Software development continues to be a strong career path, even in the age of artificial intelligence. They don't just play a pivotal role in the lifecycle of software projects; they execute the very features that drive software functionality. Here, we’ll look at how to become a software developer, including skills needed and specialized fields within the industry.
What Does a Software Developer Do?
A software developer uses coding and programming skills to create and maintain new features and applications. While software developers do code, like programmers, their responsibilities are broader than perfect syntax and tight execution.
Software developers are not typically responsible for creating or maintaining whole systems; instead, they create and test individual features and programs.
Core Responsibilities of a Software Developer
Software developers code, test, collaborate, maintain, and upgrade an array of programs, applications, and systems. Sometimes called the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), a software developer is expected to plan, adjust, and optimize their software based on the scale and scope of the project.
Types of Software Developers
Specializations include:
- Front-end – Focuses on features and applications that face the public eye.
- Back-end – Designs and implements programs that support and run front-end applications.
- Full-stack – Works across the application spectrum, including APIs, servers, databases, and front-end.
- DevOps – Optimizes across the development lifecycle, often responsible for tasks that bridge across other IT specialties.
How to Become a Software Developer
A software developer needs hard skills, core competencies, and hands-on experience. With the right education, you'll hone enough fundamentals to launch your career.
1. Earn a Relevant Degree
Industry degrees, like software development, IT, and computer science, can all give you a solid base layer to start your career. Structured learning doesn't just help professionals stay on track. It's the key to preparing for the next big trends. While tech has always moved quickly, today's pace is meteoric. A bachelor's degree in software development can give you confidence as you move from one rung to the next.
2. Learn Programming Languages
Programming languages, like PHP, Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, and C++, are still in-demand, depending on the organization you choose to work with. Learning multiple languages can help you appeal to more companies and institutions or consider concentrating on one to give you the edge over the competition. Basic coding resources, whether shown on YouTube or through a fundamentals course, can help you explore how each language and method translates to a real-world outcome.
3. Understand Software Development Methodologies
Software projects can quickly become confusing, and it's not unusual for a single dropped ball to result in indefinite delays. Project management principles are used to track tasks and keep multiple departments working in tandem. For example, waterfall workflows set up a sequence of events until project completion.
Agile is one of the most oft-used methodologies in the industry because it's designed to control chaos. Unlike waterfalls, which can become obsolete with even one new adjustment, Agile keeps up with rapidly changing parameters. It also encourages better communication between team members with the help of Scrum. With Scrum, people come together to scope projects, assign roles, and then track progress and updates until the due date.
4. Build Hands-On Experience
Hands-on experience can come from anywhere, including GitHub portfolios, open-space contributions, internships, and school projects. The more avenues you explore, the more valuable feedback you can collect from fellow professionals, tech enthusiasts, everyday users, etc. Hands-on experience not only shows employers your skills but also helps you discover the problems you enjoy solving most.
5. Develop Soft Skills
Soft skills, like effective collaboration, adaptability, problem-solving, and communication, aren't just "nice to have." They're all part of an essential toolbox for software developers. If you can't work within the project's confines — especially when the goals shift — you can alienate the very people you need to succeed. Whether it's a client or a direct report, developers need to develop an underlying foundation of soft skills so they can remain an integral part of the team.
Careers as a Software Developer
Careers for a software developer come in a range of colors. The best part is that this career is flexible enough for your skills to apply across sectors. As you explore the options, consider the long-range impact of each role. For example, some software developers start with the goal of becoming a software architect or CTO, which will mean learning more about broader systems or developing better leadership skills.
Entry-Level Software Developer Roles
Entry-level software developer roles can include:
- Associate developer
- Junior developer
- Software test engineer
- Technical support specialist
- Data analyst
Responsibilities may range from writing code to testing features to crunching troves of data. As long as you're developing skills in programming, analysis, and security, these roles can serve as the bedrock for a successful career.
Mid-Level and Advanced Roles
As you advance, you can look for jobs like senior developer, architect, DevOps engineer, and managerial roles. As you acquire more experience and responsibility, you can match your past against the job descriptions. Consider how to best cross-sell skills if you're coming from a seemingly disparate role. For example, if you were a data analyst, you might highlight how part of your job was designing software algorithms for more accurate outcomes.
Software Developer Job Outlook
Software developer careers are expected to grow 15% until 2034, largely thanks to AI, though entry-level positions may become more competitive due to automation. While it's clear that tech has experienced some turbulence, software developer jobs are still a critical piece of the puzzle.
Education Pathways: Is a Degree Worth It?
Today's education pathways are more open and diverse than ever before. From self-driven exploration to intensive bootcamps, there's been an impressive effort to replace traditional degrees. Just remember that formal education is still highly valued in most organizations, and not just because it's a formality. Bachelor's degrees provide a strong framework and serve as evidence of your ability to commit. The latter can be even more important for organizations than technical genius or acumen — if only because few developers work in a vacuum.
Skills You Need to Become a Software Developer
We've covered some of the skills you need to become a software developer, but we'll peer more into the underlying competencies, including how to get along at the workplace.
Technical Skills
Technical skills for software developers can vary but generally include:
- Debugging – While automation can catch some errors, human oversight is still needed to stop hackers and prevent breaches.
- Version control – Projects can go through multiple phases, and keeping track is not always as straightforward as it seems. So, whether teams want to add a new feature or revert to the original version, version control keeps everything organized and readily available.
- Databases – Tracking, managing, and optimizing databases is a key skill for software developers, especially in larger organizations.
Workplace Skills
It's common for software developers to focus on their technical skills, but workplace skills matter just as much. From analytical thinking to collaboration, software developers should be able to work both independently and as a group. Many teams are stacked with people of all personalities, and communication and collaboration can look different from one group to the next. The most successful software developers can effectively convey the value of their work and apply influence as needed to shape the future of the organization's tech stacks.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Software Developer?
A standard formal education for software developers is four years for an undergraduate degree and two years for a master's. You may be able to find an accelerated program that packs more into a shorter timeframe (just keep in mind that not all programs are created equal). No matter how long your formal education is, though, software developers will need to constantly evolve, learn, and grow to stay ahead of the curve.
Start Your Path Toward a Career in Software Development
A bachelor's degree in software development is a great way to prepare for the real world and establish a solid long-term career. If you're interested in a program that keeps up with all the latest tech shifts, contact Champlain College Online to learn more about how we approach this fast-changing field. Our faculty understands both the hard and soft skills needed to give students an edge as they navigate the challenges ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Software developers need to be analytical, curious, and collaborative. They’re expected to step in and own multiple parts of complex projects, supporting the Software Developer Life Cycle (SDLC) for as long as needed.
There is no one recommended programming language, as it depends on your career goals. In terms of popularity, though, Python or JavaScript are good places to start if you’re on the fence. Python has been on the rise for a while, thanks to its English-style syntax and straightforward logic.
Software development can be a good career and a lucrative opportunity. Just keep in mind that responsibilities may change considerably as new tech emerges. As long as you're staying on top of new opportunities and theories, you can build a solid standing in the industry.
This question ultimately depends on where you choose to work, but the general difference between developers and engineers is that developers focus on executing features across a project, whereas engineers (and architects) design the larger systems.
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