Career decisions are critical because of their
consequences. If you pick the wrong career path, you will waste so much time
and money before you get back on track Some people realise when it is too late
that they made the wrong move when they had a chance.
With so many programming
schools in Kenya that offer short courses, aspiring developers often water
down degree programs. The argument is that you can do a crash program within
months and avoid 3-4 years of learning in a college or university.
The argument is only valid if you have basic
training in programming. However, if you have never been to any coding class,
you may jeopardise your career. What difference does a degree or diploma make?
Let us start from the basics. Sometimes you think of a
career based on something heard or saw someone do and admired it. You can
admire successful developers or creative apps and develop a passion in the
field.
A coding school in
Kenya will give you expertise in that field with the assumption that you
know the basics of programming. A university, on the other hand, will teach you
that and a variety of other related courses.
You might find out that websites interest you more
than apps in your first year of college. You can take it a step further and
join a programming school to perfect your web development skills.
University programs often start with a broad outlook
of a career or field. In other words, you get a taste of everything in your
first and second year. By the third year, you know what you really want to
specialise in and pursue as a career.
Universities and colleges do more than pass knowledge
in your field of interest. You learn how to communicate and live with diverse cultures.
Think about 4 years of meeting people from different cultures.
You might have been raised in a tight community that
speaks nearly the same language. Four years is enough time to grow the inter-personal skills that you need later in the business world. University
teaches you how to build a strong network, solve conflicts, and build new
relationships.
Do not be surprised that the relationships you build
at this level will usher you to your first job. They say that your network is
your net worth. 3-4 months in a coding school in
Kenya is not enough time to build your network.
A university or college certificate qualifies you
for better jobs, which translates to a higher salary. Generally, university
graduates are preferred for most job opportunities. The additional skills you
get in a coding school help you beat the competition among fellow graduates.
Here is another advantage of enrolling in a
university. You develop organizational skills. How do you manage to take
different courses simultaneously and delivery all assignments on time?
You learn how to handle pressure when exams come
around. You learn tough assignments with short deadlines. By the time you hit
the job market, you have the boldness to face challenges.
Final
thoughts
We have heard of people that build a successful career
against all odds with short courses. However, that path does not work for all. Do
not take a shortcut. If you have a chance to get a degree certificate, go for
it. Use the lessons from programming schools in
Kenya to build your skills further.
