Have you ever wondered how programming or coding works and what you can do in these respective fields? The world has embraced all things digital, but the question is how to use this to make a difference and gain a steady income from it.
Several tech gurus have found the secret – Bill Gates with Microsoft, Steve Jobs with Apple, Mark Zuckerberg and co with Facebook… But what should you do if you’;re interested in following their footsteps? YouthPaper explores this field of study and what kind of opportunities are available.
In the past, many people who were interested in programming were thought of as nerds or geeks and were shunned from the social environments they lived in. It’;s quite ironic that the masses are working for them now or religiously using their products! But programming is not something that you always need a degree in – some people have learnt coding through free websites on the internet.
Not sure what coding is? It’;s basically a computer language that people use to develop applications, websites and software on our devices. All the programmes that we use on computers, for example, have a specific function and we command these programmes to do things for us the moment we click a tab or press a button.
Depending on what kind of product or service you want to offer, the world is your oyster when it comes to coding.
To encourage more participation in this field, Gabriel Nhinda, a lecturer at the University of Namibia and an active participator in the internationally acclaimed Python programming conference, had some advice for parents with children who have an interest in this career choice.
“Essentially, ask if they like solving puzzles. Let them develop games and other tools or ‘;things’; to make their lives easier.”
For those who are slightly older, Nhinda said that it was important for parents to talk to their children about their career choices. “They can learn coding to make extra income while deciding. Once that choice has been made, they still have the skills and can use them to make extra money. One income stream is not recommended and, in most cases, will not sustain the goals, ambitions and dreams they might have.”
Being a programmer might be on your mind, but what kind of benefits would you receive from a career like this? The answer is plenty.
“Coding is a skill that teaches analytical thinking which transitions well into any other field,” Nhinda stated. “Similarly, most of the available jobs will soon be obsolete in years to come. Having a combination of coding and whatever skills makes you more valuable and coding is considered as one of the jobs of the future. Most importantly, you don’;t have to leave your house to code!”
The fields you can operate in are abundant – many companies require websites to market themselves, so you’;ll be able to earn a sizable amount if you know how to do this well. If you exclusively become a programmer, you are more flexible, meaning you can attend to clients anywhere and everywhere – you don’;t have to rent out a building to conduct your business.
The demand for programmers is quite high around the world, and because technology is advancing every day, there are more opportunities for tech lovers. It’;s all about taking advantage of the market as much as you can.
Unam offers courses in computer science as well as information systems and technology while the Namibia University Science of Technology (NUST) has programmes in informatics and computer science. You can also gain skills from the Institute for Information Technology (IIT) through its courses in website design, fundamentals in web development, and hardware and software technology, among others.
If you ever decide to become a programmer, it’;s possible to branch into the cybersecurity field where you can assist software companies who create antiviruses to protect users around the globe. You might even learn how to make your own one day!
Just recently, a team from Kaspersky Lab, in collaboration with Active Education, initiated a roadshow in both Namibia and South Africa, where children had the opportunity to ask questions about internet security.
According to Vladislav Tushkanov from Kaspersky Lab, there are several opportunities in the industry, such as programmes the company provides. “We believe that a new generation of highly skilled professionals is the key to a secure future,” he said. “We are open to new talents and happy to offer a variety of opportunities to current students and recent graduates. We develop internship programmes, specialised educational programmes, cybersecurity certification programmes and much more.”
In particular, the organisation has announced a cybersecurity contest called ‘;Secur’;IT Cup’; which invites students and young professionals aged from 18 to 28 from all over the world to participate in solving cybersecurity cases. “Finalists in this international competition can look forward to an all-expense paid trip to Budapest for the finals and stand to win the grand prize of $10 000 (N$146 325),” Tushkanov said.
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