MSBA: How Learning Coding Skills Can Change Your Life

In 1995, Steve Jobs, a pioneer of personal computers and co-founder of Apple, said, “I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer, should learn a computer language, because it teaches you how to think.”¹ Learning coding skills helps individuals develop their problem-solving and logical thinking expertise. Working in a team to solve complex coding challenges strengthens collaborative skills. Taken together, these skills provide greater confidence in using technology and open doors to lucrative career opportunities.¹

Keep reading to discover how learning how to code can change your life—both professionally and personally.

Can learning to code change your career trajectory? Estimates say 1.4 million programming positions will be required in the next 10 years, but there will only be 400,000 projected graduates in the field.¹ The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS says, the job-growth outlook between 2021 and 2031 for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers is 25%—much faster than the average for other professions. Writing and understanding computer code are core skills for those roles.²

Coding, also known as computer programming, has many benefits for your career and personal development. When asked how learning to code changed their lives, expert programmers cited a wide range of benefits, including earning a generous salary and being able to work from anywhere, being intellectually stimulated, having increased self-confidence, and having a creative outlet.^3,4

Learning how to code can change your life in the following ways.

Coding teaches valuable problem-solving and critical thinking skills through a series of logical steps. These skills have lifelong value, and some suggest teaching children to code to help them develop a methodical approach to problem-solving.⁵ The steps can be summarized as:

• Defining the problem and goal
• Brainstorming solutions
• Mapping solution steps
• Implementing the solution
• Testing and debugging the solution⁵

Programmers report that coding is an effective way to unleash their creativity.⁴ To build something that doesn’t yet exist requires imagination. Only after you make the creative discovery do you begin to break down the idea into smaller logical steps that are executed in a particular order.³

Computer programs are no longer limited to a single machine but can control hundreds to millions of connected devices. Programs can interact with the physical world through voice recognition, speakers, sensors, and even robotics. Through programming, you can gain unlimited access to experiment, explore, and make a difference in the world.⁴

As one coder describes it, programming is the only job where people are paid to solve puzzles.⁴ Solving a challenging programming problem also provides personal gratification.³

Perfecting programming skills can make people more confident that they can embrace the unknown and solve problems, even in an uncertain environment. A key part of coding is figuring out how to accomplish something and learning how to search for the tools you need to complete the task.³

In an opinion paper on the cognitive benefits of learning to code, researchers make the case that the coding process involves thought processes similar to those in other areas, such as creative problem-solving and mathematical modeling, suggesting that the activity may enhance cognitive skills.⁶

Coding may also allow you to work remotely, either from home or from different locations. It’s a dream come true for those who like to travel. A skilled programmer is in high demand worldwide, in many different businesses. You can also work freelance for various clients, from virtually anywhere.⁴

Salaries for professionals in computer and information technology industries can range from $93,000, for computer programmers who write and test code, to $131,490, for research scientists who innovate in the field of computing technology.⁷

If you know how to code, there are many professions that will put your skills to good use. Top coding careers, and their average salaries, include:

Full Stack Developer: $108,098⁸

These professionals have the knowledge and skills of front-end and back-end developers, so they can develop complete websites, with front-end code such as HTML and JavaScript and back-end code such as Python.

Front-End Developer: $106,761⁸

Front-end developers focus on writing code, including all the visual aspects and user-friendly component, for the user side of websites.

Software Developer: $105,893⁸

As a software developer, you’ll develop software that lets users perform different tasks, from making a spreadsheet to watching a movie or playing a game. In addition to coding, you’ll also evaluate new programs, run tests, maintain and upgrade computer systems, train users, improve existing software, and write documentation.

Database Administrator: $94,817⁸

In this role, you will design and build databases based on a company’s requirements. Duties will include maintenance, troubleshooting, and automating database tasks.

Business Intelligence Analyst: $94,274⁸

A growing field in computing involves big data analytics. In this occupation, the analyst collects, analyzes, and presents data to help company executives make strategic business decisions.

Other coding careers include software quality assurance engineer ($96,761), app developer ($86,417), and computer systems analyst ($74,986).⁸

Coding may seem like a solo activity, but to be a successful software developer, you’ll need to hone a wide array of soft skills such as analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, negotiation and persuasion, conflict resolution, teamwork, and leadership.⁹

Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program will prepare you for a future-ready career. Designed for busy professionals who want to take their careers to the next level, the program offers a rigorous curriculum in today’s most in-demand knowledge and skills. Courses include data visualization, data analytics, machine learning, mathematical models for decision-making, programming for business analytics and data mining for business intelligence. The small class environment allows close collaboration between students, faculty and staff, and Albers partners with the world’s most data-focused, innovative technology companies, giving students a competitive edge.

Move your career forward today. Connect with an Admissions Advisor.