By Mel McGee, Founder & CEO, We Can Code IT
Some things enrage IT professionals. One of them, according to a recent Wired story, is that coding will be the next big blue collar job. While it may appear to be a sign of optimism and opportunity, it has sparked a backlash among IT experts, exposing the “belly of the beast.” As an insider in the field, I’ve seen software developers express concerns, assumptions, and territorial sandbox grumbling, such as “Here comes more terrible code” or “These guys won’t be experienced enough to accomplish what I do.”
To be honest, those exact words might have come out of my mouth when I first started as a software programmer over 20 years ago. As much as the next gal (or guy), I despise badly written code, and certainly, some professions in software development necessitate extensive experience. But I’ve also gained a far broader perspective on our global economy’s future, coding jobs, and their impact on people’s lives. I dare my colleagues to let down their guard for a time and follow my logic. To begin with, not just anyone can work as a professional developer. We Can Code IT, like almost every other reputable bootcamp, has stringent admittance requirements and examinations both before and during training. It’s how we ensure the professionalism of professionals entering our sector, as well as that those that enter can keep up with the class’s speed. Only about 15 percent of individuals who apply to We Can Code IT are accepted into our full-stack programme, and not everyone completes it. Students must be able to learn and adapt rapidly in order to thrive in our fast-paced programme. They must be adaptable and cooperative in order to contribute to the team’s success. These are attributes that we expect from our students, and that employers value as well.
Given this, and the fact there are plenty of coding to go around (and then some), you’d think our fears of infiltration would be set to rest. But why do we still harbor a sense of protectionism, and yes, dare I say it — arrogance — when it comes to lowering the drawbridge and allowing new faces into the software development kingdom?
Lexus Davis, a young African-American lady, comes to mind as one of the hundreds of outliers who have enrolled in our coding boo camp. Lexus is descended from a family with roots in Cleveland, the blue-collar city based on rock and roll, with steel companies almost line the city’s Cuyahoga River – yep, the same river that caught fire in 1969. Lexus was the first in her family to go to college and, more importantly, to work in the technology field. When she enrolled in We Can Code IT’s boot camp, she was reaching the conclusion of an employment with a construction company. She proved her worth and was hired as a software developer by JPMorgan Chase before the end of our accelerated programme. Through their two-year Technology Analyst Program, the organisation continues to mentor her.
So here’s my question: why can’t these non-traditional yet well-trained coders make a job, give back to the community, and support their families? Why can’t their diverse viewpoints and experiences provide them with unique abilities and techniques that could address gaps in problem-solving from a standpoint we’re not even aware of? Their previous life experience helps to balance an industry that is frequently skewed toward traditional programmers with similar backgrounds. Why can’t these other people flourish and even thrive, despite having moved a long way?
In our coding bootcamp in Cleveland, one of America’s great comeback cities with a “rust belt” blue-collar past, I see this happen on a regular basis. I’ve realized that assuming a coder will produce bad programmes just because they’re a “bent arrow” who took a different path in life is a flawed (and arrogant) assumption. I’ve discovered that it’s never too late to learn – and that various people bring different gifts to the table. And do you want to compare skill sets? That’s where the rest of us step up to the plate and provide our assistance. Our industry will implode if we close the door to newcomers. If we stick to our “we were here first” and “no one can do it” mentalities, we’ll never get far.
We can’t afford to keep new people out of IT. Rather, we must respond to the call to be leaders in a society that competes in the global market. I’m challenging my fellow developers to be role models, champions, and mentors for the next generation of programmers. They don’t need your arrogance; they need your encouragement. You’re more capable than that. As a result, make a difference in someone’s career and life. Encourage, welcome, and mentor a new generation of hardworking developers who deserve a reasonable salary for their efforts.
