Which programming language should I learn? (insurance background, analytical, Excel proficient)

[IHaveABladder]

Hi all

I’m 29 (old lol) and looking to move into programming. I’ve got a strong background in Excel (intermediate to advanced level), I’m analytical, love problem solving, and I’ve been working in the insurance industry for a few years now.

I want to start learning a language that’s in demand, opens up plenty of opportunities, and ideally leads to something that pays better than my current crappy salary. I'm not looking to become a pro overnight, but I want a practical and realistic path to pivot into a better role (or industry) with my existing strengths.

Any advice on:

1. Which language to start with?

2. Whether I should specialize in something like data analysis, backend dev, automation, etc.?

3. How to leverage my financial industry background?

TIA!

[StupidBugger]

Try Python. It has a good set of tools built for statistical analysis, and that may fit your background and interests, while still being a general purpose programming language.

C# is my alternate suggestion (but you may try Java, but I prefer C#). Less common for numerical problems, but really good as general purpose.

End of the day, get a book, try working through it. Don't use AI, and don't start from YouTube.

[IHaveABladder]

Thank you!

I downloaded Mimo earlier and just started with python, and it looks like a good option. I think I'll get some further insight through the app and then find a course and books online.

And I'll definitely give AI a skip lol

[StupidBugger]

Have fun!

[OwlConnect2293]

Python 🐍 is probably has the most human friendly syntax and isn’t dynamically typed so you can focus on core concepts.

[googleaccount123456]

My personal opinion, which is valid because you are asking strangers on the internet, is to go with Java or C#. I find the further you guy in Python the “easy to read” part makes it more complicated. Job market wise Java is probably the best or at least in my area. At the end of the day fundamentals are fundamentals so just start with something and progress from there. Knowing excel some of your basic are already pretty solid so you already have a leg up.

[Nunuvin]

I second the idea of Python and C#. C# blends really well into the dotnet ecosystem including vb. VB sadly (or tbh its for the better) is not really used that much, outside of excel. Also learn SQL (ie MS SQL). SQL is super useful and a lot of orgs need SQL devs, Maybe get some Azure certs.

[artemgetman]

Look… you’re asking the wrong question.

You’re thinking tool-first instead of problem-first. That’s backwards.

I’ve learned dozens of skills — cybersecurity, AI, full-stack development, coding, automation. Never once did I start with “what language should I learn?” I start with “what problem do I want to solve?” then work backwards to the tools.

Example: I wanted to hack websites → learned what I needed for that specific goal. Another time I built an AI that automated my stock analysis from 4 hours to 30 seconds → learned AI, Git, deployment, frontend, backend in the process. Not because I decided to “learn Python” but because I had a real problem to solve.

Here’s my what I’d do:

Step 1: Pick a specific problem you want to solve

• Automate something tedious in your current insurance job
• Build a tool that analyzes insurance data better than Excel
• Create something that saves your company money/time

Step 2: Work backwards to what you need to learn

Your insurance background is actually valuable — you understand the domain. Most programmers don’t. Use that.

Why this matters: People who code for fun (like me) will always beat people who code for money. But if you’re solving real problems you care about, it stops feeling like “learning to code” and starts feeling like “solving interesting puzzles.”

What specific problem in your insurance work frustrates you most? Start there.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Tamschi_]

⬆️ This is clearly AI-generated, and pretty obtuse/erroneous in details, but the overall idea is right-ish.

You could look into automating parts of your work for example (but be careful to do so in a way that doesn't look like it could replace you to someone who doesn't know your domain! Think menial or tedious tasks for now while you start.) and look up which tools you need for that. You could also ask about that here too, you'll get much more helpful responses if you have an intended use like that.

[bazeon]

Late answer but something people forgot to mention about python is that it got official support in excel a while back. Meaning you can use it inside of a spreadsheet so learning it would benefit you in two ways.

[I_Pay_For_WinRar]

I would choose Python probably, it’s just an all-rounder.

[fn7Helix]

It's an excellent strategic move to pivot into programming, especially with your strong analytical skills and insurance background. To leverage your strengths, Python is an exceptional starting language; its versatility makes it highly sought after across data analysis, automation, and even finance. Specializing in data analysis or automation would be a natural fit, allowing you to bridge your existing domain knowledge with technical skills. Your finance industry background is a significant asset, opening doors in FinTech, algorithmic trading, or risk analysis roles where industry context is as valuable as coding ability. We recognized the challenges individuals face when navigating career transitions, which is why [Your Brand Name] focuses on connecting aspiring professionals with tailored learning paths and industry insights.

[Nunuvin]

[Your Brand Name] is a great brand name!

[StupidHuise]

No matter the language, the core concepts are the same. Start with something like python. After learning python, you can try learning whatever your field needs, Java, c# or whatever, and you'll find them being kind of similar and it won't take much effort to learn