Learning code can lead to a successful career. But you can start to earn money while you are learning the basics. There are a few innovative programs that will allow you to get paid to learn to code. Let’s look at how these will work. Notably, learning to code used to require having a PC, now you can learn coding with an app on your smartphone.
Institute of Code Sponsorship Program
The Institute of Code is known for teaching students around the world how to code. Often, their courses will take two months and will teach practical skills. If you are looking for a way to enroll in this course for less, you might want to apply for a scholarship.
In this case, you will need to agree to put your skills to use in helping a small business build a website. In exchange, you will be given $1,000. Aside from the money, there a few reasons why this can be such a rewarding project. First, you’ll be able to help a small business that might otherwise have been unable to afford to hire someone to build their website for them. Also, you will be able to use this project to show your skills to prospective employers, increasing your prospects of getting a job.
Working With Quantatask
Quantatask is a popular freelancing website. Users will post jobs and freelancers will be able to complete them for payment. What makes this site unique is that they offer resources that will help you learn. For example, they offer courses. These have practical activities, helping you apply your skills. There are also forums that you can use to connect with other people who are trying to learn to code.
Once you have completed the course, you will need to complete a project. This is your chance to put your skills to the test in a real-world setting. This will give you a better understanding of the programming world. For example, you’ll need to learn how to debug without the guidance of the teacher. After you have finished the project, you’ll need to upload it. This will let Quantatask verify that you have completed the course and have the skill.
After you have been verified, you’ll be able to start applying for freelancing jobs. These will often be part-time jobs, which you can work on during your spare time. Plus, working with real clients will give you a chance to solidify your skills. As you get verified for more skills, the number of jobs you can apply for will grow. You can also use these projects in your portfolio when you are ready to start searching for full-time work.
Work With Local Businesses
Sometimes, you will want to try contacting local businesses. Usually, small organizations won’t need an expert coder. All they’ll want to do is create some basic apps. Often, it won’t take long to learn these skills. This will let you get paid while building a reputation for providing a quality service.
The best way to find businesses to work with is by approaching them directly. You won’t need a website. They will usually be able to refer you to another business if you do a good job.
Entering Competitions
If you are looking for a fun way to put your skills to the test and possibly earn a little money, you might want to consider entering a competition. There are plenty of sites that regularly host these events, giving you the chance to win big bucks. Just remember that you will be going up against people with more experience and training than you. Because of this, you might not win. But it can still be a good way to have some fun while testing your skills in a practical setting.
Create Your Own Apps
As you are learning new skills, you can put them to use by developing your own applications. This can seem like a daunting experience. But, as long as you have a basic skill set, it shouldn’t be too hard. There are plenty of developer tools that you can use to make the process a lot easier. Then, you can list your apps and start selling them. Not only will this be a good revenue stream while you are learning to code, but it will also look great on your resume.
Start a Blog
You don’t need to learn to code by yourself. You can decide to start a personal blog. Share your journey with the world. Talk about the victories you had and the mistakes you made. There are lots of other people who are learning to code. Seeing the steps you went through can be a great way of motivating them. Plus, you will be able to use this in the future, attracting interest from recruiters.
Try to Get an Internship
Coding skills are highly prized by organizations. Because of this, they might be willing to pay someone to undertake an internship. This will be an entry-level position. Usually, you’ll just need to demonstrate a willingness to learn. Often, this will mean pairing up with someone who has more experience than you. They will teach you about their job and how you can do this. By the end of the internship, you will have learned the basics of coding. This can allow you to transition to a full-time job with the organization.
Meet With Coding Groups
Finally, you might want to make sure that you are meeting up with coding groups in your local area. These can be a great way to get support and get your questions answered. These contacts can come in useful when you are looking for work. For example, they might be able to vouch for you during an interview. Plus, they will be able to point out opportunities. To find these groups, you can try searching online or asking friends and family. If there aren’t any, you can start your own.
Conclusion
Learning to code can take a while. But this doesn’t mean that you will need to put your life on hold. There are lots of ways to learn this skill while getting paid. Plus, when you have become an expert you will be able to make a lot of money from a full-time role in this in-demand profession. So, start learning to code today to unlock this exciting career pathway.