Is Coding Still a Promising Career Path in 2024? (2024)

As a 30-year-old considering a career as a programmer, you may be wondering if this is still a wise choice, given the fears surrounding AI’s potential to replace software engineers.

The reality is that coding and software engineering are not going away anytime soon. In fact, the data paints a very different picture.

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According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment for software developers is expected to grow by 26% from 2022 to 2031, which is significantly higher than the 3% average across all occupations.

This strong job growth is a clear indication that software engineering is here to stay. However, it’s important to understand that the role of software engineers will likely transform as AI technology advances.

In the early days of computing, programmers had to write code in a way that only computers could understand, dealing with complex memory management and low-level details.

The advent of compilers revolutionized the field, allowing programmers to work in more human-readable languages without worrying about the underlying implementation. This made them more efficient and paved the way for the amazing websites and apps we have today.

Similarly, AI will likely transform the software engineering landscape. Instead of spending time on repetitive coding tasks, software engineers will be able to delegate these to AI, allowing them to focus on complex problem-solving, design, and innovation.

While AI can generate code more quickly, it doesn’t necessarily mean the code is of high quality. In fact, a study found that the percentage of lines of code that are reverted or updated less than 2 weeks after being authored is projected to double in 2024.

This means that software engineers will still need to possess the knowledge of data structures, algorithms, programming languages, and their intricacies to review and refine the AI-generated code before deploying it to production.

As the role of software engineers evolves, the skillset required will also change. Instead of spending most of their time writing code, software engineers will likely spend more time designing new features and products with the help of AI.

However, this doesn’t mean that coding skills will become obsolete. Software engineers will still need to understand the code, review what AI generates, and refine it either by hand or by guiding the AI to improve.

The future of software engineering will demand even more complexity, requiring software engineers to be highly adaptable and continuously learn new technologies and tools.

While AI may automate some aspects of the job, the true skill lies in learning how to effectively use AI to boost productivity and deliver high-quality software solutions.

If the idea of shaping the future with technology excites you, don’t let negativity and fear hold you back. Software engineering is a field that will continue to be in high demand, and the role of software engineers will evolve to incorporate the latest advancements in AI.

By developing a strong foundation in coding, problem-solving, and adaptability, you can position yourself for a rewarding and future-proof career in software engineering.