One of the greatest parts about working in tech is that the landscape is constantly evolving. It’s a world of perpetual growth and learning, and over the past year, we’ve expanded our course offerings to help you keep up. From diving deeper into domains like cybersecurity and game development to exploring Web3 and database management tools, we’ve buffed up our curriculum with exciting ways for you to find new skills and opportunities in 2022 and beyond.
Ahead, we’ll look back at our community’s favorite new courses over the past year based on engagement and feedback. Then, we’ll give you a peek at what’s coming next.
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1. Introduction to UI and UX Design
User experience (UX) is a fast-growing field. Companies need UX and UI Designers to ensure their products are easy to use and capable of helping users achieve their goals. Compared to other coding jobs, UI/UX roles tend to draw people who don’t necessarily have a technical background.
UX involves getting in touch with users to better understand their needs and using what you learn to inform development. User interface (UI) is a subfield of UX centered around designing the interfaces we use to control and operate software. Our free Introduction to UI and UX Design provides an overview of the field and the different careers within it, and you’ll also learn how to use Figma — one of the most popular collaborative design tools in the industry.
Over 30,000 people have taken this course so far, with many going on to dive deeper into UX in our free Learn User Research: Generative and Learn Design Thinking: Ideation courses.
2. Introduction to IT
There’s more to tech than programming, and there are tons of exciting careers in the field outside of software development. Our modern digital landscape is a massive web of computers, servers, networks, software, and hardware that powers much of our society and requires a diverse array of IT experts and specialists to keep everything running.
Our free course Introduction to IT explores this digital landscape, covering the basics of computing, networking, cybersecurity, and database management. It’s a great introduction to the field, whether you’re considering a new career or want to learn more about the tech we use every day.
3. iOS Developer career path
iOS Developers have a huge audience, with Apple dominating over half of the smartphone market in the U.S. In this career path, you’ll learn everything you need to know to apply for your first job as an iOS Developer. We’ll show you how to use Swift, SwiftUI, and Xcode to create four unique apps that you can use to build a portfolio and start looking for work. And you don’t need any background knowledge to start this career path, so beginners can jump right in.
4. Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto
Web3 exploded in popularity earlier this year, quickly becoming a buzzword as headlines about the metaverse and NFTs flooded our social feeds. But there’s still a lot of confusion around what these terms actually mean; so we partnered with the Stacks Foundation to break it down for you.
Our free Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto course dives into the technology underlying Bitcoin, NFTs, smart contracts, and more. We’ll even show you how to build your own metaverse.
5. Introduction to Ethical Hacking
Hacking is often associated with breaking the law, but it can also be put to good use. Ethical Hackers (or White Hat Hackers) help businesses find and resolve flaws in their cyber defenses. They play a big role in cybersecurity and are generally paid pretty well.
In our Introduction to Ethical Hacking, you’ll learn about the tools and methods Ethical Hackers use to test systems and networks and how to get started in the field.
6. Machine Learning Fundamentals
Machine learning is all around us, and you probably interact with it every day. From social media algorithms to self-driving cars and virtual assistants like Siri, machine learning helps us analyze and extract patterns from data to make better decisions (and even predictions). It’s a valuable skill with applications across various industries, from finance to healthcare and education.
In this skill path, you’ll learn about how machine learning works, how it’s used, and the differences between different machine learning models as you use Python and scikit-learn to build cool machine learning projects.
7. Machine Learning / AI Engineer Career Path
Our Machine Learning/AI Engineer career path is for those who are ready to break into the field. You’ll delve deeper into machine learning and artificial intelligence (A.I.) as you build chatbots and recommender systems and learn how to use A.I. to improve processes and operations. By the end of this career path, you’ll have all the skills you need to start applying for Machine Learning Engineer and A.I. Engineer jobs.
8. Learn Lua
People have been asking us for a Lua course for years, partly because of its popularity in game development. It’s well known for its use in Roblox, but it can also be found in Saints Row, Angry Birds, Civilization, and other notable titles.
But while it’s popular for game development, Lua is a general-purpose language that can be used for just about anything; and our free Learn Lua course is a great introduction to the language and the fundamentals of programming.
9. Learn MongoDB
Many tech jobs involve working with databases, and while traditional relational databases that store data in tables are still popular (think: Excel), NoSQL databases like MongoDB are becoming more commonplace since they can be more flexible and easier to scale. Learning how to use them can help you stand out as a candidate when you’re looking for a job; and in this course, you’ll learn more about NoSQL databases and MongoDB’s basic and advanced features.
10. Learn Intermediate Java
Learn Intermediate Java is for those who already have a basic understanding of Java and want to take their skills to the next level. You’ll learn more about the language’s advanced features and use threading and the collections framework to create more complex programs and write cleaner, more efficient code.
11. Introduction to Linux
Linux rivals Windows and Mac as the most popular operating system. It was widely adopted after its release in 1991, and today, research shows that it’s used in 37.3% of websites, along with embedded systems, IoT devices, and cybersecurity.
Our Introduction to Linux course will show you how to install Linux Ubuntu and use its pre-installed apps and file system. You’ll also learn how to use Bash scripting to navigate through your computer without using your mouse.
12. Introduction to Game Development
Gaming is a hot topic even outside of tech. Millions of people across the world flock to the newest titles and systems, and it’s a promising career path that’s in high demand.
Our free Introduction to Game Development course was designed for aspiring Game Developers, but it’s great for anyone who wants to learn more about how video games are made. Not only will you learn about each step of the development process, but you’ll also walk away with a better understanding of different types of gameplay and game elements like story and mood.
13. Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
Ever thought about how much of our information is available online? Most websites you have an account with have your first and last name, and we trust banks and e-commerce sites with even more sensitive details. Sometimes, people try to gain unauthorized access to this data, which is one of the reasons why cybersecurity is so important.
So how do you keep your data safe? As always, knowledge is power. In our Fundamentals of Cybersecurity, you’ll go over some of the most common cyber attacks and how to protect yourself from them.
14. Analyze NFL Stats with Python (Case Study)
Our Analyze NFL Stats with Python case study is a perfect example of how you can connect data science to your other interests. By analyzing real NFL data with Python and Jupyter Notebook, you can learn more about your favorite teams and even predict the winner of games.
Learners from all over the world joined us as Codecademy Data Science Domain Manager Michelle McSweeney walked us through the case study step-by-step in a livestream.
15. Build a Recommender System
Recommender systems are ubiquitous in tech. Every time you get a suggestion for a new show, song, or video game, there’s a recommender system at work — analyzing data about your interests and preferences to cultivate personalized suggestions. There’s a huge demand for people who can build and improve recommender systems, and in this skill path, we show you how.
Sign up now to join the millions of people around the world who are learning to code on Codecademy. And stay tuned for future releases; we’ve got big things in store for 2023. Check out our roadmap for a sneak peek at upcoming courses and content — and if you think something’s missing from the list, feel free to drop a suggestion. Your feedback matters, and it helps us figure out the best way to support and enhance your learning.
And if you’re still not sure where you want to start, try our coding personality quiz to see which programming language might be best for you.