5 reasons to add "learn to code" to your 2020 resolution list

It’s that time of the year again. As the New Year is upon us, so, too, are the usual resolutions for self-improvement and personal growth. The classics are typically gym memberships, saving money, traveling or reading more, and learning new languages.

While those are great, an often overlooked and increasingly important skill to develop in our digital age is learning how to code. This skill not only helps individuals further their careers but also provides invaluable skills that last a lifetime.

Need more reasons to consider learning how to code this New Year? Here are five more:

1. It’s the language of the future

It’s indisputable that we’re moving more and more toward a digitally-connected world. That means that those who know how to take an idea and code it into a reality are becoming increasingly important in the way our society progresses in not only new businesses but in our daily, interconnected lives.

2. It increases your problem solving and critical thinking capabilities

Coding is, basically, giving a computer a set of tasks and instructions by breaking the main task down into smaller, sequential ones. Doing so means that coders must be capable of critical thinking skills that allow them to take a large, opaque goal and chop it up into bite-sized steps. This is a valuable life skill for anyone, regardless of industry or age.

3. It fosters creativity

Learning to code requires students to bridge the gap between application and abstract thought, an essential step in the creative process. Just like learning any new language, applying different meanings to symbols and terms enhances and expands how someone views the world. Being able to see an end goal and work to teach a machine to produce that is a quintessentially creative endeavor.

4. It bridges so many disciplines

While many may think that learning to code is a singular career path into coding, it's actually wildly useful for so much more. If you're a writer looking for a dynamic, creative way to tell a non-linear story, learning to code can help you build the perfect website to do that. If you're a businessperson developing a new startup, learning to code can be the most useful skill in your toolbox for that process.

5. Some of the most top-paying jobs available rely on coding
The average salary of a developer is $100,610. The average salary of a data scientist is even more than that. Individuals who know how to code are in high demand and companies are willing to pay top dollar to find the best talent on the market.

“Coding is increasingly becoming a critical skill for everyone,” says Zach Sims, CEO and Co-Founder of Codecademy. “Our courses are designed to help ensure that, regardless of current skill level, students are able to learn and progress with the skills they need to be able to take a concept and put it into action.”

Codecademy Pro offers exclusive courses and features that are unavailable on their free platform. Pro users also get access to a mobile application, tools that help accelerate them through the program, access to a community of learners for real-time support, and more.

While this is just a tiny sliver of all the reasons coding should be on everyone's New Year resolution list, the most impactful is the personal growth and transformation that people experience while expanding their knowledge base and learning a new way of thinking and communicating. That kind of self-improvement is the quintessential spirit of self-betterment.

For more information, visit http://www.codecademy.com/2020.