Why everyone should learn to code… before it’s too late [Infographic]

Ever think you should probably expand your skills and learn another language? While learning to speak Japanese, French or Spanish would be a great achievement, there could actually be a few other languages you should consider — like JavaScript, Python or Ruby. And you should probably get started… right now.

In a world where the number of developer jobs is growing fast and free online resources like Codeacademy are flourishing, it’s hard to deny the value in knowing how to code. Shereef Bishay, founder of Developer Boot Camp, is teaching people how to program and running a startup that profits off commission from his graduates’ job offers. He thinks there is a misconception that only super-intelligent wizzkids can master a programming language. “I think everybody should learn to code,” he says. “It is the new literacy. Software is eating the whole world and in 10 or 20 years, if you don’t know how to program it [will be] like 50 years ago not knowing how to read and write. People need to do this.”

The demand for developers suggests there is a definite need for people who can build apps and websites — particularly for mobile. For example, Freelancer.com recently saw definite increases in the number of job postings for iOS, Android, HTML5, JQuery and iPad-related positions. And, as this infographic suggests, knowing how to code is going to become an even more important skill in the future.