How everyone expects you to know how to code as a computer science graduate

Sharon Somi Aludo
2 min readJan 16, 2023

It’s a common misconception that all computer science majors are code wizards who can whip up a website or app faster than you can say "JavaScript." But the truth is, there are many branches of IT that don’t require coding skills at all. And it’s high time we set the record straight.

First of all, let’s talk about User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design. These are two critical aspects of any digital product, and they’re all about making sure that the product is easy to use and pleasing to the eye. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to know how to code to be a great UX or UI designer like me. In fact, some of the best designers have no coding experience whatsoever. They simply understand how people interact with technology and use that knowledge to create intuitive and visually appealing designs.

But UX and UI design are just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other IT skills that don’t require coding. For example, there’s project management. This is all about making sure that a project stays on track and on budget. And while it can be helpful to know a bit of code, it’s not a requirement. Other non-coding IT skills include:

  • Information architecture: This is all about organizing information in a way that makes sense and is easy to navigate.
  • Content strategy: This is the process of planning, creating, and managing content for a website or app.
  • Search engine optimization (SEO): This is the practice of making sure that a website or app ranks well in search engines like Google.
  • Social media management: This is all about creating and managing social media accounts for a company or brand.

So, as you can see, there are plenty of IT skills that don’t require coding. And that’s not to say that coding isn’t important. It definitely is! But it’s not the be-all and end-all of the IT world. If you’re interested in a career in IT but aren’t sure if coding is for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other options out there. And who knows, you might just be the next great UX designer or social media manager.
In conclusion, It’s time we stop assuming that all computer science majors are code wizards. The field of IT is vast and varied, and there are many skills that don’t require coding. So, if you’re interested in a career in IT but don’t want to code, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Because you totally can!

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Sharon Somi Aludo

Unveiling Africa's unique UX challenges, fostering inclusive design through storytelling, and offering UX solutions for a better future in work-life and product