5 benefits of pursuing a career in programming
IT skills are growing in massive demand throughout Australia, with our economy set to lose up to six million jobs from automation by 2030. Technological disruptions are a constant in our current environment, causing roles to increasingly shift to the digital landscape.
As a result, reports have also predicted that one in two jobs will eventually require high-level skills in programming and software design within the next decade.
Specialised jobs in these programming fields are thus bound for massive growth in the coming years, making the field a highly attractive (and lucrative) career path for those interested in the world of coding.
Think this might be your industry? Here are five main benefits of pursuing a career in programming – both for work and in everyday life.
What are the benefits of pursuing programming?
- Enhanced critical thinking.
- Flexibility.
- An in-demand profession.
- Opportunities for training.
- Acquire transferable skills.
1. Enhanced critical thinking.
Programming, most notably, can help refine your critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
Apple founder and former CEO, Steve Jobs, famously acknowledged this in his statement, “I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think. I view computer science as a liberal art.”
Considered as one of coding’s greatest benefits, heightened skills in problem-solving can be attributed to these
common steps programmers take when solving a technical problem:
- Identifying the problem at hand.
- Analysing the problem.
- Creating an appropriate solution.
- Testing the solution.
- Repeating the above steps to improve results.
With enough practice, the process can eventually lead to better, more effective solutions – whether in one’s coding performance or in everyday tasks. It promotes a methodical approach to complex issues by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable operations; thus solving problems in a more efficient manner.
This is standard in a programming career, where workers are constantly devising new codes and logical guidelines to instruct applications in performing specific tasks. Additionally, troubleshooting makes up much of the job, as bugs often pop up in these codes; requiring various tactics and computations to come up with the best possible solution.
2. Flexibility.
Typically, all one needs to work in the industry is a laptop and a stable internet connection. An office space and a traditional, 9-5 work schedule isn’t all too necessary with the rise of collaborative technologies such as cloud-based software, video conferencing, and instant messaging platforms. These tools allow for seamless remote work and have led to the rise of digital workspaces.
With tasks completely digitised in this role, programming allows for this flexibility; helping one achieve a better work-life balance and allowing companies to save on the costs of physical workstations.
Though opportunities for remote work aren’t present in all programming environments, plenty of businesses are catching on its benefits. Since 2016, international tech company Dell aimed to have half of its workforce telecommuting by 2020. A quick search on the popular Australian job board, Indeed, reaps nearly 200 results in remote programming jobs.
With more Australians discovering the benefits of remote work, and the constant emergence of new, connective technologies; the opportunities in flexible programming jobs are only set to increase.
3. An in-demand profession.
Continuous advancements in the tech industry will only drive a greater need for programmers, developers, software engineers – and anyone else with a coding expertise.
According to Job Outlook, the industry is currently one of Australia’s largest; having grown strongly in the past five years and is set to keep pace in the years to 2023 (leaping from 121,300 workers in 2018 to 146,800 by 2023). During this timeframe, the industry will likely see 80,000 job openings – about 16,000 a year.
Current Digital Pulse statistics also predict a need for an additional 100,000 workers to meet employer demand by 2024.
If there was a time to get into programming, it would be now. For as long as society is reliant on computing technology, demand for this profession will continue to rise.
Aspiring programmers are also likely to find work across Australia, with employment opportunities in every region. New South Wales currently holds the bulk of programming occupations, followed by Victoria and Queensland.
Moreover, such professionals are often paid a generous pay check; with average full-time earnings of $2,003 per week – higher than the all-jobs average of $1,460.
4. Opportunities for training.
Australia understands its rising need for programming expertise in the workforce, with over 1600 courses in Computer Science and IT offered by approximately 140 institutions in Australia. Reports have also forecasted an increasing need for vendor certifications in the industry; thus, a Vendor Certification Working group has been established to find ways of further incorporating such training in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
VET courses are an especially popular pathway among aspiring programmers. While many typically find work without formal qualifications (as long as a level of competency is demonstrated) – plenty have at least a VET qualification on hand, increasing their job prospects among employers.
Not only are VET programs a far more flexible form of study, many are often completed in a shorter timeframe than your average university degree. They also offer a more hands-on approach; equipping students with the technical skills they need to jump straight into the workforce.
Upskilled, for example, offers courses in programming taught 100% online, providing students the flexibility of studying around their schedule. Their programs are generally completed in a year, with a combination of vendor-certified, vendor-neutral, and trainer-developed material that actively dives into the practical competencies of a successful coding career.
5. Acquire transferable skills.
Though a programming skillset seems tailored for highly-specialised coding careers, they’re often applicable to other aspects in business and most other roles in the modern workforce.
As the economy grows increasingly digital, coding talents rise in prevalence. Basic skills in programming may soon be required for jobs once far removed from the field; making them highly-transferable credentials.
This can prove useful when venturing to other industries. With technical competencies regarded highly by employers, not only will programming skills make it easier to find work – they make you a more efficient, valuable worker who doesn’t need the constant support of an in-house IT team. As such, a knowledge of coding effectively “future-proofs” your career.
Entrepreneurs can also reap these benefits, however. Mark Billion, the CEO of Bankruptcy Anywhere, stated that coding helped him save finances and improve operational efficiency when starting his business.
“We were able to use Python to code our advertising algorithms, which also saved us about $1,000 per month… So, if you are in business – any kind of business – coding is critical,” he explains.
Of course, programming skills also help develop other employable traits, such as patience, perseverance, and the ability to work independently as well as in a team. As mentioned, its cultivation of high-level problem-solving can also help in everyday situations, whether in or out of the workplace.
Is programming the career path for you?
In our increasingly digital world, programming skills are only bound to grow in demand.
If this sounds like your field, Upskilled’s ICT40518 - Certificate IV in Programming can help sharpen your skills in basic programming languages; database creation; and application development and testing. This nationally recognised qualification can also help expand your knowledge and skills to pursue opportunities in junior programmer roles. Best of all, it’s 100% online; letting you study as you tend to other work, family, or academic commitments.
Kickstart your career in one of Australia’s largest industries – and make an enquiry today.
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