Why You Should Not Learn To Code

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#coding #programming #softwareengineering

[Mr_Boifriend]

"coding" - whatever that means - if probably like many other things: the people who succeed in it actually have a variety of traits in common, (maybe time-management, ability to focus, detail-oriented, introverted, logical-thinking etc. etc.) but the only surface-visible trait is "coding experience". Correlation does not equal causation.

I majored in English, got a certificate in Computer Science in college. Now, I work as a carpenter, & part-time as a barista. I discovered that I didn't like working a job where I had to sit in front of a computer 9 hours a day; I love physical work, moving, using my hands, & spatial thinking.

A big function of college majors that no one talks about is that they largely act as a process-of-elimination. People who don't already have certain traits are likely to simply not get very far in certain majors. I'm not saying you can't achieve anything you set your mind to - you can; I'm saying that there's no such thing as going to school & breezing thru everything & landing a high-paying job immediately. If you do that, you were probably lucky in that you were uniquely placed to fulfill your coursework, as well as play the job-hunting game. I notice a lot of people think that certain majors are a "license to print money" or something. I've never seen that play out. I've seen people in very profitable / in-demand majors end up in fairly low-paying careers because they lacked other skills & dispositions (such as self-motivation) Similarly, I've seen the people who succeed the most tend to be the highly-conscientious, organized, & agreeable ones, regardless of major.

I would also say that meditating 20 minutes per day for the last three years has made me a much more logical, coherent thinker than computer programming ever could.

[alexanderfournier]

I love how in every video he looks absolutely exhausted lol.

[MisterHoHo]

He looks like he hasn't slept well in I trust this man

[beauzeph]

I love to code but I want to get into pair programming / mob programming, coding really shouldn't be a solitary activity

[DavidBennell]

As a dyslexic I hated Maths and English and loved Art, History and Science. I loved computer games and got into STOS basic when I was 8yo to write games, and I carried on learning, Pascal, C, C++ by the Time I got to University to learn computer science I was bored, we did some C and Java I was getting 98% scores and no longer learning anything new on the course, my first job involved me writing a shopping website and warehouse pick/pack/dispatch system for a major fashion brand single-handedly as their only developer, then I got into IoT and embedded devices, I found coding easy, but have since switched over to Product Management for more job satisfaction as it was the creativity that I enjoyed, bringing different technologies together to build something new and useful... I feel if I can do it anyone can do it. It's really not that hard compared to everything else I have ever done.

[zane]

He's right about the logical thinking stuff...I just started coding and I am started to see a real shift in my thinking. Also tbh its just my experience coding makes a lot more patient ...Like You are learning new stuff, you need to be patient and let ur mind process and absorb

[scottincanada]

This is really helpful, Nick, thank you! I teach an introductory computer science course in a high school in Ottawa, Canada. Students considering taking that course (or pursuing further computer studies afterward) would do well to considert the points you make in this video.

[BBCjer]

just found your channel today. I started coding about a year ago and am now looking for a job, these videos are really helpful man!

[freebookstore]

after 4 years as a computer science student, i realized coding might not be good for me, actually I like competitive programming, but I hate working with frameworks, libraries ..., besides i am very lazy, (I am literally studying for the exam the day before and sometimes it works sometimes not but anyways), what's forcing me to stay is that I need money, and switching to another career will take a lot of time /money which i don't have

[freshrafyz]

Thanks for the great video! I start coding in 2022 for my goal to work in a great international team one day. Motivating content from you. Greetings from Germany

[narinpratap]

Hey Nick. Great content.. I agree with all the points you've made. I would like to add another reason for why you should NOT learn programming - it can seem a lot like mental masturbation after you get past the "Hello World" phase of learning. If you're the kind of person who tackles complexity and logic solely for the reward of intellectual stimulation, then yes, programming might actually be a great career path for you. But even the most accomplished programmer will reluctantly admit that they've never used merge sort or bubble sort in their actual jobs, yet they've had to study these concepts very carefully in order to achieve success as a programmer.

So be very mindful of these facts before jumping in:
1. There are several difficult things to learn and understand if you stick around long enough
2. Companies will expect you to know all these difficult things really well
3. There's no point of questioning the status quo if you want to join a top company (i.e. you HAVE TO learn these things)
4. The playing field is ultra-competitive and a lot of people give up on their personal life & hobbies to get to the top

[MilindGupta]

should i do then???
Leave my college then??

[Count_Snackulaa]

Good video man, im about to start college soon, i finished highschool with computer science as my subject of choice. I dont have any ideas about a career path and this video helped give me a little more perspective. I think ill keep heading forward in the coding field if i get the chance.

[felixc.programs]

Nice! Your content is really great and has helped shape me as a new Youtuber and also data scientist/software engineer. Thank you for everything!

[JassimBjj]

I code for fun, I mostly aim for at least one hour a day of coding, I used to do 4 but college takes a lot of my time. I agree with everything in this video except for the mathematics part, don't be discouraged to start coding even if you hate maths. Trust me just start and trust the process.

[nicholasbazzoni]

I'm studying your leetcode videos rn. Got through intersection of two linked lists and i think I got it after rewinding 10 x. thx!

[NoobWithEpix]

Nick, could you do a video on all the salaries/payments you got throughout your life in coding? If it’s jobs or projects
Love the content

[sonman]

I am currently in college and coding is the only subject that makes me WANT to work on it. I WANT to stay up later and do it.
Not healthy when I push off other school work because of it.

Advice to my future self, even if you really want something keep a good sleep schedule.

[kani-licious]

The part about not knowing what you want to do is false because if you dislike programming then its automatically of your list

[kayxperience]

This is my story I guess I am scared of another career part... I know how much enthusiasm I got in my first - 3rd year at the University... 6 years later I am still going back and forth struggling with OOP and I really want to be a software dev. How do an extrovert get over being lazy and focus on coding? I am starting my coding journey again from OOP for the 100th times starting June 2nd..promising to be more disciplined...anytime I see people that do it for money and how they learn fast and stay consistent I get mad at myself and at the same time inspired...i really want to cross that bridge... I need help. I need advice and I need a polite friend that codes.