Do you have to go to school to code?
My brother told me they taught him how to code in college. Do we have to go to college to learn how to code? #programmer
4 answers
Mark’s Answer
Hi Javonte,
Most college programs that focus on computer science or computer programming do teach students programming languages and coding. However, there are also other ways to learn to code, including teaching your self, technical schools that focus completely on coding, and other focused courses. Some companies require an associate or bachelor degree to hire technical resources, but not all. I would look into what kind of coding you would like to do and in what field. From there you could look into what the requirements would be. I would recommend college, a tech school, or some kind of certification because being solely self taught may be possible, many companies want to see some type of proof that you know your field.
Best Wishes!
Thank you for this advice!
Javonte
Nicole’s Answer
To add to the awesome answers already provided, I share a more expansive perspective, in this year 2021 as we are moving through a global pandemic. Many of us had to learn the ropes on remote working and learning. In that regard, there were tons of students who did attend school but remotely. And with that fact, there were many others who maybe weren't college students but learned that there were some skill sets that they need in order to grow professionally. Keying in on people who decided to use their lockdown time to learn more, many of these people utilized online certification programs that weren't specifically a part of a college curriculum but did give them programming skills that they could use for jobs that needed those skill sets. In addition to online certification programs, there is no shortage of training materials on Youtube and other web outlets that can teach programming skills. For professional growth, I do think it is very important to have and utilize programming skills where and when you can.
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!
David’s Answer
Self-learning is another viable option, but it requires a strong motivation to consistently learn and practice coding. You'll also need to create your own projects to add to your portfolio.
However, I would still recommend the college route. The structured curriculum provides a robust foundational knowledge of programming. Additionally, colleges offer a wealth of internships which provide invaluable real-world experience and enhance your resume. Plus, earning a degree is often a requirement for many organizations when hiring.
Ann Marie’s Answer
If you major in any type of Information Technology, Computer Science, or Engineering program of studies in college you will learn to program as they require you to take programming courses. Some may focus on scripting languages like HTML5, JavaScript if you are going more towards web design while others will offer C++, Cobol, SQL, Visual C, etc.
Here is a list of topics commonly explored in computer programming courses:
Web development
Database design
Coding
Hardware and software
Debugging