I am someone who did pretty good in University. During my Bachelor’s in economics, I didn’t have too many problems when it came to solving complex math problems, isolating 5-6 variables in an equation wasn’t that hard for me. Economics seemed to be the right career path for me. But because I was always interested in computers in general, I chose a much different discipline for my Master’s (e-business). It was the right decision to make since I like working with geeks. Except there’s one thing that still bugs me every once in a while; am I a little behind because I don’t know how to code?
I’m pretty handy with computers, I know for instance I should always reset the router before calling my ISP to complain that the internet tubes are stuck. I hold a Gmail address, which according to The Oatmeal I would qualify as someone who knows their way around computers. But when it comes to pure, raw, explicit code, I’m as lost as someone who just landed in Tokyo for the first time. Something like this for me remains a total mystery:
public static void initializeAnalyticsService() {
try {
analyticsService = new AnalyticsService(CLIENT_NAME);
analyticsService.setUserCredentials(CLIENT_USERNAME, CLIENT_PASSWORD);
} catch (AuthenticationException e) {
System.err.println(“Authentication failed : ” + e.getMessage());
}
}
Yes it’s Java thank you. Don’t send me emails explaining to me what this is, that it was taken from a Java example for using the Google Analytics API…ok well it looks like I know more than I’m aware of. Anyways, is it important to know code if you work in the web business?
According to my experience, it isn’t. You can make through the industry without have to write even a single HTML tag ever. However I do admit that at times, things can get pretty frustrating when something new is up and all the engineers are excited and you don’t really know why they are. “It’ll make the critical racing conditions much easier to attain” they’ll say to you “Don’t you see? Don’t you SEE???“. Well…no.
SEM, SEO, Social Media and so on are all trendy disciplines in the current Websphere. You’re looking for such a job? You won’t have to look too far; they’re all over the place. Nowadays, it seems like most businesses can’t go without them. Part of the reason why they’re so attractive is that they are more accessible. It doesn’t mean that they’re easy (managing really large SEM accounts CAN give you serious headaches…or heartaches), it just means that they don’t demand advanced computer science skills and everything that comes with it (the math, the Mountain Dew & the friend who wants you to fix their mouse). If you want to build a software, or hardware, forget about reading SEOMoz or the AdWords help center. You better start reading books and fast.
The point is, it’s true that you don’t have to be a computer wizz to make it in the IT world. Like any industry, you need designers, you need salesmen, accountants and so on. What I do feel though, is that in the coming years those who will really stand out in the Web are those who can deal with multiple disciplines (business with code or design and so on) and deal well. It’s getting tough out there; in time, each and everyone of us will have to find more and more different ways to differentiate ourselves. If you can stick the rational code-lines with the slick marketing speeches together, you’ll truly shine in the vast WWW.