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Hack your way to a brighter future in these hands-on coding classes in NYC for beginners
Excel? Word? Forget about them. HTML, CSS, and other programming languages are the new guys on the block and are popular by demand. If you fancy changing career paths, or even just for a hobby, consider taking one of these best coding classes in NYC. Even if you don’t work in technology, a high-level understanding of programming languages like SQL and Python can still come in handy.
These coding classes and workshops range from quick introductions to CSS to in-depth tutorials in responsive mobile design. Beginners might want to start with the basics: You wouldn’t jump into a high-level NYC writing class without first mastering grammar, would you? Once you know the basics of coding, you can finally make your million-dollar idea a reality. And if you need a place to work, the best co-working spaces and coffee shops in NYC should do the trick.
Recommended: the best in-person and virtual live coding classes and bootcamps
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As database management becomes more and more important in virtually every field, it is important to know how these databases work and how you can improve your career opportunities by knowing your way around a database. NYC Career Centers offers an immersive SQL Bootcamp to help you become proficient in Standard Querying Language, the most common programming language for building, organizing and searching databases. This course, which is designed with complete novices in mind, can help take you from someone barely managing an Excel spreadsheet to a master of database maintenance and organization in just a few sessions.
Continuing the focus on data management, Practical Programming offers a Python for Data Science Immersive course that will teach you the art of using Python, one of the most popular programming languages in the world. This course focuses on Python’s applications in the field of data science and students will learn how to work with different kinds of data, analyze databases to find trends and patterns that can be used to make informed predictions and create compelling data visualizations to communicate your findings. If you hope to work with data in a meaningful capacity, you’ll need to learn Python and a course like this is an excellent place to start.
Virtually every company, organization, project and institution needs a web presence, meaning that the demand for talented programmers who can develop websites and applications is likely to stay high. Learning front end web development means learning the art of coding the elements of a webpage that visitors see, so it includes all of the visual elements and the assets that a visitor can interact with, like buttons that help users navigate the page. To do this, students will need to learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript, the trio of languages that undergird almost every modern webpage.
Obviously, a website can’t run on just the front end alone. Enter the process of full stack web development, which includes not only the front end elements that a user experiences when they visit a webpage but also the back end infrastructure of servers and databases that keep the webpage operating. In this course, students will learn how to write front end code with HTML/CSS and JavaScript and how to work with advanced JavaScript libraries in order to build the requisite back end infrastructure. By the end of this program, students will be prepared to start building entire webpages and digital applications at a professional level.
Students looking to build practical career skills in the field of data science should consider a course like Practical Programming’s Data Science Certificate. In this career-focused course, students will learn the three pillars of database management: Excel, SQL, and Python. With this knowledge in hand, students can search for a career in the rapidly expanding world of data science and analytics, skills that are becoming increasingly in-demand as more and more businesses and organizations realize the immense value of being able to collect data and use that data to make informed business decisions.
Novice programmers may want to start out with something simple as they dip their toes into the world of programming. HTML and CSS training is a great way to learn a practical skill that has applications in almost every field of programming while still being accessible for new students. These languages are essential to modern websites, since they are the languages that tell a web browser how to display images, text and assets. While you’ll need more training to pursue a career in professional web development, learning these skills is an invaluable first step towards building a future in programming (or just making your own personal websites).
It will come as no surprise to hear that women are still drastically underrepresented in the tech industry. This 50,000-lady-strong nonprofit hopes to change that. Join the New York chapter of the global organization to take advantage of free technical classes, study sessions and networking events.
This beginner software engineering course by The Flatiron School is 15 weeks long and aims to teach students how to develop software for websites and apps. This is a great course to take if you’re wanting to kickstart your career in software engineering. You’ll learn the fundamentals of programming, understand front and back-end development and work on group projects to show off your new skills. It’s available online or in person with an average class size of 15.
This Python Machine Learning Immersive class by Practical Programming is perfect for beginners wanting to learn more about reliable tools needed for approaching a machine learning problem. It will focus on the practical skills needed to solve real-world problems with machine learning, although this class does need students to be comfortable with Python and its data science libraries (NumPy and Pandas).
As its name implies, Practical Programming focuses on programming languages that do the hard work behind the scenes: SQL, a language used for database management, and Python, an easy-to-learn language often used in both web and app development. Courses here are some of the more affordable options in NYC, too.
With 20 campuses around the world and an alumni network of 40,000, General Assembly is one of the best-known technology schools. Students looking for a career change might want to enroll in one of the full- or part-time courses on subjects like data analytics, user experience design and web development.
If you’re looking to study up on one particular skill, Noble Desktop might be your best bet. This 33-year-old school teaches courses in everything from HTML email to responsive mobile design to Adobe Illustrator. Classes range from daylong intensives to twice-weekly courses, so you can definitely find something that fits your schedule. You don’t even need to bring a laptop: Every classroom at Noble Desktop is outfitted with both Macs and PCs for students to use.
Ready to make a career change? You might want to consider the 13-week career accelerator at Fullstack Academy. Students learn front-end, back-end and database development through live lectures, programming challenges and hands-on workshops before working on both team and individual projects. A word to the wise: You need at least rudimentary programming experience to apply for this course. Fullstack Academy also runs the Grace Hopper Program, a software engineering intensive for women.
Perhaps you aren’t looking to learn to code yourself, but you are looking to upskill your team to ensure that they have the programming skills necessary to tackle your next big project. Noble Desktop offers a wide range of corporate training options (available at your office location or in a live digital classroom) for companies to help their employees learn skills such as web design, data science, Python, SQL, JavaScript and more. This training can be customized to fit your needs and, if you want to help your employees learn coding skills on their own time, Noble offers discounted rates on group enrollment in any of their in-person or online coding classes.
Students looking to learn the foundational skills that all computer scientists need to know should consider a program like NextGen Bootcamp’s Computer Science Summer Program. In this program, students will learn how to code with Java and Python, both foundational languages that are utilized in a wide range of computer science fields, including software engineering and data science. This program is designed with the Computer Science AP exam in mind, so students who take the course will leave prepared to ace their exam and earn college credit in the process.
Students interested in pursuing a path in data science (whether as a Data Analyst working for a football team or a Wall Street firm or a Data Scientist building the next generation of AI technology), will need to start by learning how to read and write Python code. In this summer program, students will learn how to use Python to query and input data into complex databases, visualize their data in graphic representations (including charts, maps and graphs) and work with rudimentary machine learning algorithms.
Java is not only a practical programming language to learn (especially if you want to work in software engineering) but it is also the language most commonly emphasized on the AP Computer Science exam and in early level college computer science classes. Thus, if you know you want to pursue a degree in computer science (or an adjacent field like data science), it pays to know how to code with Java. In this summer Java programming course, students will learn how to write industry-standard algorithms, read and interact with large code and write their own functions as they learn to think like programmers.
Due to its position as one of the nation’s leading tech hubs, New York City is a fantastic place to take a coding class and learn new professional skills. The city is home to hundreds of established tech companies, startups, and financial institutions that all require coding skills for nearly every employee. The city also offers those in the tech sector a competitive salary, often at or exceeding $100,000 annually. New York has a diverse business landscape that makes coding skills applicable across a wide range of industries, from healthcare to media. When deciding which coding class to take, it’s essential to start by identifying your personal or professional reasons for doing so, as this will help you determine what skill or language you want to learn first. From there, you can factor in other details like price, schedule, and reviews from former students. Considering all of this information ensures you’re making a sound decision and a wise investment in your future.
There are several reasons why it’s beneficial to take a coding class, both professionally and personally.
Learning to code is an excellent way to develop professional skills and open doors to new career paths. Suppose you’re looking to transition to a new career or even a new job in your current industry. In that case, adding a programming language to your repertoire is a fabulous way to make yourself stand out from other coworkers. Careers requiring coding skills also generally promise higher earning potential, making a coding class a wise financial investment.
Coding is also a skill that lends itself to job flexibility. Many people who work in the tech industry do so from home, so if you’re looking for a job that allows you a higher degree of adaptability, learning to code can undoubtedly get you closer to this goal. If you’re interested in starting a small business, coding is also something you can learn to do so you can build websites and other online promotional materials without hiring extra staff. In general, adding coding to your resume allows you to stay professionally competitive in an increasingly digital and tech-centered landscape.
Even if you’re unsure about whether you want to pursue a coding career professionally, there are plenty of reasons why a coding class can contribute to your personal growth as well. Many people use coding as a creative hobby. These skills help them build things like websites, games, and other applications. You could also use coding skills to complement another passion project. For instance, an artist could use coding skills to build a website or blog that displays their designs and encourages others to check out their work.
Learning to code is also an excellent way to enhance your problem-solving skills, a valuable trait regardless of your profession. Coding can teach you ways to attack problems more logically and sharpens your ability to think through problems in a more systematic, step-by-step way. You’ll learn how to take a more structured approach to your work by writing algorithms and debugging your code. Becoming proficient at a challenging skill and persevering through difficulties is also a tremendous confidence booster; taking a coding class is an excellent way to feel more secure in your capabilities and continue pushing yourself toward your goals.
Java is an object-oriented programming language that is widely appreciated by programmers because of its portability over many platforms. It is helpful in analyzing data and also has the capability to speed up development cycles and reduce the time needed for troubleshooting and debugging. Java can be challenging for a beginner to learn because its syntax is more complex and requires string variables, but taking a class and regular practice can make the process more manageable.
Java’s versatility means that it’s an applicable skill for a wide variety of professions. It’s an essential skill for those looking to go into software development or web development, which is mainly used in the back end process. Java is also highly useful in developing mobile apps since many pieces of its code can be used on both mobile and desktop environments. User Experience (UX) Designers also use Java to help create prototypes of their prospective apps and websites since it allows them to work more seamlessly across various platforms.
Python is another object-oriented language that is commonly used for data analysis, machine learning, and task automation. It is a popular coding language for beginners in particular due to its simple syntax. While other coding languages rely on more complex strings of punctuation to complete their tasks, Python uses a lot of English keywords and commands, making it easier to read and learn. Python is also open-source, so many of its frameworks and libraries are available for free, further cementing it as an excellent choice for beginner programmers.
Some careers that commonly use Python include those in the artificial intelligence and machine learning sectors due to its advanced automation capabilities. Web Developers also use Python to help process data from services and ensure security. Python is also particularly prevalent in the data science field. If you know you’d like to pursue this career path, you can check out some of the best data science classes in New York City to ensure you learn skills in addition to Python to help achieve your goal.
JavaScript is a vital coding language because it allows developers to add interactive elements to web pages. It can be used on any browser and is free to use, so it’s highly accessible to anyone who wants to learn regardless of their financial resources. Learning JavaScript is a bit more challenging than other languages because you must first learn HTML and CSS. However, learning JavaScript is a natural next step if you’re already proficient in these two.
JavaScript is essentially used in the development of websites, mobile applications, and browser-based games. Front End and Full Stack Web Developers use JavaScript to ensure the client side of their work is interactive and dynamic, making it a more user-friendly experience overall. These careers are applicable across industries since virtually every business, from private corporations to local nonprofits, requires a web presence to maintain credibility and attract new business.
Before making your final decision about a coding class, you’ll want to reflect on a few more practical matters. Your budget is likely chief among these concerns. As much as learning a new skill is a significant investment, especially one that could potentially help you command a higher salary, it may not be possible for you to enroll in a lengthy course right away. There are plenty of coding classes that are more cost-effective, like the Intro to Python Programming class, which takes two days to complete and costs $895. There are also several comprehensive career certificate programs that last for weeks or months. For instance, Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate costs $7,995 and lasts a little over four months. This program provides a thorough overview of the entire web development process rather than focusing on a single skill.
You can also take some time to read reviews from former students to learn more about classes you’re curious about. Through reviews, you can often learn important details that you may not be able to find anywhere else. For example, a review would likely be able to tell you more about the quality and style of the instructor and whether students felt the course helped them achieve their career goals. You can also look up some credentials of potential instructors to see if their professional experience aligns with your goals. Arming yourself with this information will ensure you enroll in a class that sets you up for success.
Once you know what programming language (or languages, depending on your goals) you want to study, there are a few additional steps you’ll want to take before class begins. Properly preparing for a coding class is essential to ensuring your overall success. You may want to start by browsing some free introductory material online to familiarize yourself with basic terminology and other beginner-friendly concepts. For instance, if you choose to learn Python, you can watch a few brief tutorials online to get more comfortable with the language’s basic syntax and to help the initial lessons feel less overwhelming.
Since coding takes a lot of time and practice, you’ll also want to gather additional materials to ensure you can study at home. When learning a programming language, you’ll probably need to install some additional software on your computer. For example, some classes will require you to use a programming environment or text editor like PyCharm, Sublime Text, or Visual Studio Code. You’ll also want to be sure that your current device has the capacity to run these new programs reliably. Some schools will list this information in the course descriptions, but you can always ask directly if you want to verify these details before officially enrolling. You can also join various online communities, like Stack Overflow or various Reddit boards, to ask questions and share your experiences with others.
Coding classes can be beneficial for a wide range of people, but there are a few who might find these programs particularly valuable:
Teenagers
Learning to code is a wonderful idea for teens and young adults as it arms them with an extremely valuable and marketable career skill. As technology continues to play a central role in virtually every industry around the world, coding skills will be in high demand over the coming years. Even if a teen ultimately decides on a different career path, coding helps enhance problem-solving abilities by breaking complex problems down into more manageable steps and efficiently finding solutions. For young folks in New York, there are several coding bootcamps and summer programs for high school students. Classes like those at NextGen Bootcamp provide high schoolers with essential coding education that can help them enhance college applications or prepare them to immediately enter the job market after graduation.
Adults looking to change careers or boost their resumes
Whether you’re already working in an industry that requires coding skills or you’re hoping to transition to a new job, attending a coding class is a great way to break through professional barriers and earn a higher salary. Learning to code can open the doors for several fascinating careers, including web development, data analysis, and software engineering. Many of these jobs are known for innovation and flexibility, adding to their appeal to those looking for an exciting career change. Attending a coding class can also enhance several soft skills that are equally necessary for professional development. For example, coding is often highly collaborative, so even a brief introduction to a programming language or two could help someone enhance their professional communication skills. The certificate programs at Noble Desktop provide individual career mentoring sessions where students can learn industry tips on improving their resumes and advice on nailing that first job interview.
Looking for a way to give your career a boost other than getting an MBA? Start with these skills-based classes in NYC.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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