So, you want to be a developer? Or, maybe you’re just considering it. Either way, here’s a few reasons why becoming a developer is a good choice:
1. There is a huge demand for web, application, and software developers across all industries. In fact, developer jobs are expected to grow 24% from 2016 to 2026. This growth is much faster than the average rate among other professionals.
2. There aren’t enough trained professionals to fill the available developer jobs. The number of U.S. college students who pursue degrees in computer science has been hovering around 2.5% since the early 1980s. Considering how much the tech industry has grown since the 1980s, it’s surprising that more aren’t pursing a computer science degree.
3. Pay is very competitive for developers. The average salary for developers changes depending on the type of development you choose to go into. For example, the average salary for front-end web developers is $88,680. For an iOS developer, the average salary is $107,829.
But, there are more things to think about when wondering how to be a developer. You’ll want to know what a developer does, what kind of skills you need to be a developer, and how to get started in your web dev career.
What does a developer do?
There are many different types of developers today. Some of these developers include web developers and iOS developers.
Web Developers
A web developer is a programmer that writes websites for both mobile and desktop screens. There are many different types of web developers. You can either be a junior web developer, front-end developer, back-end developer, or a full-stack developer. After you gain some experience, you can make your way to a senior web developer position.
To get more information on the different types of web developers, check out our infographic.
iOS Developers
iOS developers create applications for Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, etc. Some iOS developers have entrepreneurial drive. But, whether you’re trying to start your own business or land a job at a company in the tech industry, iOS development is an exciting career full of lots of opportunities.
What kinds of skills do you need to be a developer?
After deciding what type of developer you would like to be, you’ll need to learn the coding languages associated with that type of development. For example, web developers need to know coding languages such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and more. iOS developers will need to know Swift.
Developers also need to become familiar with operating systems, get testing and maintenance skills, become good problem solvers, and good collaborators.
How to Get Started
There are three different ways you can become a developer. You can either get a C.S. degree, train yourself, or go to a coding bootcamp.
C.S. Degree
Getting a C.S. degree is a great option for getting the skills you need to become a developer if you have time and money. C.S. degrees can take 2-4 years, depending on how much time you dedicate to your studies. The yearly average cost of tuitions and fees to earn a degree is $34,740 for private colleges, $9,970 for in-state residents at public colleges, and $25,620 for out-of-state residents at public universities. If you are willing to spend the money and give the time, a C.S. degree will give you a well-rounded education.
Self Training
Training yourself how to be a developer is inexpensive and you can work at your own pace. While this might seem attractive to you, it’s important to remember that although you may teach yourself how to be a developer, you won’t have a degree or certification that proves you know how to be a developer. And, unless you are capable of dedicating a lot of consistent time, you might find it difficult to learn how to be a developer in the same amount of time if you had gone to a coding bootcamp or college.
Coding Bootcamp
The average cost for a coding bootcamp is $11,400 and takes about 3.5 months to complete. While bootcamps don’t offer degrees, they do demonstrate to employers that you have taken and passed coding courses, and that you have an educational foundation to your coding experience. Some coding bootcamps offer some sort of certification at the end of the course. When you are ready to join the workplace, 89% of employers believe that bootcamp graduates are just as prepared, or even more prepared, than degree holders.
Finding a Developer Job
Although there are a lot of developer jobs out there and not enough qualified people to fill those jobs, you will still need to take into consideration the following steps to find a job.
Create a Portfolio
Before you can even start applying for jobs, you will need to put a portfolio of your work together. A portfolio should showcase all the work you’ve done related to the type of job you are applying for. If you attend a coding bootcamp, use the mentors and instructors to make sure your portfolio is what employers are looking for. There are also some online resources available to help you know what to include in your portfolio.
Start Networking
Once you feel like your portfolio is ready to be seen by employers, you will have to find jobs to apply for. Coding bootcamps often hold hiring events for their alumni. At these hiring events, alumni have the opportunity to connect with tech companies looking for developers. You will want to bring your portfolio—if you have a physical copy—and resume to these events. Attending developer meetups, or hackathons, is also a great place for networking.
Landing the Job
After you’ve landed an interview, you’ll have to ace your interview. During the interview you will have to prove your programming abilities. Employers usually give you a test, or code challenge, to see what you’re capable of. Before diving into the challenge, make sure you understand the problem by asking questions to clarify. Then, as you go through the problem, explain what you’re doing and why. Employers want to see how well you can work through a problem and how well you can communicate how you solved the problem.
A few other tips for landing the job include dressing professionally at your interview, taking notes throughout the interview, asking what the next steps are during the hiring process, and following up the next day thanking the interviewer for the opportunity. If you don’t get the job, make sure you ask why. That way you can do better at your next interview.
Start Your Career as a Developer Today
Starting a career as a web or iOS developer is more attainable than ever thanks to online resources and coding bootcamps. If you’re asking yourself how to be a developer, consider the steps mentioned above: determine what kind of developer you want to be, get the skills you need, and start networking.
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