Slashdot Mirror
Coding Academies -- Useful Or Nonsense? (techcrunch.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Stephen Nichols, CEO of a platform that helps non-coders create simple video games, thinks that so-called coding academies are essentially snake oil. "In 20+ years of professional coding, I've never seen someone go from novice to full-fledged programmer in a matter of weeks, yet that seems to be what coding academies are promising, alongside instant employment, a salary big enough to afford a Tesla and the ability to change lives." His point is reminiscent of Peter Norvig's in "Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years."
Nichols also thinks coding tools will become powerful enough in the next decade that the demand for actual, dedicated coders will diminish (perhaps not surprising, given his business). But he's probably right that the people likely to go to a coding academy are likely to be the ones using those tools, when they arrive. "Put succinctly, coding is writing text files in foreign languages containing instructions suitable for an absolute idiot to follow. ... For a little while, spending tens of thousands of dollars on a coding academy might feel like a good way to surmount the intimidation. ... More likely, it is just a new pathway into debt."
Nichols also thinks coding tools will become powerful enough in the next decade that the demand for actual, dedicated coders will diminish (perhaps not surprising, given his business). But he's probably right that the people likely to go to a coding academy are likely to be the ones using those tools, when they arrive. "Put succinctly, coding is writing text files in foreign languages containing instructions suitable for an absolute idiot to follow. ... For a little while, spending tens of thousands of dollars on a coding academy might feel like a good way to surmount the intimidation. ... More likely, it is just a new pathway into debt."
Where I'm paying them to do the work it's more than minimum wage. Look at what you can get on fiverr. I'm not talking about full time job I just need someone to write me a Python or C skeleton to my specifications.
When I look at how long it will take me to write a simple script to do some boring task automation vs paying someone $5 to do it, it's a no brainer.
My side jobs are contracted at $100/hr. There is a finite amount of time in the day and if I can pay someone to crank out something that isn't worth my time I'll do it.
If you are a programmer, this is what you are competing against. Slashdotters are going to have to justify their $30+/hr in other knowledge & skills.
Even basic stuff like FPGA programming is $5/these days.