Some people learn to code many years before they are ready to look for their first job. It’s a skill that is obviously essential if you are going to develop software and programmers are expected to be proficient in more than one coding language – so it is a good idea to start as early as you can.

A more limited knowledge of coding is also useful in many other jobs. For example, if you are a web designer it can help you make minor modifications to templates and web pages. If you are working closely with coders, it is helpful to know something about their work.

If you have any interest in coding, you can find many free opportunities online to teach yourself. In fact, this is the way that most professional coders began.