Learn to Code for FREE so you can work REMOTELY!

Learn to code. Seriously. I can’t stress enough how valuable coding skills are. And coding know-how can often lead to much more flexible (and lucrative!) work.
So, if you’ve been plotting an escape from your cubicle for some time, coding may very well be your ticket out of the office.
In fact, some of the most in-demand, remote-friendly positions revolve around coding. So, I’ll say it again, if you want to work from anywhere (and make a good living to boot) learn to code!

But before we jump into how and where you can learn to code, let’s look at what exactly coding is and why it’s such a hot commodity skills-wise in the remote working world.

What Exactly is Code?
All the websites, apps and software you use are built on code.

Your favorite social media site? Yep, that’s code.

That game you spend way too much time playing? That’s code, too.

Your go-to browser for searching? All code.

This very line of text you’re reading right now? You guessed it! Code.

And because so many amazing things are built upon code, it means there’s a lot of demand for people who know how to code. After all, behind every awesome app and share-worthy site, there’s the brillaint mind of a programmer (what you call someone who codes). And when you learn to code, that programmer could be you.

What Does a Programmer Do?
We know the term coding is super broad and applies to many different applications, software, and sites. And the job duties of one programmer will be just as broad, varying greatly from one to the next.

In fact, there are different types of code, called languages. Each language has a specific purpose in the world of web design and development. Typically, a programmer will specialize in a few languages.

If this is starting to make your head spin! Hang in there. I promise, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

As a beginner, you won’t be focusing on the super complex languages that well-seasoned pros tackle. You’ll start from the beginning and work your way up. Baby steps, right?

Popular Programming Languages
Someone who builds websites will be more well-versed in certain languages than others. Just as a programmer who specializes in databases may only work with a handful of languages.

Really, the type of programming languages used depends on the nature of a job and its industry.

But, generally speaking, there are those languages which are continually in demand thanks to their popularity and frequent use in building the applications, sites, and databases we use every day.

These languages include:

Java
Have an Android smartphone or tablet? Your device’s operating system is built on Java. This popular language is also used to build games, apps, and web-based content (to name a few).

PHP
Every time you visit Facebook, you’re looking at PHP in action! WordPress sites are also built using PHP.

Python
The name sounds intimidating, but Python is actually regarded as a beginner-friendly language to learn. It’s also the power behind web apps for my favorite visual search engine, Pinterest!

Ruby
Although specifically built to be easy to write, Ruby packs quite a lot of punch. This powerful language is used to build websites and apps as well as power Ruby on Rails, the framework that brings sites like Groupon and Shopify to life.

JavaScript
All of those interactive features and animations you see on websites are there thanks to JavaScript. It’s also a popular language for game developers.

SQL
Many databases are built using the special-purpose language of SQL. It’s specifically known for its query feature that allows users to search databases.

C Language
Before there was Ruby, Python, Java (or any other languages), there was C Language. As the oldest programming language around, many of the others mentioned on this list were built with C Language as a foundation. Needless to say, it’s a must-learn for aspiring programmers!

A Cubicle-Free Career
We know what code is. We know when you learn to code, you posess a super valuable skill. And we know the different coding languages and how they’re used to make the things we see, use and interact with every day.

But what makes programming such a remote-friendly career path?

Coding can be done from, well, anywhere. With a computer and Internet connection, you can work on, collaborate with, and share code with coworkers from around the world.

And many startups and well-established companies alike recognize this. So, instead of limiting their taent pool to local candidates, they open their virtual doors to anyone with the knowledge to get the job done.

So, when your end goal is to carve a cubicle-free career path, programming can definitely open up a lot of those opportunities for you.

Who Hires Programmers?
Programmers may be hired as full-time employees or as freelancers to perform one-off gigs.

For example, an online boutique owner may hire a programmer to help give their website a new look.

Or a large tech company may need a programmer on staff to make updates and troubleshoot bugs.

Really, it just depends on the company or person hiring and their needs.

Take Automattic, for example, the mastermind behind WordPress and popular plugins Jetpack and Akismet. They frequently hire full-time programmers because they have a lot of projects going on at any given time. And, as you may have guessed, their Code Wranglers and JavaScript Engineers can work from ANYWHERE!

But a quick search on Dice, a popular tech job board, shows a good mix of full-time, part-time, and freelance projects to choose from.
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So, no matter the type of employment you’re after, chances are you can find it once you learn to code!