The tech industry is in constant need of workers, and it’s not just coders or computer science majors — they need graphic designers, software developers, computer engineers, linguists, mathematicians, and more. Tech jobs are not only plentiful, but they’re also lucrative.
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates helped usher in the personal computer revolution of the 1980s and 90s and has long been a proponent of coding education:
“I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.”
The late World-renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking spent his life trying to unravel the mysteries of time and space, but even he knows that it’s important to learn the basics before tackling the big problems:
“Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the universe, or you just want to pursue a career in the 21st century, basic computer programming is an essential skill to learn.”
The late Steve Jobs co-founded Apple and ushered in the age of the iPhone. While he wasn’t the star coder at Apple (that honour belongs to Steve Wozniak), Jobs always knew that good code was key to success:
“Everybody should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.”
New York lawyer and politician Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code, a US nonprofit organization which aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science. She believes coding is a crucial skill for young women and girls to learn:
“Coding is the language of the future, and every girl should learn it. As I've learned from watching girls grow and learn in our classrooms, coding is fun, collaborative and creative.”
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, was an avid gamer as a kid, but couldn’t afford to buy the latest video games or consoles. His solution? He taught himself how to code, made his own video game (which you can see here), and sold it to a computer magazine for $500.
“I taught myself how to program computers when I was a kid, bought my first computer when I was 10, and sold my first commercial program when I was 12.”
Facebook and Instagram CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a computer programmer by trade. His coding skills are what allowed him to build Facebook from the ground up out of his Harvard dorm room. Zuckerberg is a strong believer in coding education:
“All of my friends who have younger siblings who are going to college or high school - my number one piece of advice is: You should learn how to program.”