[dropcap]A[\/dropcap]s technology works its way into everyday life, digital coding has become a useful skill to learn.<\/p>\n
Dan Stephenson, a news media production and design instructor at SAIT, says that code is a universal language.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the vocabulary we use to communicate with a computer in order to create functionality in everything from task management to gaming.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview, Stephenson said that New Media Production and Design program at SAIT teaches students the foundation of coding.<\/p>\n
However, it\u2019s up to the students to be willing to solve problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of programming is about solving problems,\u201d Stephenson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe code is just the language we use for solving that problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to be able to think outside the box and be able to find a solution for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
While people who are unfamiliar with coding might find the process difficult, Stephenson says it\u2019s like learning a new language.<\/p>\n
Once students learn the syntax and figure out the words to use to “talk\u201d to a computer, it gets easier, he said.<\/p>\n
Because of much of what students consume digitally is interactive, Stephenson explained that they are able to create what they want using code.<\/p>\n
Every industry needs what we do. Everybody\u2019s online today. – Dan Stephenson<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Upon graduating from SAIT, graduates are able to find a variety of jobs within the industry, such as developing mobile apps, creating computer software, video games, and websites, using coding languages such as HTML, Python, CSS and others.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery industry needs what we do. Everybody\u2019s online today,\u201d Stephenson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our students will end up as web designers and web developers for big companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are also free resources online to learn basic coding that Stephenson mentioned, such as lynda.com<\/a>, codecademy.com<\/a> and khanacademy.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Although it\u2019s great to have sources like these to guide you on the first steps of learning code, Stephenson says it doesn\u2019t help you beyond that.<\/p>\n
Ralph Gonzales, a multimedia creator and a web developer from Lighthouse Labs, said\u00a0that the road is only going to get rougher for new coders, due to an oversaturation within the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe world in itself is evolving so fast,\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost like it\u2019s essential now in anything you do.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a graphic designer, you have to learn how to code to be able to put some of your designs online and for your websites to look the way you want them to look, and to have certain functions,\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
“As a blogger, you need to be able to learn how to put up pictures, write articles and format those articles in a presentable way. And if you ever decide to create an application, coding is almost essential at this point.”<\/p>\n
Stephenson said learning code is a life skill and that it\u2019s like learning to ride a bike.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might not need it every day, but once you have it, you\u2019re richer for it and you can find ways to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"