Technology continues to advance, triggering the need for professionals with
up-to-date skills in the field of software development and programming. As it
has a shifting nature, there are many different entry points into this
profession. Now, one might ask: Is there a right career path
for software developers? Can I acheieve a successful career by following a
specific roadmap? Some might even think so!
Actually, No. There is no single way of achieving this.
However, no matter how your introduction to software development comes to pass,
all aspiring programmers eventually need to ask themselves the same question.
How can I turn my passion for coding into a career?
In this article, we’ll outline the career path for software developers. Moreover, we prepare you for your professional journey, and show you how you can succeed as a software developer.
Step 1: Think About What Kind of Work Appeals to You
First, let’s get something straight: working in software
development doesn’t confine you to a single job description. While all
developers do share a set of core responsibilities, the details of your
assigned role and its responsibilities will vary widely depending on your
employer, the industry you work in, and your career interests.
As with any career, you can pursue a variety of avenues in
web development. When you do, you’ll need to tailor your education to your
chosen sub-field. It is crucial to figure out your professional interests and
map your preferred software developer career path well before entering the job
market. Otherwise, you may find yourself needing to play catch-up before you
can land your dream job.
Generally speaking, software development often falls into
four broad categories: front end, back end, full stack, and mobile development.
So, which specialty should you choose? The decision is up to you. Below, we’ll
touch on these four fields and the coding skills you’ll need to know as a
specialist in each.
- Front
End Developer
Front end developers need to have a keen eye for design.
These aesthetic-minded coders craft all aspects of a website or app that users
can see and interact with.
Front end developers specialize in website design and
functionality. Over the years, the role has grown increasingly complex. Now,
designers are tasked with optimizing websites for smartphones, tablets, and
desktops alike.
Today, front end developers need to strike a delicate
balance between designing for functionality, structure, and aesthetics. These
professionals often collaborate with back-end engineers and user experience
designers to cultivate a compelling application or site design.
To accomplish this, front end developers use the “building
block” languages of web development HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to
determine the look, feel, and function of a site. While some diehard coders
don’t rely on libraries to speed up their building process, most front-end
developers use predefined packages and software that make it easier to
customize and maintain sites.
All that said, front end developers can’t get very far
without the support of a talented team of back-end developers.
- Back
End Developer
Back-end developers create the underlying computation-based
logic of a website, as well as any proprietary software that their employer
might need.
These professionals ensure that the data and resources
requested by an end-user are delivered correctly and quickly. The back end
consists of two components: the server and the database.
While the database stores permanent information the user
profiles or product listings the server is responsible for fulfilling client
requests. For example, a user attempting to sign into their profile would make
a request to the server via a login portal, which would then pipe the user’s
authentication information to the database and match it against a list of
accounts.
Back-end developers work directly with data, application
integration, APIs, and other back-end processes. The role requires extensive
technical know-how and knowledge of several back-end programming languages.
- Full Stack
Developer
As the name suggests, full stack developers do it all. These
versatile professionals have extensive training in both front and back-end
programming, and so can shift effortlessly between the two disciplines.
In the development world, the term “full stack” refers to
the entire base of languages, frameworks, and technologies used to service a
business website. The front and back end are inseparably linked in a functional
system; when a user interacts with a feature on the front end, the back end
should immediately fulfil any requests that they might make.
As a jack-of-all-trades, full stack developers should have a
holistic understanding of how an entire operation function. However, they may
have more experience in one discipline or the other.
- Mobile
Developer
As you might have guessed from the name, mobile developers
create software specifically for mobile devices. These programmers build applications
tailored to the unique characteristics of mobile platforms such as Android and
iOS.
There’s no question that mobile developers are and will
continue to be in-demand. Any business that operates an online website or web
service can use a mobile app and may want to develop specific mobile
applications in-house.
Keep in mind, however, that if you want to take advantage of
the mobile development hype, you will need to learn a few languages outside of
programming’s common core; these include Swift, C#, and Java for Mobile.
Step 2: Acquire the Skills and Training
Now that you’ve identified a few areas of interest, let’s
address the specific skills you’ll need to succeed. Regardless of your
specialty, all software developers are required to have the same core set of
skills. Its the most important career path for software developers
Once you’ve charted a general direction for your software
developer career roadmap, you can start working to obtain the skills you’ll
need to succeed in your chosen role. As we mentioned earlier, all software
developers will need to build the same foundation of core programming
skills; however, you may need to pick up additional coding languages or
capabilities if you want to tailor education to one of the specialties
mentioned above.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you will one day be
done with your programming education. As in every tech-centric field, there
will always be more to discover. Adopt a learning mindset and dedicate yourself
to learning any and all languages that pique your programming interest.
As you progress, you may find interest in some languages
that don’t fall within your chosen specialty. Feel free to explore and seek
inspiration but don’t use your interest as an excuse to avoid learning core
skills that you need to know for your immediate career.
The core skills for all software Developers include HTML,
CSS, JavaScript, SQL, NoSQL, jQuery, Additional Skills for Front End
Developers, Version Control/Git, Bootstrap, Browser Developer Tools, Additional
Skills for Back End Developers, Python, R, PHP, Additional Skills for Mobile
Developers, C# & Java
Below, we’ll run through the most tried-and-true
educational pathways for getting up to speed with these skills.
- Software
Development College
College is perhaps the most straightforward and traditional
route towards landing a fulfilling role in software development. A college
education has its benefits. For one, you can trust that you will acquire hands on practical
skills, college programs often take a deep dive into the practical concepts
that underlie coding practice. Students learn to think like programmers and are
often compelled by their curricula to create projects for their professional
portfolios.
A comprehensive education in coding languages, algorithms,
and data structures equips students with insight into how computers operate
under the hood. Moreover, college students
often have easy access to the resources they need to develop industry
connections, land internships, and, in some cases, land entry-level jobs
immediately after graduation.
Keep in mind, college offers a fantastic learning path but
it’s by no means your only option.
- Boot
Camps
Want to learn foundational programming skills, but don’t
have the time, resources, or inclination to enroll in a full-time degree
program? You might want to consider a coding boot camp.
Boot camps are fast-paced training programs that equip
learners with in-demand, marketable programming skills. These programs
generally cover a wide range of subjects, including algorithms, design
principles, server-based coding languages, version control, and database
management. However, specific coursework will differ significantly between
different boot camps.
Why are boot camps so popular? The lower cost and faster
pace probably play a role. Not only are boot camps a whole magnitude less
expensive than a traditional college program, but they can also be completed
within weeks to a few months. While university programs put a heavy focus on
coding theory, boot camps focus specifically on what employers want developers
to do on the job.
Boot camps are also much more flexible than conventional
degrees. Depending on your needs, a program can be conducted online, in-person,
or part-time. Boot camps have made it easier for those who might not otherwise
have the time or money to attend a full-time, four-year program to get their
footing in the industry.
However, there is no right or wrong way to learn software
development. While you consider your options, make sure to keep your priorities
and goals in mind. Not every path is suitable for everyone — and that’s all
right.
Step 3: Get an internship
Navigating the career path for software developers can be
tricky as a newly-minted developer. Before you start applying to jobs, you’ll
want to curate a stand-out resume and portfolio that will set you apart from
other candidates. We suggest pursuing a software developers’ internship to help
show your relevant experience.
Interns get industry experience in documenting, testing new
applications, assessing ideas, and developing solutions to company problems.
Internships also provide learners with the opportunity to collaborate with
senior software developers and shadow seasoned professionals.
Before you apply, try to develop a personal project outside
of your coursework that demonstrates your experience with languages that the
company uses. You may also need to gather references from teachers.
Additionally, brush up on technical interviewing challenges prior to applying
for intern roles.
Software developers aren’t just confined to the tech industry, either. The chances are good that the vast majority of companies you interface with provide computer-based services. Key industries such as healthcare, education, government, finance, and non-profit all rely on software developers’ labour. As a new developer, you get to choose what missions most closely align with your interests. You have the power to select the set of real-world problems you want to solve.