As more industries move to online and mobile platforms, the workers are left with a conundrum. How do we do make these things work? Do we hire a resident programmer to hang out until we need him/her to whip some application? Bribe the IT Guy from next door with snacks? Those are probably not the best ideas (though no one is going to turn down the snacks). Now that programming is becoming more and more vital to everyday business, it’s becoming necessary for non-IT professionals to have a working knowledge of programming and a basic understanding of code.
I’m not suggesting we all run out get a computer science degree, but knowing what a <div> tag or an if-then statement wouldn’t hurt. In fact, it can only help. Knowing how to code, even if just a little bit of the theory behind it, can give you a better understanding of the programs you’re running and help troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise. With a working knowledge of some basic practices, not only are you an asset to your company, but also to yourself.
But where do you start? There are online resources like CodeAcademy, where you learn to code interactively. Another resource is Life Hacker. They break down the basics of code in 5 fun videos. And the best part? They’re both free. There are also more detailed and structured programming courses on Lynda, but those require a subscription.
Learning the basics of computer programming (even just HTML and CSS) will give you a leg up in this digital world. I have to take this opportunity to include this internet meme as example of the worker you don’t want to be:
When you can understand, even just the basics, you can better decisions for your company. As the world turns digital, so must your skill set.