Guide To Coding Careers
Computer science is an exciting career to pursue: It’s varied, challenging, and is rapidly growing in today’s tech-obsessed world. Whether you have your heart set on designing beautiful websites or you want to take a deep dive into computer systems engineering, learning to become a programmer will set you up for an exciting coding career.
The tech industry is constantly adding new jobs, and even recently trained coders typically have plenty of options when job hunting. A coding bootcamp at Eleven Fifty Academy is a great way to start your new career, helping train even complete beginners to code in just a few months.
Is Coding a Good Career?
For the tech-curious, coding is a great career choice. It’s a challenging field that’s constantly changing and evolving as new technology arrives on the scene. The industry is growing rapidly, making computer programmers in high demand across virtually every sector, whether it’s healthcare, engineering, or finance.
While coding may not be for everyone, it’s a great career for people who love problem-solving and logical thinking. Web and software developers are constantly improving applications and creating new tech, so it’s perfect for creative thinkers.
If you’re still on the fence about starting a coding career, read some reviews from graduates of our program.
Are Coding Jobs in Demand?
Coding jobs are in high demand. The tech industry adds jobs every year to a range of programming careers, from software to web development and systems engineering. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects web developers have an 8 percent projected change in employment from 2019 to 2029. On average, the growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.
If you want to get a sense of what’s out there, search for tech job postings on any major jobs site, such as LinkedIn or Indeed. You’ll get a sense of the breadth of industries hungry for coding talent, and learn about the creative coding opportunities available to programmers.
What Kind of Jobs Involve Coding?
If you want to become a computer programmer, the first step is learning the different coding jobs available. Here’s a rundown of a few of the most popular job titles.
Web Developer
The term web developer gets tossed around frequently, and generally refers to someone who writes code for a living. To dig a little deeper, web developers are responsible for creating and deploying websites.
Fluency in programming languages is vital for a web developer, skills which can be gained through coding bootcamps. Eleven Fifty’s Web Development bootcamp is perfect for someone itching to become a website creator. Beginner programmers can often get work as web developers, and will progress quickly given the right tools to get started.
Software Developer
Software developers are the brains behind writing code for applications for mobile phones, tablets, and other mobile devices. If you thrive when collaborating with others and approach projects with a holistic perspective, a career in software development could be perfect for you.
Full-Stack Developer
A full-stack developer career is great for those who enjoy being involved in the full web design process. From front-end user experience to the back-end nuts-and-bolts, a full-stack developer has a major role in website creation and functionality. Often, full stack developers will specialize in one programming language such as Ruby or Python.
Front End Developers
Front end developers build many of the apps and software that we interact with. Anything that you click, scroll, fill out, submit, and interact with falls in the domain of front end development.
Coding Careers for Beginners
Even complete beginners can jump into a coding career within months; it’s just a matter of getting the right training and mentorship. A coding course with Eleven Fifty helps newbies learn the skills necessary to work as a coder in one of today’s leading tech companies.
When you’ve finished your certification program and you’re ready to look for jobs, it’s a good idea to seek out entry-level coding jobs. Here’s a list of a few options for new programmers.
Junior Web Developer
Many companies will hire junior web developers to help round out their development team. You’ll get an opportunity to build your code-writing skills for website creation and will have an opportunity to problem-solve with a team and improve websites over time.
Data Analyst
Working as a data analyst is a great beginner-friendly career for a new programmer. Data analysts are tasked with compiling, interpreting, and presenting different data types, whether it’s metrics or surveys. Familiarity with databases and coding languages is necessary for new coders in this role.
Freelance Programming
One great way to build your skills and get a sense of what it’s like to work as a programmer is to freelance for a while. You’ll get experience working for clients or design teams, and you’ll have a better idea of the type of job you’re most interested in. Freelancing will also help you network, which is a great way to find a full-time role with a company eventually.
How To Become a Coder
If you’re coding-curious but have never taken a computer science class before, it can be hard to know where to start. Many coders are trained either through traditional two- or four-year colleges or through coding bootcamps, such as Eleven Fifty Academy. The coding immersives can provide enough training to help graduates land entry-level jobs in a variety of coding careers.
There are plenty of self-taught coders in the tech industry, but it can take longer depending on the type of work opportunities you’ve had. Anyone can learn to code, but those with strong logic skills and an analytical mind will likely excel as a coder. It’s a common career-change choice for many. You can start a coding career after 40 with the right mindset and training.
It’s a great idea for those who are brand new to coding to take a course to learn the basics. The coding bootcamps at Eleven Fifty are beginner-friendly, meaning you don’t need any prior experience to get started.
Coding bootcamps are designed to help students learn the foundations of programming languages HTML, CSS, and Javascript. This means you’ll quickly pick up the coding skills necessary to work in a variety of settings confidently. We recommend taking one of our free coding intro classes to find the right course for you.
Salary and Career Growth for Coders
Many people choose a career in coding because it’s a lucrative industry. Programmers typically earn high salaries—the average salary of web developers in 2021 is $73,760. For advanced positions such as software application developers, the median salary is $91,066.
One of the best things about being a coder is that you’re always growing and learning in your industry. And even better, your work opportunities aren’t bound by location. Coders can work remotely, meaning you’ll have flexibility in your career. While it may take time to find the right job for you, your growth potential will increase as you learn and gain confidence as a coder.
Many people who consider immersive courses such as those offered by Eleven Fifty Academy want to know: How much can you make after a coding bootcamp? While the answer will vary, even entry-level coding jobs can earn up to $55,000 per year.
Coding will change and evolve with the tech industry, but one thing is certain: It will remain relevant for decades to come.
Should I learn Java or Python?
Both Java and Python are popular programming languages, but there are some differences. While Java has long been one of the most commonly taught languages in coding schools, Python is catching up. It’s easy to learn and use, making it popular for beginner coders.
It’s also been dubbed the “Swiss Army Knife” of computer programming languages, because it’s flexible for many uses. It’s also used in many high-growth career paths such as data science and machine learning.
Start Your Coding Career at Eleven Fifty Academy
Get started on your career in web development or computer programming today. Talk to one of our admissions counselors, who can advise you on the best courses to take, how to pay for them, and make Eleven Fifty fit into your life.
With campuses in Indianapolis, Fishers, and online, our course options are flexible. Try one of our free intro courses to see if a career in coding is right for you.
