Years ago, computer programming was viewed as a skill possessed by only technology’s savviest. Today, select schools around the world are teaching children starting at the age of five simple coding algorithms. As the breadth of technology widens, the curriculum being taught in schools is following suit. Soon, the art of programming will become as fundamental as the ABCs. Even Mark Zuckerberg’s 2016 goal is to code an AI that will help him run his life.
But what if you don’t have all the resources that Mark does? Where does this leave the generations who did not grow up using an iPhone as a pacifier? There are countless online resources explaining everything from how to create a website using HTML and CSS to how a mobile application is designed with Ruby on Rails. Codecadamy provides guided examples of how code affects a website in real time. By manipulating the code yourself, it turns what may seem as a random assortment of letters and numbers into a meaningful language. Here in Atlanta, there are great classes at General Assembly and Iron Yard. Or stop by Brown Bag for one of our Coding 101 sessions!
The talk of the importance of computer science has moved into pop culture. Supermodel Karlie Kloss recognized the lack of female representation in the field, with only 12% of computer science degrees being pursued by women. She has partnered with the Flatiron School in New York to distribute 20 scholarships to girls ranging from the age of 13 to 18 who wish to pursue a career in programming. Bravo, Karlie.
Chances are, if you are reading this post today you might still be getting over the lull or the wild ride of your holiday vacation. So how about replacing your ‘Netflix and Chill’ time in 2016 with a new skill set, technology language, and give programming a shot!