In a recent video posted on Twitter, Gary Vaynerchuk (@GaryVee) answered a question sharing his thoughts on students becoming Coding / Computer Science Majors.
Whether or not developing coding or computer science skills is a “good idea” for students today is simply a question of Why You (not If It)!
Why do you want to be a Coder?
- Do you have a technical interest and enjoy building things?
- Will you enjoy breaking things down and recomposing them as something different?
- Can you solve problems that others find difficult (especially of a technical nature)?
- Would you do the above whether you were getting paid or not?
Questions 1 thru 3 speak to capability ; question 4 speaks to motivation. Many people can develop technical skills, but the bigger question is whether or not it is their passion and something that they would enjoy. If you don’t enjoy dealing with technical problems, then you are unlikely to be very good at it (or happy while you are doing it).
But Isn’t This Where The Money Is?
Yes……today (which is Gary’s main point)!
Just a few years ago, any technical skills were over-indexed due to competition for talent. Today, due to continued high demand and scarcity, good technical skills are still highly valued. Tomorrow (and likely going forward), top-level technical skills will continue to enjoy these benefits. However, with the influx of on-shore and off-shore competition, the wages face continued downward pressure.
Benefits and salaries will hold (and rise) at the higher-end, but they will be swiftly commoditized at even the mid-levels. (Note: As can be seen on many freelance sites like Fiverr, this has already happened in areas where technical skills are process-oriented.)
Advice From A Technology Professional
Find what you enjoy and do that!
You are likely to be better at it and have a better time doing it. In today’s interconnected world, the greatest opportunities are found in being the best at what you do and finding others who share that interest. Find somewhere that you can be a leader attracting others who share the interest.
Don’t do something like Computer Science (that you really don’t like) for the money!
First, you won’t be happy.
For evidence, look at the numbers of unhappy doctors and lawyers who are in the 40-60 age range. Twenty years ago, these were professional careers in short supply that had over-indexed salaries which required multiple years to become proficient. Today, many have quit the professions and others are miserable in them.
Second, you have to learn and develop your skill as the market is working against you.
Imagine a highly-demanded product (like the iPhoneX). Customer demand leads to scarcity and inflexibly higher prices. However, entering a market at this point (especially when it requires investment or development of skills) rarely works. Market innovations continue to advance as you work to achieve the current state.
Ok, But Should I Do It?
As I noted in my response to Gary, it is great career if it is where you passion lies. If you are doing it because that’s what you enjoy doing, welcome aboard!
If not, either identify how you can be working on your iPhoneXX or how you can best build value on markets as they exist today.
