September 29, 2022 
5 MIN READ 
“Ladies coding” is one of the most popular terms in tech diversity searches.
Interesting. We at CodeOp serve the women+ community of coders and coders-to-be. Whether you call yourself a lady, mujer, mujerona, human of undefined gender or simply identify with any term for she/ella/elle, learning code will open doors. Read on to learn about the 5 big wins of coding for women+ (and bear with the occasional Spanglish, we’re based in Barcelona).
What exactly are ladies coding though?
Before we dive in, know that search terms like the above are generally used by people hopeful to change careers, and coding entry-level coding jobs generally fall under the two umbrellas:
Full stack: which includes frontend coding (everything you see on a web app’s user interface) and backend coding (everything you don’t see).
Data science: using code to process and interpret crucial data to enable high-impact decisioning and drive growth in a company.
So why learn Full stack / Data science coding?
Having knowledge of full stack development or data science not only opens access to better-paid jobs, it helps pave the way for generations of women+ to come, redefining the tech industry.
CodeOp knows this and wants to help you make one of the most important decisions in your career by synthesising the five many reasons why “ladies coding” is a hot topic right now.
1. Coding is in high demand.
There are more job openings in the tech industry than there are people to fill them.
In fact, Forbes estimates that by 2026 there will be 1.8 million new jobs in computer science but only 429,000 computer science graduates to fill them.
Knowledge of the stack and or data science is a great way to future-proof your career path.
2. It’s well paid
“Full stack developer” and “Data scientist” aren’t just high-demand professions—they’re also a high-paying.
According to PayScale, the median salary for software developers is $105,590 per year. Leadership tech roles, like CTO or VP of engineering, often mean salaries of six figures +.
3. It’s creative
Coding is often thought of as a left-brain activity, but coders are creators, building the apps and web services we engage with everyday. The digital art space, web3 technologies and decentralized banking are only the beginning of a constantly evolving world. Imagine how the software industry’s ability to innovate will grow as more women+ bring their perspective and intuition into the tech sphere.
Coding implies constant problem-solving and thinking outside the box. For many creatives, turning to programming provides a powerful outlet to thrive in the digital space.
4. Career trajectory
Building a culture of inclusion and diversity is at the top of many tech companies’ priorities. The hierarchical boys club energy that was rampant in Silicon Valley up to a few years ago is rapidly being toppled as companies step up and take action to diversify their teams. Policies and best practices concerning the inclusion and promotion of women+ and people of color within tech organizations are being adopted across startups and enterprises internationally.
Many influential women+ in tech careers often get their start in technology thanks to a bootcamp and may go on to join a fast growing organization, take part in incubators as founders for novel startups and services. Another common use case are individuals working tech who want to specialize in a role that requires coding knowledge. From junior dev to project lead and beyond, there is ample room for career growth in coding.
5. Diversifying tech benefits us all
When you learn to code you’re connected with a global community of developers who work in supportive environments and are happy to lend a hand. A great example of the egalitarian roots that can underlie software development is the open-source philosophy. Now more than ever, the democratization of software is underway. Becoming part of this change means changing the way women are perceived in the STEAM (science technology engineering arts and math) careers.
In fact, according to the National Center for Women & Information Technology, the number of women in computing occupations has doubled over the last 15 years. And yet, only 12% of computer science graduates are women.
So, why aren’t there more “ladies coding”?
One reason may be the lack of role models. Studies have shown that seeing people one can relate to in a given field is a strong predictor of success.
This statistic is even lower for Black and Latinx women, who make up just 3% and 1% respectively. Representation matters.
The Power of Women+ in Tech
When you think of a coder, what comes to mind?
The face of development is changing—the idea of developer teams made up of cis men hunched over their computers in a room full of empty pizza boxes and coffee cups is becoming obsolete, and it’s about time.
Study after study has proven the traditional lack of diversity in corporations is bad for business: studies have shown that companies with diverse workforces perform better financially. Having more women in tech would help solve this problem.
Women+ see the world differently than cis men do—and that’s valuable in any field, but especially in tech.
One study found that female developers are more likely than their male counterparts to focus on “user needs, business value, and design quality.”This means that they’re more likely than cis men to create products that engages users for longer stretches of time.
If you’re thinking about making the leap into coding, we say go for it!
And remember, there is no such thing as a “natural” coder—anyone can learn with enough time and effort. CodeOp’s graduate community continually shares success stories.
So, what are you waiting for?