Why Now is the Best Time to Learn to Code for Free in Charlotte

The future looks dazzlingly bright for tech talent in the Queen City. Over the past decade, Charlotte has quietly emerged as one of the nation‘s most promising and dynamic tech hubs. A robust banking center and a strategic East Coast location have attracted an influx of high-profile employers, while a thriving startup ecosystem has blossomed from the ground up.

The result? An explosion of demand for skilled programmers and IT professionals that shows no signs of slowing. According to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the city saw an eye-popping 44% surge in tech jobs from 2015-2020, with the total number of tech positions in the Charlotte area skyrocketing from 46,645 to 67,200 over that five year period.

Year	Tech Jobs in Charlotte
2015	46,645
2016	50,513
2017	54,739
2018	59,341
2019	64,338
2020	67,200

Source: Charlotte Regional Business Alliance

This torrid pace of growth has outstripped that of many traditional coastal tech centers. From 2015-2020, Charlotte‘s 44% tech job growth rate exceeded that of San Francisco (37%), New York City (30%), and Seattle (27%) according to CBRE‘s 2021 Scoring Tech Talent Report.

So what roles are most in demand? Software developers and engineers lead the pack, accounting for nearly a third of all tech job postings in Charlotte. Other high-demand positions include IT support specialists, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, and UX designers.

The common thread tying them together is a need for coding skills. Whether you‘re building mobile apps, optimizing databases, or training machine learning models, fluency in programming is the key that unlocks the door to Charlotte‘s most exciting career opportunities.

And those opportunities come with handsome rewards. According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a software engineer in Charlotte currently stands at $93,681 per year. For a mid-level developer with 4-6 years of experience, that figure jumps to $105,583. And for senior engineers and tech leads, total compensation can easily stretch into the $130,000 to $150,000 range.

But it‘s not just about the paycheck. As the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically accelerated society‘s shift toward digitization, coding has emerged as the quintessential future-proof skill. With remote work becoming the norm and businesses across all industries scrambling to increase their digital capabilities, demand for programmers is surging worldwide.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for software developers will grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030, more than double the average rate for all occupations. And with its unique blend of a lower cost of living, globally-connected employers, and vibrant culture, Charlotte is perfectly positioned to continue outpacing the national average for tech job growth.

So if you‘re an aspiring tech professional, there‘s never been a better time to start learning to code – and thanks to a wealth of free resources, it‘s never been more accessible. In this guide, we‘ll explore the myriad ways you can acquire valuable programming skills without spending a dime, as well as the various career paths and employers those skills can unlock here in the Queen City.

What Programming Languages Should I Learn?

One of the first questions aspiring coders often ask is: what language should I start with? And as an experienced full stack developer, my honest answer is that there‘s no singular "best" language for all people and purposes. Your ideal starting place will depend on your individual goals, interests, and learning style.

That being said, there are several languages that have emerged as the most widely-used and in-demand in the current job market. Here‘s a quick overview of the top contenders:

Source: Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2021

JavaScript: As the backbone of interactive web experiences, JavaScript is an essential tool for any aspiring front-end developer. It‘s used to created dynamic user interfaces, validate forms, communicate with servers, and much more. Key libraries and frameworks to know include React, Angular, Vue, and jQuery.

Python: Prized for its simplicity and versatility, Python is a fantastic language for beginners that‘s also immensely powerful in the hands of experts. It‘s the go-to choice for data science, machine learning, and back-end web development. Key frameworks include Django and Flask.

Java: A longtime enterprise standard, Java is widely used for building large-scale, cross-platform applications. It‘s an object-oriented language known for its "write once, run anywhere" portability. Common uses include Android app development and server-side programming.

C#: Developed by Microsoft, C# (pronounced "C Sharp") is the primary language used within the .NET ecosystem. It‘s a statically-typed, object-oriented language commonly used for Windows desktop applications, game development with Unity, and enterprise software.

PHP: A staple of web development, PHP powers content management systems like WordPress, Drupal, and Magento that collectively run over 40% of all websites. Though sometimes dismissed as antiquated, PHP remains widely used and is a solid choice for aspiring back-end developers.

SQL: Though not a general-purpose programming language, SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard for interacting with relational databases. As data is the lifeblood of most applications, competence in SQL is a must for back-end and full stack developers.

My recommendation is to start by gaining a solid foundation in one language – ideally Python or JavaScript for their beginner-friendliness and versatility – and then gradually expanding your toolkit based on your interests and career goals. Fluency in multiple languages is a major value add, but it‘s best achieved by first attaining depth in one.

Free Learning Resources

So you‘re convinced of the value of learning to code, but perhaps you‘re not ready to invest thousands in a computer science degree or coding bootcamp. Fear not! The internet is brimming with high-quality resources that can take you from total beginner to professional programmer without costing you a cent. Here are some of my top recommendations:

freeCodeCamp: A nonprofit organization dedicated to making coding education accessible to all, freeCodeCamp offers a comprehensive curriculum covering everything from HTML/CSS basics to advanced data structures and algorithms. With thousands of coding challenges, projects, and certifications, it‘s an incredible free resource.

Codecademy: While Codecademy does offer paid Pro plans, the majority of their content is available entirely for free. Their interactive, browser-based lessons are an approachable and engaging way to get started with languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL.

The Odin Project: Focused on teaching full stack web development with JavaScript and Ruby on Rails, The Odin Project offers a rigorous, open-source curriculum designed to take you from zero to job-ready. It‘s community-driven approach is ideal for those craving a more structured, intensive learning experience.

edX: This massive open online course (MOOC) provider hosts free courses from top universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Their selection of computer science courses covers everything from language-specific lessons to theoretical topics like data structures and algorithms.

Coursera: Another major MOOC platform, Coursera partners with leading universities and companies to offer a wide array of coding courses. While many require payment to unlock the full experience, you can often audit the video content for free.

MDN Web Docs: Maintained by the Mozilla Foundation, MDN is the go-to reference manual for all things web development. With extensive documentation on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more, it‘s an invaluable resource for developers of all levels.

In addition to these global resources, there are also fantastic local organizations offering free coding education and community here in Charlotte. Some top picks include:

• Charlotte Devs: This Slack group boasts over 2,500 members and hosts regular meetups, workshops, and hackathons covering a wide range of tech topics. It‘s a stellar way to connect with local tech professionals and learn alongside peers.

• Girl Develop It Charlotte: With a mission to provide accessible and affordable coding education to women and non-binary adults, Girl Develop It hosts regular free intro classes on topics like HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and Python.

• Grow with Google Charlotte: Google regularly partners with local libraries and organizations to offer free digital skills trainings, including introductory coding workshops. Keep an eye on their events page for upcoming opportunities.

• TechConnect Charlotte: This new initiative from Charlotte Works, the Partnership for Tech Equity, and Technically Media brings together a wealth of resources for local tech talent, including a directory of dozens of free learning resources curated for the Charlotte community.

The most important thing is to just start somewhere. Pick a language or online course that sounds appealing and dive in. Don‘t worry about choosing the "perfect" starting point – you‘ll refine your path as you go. The key is to take action and begin building momentum.

Learning Tips and Best Practices

As someone who‘s been through the often bumpy process of learning to code myself, I know that it can be overwhelming and intimidating at first. Here are a few key pieces of advice I wish I‘d had when I was starting my programming journey:

Code Every Day: Consistent practice is the single most important factor in making progress. Commit to spending at least a small amount of focused time coding each day, even if it‘s only for 20-30 minutes. Small steps taken consistently will compound over time.

Build Projects: Hands-on experience is the best way to solidify your skills and build confidence. Once you have a grasp of a language‘s basic syntax and concepts, start applying that knowledge to real projects. Aim to build something small but functional, like a simple web page or command line program.

Embrace the Struggle: Learning to code is challenging, and you will inevitably encounter frustrating bugs and roadblocks along the way. Embrace this struggle as part of the process. Problem-solving is the heart of programming, and every error message is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Find Community: Having a supportive network of fellow learners can be a game-changer. Join local meetups (virtually for now), participate in online forums, and don‘t be afraid to ask for help when you‘re stuck. The tech community is generally very welcoming to beginners and most developers are happy to offer guidance.

Focus on Fundamentals: It‘s easy to get distracted by the latest shiny frameworks and libraries, but don‘t neglect the core building blocks of programming. Gain a thorough understanding of concepts like data types, control flow, functions, and object-oriented programming. These fundamentals will serve you in any language.

Learn to Google: A huge part of coding is learning how to find answers on your own. Hone your Google-fu by searching for solutions to your coding challenges online. Learn how to effectively read documentation, comb through Stack Overflow, and adapt examples to your needs. This self-sufficiency is key to thriving as a developer.

Persevere: Finally, don‘t give up when things get tough. Learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. It‘s completely normal to feel overwhelmed and discouraged at times. But if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will make progress. Trust the process and celebrate each small victory along the way.

Employers Hiring Entry-Level Developers

As an established banking center and a burgeoning fintech hub, Charlotte boasts an impressive roster of major employers hungry for coding talent. And with demand for skilled developers far outpacing supply both locally and nationally, many are increasingly willing to hire and train entry-level candidates.

Some of the top companies to consider as you launch your programming career in Charlotte include:

Financial Services: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Ally Financial, Truist, Credit Karma

Healthcare: Atrium Health, Novant Health, Premier

Retail/E-Commerce: Lowe‘s, Belk, Bojangles, Krispy Kreme

Energy: Duke Energy, Siemens, Fluitech

Logistics: Passport, XPO Logistics, Maersk

Digital Agencies: Skookum, Thoughtbot, Smashing Boxes

Tech Startups: Stratifyd, Kristalytics, Lifetagger, Finsophy

Beyond these household names, there are also hundreds of smaller businesses and startups in need of programming talent across industries like healthcare, education, government, and nonprofits. And with remote work becoming more widely accepted, your options as a Charlotte-based developer are no longer constrained by geography.

As you start your job search, don‘t be afraid to think outside the box and target smaller companies and non-traditional industries where you can have an outsized impact. Leverage tools like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Hired to search for entry-level developer roles and set up job alerts for your desired titles and skills.

Ultimately, the most powerful asset you can bring to the job market is a demonstrable portfolio of projects showing your coding abilities in action. Focus on building small but functional applications that solve real problems, and document your process along the way. A strong GitHub profile can often open more doors than a resume alone.

Conclusion and Call-to-Action

Charlotte‘s explosive growth as a tech hub has created a once-in-a-generation opportunity for local talent to launch successful and rewarding careers in programming. With a wealth of free learning resources available and an abundance of employers hungry for skilled developers, there‘s never been a better time to learn to code in the Queen City.

But this opportunity won‘t last forever. As more and more people recognize the value of programming skills and flood into the field, competition for top jobs will inevitably stiffen. That‘s why it‘s so crucial to start building your coding abilities now, while the iron is hot.

So if you‘re ready to seize this moment and transform your career trajectory, here‘s my challenge to you: commit to spending at least one hour per day learning and practicing coding for the next 30 days. Choose one of the free resources covered in this guide and dive in head-first. Start building small projects as soon as possible, and document your progress along the way.

If you can maintain that daily commitment for a month, you‘ll be well on your way to gaining highly marketable skills that can open doors to some of Charlotte‘s most exciting and rewarding career opportunities. You may even discover a passion for programming that you never knew you had.

The path ahead won‘t always be easy, but I can tell you from experience that it‘s more than worth the effort. As a professional developer, I‘ve had the opportunity to work on projects that have transformed businesses, touched millions of lives, and pushed the boundaries of what‘s possible with technology. I‘ve also enjoyed tremendous flexibility, financial security, and the deep satisfaction of turning my coding skills into a fulfilling livelihood.

So what are you waiting for? There‘s never been a better time to begin your coding journey right here in Charlotte. Choose a resource, carve out an hour, and take the first step today. Your future self will thank you.