What Jobs Revolve Around Coding on Computers?
Coding, or programming, means writing the instructions a computer uses to function. Any program or application that runs on a computer was coded by a person or team of people in one of several languages that computers understand. Many career paths revolve around coding on computers. These jobs have become more important as computers have become a larger part of our lives. Moreover, those working in coding jobs are well rewarded, with a median income around $72,000, according to the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Software development is what most people think of when they think of coding. This is the business of writing code to produce a program, or app. Software development has many areas of application. Major business need huge programs to handle things such as employee databases and inventories. Software developers also write apps for mobile devices, such as phones and iPads, as well as computer games. To begin a career in software development, you are most likely to need a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering.
Network Design and Administration
Network administration focuses on the interaction among computers. Accessing the internet is a primary function of many computers, and network administration and design experts work with the code and technology that makes this possible. Many companies have internal networks, or intranets, that function as small-scale internets accessible only to their employees. The design and administration of these networks is done by specialists who have studied information technology -- an area of study that is designed to educate coders who want to focus on this specialty.
Computers have made a huge amount of data more accessible than ever before. Data analysis is a type of applied math and statistics used by insurance companies and government analysts, among many other professions. A bachelor's degree in computer science or a higher level degree in math teaches the skills necessary for this type of work.
The building and design of computers, called hardware engineering, is actually a type of coding. The same concepts in mathematics and logic that are used to write the programs that run on computers are also used to design the capabilities of the computer itself. Computing takes many forms, and the hardware engineer designs all the various types of computers needed in today's economy, from automated teller machines to smartphones. A degree in computer hardware engineering or electrical engineering is a good way to get started in hardware engineering.
Piergagnon Coulibaly is a graduate of the Polytechnic Institute of New York University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science and a minor in history of science in 2010. He has been both a programmer and technical writer for the past three years. Piergagnon's first writing job was to make the resumes of IT professionals more appealing.