up tables, writing queries, and optimizing performance.
5. Version Control: The use of version control systems such as Git to track and manage changes.
6. Network Programming: This involves setting up networks and communication protocols.
7. Security: Understanding security risks and vulnerabilities and implementing solutions to protect data and applications.
8. Testing and Quality Assurance: This requires writing tests to ensure the code meets high-quality requirements.

Soft (Non-Tech) Skills

1. Problem-Solving: Programming involves solving complex problems requiring strong analytical and logical thinking skills.
2. Creativity: Programmers must be creative when developing new apps and websites to make a name on the market.
3. Communication: It's crucial for programmers to communicate their ideas and solutions clearly to collaborate with other team members and stakeholders efficiently.
4. Attention to Detail: This is critical to ensure your code is accurate and efficient. Programmers must recognize and correct minor errors that could cause significant problems.
5. Time Management: This involves prioritizing tasks and managing time efficiently to ensure projects are completed on time.
6. Adaptability: It's essential that programmers stay up to date on the latest trends and technologies and adjust to changing situations.
7. Persistence: Failures are inevitable in programming, and it may take a long time to get the correct code, but persistence will be the key to success.

Career Benefits of Programming

By having programming and coding skills, you bring yourself to wide range of career opportunities, such as:

Getting Hired Easily

With the rise of technology and software in the modern world, , companies of various industries have started relying on programmers to create, maintain, and optimize their software. It has led to a surge in the number of programmers needed to keep up with the fast pace of technological advancement. Given that, if you're talented in programming, it will be easy for you to land a job.

Earning High Salary

Another career benefit of programming is the potential to earn a high salary. Based on Indeed salaries, a programmer in the US can make up to $56,587 salary. And if you're an experienced programmer or coder, you can expect to earn much more.

Wide Career Options

When you have a great foundation in programming, you're bringing yourself to multiple career opportunities, from being a software/web developer to a computer engineer or a network administrator. Many doors will open for you, and all you have to do is pick which suits your expertise best. Beyond the numerous job titles, you can also work for various industries outside the technology field. You can go to marketing, finance, and even the travel industry.

Work-Life Balance

Since a programmer performs most of their tasks on a computer, they bring themselves to many opportunities, including landing jobs that offer remote setup. In other words, they can work virtually in any location as long as they have an internet connection. The time you save from not traveling to work can be used to do the things you love and spend time with your family.

Final Words

Learning how to program is a valuable skill to have today. More than the benefits of gaining technical knowledge and computer skills, programming can help improve your life. You can get hired quickly, earn a high salary, and be in your desired industry. With all this, you can maintain work and life balance because of the flexibility programming jobs offer.

So, if you're thinking of a career shift, this would be a good time to try programming. Enroll in Moat Academy to accelerate your career path!

 This article was written by Myrtle Bautista for Moat Academy.