the case for learning to code - forbes
TRANSCRIPT
3/7/2014 The Case For Learning To Code - Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/03/05/the-case-for-learning-to-code/?utm_content=bufferc029c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&ut… 1/5
12 Stocks to BUY for 2014 Help|Sign up|Log in
Most Read on Forbes
The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions
expressed are those of the w riter.
FO R BESW O MAN | 3/05/2014 @ 12:16PM | 2,408 views
The Case For Learning To Code
By Shannon Edwards
I was having lunch with a highly respected tech industry 50-something friend
who was pondering her next career move. Between bites of arugula she told
me that ‘in the meantime,’ between advising start-ups and beginning her own
business, she was going to learn to code. Okay, I thought, of course someone
so cutting edge would be pushing the boundaries of learning. Then two days
later, a well-heeled corporate finance advisory firm partner told me, between
sips of espresso, that he too would be learning to code the next week. Now I
was sure something was happening…
I actually started feeling the momentum last year as a friend excitedly signed
her girls up to a kids ‘coding camp.’ The idea that children would find coding
fun and start building it into their daily learning gave me so much hope for
what my daughters might accomplish.
While coding ‘boot camps’ have become readily available, they have
historically been geared toward those who want a job in the technology
industry. What’s different about this new ‘generation’ of computer science
enthusiasts is that they include bankers, marketers and business
entrepreneurs who just want to learn for the sake of learning.
Why with the endless requirements of our 24/7 lives and multiple devices that
already take up too much time and space would we care to tackle the
mysteries of ‘coding’?
Well, think about this: many of us GenX and Baby
Boomer executives have seen the twilight or ‘mid-
light’ of our careers dedicated to the blossoming
dominance of technology but often with just one
eye open to it all. We began our careers briefly
befuddled by things like ‘email’ to later confront the
reality of managing functional areas we didn’t start
our careers doing ourselves. For instance, I know
many a Chief Marketing Officer who squirms at
their inability to fully grasp the nuances of online
marketing. And how many CEO’s are self-professed
luddites?
NEWS People Places Companies
85 Broads
Contributor
Follow (317)
We are a global women’s network whose mission
is to generate exceptional professional and
social value for its members. Through regional
events and our online, password-protected
community , members engage in a rapid, high-
powered exchange of ideas and information
which is what makes 85 Broads unique. Find out
more: www.85broads.com
8 5 BR O A DS ’ P O P U L A R P O S T S
Follow (317)
85 Broads, Contributor
LeadershipLessons From'Animal House'
+ show more
How The Western Press Is Getting It
Terribly Wrong In Ukraine +101,532 views
Nintendo Is Beating Microsoft In Video
Game Hardware Sales +59,640 views
Top 100 Inspirational Quotes
+46,513 views
'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Is
About To Become The Show Everyone
Wanted It To Be +38,613 views
Harley-Davidson Rolls Out Its
Lightweight And Three-Wheeled
Motorcycles In Japan +38,154 views
Comment Now Follow Comments
3/7/2014 The Case For Learning To Code - Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/03/05/the-case-for-learning-to-code/?utm_content=bufferc029c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&ut… 2/5
Who JustMade A BillionDollars?Track the biggest winners and
losers among the 50 richest
people on the planet.
See who's up and who's down »
Unfortunately what we are seeing is not just an age
or generation issue, but something more
disconcerting: the complete acceptance of coding as
the purview of young Mark Zuckerberg-types. Need
an app created, ‘I know this young guy,’ is a
common refrain. Can’t figure out WordPress, well
there is ‘this agency,’ I often hear. One of my clients
said that if he never saw another ‘hip, red-rimmed
glasses guy’ purposely explaining technology in
terms to confuse him, it would be too soon.
So why do we accept this? Just because we aren’t in
formal schooling anymore does not mean we should
accept that the language of technology is beyond
our grip.
How to get started? There is a growing movement
and a whole host of resources to get you to a simple
level of coding competency.
Try a one-day course. Decoded, with locations in
London and New York and ‘pop up’ courses available around the world, is a
great example of the movement toward ‘demystifying the digital world’ with
no bias of judgment around industry or level of proficiency. A one-day course
is enough to build your own app.
Make small commitments of time. Instead of de-stressing with a game of
Angry Birds on your Iphone why not get started on your own fun, quirky
HTML and CSS project via Codeacadamy. The site offers quick, easy and time-
sensitive learning projects (e.g., ‘build your own solar system in 30 minutes’).
There is a large community that you can interact with as well.
Take an online course. Online learning overall has not only become easier
to access you can do it at your own pace and often for free. I’m a fan of
Udacity; a great way to learn from home on a range of topics, including
computer science. You can start with an intro to programming course and do
it at your own pace at home, work, or on the go.
The key is that right now there are online and offline resources to guide us
into this new frontier without judgment. Female, male, young, mid-career,
near retirement; in any industry or locale, everyone needs to learn the
language of technology and the time has come for us to get started.
Shannon Edwards is an experienced marketing and business development
veteran with 20 years of experience across a range of industries and
geographies. She currently runs her own digital consultancy, Crystalline
Strategy, focused on helping online companies in growth or turnaround
mode. Shannon is regarded as an online shopping expert regularly
contributing to television and radio having appeared on CNN Worldwide,
BBC Breakfast, BBC News, Reuters International Business TV, MSNBC, Fox
News National, The View; as well as, numerous radio stations across the
world. Shannon is a Fellow of the The RSA (Royal Society for the
Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce); and was number 16
on The UK Independent’s Online Fashion 100 list.
What To Expect During An HR Interv iew? -- FiveQuestions Y ou'll Be Asked During A ScreeningInterv iew 104,859 views
LinkedIn: Busting 8 Damaging My ths AboutWhat It Can Do For Y our Career 78,710 views
Don't Know What to Ask Human ResourcesProfessionals? -- 5 Killer Questions to AceScreening Interv iews 74,714 views
The Top 10 Lessons of Career Reinvention: WhatMy Five Careers Have Taught Me 39,062 views
I Did Not Know To Ask for Salary NegotiationHelp 37,993 views
MO R E F R O M 8 5 BR O A DS
Stocks to Buy Tomorrow ?onewittytrade.com/IndexNifty-Stocks
Get Index,Sensex,Nifty & Stock Tips Submit
our Free Trial Form Now
Citibank™ Rewards Cardapply.citi.com/Citi_Shopping_Card
Enjoy Shopping Benefits Worth Rs. 4608 with
Citibank. Apply Now!
Jobs Australiajobrapido.com/jobs+australia
5 urgent open positions. Apply now! Jobs
Australia
John KotterContributor
What To ExpectDuring An HRInterview? -- FiveQuestions You'llBe Asked During AScreeningInterview
85 BroadsContributor
51
189
Tweet
8
0
1
0
New Posts
+1 5 posts th is h ou r
Most PopularYou n g est Billion a ir es
ListsTh e Wor ld's Billion a ir es
VideoTh in k You Kn ow Ga tes?
3/7/2014 The Case For Learning To Code - Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/03/05/the-case-for-learning-to-code/?utm_content=bufferc029c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&ut… 3/5
Tweet 1
Top 50 Billionaires
Highest Dividend Stocks
Savings Account Rates
2014 Luxury Cars
High-Yield CD Rates
Top 10 Mutual Funds
No Contract Cell Phones
New Business Ideas
See Also:
Related Stories Sponsored Stories
UnlimitedOnline Reach
FeedingAmerica
Smokey BearSays:
MonetizeYour SiteContent
IncreasedUserEngagement!
Print Report Corrections Reprints & Permissions
Enter Your Comment
Post Your CommentPlease log in or sign up to comment.
51 189 8 0 0
Comment Now Follow Comments
Also On Forbes
Job Cuts And Weeping Workers AtIBM India
3/7/2014 The Case For Learning To Code - Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/03/05/the-case-for-learning-to-code/?utm_content=bufferc029c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&ut… 4/5
Conferences
Forbes Reinventing AmericaSummit
Forbes Women’s Summit
Forbes 400 Philanthropy Summit
Forbes CMO Summit
Forbes Healthcare Summit
Forbes Peace Through ProfitsSummit
Forbes Global CEO Conference
Forbes and NAPFA AdvisoriConference
Education
Forbes School of Businessat Ashford University
College Planning Tool
Newsletters
Forbes Investor
Special Situation Survey
Forbes Div idend Investor
Investing Portal
Products
Forbes Wine Club
Forbes Identity Protection
Forbes Newsfeeds
Reprints & Permissions
Company Info
Advertise
Forbes Press Room
Forbes Careers
Contact Us
Sitemap
Help
Forbes China
Forbes India
Forbes Israel
Forbes Mexico
Forbes Middle East
Forbes Poland
ForbesRomania
Forbes Russia
Forbes Spain
Forbes Ukraine
RealClear Politics
RealClear Markets
RealClear World
RealClear Sports
2 Free Issues Subscriber Services Buy Back Issues
2014 Forbes.com LLC™ All Rights Reserved Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement Market Data by Morningstar AdChoices
Inside Forbes
BUSINESS INVESTING TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURS OP/ED LEADERSHIP LIFESTYLE LISTS
Forbes writers have the ability to call out member comments they find particularly interesting.
Called-out comments are highlighted across the Forbes network. You'll be notified if your comment
is called out.
The ranks have swelled to a record 1,645 billionaires.
FORBES Billionaires List:The Richest People On Earth
Facebook's Sandberg, TheRise Of Women Billionaires
The Billionaire Winners OfThe 2014 Academy Awards
see photos
The World's Richest TechBillionaires 2014
Real-Time Billionaires
3/7/2014 The Case For Learning To Code - Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/03/05/the-case-for-learning-to-code/?utm_content=bufferc029c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&ut… 5/5