Nowadays, almost everything is controlled by technology. There are multiple software applications and systems that assist you in your daily activities. All of these programs exist thanks to a software developer.
This career focuses on creating programs that can solve a necessity. From entertainment to industry, there are numerous types of applications and tools that make your life easier.
Being a software developer requires that you have great analytical skills and creativity to come up with an amazing system that people can use efficiently. You must know what you are getting into before you want to opt for this job option.
What does a Software Developer Do?
This career path has an extensive workplace. You can find yourself working for the videogame industry, or perhaps you prefer social media or the vehicle industry. Either way, a software developer has to design and make a software application or system that a client requests.
You will work with a team of other developers, programmers, and software engineers to fulfill your tasks. The job can range from a simple mobile app to a big organizational program for retailers. The scope of this job is endless, so you must know how to manage and design the program.
But your job does not end there, your work will be tested by quality assurance analysts and testers. They run and analyze the software countless times to see if there are errors, bugs, or something of a risk to the client’s product and business.
After some time, they will send you the data obtained and all the things that must be fixed. So, a job might take some time depending on the difficulty and objective, since it can bring problems during coding and designing.
Other things that you will do are check if the program is still stable and functioning by doing maintenance, provide upgrades to the current system for the client’s needs, or archive the progress of each advancement.
How much can you earn?
The number of job vacancies for software developers is projected to increase by 26% from 2021 to 2031. There are multiple opportunities that you will provide your services to different companies.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “About 162,900 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.”
Meanwhile, you should expect great payment for the work you do. The median annual wage is roughly $120,730 according to the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2021.
Steps to Start Working as a Software Developer
The requirements to start working as a software developer are a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or in a related field. You could get in an internship in college to receive an education in such areas.
However, employers like to hire people who have a master’s degree. These could be for higher job positions, so you should take your time and get one, that way you can expect a better salary and experience.
Things to Learn Before You Start Working
Although you have to earn a bachelor’s degree in order to begin your job, you should learn a few things. Firstly, you should learn a programming language. Coding is not your main job, but you still need to know the basics. Some of these are:
- Python
- C/C++
- Java
- Swift
- Kotlin
- Scale
- Go
On top of that, you need to keep up to date with all software tools. Since you use these to create other software, it is important that you know how they work and the new things added to them.
Finally, you should understand what you want to specialize in. It is true that most software developers can make different kinds of applications and systems, but you should know which type of job you are more passionate about.
If you want to work with mobile applications, then learn deeply about how to create them. It is your decision where to start and to continue.
Join the World of Software Developing
If you really love to create digital tools and platforms that everyone can enjoy and use for their benefit, then you should really consider becoming a software developer. It is becoming one of the most requested careers in the industry.
Since everything is becoming digital, more software apps and tools will appear, solving most of the problems with analogic and physical things.
You should expect to create applications and systems that will benefit everyone. You just need to listen carefully to what your client request and start modeling the product until you have the final result.
References
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers. (2023, February 28th). In the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-1