7 Reason why you should learn how to program
1. It’s fun
For anyone who likes to solve puzzles, play with numbers, logical games, do sudoku’s, anything with creative problem solving skills involved: you will enjoy programming. I was surprised myself, but yes it is great fun.
2. It’s actually quite easy
Although a lot of tutorials, courses and websites try to hide this: programming is actually quite simple. The way people talk, how websites write about programming, the business example used to explain programming, they all put you on the wrong track. Programming explained step by step, in regular language, with relatable examples is a piece of cake.
3. It’s an incredibly, valuable skill
Data- and business analysts are in demand. If you want to build a career for yourself it’s a field with tremendous possibilities. Data is everywhere and getting more and more important in the digital world. However a lot of people have cold feet learning how to program. This results in a structural shortage of analysts. If you’re a smartass and willing to put in the effort, you can improve you’re living conditions incredibly for you and for those you love.
4. It opens a whole new world of data
For those who already work with data: programming opens up a whole new world of data-possibilities. You can get so much more out of data with programming than with just intuitive software, cubes etc. It’s data on a whole new level, so explore and enjoy. (Then I’m not even bringing up the humongous amounts of time saved)
5. a lot of fun people work IN data
Data people are great. Whether it’s the geeky guy you just need to get to know better or the girl with the huge shoe collection that can work wonders with data: analysts are the best. My experience is in general data people are smart, curious, kind and have -despite of their serious image- a subtle, inventive sense of humor. Join the gang and get to know them.
6. Programming is the future data-literacy
Just as reading once was a skill for the few and privileged and is an essential skill today, so will programming become the data-literacy of the future. Nowadays there is so much technology and data being stored, it will become more and more necessary to become data savvy. Just look how common programming functions such as filtering and sorting are already part of search engines, websites and online shopping. The digital developments will make programming relevant for everybody,
7. Amaze yourself
Be proud at yourself for mastering something you didn’t think you could. Particularly because learning how to program can feel daunting and scary, you’ll feel great once you mastered it. The best way to face your fears is to become curious about them and prove them wrong. Once you step up and just start, you’ll find it’s so much easier then you’re expecting right now. The biggest hurdle is to start. Be proud at yourself for mastering something you didn’t think you could. The reward of conquering yourself is priceless. Amaze yourself.
So take a deep dive in the world of programming, you’ll enjoy it thoroughly
Are you still doubting whether you should or shouldn't start to program?
There might still be a part of you wondering if programming is really for you. There are lots of excuses to stop yourself from taking the next step. Read the 7 excuses why you think you can't program and how they are all wrong.
7 excuses why you think you can’t program
1. You think it’s too difficult
One of the big misconceptions about programming is thinking it’s too difficult. The technical skills are actually quite limited and manageable. Most people with basic logical thinking will be able to do so
2. Programming is scary
Programming is probably more scared of you, then you are of programming ;). But seriously starting something new can be scary, but this is how you learn, grow and develop. Everything you learned so from infancy, from walking, talking, riding a bike is by trying something new. Small children don’t get discouraged, they just do until they can. So can you, you’ll be fine.
3. You tried programming before and got a lot of errors and so you decided it’s not for you
Errors are totally normal when programming, it’s just like the little red auto-correct waves when typing. Does that ever discourage you or stops you to type altogether? It doesn’t. Listen to me very carefully: an error is not a failure or a sign you’re can’t program. I worked with very skilled, technical analysts and they still get errors all to time.
4. You don’t understand anything from sites like stackoverflow
I worked as a business analyst for years, I’ve got fine technical skills, I have no problems programming or understanding data or queries. Still I find most websites and fora about programming a struggle and really need to bring myself to using them. When I do, I can’t stop thinking “just use normal language”. And so we do at Piece of Cake programming.
5. You can work fine with more intuitive, visual software
This one is for people who already work with data for school, work or any other reason. I used this excuse a lot as an ex-drag-and-drop enthusiast. After making the transition to programming, I can tell you programming opens a whole new world of possibilities, it saves so much time and improves the quality of your work greatly. Allow data to become a lot more interesting: treat yourself to programming.
6. Programming is for data-nerds, whizzkids, guys with questionable hygiene wearing band-shirts etc.
And you’re none of them, you like pink, fashion, latte’s, polishing nails, etc. You don’t relate to ‘those people’, you can’t relate to ‘those people’ and might not even want to relate to ‘those people’. Whatever you like and whomever you are, you are just as entitled to learn to program as anyone else. It’s not just for a selected group of people, anyone who likes numbers and logics is able to program Disclaimer: the descriptions mentioned are lighthearted self-mockery from analysts themselves, no judgements; data-people are the best!
7. You should leave programming to other people are so much better at it, why bother
Programming and analysis have been ‘dominated’ (I mean this in the nicest possible way) by persons with a very specific profile (see reason 6). They are great, but this narrow niche results in a narrow view on data. When analysts with different backgrounds join forces it results in much richer and innovative insights, ideas and solutions. Your outtake is very valuable and people and companies want and need you to speak up for your special data-contribution. So amaze yourself, so you can amaze other. We need your perspective in data analysis.
Take a deep dive in the world of programming, you’ll enjoy it thoroughly