What to Learn After Coding (2024)

If you already know how to code, you might consider learning web development, web design, or machine learning concepts. These career paths require knowledge of multiple coding languages, but each requires additional skills unique to their role. In this article, we’ll cover those skills to help you clearly understand which one you want to tackle next.

While learning these new skills, seeking guidance through a mentor is recommended as concepts become more complex. Even self-taught programmers can benefit from an expert's perspective no matter how far they are in their career.

What is Coding?

Coding skills are required in many positions, including Software Engineer, Full Stack Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, and many others. The main upside of coding is that it’s also adaptable to nearly any industry, including education, fashion, finance, medicine, entertainment, and marketing. While it may seem complicated to break into a coding career, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Nowadays, anyone can become a coder and obtain an entry-level position after taking a coding bootcamp or two.

Read more about what coding is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Coding?

Coding is an incredibly versatile field that covers a wide selection of topics. You’ll be able to create websites, algorithms, and programs that have uses in every industry on the market. Even if your chosen career operates primarily in-person, you’ll be able to take creative approaches to coding that will make everyone’s lives easier.

You can make your own video game, build an online presence for your small business, or code simple programs that automate your mundane tasks. There’s no limit to what you can do with coding. This impressive skill will always serve you well if you have an imaginative mind and a willingness to learn more.

Next Topics to Learn

If you already have coding experience and plan to take things to the next level, you might wonder what to do next. Take an inventory of what you’ve learned thus far. To get the most out of your education, you’ll want to seek out classes that complement your current skills or build upon what you already know. Try to envision where you see yourself in a few years. What projects do you want to make? Do you want to apply for any specific position? Are there companies that you have in mind?

Answering these questions will help dictate what you should learn next. The most important thing to remember is that no matter what path you take, you’ll always be able to pivot if necessary. Coding skills are easily transferable to other professions—don’t be afraid to try a new subject at any point.

Web Development

Those interested in websites might be well suited to pursue the web development track. This career field is focused on creating and overseeing websites and everything related to them. There are three major types of web development: front end, back end, and full stack web development.

Front End Web Developers are in charge of everything that users can see, also known as the front end or the “client-side” of websites. This role is tasked with working on banners, sliders, menus, drop-downs, and other interactive elements of the site. Their primary coding languages are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Back End Web Developers are effectively the opposite side of the coin. They handle everything that supports the website underneath the surface, known as the back end or “server-side” of the website. They commonly use JavaScript and its libraries, databases, and frameworks to complete their work. However, many Back End Developers are familiar with Java and Python as well.

Full Stack Web Developers have a mixture of responsibilities of both Front End and Back End Web Developers. They have skills in each area and can work on the client- or server-side of websites. Some developers might have skills in both areas but specialize in one or the other, and their area of focus will depend on the rest of their team.

Web Developers have excellent income potential, with many developers earning six-figure salaries. They’re also a relatively easy field to enter because their primary languages are incredibly accessible to new coders. You can start by looking through some of the web development classes available. If you’re eager to jump into web development, the Full Stack Web Development Certificate program will take you through the tools needed to become a Full Stack Developer.

Most websites are made using WordPress, which is heavily customizable once you understand HTML and CSS. The WordPress for Coders class will teach you how to navigate WordPress effectively and manipulate it to your liking. The knowledge from this class will help you develop your website into one that stands out among the rest. When you’re done, you can try the JavaScript for Front End course and learn to create website animations using GreenSock.

Web Design

This topic is often confused with web development, but web development and web design are two completely different topics. Web development involves coding websites and web pages, while web design focuses more on visuals and usability. While this description might imply that web design doesn’t involve coding, that assumption is wrong. Web design covers user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design.

UI design, sometimes called visual design, ensures that the website's appearance allows people to navigate it effectively. Meanwhile, UX design focuses on people's emotional responses when they use the website and updates it based on their feedback. These disciplines have an interdependent relationship with the codes that operate the website. Without one, the other wouldn’t be able to do their job efficiently.

When it comes to learning these skills, the Web Design Certificate program is a well-rounded bundle that teaches you design principles in addition to the codes that help them run. You’ll learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress concepts to make your visual designs interactive.

The program goes over UX and UI design fundamentals while also teaching you how to conduct surveys that will inform future designs. Once you feel comfortable with these concepts, you can take the Visual Design Portfolio Bootcamp to prepare you for employment. If you’re interested in app development and want to use your web design skills, you can work as a Mobile Developer.

Machine Learning and Algorithms

Have you ever thought about how YouTube and Netflix can send suggestions that match your interests? You’ve probably heard of algorithms and know they affect the choices displayed. But do you want to know what makes them work? Machine learning covers programs that can take action automatically without human input. It’s related to artificial intelligence because these systems improve over time as they gather information. Machine Learning Engineers specialize in working with these programs and overseeing their activities.

This field involves tons of data, which means it’s full of Data Scientists and Data Analysts. These careers are noteworthy for anyone interested in finding patterns and forming insights for future planning. The Data Science Certificate program will show you how to create machine learning models, while the Data Analytics Certificate program will teach you to make projects that can have a life outside the classroom.

Python is the programming language for data science and machine learning specialists. The Python for Data Science Bootcamp teaches you the fundamentals of Python and how they can be applied to data science practices. Instead of focusing on the machine learning aspects, you can take the Python Machine Learning Bootcamp. These skills are in high demand and often used in tandem. For those that want to dabble in both areas, the will take you through the essentials of each.

Key Insights

• Web development, web design, and machine learning are all notable skills after coding.
• Each has skills that are transferable to other programming roles.
• All of them are interconnected and in high demand.

There are many more positions and career choices available than those listed above. Look into each option and see what possibilities come up in your mind. You might find a connection that was previously unseen before. When it comes to coding careers, the sky’s the limit!

Learn Coding with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has a robust collection of coding classes and bootcamps that fit various learning needs. They offer in-person classes in Manhattan as well as live online classes internationally. All classes have relatively small class sizes and are taught by coding experts who have practical knowledge in the field. After completing your classes, you’ll have the option to retake those courses at no cost for up to one year, allowing you to practice, review subjects, and receive insights from instructors for free.

If you’re eager to learn a collection of coding languages and applications, the Software Engineering Certificate will give you a taste of three notable ones. You’ll start with Front End Web Development, allowing you to create websites through HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once you understand these subjects, you’ll shift focus to JavaScript’s various frameworks and databases, including React, Node.js, and Express.js. Finally, you’ll learn Python Development with Django, which is helpful for server-side programming, among other topics.

The Full-Stack Web Development Certificate provides a comprehensive education in coding designed to take you from coding novice to career-ready. You’ll first learn to develop the front ends of websites with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress. After that, you’ll dive into a JavaScript back end stack known as MERN: MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js.

Anyone interested in algorithms and data collection should look into the Python for Data Science Bootcamp. It’ll show you the fundamentals of Python and everything that it entails. The possibilities of uses with Python are vast. Companies such as Netflix and Amazon use Python, and this bootcamp will teach you how to start writing your own Python programs.