INDIANAPOLIS — Learning coding skills could put you on the fast track for a growing career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developer jobs are projected to grow 21 percent by next decade.
With these skills in high demand, the Indianapolis Public Library has teamed up with freeCodeSchool, a web development training program, to offer this opportunity to Hoosiers to take the first steps toward a coding career.
"It is part of a broader mission for the library," said Marianne McKenzie, Supervisor for Computer Instruction at the Indianapolis Public Library. "Of course we want to emphasize life-long learning, but that is of course more than just books. So we offer things such a career center that provides people pathways to a career and this is just a logical extension of that. And that is why the library thought it was so important that we be involved because at the end of it we do already have resources for investigating a career and continuing on that pathway."
freeCodeSchool is an international non-profit that gives free curriculum and resources for people all over the world to learn how to code. Gwen Faraday is the founder of freeCodeCamp Indy, the local chapter of freeCodeSchool.
"This is where the job growth is, we look at Salesforce and the bigger companies that are moving here and being started here," Faraday said. "I believe it is the fastest growing job market in the Indy area, and in many places around the country. And there are all different sorts of jobs. We specifically teach web development in this program but there is also different aspects of software engineering and building mobile apps to desktops to data science and all different avenues where you can take this. Once you are introduced into coding then you can go anywhere with it."
The program is a 12 week commitment, requiring participants to attend Monday and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Faraday says there will also be available office hours on Sundays to work on extra projects.
There is no experience necessary to be in the freeCodeCamp program at the Indianapolis Public Library as this is being used as a stepping stone to a higher education training in coding.
"We are really focusing on people who have never coded before," McKenzie said. "So we are really focusing on people who need that first step into the tech industry. So the only requirement for people to participate is that they have decent typing skills and a general understanding of the web."
To enroll in freeCodeSchool's January Cohort you must attend three pre-requisite session:
All sessions will be held at Central Library located at 40 E. Saint Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
- freeCodeSchool Information Session
Wednesday, January 15, 6 pm at Central Library
- freeCodeSchool Project Day (Required)
During this drop-in session you will complete an Intro to Coding Project. The Project should take an hour or less to complete. You can drop-in anytime from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm to complete your project.Sunday, January 19 from 12:30 pm to 4:30pm at Central Library
- Enrollment Day (Required)
Wednesday, January 22 at 6 pm at Central Library. Students must attend in person. Space is limited and students will be enrolled on a first come, first admitted basis.
For more information visit freeCodeSchool's website.
