Is Computer Programming a Good Career?
Computer programming has long been a relevant topic. In a world driven by technology, programming skills open up great career opportunities — from software development to front-end development. Computer programming is also one of the most flexible professions; it offers many opportunities for specialization, the ability to work remotely, and much more.
Like any career, programming has as many challenges as it does reasons to celebrate. Read on to find out if computer programming could be a good career option for you.
Is there high demand for programmers?
Computer programmers are and will continue to be in high demand. As many older-generation programmers retire and new technologies emerge ever more frequently, the world needs specialized programmers to keep up with the constant changes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 9,700 jobs for programmers will open up each year. US News also ranks programmer jobs as #11 among the best tech jobs. Moreover, the unemployment rate for programmers is just 2.7%.
Now, more than ever, it's important to specialize. The world will need more programmers to meet the demand in software development, web development, mobile development, game development, and many other specialized professions that heavily rely on coding.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that:
- Demand for software developers is projected to grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030, with about 189,200 job openings each year.
- Demand for web developers will grow by 13% from 2020 to 2030, with 17,900 job openings each year.
Do I need a degree to get a job in computer programming?
People with a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields, such as mathematics, usually have an advantage in getting a job in computer programming. However, you don't need a degree to get a coding job: there are many successful self-taught programmers from a wide range of backgrounds. It requires hard work and practice, but getting a programming job without a diploma is certainly possible.
What jobs can I get with computer programming?
Computer programming skills can help you land a variety of careers, including:
- web developer
- mobile app developer
- software engineer
- game developer
- task automation programmer
- database engineer
- business intelligence analyst
- data analyst
- and many more...
The career path to becoming a coder is not always linear: some people follow the traditional route of an engineering education accompanied by tech internships that lead to a full-time job; others start, say, in marketing and gradually transition to computer programming via data analysis tasks. It takes small steps, but regardless of your background, you can get a job in computer programming.
Is coding a stressful job?
In general, coding is a fairly calm job. There is the flexibility of remote work for programmers, and in many cases, the security of routine.
However, as with any job, how stressful coding is depends largely on the company you work for. Cultural pressure and tight deadlines can cause stress.
Working from home isn't always glamorous either: isolation and lack of external motivation can lead to burnout. It's easy to get stuck in your own thoughts, and when you have no external motivators, it's easy to want to quit.
Additionally, the sedentary lifestyle of sitting at a computer all day can pose health risks if you don't exercise — that's another kind of stress.
Is computer programming difficult?
Like any profession, it has its challenges. Fortunately, you don't need a master's degree to get a coding job. After high school, you can take a coding bootcamp and start applying for permanent positions.
It's easy to give up when lines of code don't work the way you want. Approaching each problem can be challenging. Debugging can take hours of trial and error. But these things can also be rewarding. There's always something new to learn in coding. And if you enjoy solving problems, you'll find computer programming enjoyable.