You Have No Choice but to Learn Programming

I was inspired by Obama’s Hour of Code initiative a few years ago. I've encouraged friends and family to learn to code. If you were caught by the bug back then, chances are you’ve already seen the benefits of diving into the tech world. Whether you learned JavaScript, frameworks, or experimented with jQuery, you saw the advantage. Understanding how code works gave you that huge advantage. Coding bootcamps were popping up everywhere, drawing in crowds eager to enter the tech industry. While they were complete beginners at the time, many of those folks now have years of experience under their belts.

Many of my current colleagues came through these bootcamps. They might not have traditional degrees, but they are just as effective as those who do. I skipped both college and bootcamps altogether. But I had the head start of being that kid playing with computers back when dial-up internet was still a big deal. It was messy, slow, and noisy, but it got me hooked on technology early.

Fast forward to today, and the headlines paint a different picture. Tech layoffs are everywhere, and it seems like nobody is hiring. The message is discouraging, but here’s the reality: you still have to learn programming, even if you never plan to work in the industry.

Why? Because knowing how to code has quietly become a minimum requirement for staying competitive in today’s job market. Whether you’re applying for tech jobs or not, coding skills can set you apart. But here’s the catch. While coding is required, the industry often won’t give you the chance to gain real experience.

This paradox is made worse by the rise of AI. Many companies now believe employees are easily replaceable by AI. You’ll hear claims that certain roles, especially in tech, can be automated. These arguments are being used to justify premature layoffs. It's hard to prove that the technology is mature enough to deliver the same quality as human workers.

Take customer support automation, for example. Companies have replaced entire teams with chatbots, claiming they are “just as effective” as human agents. In reality, most chatbots struggle with anything beyond basic requests. When customers get frustrated, businesses quietly rehires support staff.

In the same note, software engineering roles have faced cuts with the belief that AI tools like GitHub Copilot can replace developers. Any competent developer will tell you Copilot is an awesome tool, but they can't see how it justifies downsizing. Imagine laying off people because Stackoverflow was just so damn good.

The irony is that these same companies won’t hire anyone who lacks experience, even for roles where AI is supposedly taking over. Bootcamps teach frameworks and specific tools, but they rarely turn students into well-rounded programmers. Employers want candidates with deep knowledge, but gaining that knowledge without a job feels impossible. It’s a catch-22.

Of course, there are exceptions. Some people break through by going above and beyond the standard curriculum. They spend their weekends building apps, learning on their own, or experimenting with new programming languages. These are the people who succeed, not because they followed a formula, but because they developed a genuine interest in programming and put in extra effort outside of the classroom.

On the other hand, there are those who entered tech because they thought it was the new gold rush. They learned just enough to build a pickaxe but didn’t develop the skills to use it well. These are the ones who struggle to stand out in a crowded, highly competitive field.

Here’s the hard truth: learning to code is no longer optional. It’s not just about landing a job in tech; it’s about staying relevant in a world run by software. Coding is becoming a universal skill, like knowing how to use a word processor or spreadsheet. Even if you’re in marketing, design, or sales, understanding how code works will help you collaborate with technical teams and adapt to the tools of the future.

That said, don’t just stop at what you’re taught in class. Tinker, build, fail, and try again. Create projects, even if they’re imperfect or weird. That’s how you’ll not only learn to code but also set yourself apart in a crowded market.

The industry might believe workers are replaceable by AI, but it still needs skilled humans to guide, supervise, and innovate. If you approach programming as more than just a ticket to a job, you’ll find that it can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

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