Cracking the Code: Why Coding Can Be the Key to Future Success

BASIC. COBOL. Pascal. Fortran. HTML. These were some early programming languages – the languages that fuel cellphones, laptops, websites, social media, and robots. As technology changes how we live and work, people should consider learning to code, as it is vital in today’s tech-driven environment. Persons of color in particular should gain this useful skill as POCs have been historically underrepresented in the IT field.

“Coding is the language of the future, and those who don’t know how to speak it will be left behind.” – Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Inc.

Benefits of Learning to Code:

1. Job Opportunities: Tech is booming and is anticipated to continue on this trajectory. Due to the rising demand for competent IT professionals, people of color can uniquely position themselves to take advantage of this opportunity. You can earn a satisfying career in a high-growth industry with great job prospects and high earnings by learning to code.

2. Bridging the Gap: Tech is seriously lacking minority leadership. People of color can close this gap and increase diversity in the tech field that will improve products and services that reflect more diverse communities.

3. Technology Empowers Societal Changes: Take control of your personal narrative and create community-empowering technology by learning to code. Build platforms that connect people, solve problems, and amplify minority voices.

4. Future Proofing: Technology is largely future-proof, meaning, that it is unlikely to become obsolete. As technology advances, coding is becoming more crucial. Learning to code can future-proof employment for people of color, even if they don’t work in tech. Learning to code can give you a leg up in data analysis and automation which is valuable in any industry.

5. Financial Stability: Coding and career tech can help people of color financially. Tech jobs offer excellent pay, perks, and growth. This can help individuals build wealth.

More recently, there has been an uptick in the offering of coding boot camps. These programs allow those who never imagined that they could work in IT to learn to code quickly and cheaply. Boot camps close the gap in skills between businesses and job seekers by teaching tech industry skills. Technology demands programmers and software developers.

Grady Burrows, Education Chair of 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, is a tech pioneer in his own right. Burrows is the Executive Director of HIT in the CLE, a collaborative comprised of industry professionals and educators who are passionate about working with students to achieve promising futures in Northeast Ohio’s IT industry. HIT in the CLE helps Cuyahoga County high schoolers learn coding and critical thinking. Their goal is expose more Northeast Ohio students, especially Black and brown ones, to computer, data science, and health IT careers.

In Cleveland Heights, Terrance and Tondi Allen launched Urban City Codes, a culturally focused digital training center. They guide, motivate, and enable underrepresented and under-resourced communities to obtain tech skills and credentials. “Aligning our goals with organizations such as 100 Black Men is incredibly vital community work,” says co-founder Tondi Allen. “We prepare our community for sustainable tech professions because McKinsey Institute predicts 800 million jobs will be lost by 2030 due to automation and robotics. Technology affects us daily. We must act proactively.”

Coding can open doors to new careers and prosperity. More people are learning tech skills thanks to coding boot camps and programs like HIT in the CLE and Urban City Codes. As we move forward, we must recognize coding’s power and significance in our lives. It can empower communities, narrow the diversity gap, future-proof careers, and bring financial stability. There’s no better moment to learn how to code and advance your skills, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

Some may hesitate to dip their toes into this industry for fear of inferior math or logic skills. Yes, learning to code might be challenging, but with persistence, training, and adequate resources, it is possible to master this craft. Be sure to connect with Urban City Codes and HIT in the CLE to learn more about these useful programs. To create more diversity in the IT industry, we must encourage people of color to pursue these opportunities as a possible career path. The possibilities are endless, and we must foster a pipeline for young people. Our future depends upon it.