Why You Should Learn to Code

In 2019, I was ready to quit tech entirely.

Fresh out of college and working as a VSOC Security analyst, I was convinced this industry wasn't for me. I was already planning my escape route, maybe law school, maybe something completely different. Tech felt overwhelming and I wanted out.

Then a colleague changed everything with one piece of advice over lunch: "Stay technical."

I argued with him. Why would I want to stay in something I was trying to leave? He insisted it was an advantage, but I didn't understand what he meant at the time.

Today, I'd thank him for that advice. I might not be the most technical person in the room, and I know my limitations, but I know enough to be dangerous. Looking back, I can't count how many times that technical foundation has helped me in my career.

In sales, the fewer times you need to set up a follow up call to bring someone technical, the higher your odds are of closing the call.

Being technical is a superpower and with AI coming into the picture it will be more important than ever.

Learning sales, fundraising, managing a company are all things that can be learned and not a prerequisite of starting a startup. Building a product though? It's one of the most important things at the startup.

Learn to be technical. If you are selling a technical product, set it up, learn to use it, there is nothing but good things that can happen to you if you do this.

If you are interested in starting a startup, you should learn to build things, because startups are just building things that grow fast.

The best time to start was yesterday, the second best time? Today.