Career Insight

Why Coding Academies are Perfect for Parents

young woman sitting on a couch working on coding school

Between caretaking, homemaking, and job responsibilities, parenting is a constant juggling act. And it’s not an easy one, either.

So, while continued education sounds like a nice idea – is it truly a realistic option to try to juggle one more “ball?” Yes, in fact, we think it’s very possible to switch careers, to learn new skills, to even transition from being a stay-at-home parent to a working parent. Trust us, we’ve seen it done.

Coding academies give parents the flexibility, accelerated pace, and affordability to make a big (and beneficial) life change—all without dropping the ball. Or the baby.

Update Your Skills for the Future of Work

Job security is important for everyone, but especially so for parents. As some industries decline and die in the constantly shifting economic landscape, technology is thriving. If you want a current skill to carry into the future workforce, coding is a great choice.

It’s pretty safe to say coding is the language of the modern world. It’s essential to smart devices, phone apps, websites, and even cars. These technologies are here to stay, and technology will continue to advance in the years to come. The world needs coders.

Demand for Software Developers, for instance, is projected to grow by 21% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – much faster than the average 8% growth in other industries. And software is just one of many stable jobs you can prepare for through a coding academy. For these reasons, this educational option may be perfect for parents wanting to create a stable income and future for their families.

Learn from Home

For parents wanting to make career moves by building new skills, the ability to learn from home is key. Things happen: Kids get sick, babysitters cancel, schools close for holidays…or global pandemics. In a traditional environment, these situations might mean parents have to miss class and fall behind to accommodate surprises in their lives.

With most coding academies, you have the option to learn from the comfort of your own home. This makes it easier to incorporate learning into your daily routine and make your education more efficient. Plus, when you learn from your living room, you don’t have to add another school to your daily commute route.

Accelerated Pace

Time is in short supply for busy moms and dads. You might wonder when you’ll ever have enough of it to take a shower, much less upgrade your skillset or earn new credentials.

Spending years earning a degree may be an impractical and overwhelming commitment. Luckily, you can graduate from a coding academy in months instead of years—meaning you’ll get that sense of self-accomplishment, not to mention an income boost, much faster too.

Affordability

Traditional colleges are pricey ( let’s be honest, that’s putting it nicely). Attending a college or university typically means taking out a loan and going into long-term debt, which is far from ideal for parents who are likely already saving for their children’s’ education.

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to college, look no further than coding academies. Some coding academies even offer helpful payment plans.

We should also note: “more affordable” doesn’t mean “less effective.” Coding academies actually tend to be more career-focused than your average degree program. You learn the skills you’ll need through a hands-on program mimicking the job you’ll be doing while also building your portfolio and network, and getting assistance with career placement. That’s a HUGE relief for parents hoping to avoid a stressful job search.

Accessibility

Applying to traditional degree programs requires transcripts, test scores, and sometimes certain prerequisite classes or skills. These items take time to gather, and may not always reflect someone’s true educational ability. The time and effort needed for these materials aren’t exactly abundant resources for parents. Some coding academies remove these potential barriers to furthering your education.

You may be asked to interview for acceptance, and you’ll need skills like critical thinking and drive to succeed, but you won’t be limited by your educational background. Coding academies focus on equipping you with the tools you need, not assessing the ones you already have.

Break Into an Industry That’s Great for Parents

Once you’ve graduated from a coding academy and landed a job, you’ll find yourself in a career that’s ideal for parents.

We’ve already talked about job security, but the awesome benefits of tech careers don’t stop there. Like coding academies, the tech industry itself offers a high level of flexibility. Much of your work can be done remotely, so you can work around your current schedule and potentially even set your hours. Say “no” to traffic jams and “yes” to jammies.

Tech careers also offer high salaries. Software Engineers, for example, earn a median salary of $105,563 (for mid-career professionals). Not too shabby. And although your wallet won’t be that fat right away, many Kenzie students, for example, receive starting offers ranging from $50,000-$90,000. A very nice starting point with room to grow as your career advances.

As a bonus, tech businesses are known for their casual, creative atmospheres and welcoming company culture. That’s great for parents—if you can limit stress at work, it’s easier to be fully present and connected with your family at home.

If you’re a parent ready to make a money move that won’t break the bank or wreak havoc on your routine, start looking into coding academies, we’re sure there’s one out there that’s just right for you.


Ready to jumpstart your career as a UX Designer or Coder? Learn more about our 12-month Software Engineering and UX design programs, or check out our free beginner’s coding program Kenzie Free.

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