People often ask themselves, "Is it too late to learn coding?" The answer is: It depends. It's never too late to learn new things, but it's important to be realistic about the amount of time and effort you're willing to put into learning a skill like coding. In this article, we'll outline some of the reasons why people might think it's too late to learn a new skill, and we'll show you that actually, experience can be a valuable asset when learning something new. So don't give up if you feel like you're behind schedule – there's still plenty of time to learn coding.
We have taught a number of older learners, who though that may it was too late for them to learn coding, and have gone on to be excellent coders. People will usually start with our introduction, one day coding taster session, before going on to our full stack coding bootcamp. In this article, we will look over the following areas
Why learning a new skill, such as coding, is always possible, no matter how old you are
- Why people might think it's too late to learn a new skill
- Why the benefits of learning coding outweigh the effort required to learn it
- Our top resources for learning to code, even if you're an experienced learner
If you are looking to learn how to code, but feel that it is too late for you, this article will hopefully give you the confidence you need to make a start.
Why learning a new skill, such as coding, is always possible, no matter how old you are
It's never too late to learn new things, and that includes coding. Regardless of your age, there's always room for you to learn a new skill – and coding is a great option for anyone looking to improve their career prospects.
Adults are typically more focused and determined than children when it comes to learning new skills, which is why they can still be successful in learning coding, even later in life. By taking on a new challenge like coding, adults are setting themselves up for a successful future. Coding is not just about learning a new skill – it's about expanding your knowledge and abilities in a constantly-growing field. And as technology advances, the need for skilled coders will only continue to grow.
Don't give up on learning a new skill because you think it might not sink in, we have taught many developers who are switching careers, and they've gone on to be excellent, well-respected developers.
One great thing about experience is that it can help you learn new things faster. When it comes to learning coding, having experience with computers and other technical concepts can be extremely helpful. And if you've already been working in a related field, such as web development or software engineering, you'll have an even easier time learning coding concepts.
However, even if you don't have any prior experience with computers or technology, that doesn't mean you can't learn coding. It will just take a bit more time and effort on your part. But with the right resources and tutorials, you can definitely become a skilled coder – no matter what your background is.
Why people might think it's too late to learn a new skill
There are a few reasons why people might think it's too late to learn a new skill, such as coding. One reason might be that they feel they don't have enough time to devote to learning something new. Our Full Stack Coding Bootcamp can be completed during the evening, allowing you to learn over a longer period of time, and continue to work during the day. We also offer our blockchain coding bootcamp, in both day and night offerings too.
Another reason might be that they don't think they have enough experience or knowledge to be successful. And finally, some people might simply be intimidated by the idea of learning something new.
However, whilst these are all valid reasons to start learning coding – everyone has to start somewhere. With enough time and effort, anyone can learn to code – regardless of their age or experience level. Once you've learned the basics of coding, you'll be able to build on that knowledge and continue learning more advanced concepts.
Why the benefits of learning coding outweigh the effort required to learn it
The global skills shortage for software developers is a real issue, and it's only going to get worse. According to recent reports, the number of software developer jobs is estimated to have grown by 22% between 2018 and 2020. Whilst at the same time, the number of students graduating with software development degrees only grew by 10%. This means that there will be a major skills gap in the near future, and businesses will increasingly struggle to find qualified software developers.
This skills shortage is already being felt around the world. In the UK, for example, businesses are reporting that they are struggling to fill open positions for software developers. And in the US, there were more than 190,000 job openings for software developers in 2016 – and that number is only going to increase in the years ahead.
There are a few reasons for this skills shortage. One reason is that coding has become a more complex skill than ever before. With new programming languages and frameworks emerging all the time, it can be difficult for someone to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. And since businesses need employees who are up-to-date on the latest coding trends, it's difficult for them to find qualified candidates.
Another reason for the skills shortage is that not enough people are getting into software development. With the growing demand for software developers, you would think that more people would be interested in pursuing a career in coding. But that's not always the case. Many students still see coding as a difficult and challenging task, and they're reluctant to pursue a career in it.
However, despite these challenges, learning coding is definitely worth it. The benefits of learning coding outweigh the effort required to learn it. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Coding teaches problem-solving skills – Coding is all about solving problems. When you're working on a coding project, you'll often run into roadblocks and challenges that you need to solve in order to move forward. This teaches you how to think critically and logically, which is essential for any career path.
Coding helps you think logically – Along with problem-solving skills, coding also teaches you how to think logically and systematically. This is another valuable skill that can be applied to any field or career path.
Coding makes you more creative – Coding can actually help you become more creative and innovative. When you're working on a coding project, you often have to come up with solutions to a specific challenge.
Our top resources for learning to code, even if you're an experienced learner
As a UK coding bootcamp provider, we believe that the best resources to learn to code, are with instructor-led, coding bootcamps. We recommend trying out our one day coding taster session, before going on to our full stack coding bootcamp.
Other resources include Stack Overflow, Forums and Discord channels dedicated to coding.
Despite the challenges that come with learning coding, it is definitely worth it. The benefits of learning coding outweigh the effort required to learn it. Here are just some of the reasons why: coding teaches problem-solving skills, helps you think logically, makes you more creative, and can be applied to any field or career path.
So if you're interested in learning coding – or if you're feeling a little intimidated by the thought of learning it – don't let that stop you. There are plenty of resources available to help you get started, and there are plenty of people who are willing to help guide you along your journey.
About the Author
Tim is the course director at Tech Educators and brings with him almost a decade of experience working in various tech sectors, as well as the added benefit of being an alumni to a Full Stack Bootcamp.