Cracking the code: How CodePath prepares emerging engineers for success

Technological innovation, from cloud software to AI, has changed the way we learn, do business, and interact with the world around us. 

It’s also disrupting the workforce. As businesses of all sizes wrestle with the impact of emerging technologies, labor demands are shifting to prioritize increasingly specific skill sets. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, changes in demand for data scientists (35%), information security analysts (32%), and software developers (26%) are all expected to far outpace the average growth for all professions between 2022 and 2032. Others predict a staggering 85% of the jobs awaiting freshly minted college graduates in 2030 haven’t been invented yet. 

CodePath is partnering with universities to fill the engineering talent gap

Faced with a shifting job landscape, businesses are working overtime to prepare. But many are struggling to plug the talent gap. The pace of technological change has created a mismatch between traditional computer science curriculums at universities and bootcamps and the skills most employers demand. A full 73% of engineering and research-oriented companies surveyed by Bain expect talent shortages ahead. The gap is even wider for critical skills in cybersecurity and data engineering, at 83% and 84%, respectively. 

Source

The takeaway is clear: tomorrow’s workforce needs training for the jobs of the future. That’s why CodePath partners with colleges and universities to complement student classroom learning with the in-demand skills and training companies need to manage the coming digital transformation proactively. 

The in-demand programming languages CodePath students learn

CodePath prepares students to hit the ground running with practical, hands-on training in the most sought-after programming languages in the industry, not just what they learn in school.

So, what are those languages? According to Stack Overflow’s 2023 developer survey, the most in-demand programming languages are: 

• JavaScript (used by 63.6% of programmers)
• HTML/CSS (52.9%)
• Python (49.2%)
• SQL (48.66%)
• TypeScript (38.87%)

The above list accounts for languages used by all programmers, including both professional developers and those who are learning to code. For Professional developers, the top three languages remain unchanged from 2022: JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and SQL. 

The CodePath connection

The top programming languages are clear—and CodePath partners with professional engineers to teach them to students based on their interests in the following course pathways:

• Python (Intro to Software Engineering) — This course is beginner-friendly, requiring no prior coding experience. The class focuses on Python, a language with a simple syntax, covering basics like conditionals, loops, and big O notation.
• Swift (iOS Development) — All things mobile app development using Swift, APIs, and Apple SDKs. Students learn Swift basics, functions, closures, and optionals, along with UI and networking data models.
• Kotlin (Android Development) — This course pathway enhances mobile development skills through Kotlin. Students build real-world applications and collaborate on app projects.
• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (Web Development ) — In this course, students build practical skills spanning front-end and back-end development. 

Importantly, CodePath builds on the fundamentals computer science students learn in college. Students enrolling in intermediate-to-advanced CodePath course pathways, such as IoS and Android development, will already possess some introductory programming knowledge in languages like C++, Java, or Python. 

Frameworks, IDEs, databases, and other technologies

Depending on their career interests and goals, CodePath students receive training in high-demand skills spanning tools, frameworks, databases, and other technologies beyond programming languages alone. 

Frameworks and libraries

The most popular web frameworks and technologies among all developers in 2023 are: 

• Node.js (used by 42.6% of respondents)
• React (40.58%)
• jQuery (21.98%)

The CodePath connection

CodePath students in the Web Development pathway develop proficiency in React.js, Node.js, and Express.js, while creating their own fast, responsive sites. 

Students in these courses benefit from applied learning based on projects that can be carried over to the real world, while building confidence in a range of front-end and back-end development skills.

Integrated development environment (IDE)

IDEs help coders by providing a layer of standardization for development platforms and including valuable features that make the job easier. In 2023, the top IDEs for all developers are: 

• Visual Studio Code (used by 73.71% of all respondents)
• Visual Studio (28.43%)
• IntelliJ IDEA (26.82%)

The CodePath Connection

Depending on their career paths and goals, CodePath students can get training for IDEs in the following course pathways:

• IOS 101: Intro to iOS Development — Students gain experience building mobile applications using Apple’s native IDE, Xcode. 
• AND 101: Intro to Android Development — Students cut their teeth on Android app development, including learning how to work in the Android Studio IDE. 
• WEB 102 and 103: Intermediate and Advanced Web Development — Working with Visual Studio Code, students learn and apply the principles of web development to create their own projects. 

Databases

In 2023, PostgreSQL is ascendant, dethroning MySQL as the top database for all developers. Overall, the top three databases are:

• PostgreSQL (used by 45.55% of respondents)
• MySQL (41.09%)
• SQLite (30.9%) 

The CodePath connection

CS students generally don’t develop serious proficiency with databases in school. But many CodePath students meaningfully interact with databases while undertaking course pathways like:

• WEB 102: Intermediate Web Development — Displaying real-world data and conditional rendering, connecting to a database
• WEB 103: Advanced Web Development — Structuring web data, dynamic data, and relational databases

Other tools

Stack Overflow’s survey also includes a section dedicated to other tools. These tools encompass a range of functions, including package management, containerization, build automation, and project orchestration. 

They are essential for developers working on diverse projects, providing efficiency, consistency, and scalability in software development. For 2023, the top tools in this category include: 

• Docker (used by 51.55% of respondents)
• npm (49.36%)
• Pip (29.01%)

Another category on asynchronous tools details some of the top tools distributed teams used to collaborate, including:

• Jira (52.37%)
• Confluence (34.16%)
• Markdown File (26.17%)

The CodePath connection

When it comes to job readiness, bridging the tool gap is vital. Exposure to and practice with various tools better prepares students for tasks like technical presentation and collaborative coding.

The collaboration element is particularly important. Among the top employers, there’s a perception of many students coming in with excellent hard skills, but lacking soft skills and the experience of working on collaborative projects. So, learning to interface with tools meant to foster collaboration is a huge plus for students.

CodePath’s unique course pathways provide hands-on instruction and training in essential tools, including asynchronous tools.  

For example, in the iOS, Android, and Web Development course pathways, students use GitHub Collaboration to roleplay, work collaboratively, and submit projects based on real-world contexts. Web Development students also encounter npm and Pip training in Node.js and Python, respectively. 

CodePath courses are bridging the programming skills gap.

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