Career Corner: Software Developer
Software Developer
With technology becoming as prevalent as ever in the daily lives of almost everyone in this world we see more need for those who can work with computers- more specifically with programming. Everything we do as average Americans involve cell phones- our little devices that bring us the simple luxuries of life. We can surf the internet with ease, access news in seconds, and even suppress our boredom with games or social media. Behind these tools and necessities of daily life as we know it was a creative mind that designed and developed these platforms.
If you think this sounds interesting, you might want to consider being a software developer. You need to be creative and have a talent for working with computers.You need to be able to think outside the box and overcome problems with innovative solutions. Because of the high usage of technology today, software developers are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 30 percent employment growth for software developers between 2016 and 2026, making it the fastest growing job right now. An estimated 253,400 jobs will open up in that time as well, giving you a chance to get into this field with a successful chance at getting a job in industries including computer systems design, manufacturing and finance.
There are 253,400 jobs right now with a 1.6% chance of unemployment and a median salary of over $100,000! If you live in California, you’re in even better luck. The highest paid in the software developer profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, California, Seattle, Washington, and Oakland, California. The San Francisco area also pays well, as well as the city of Anaheim, California. Stay here and make thousands of dollars for sitting in an office all day.
Advice from a software developer:
"Write code. Early and often. Good engineers are curious and want to learn how to build new things and are also constantly trying to find new and interesting things they haven't built yet," Schillace says. "If you don't feel passionate about trying out some new technology or language you've heard, or you aren't obsessed with solving that problem or building that app you've thought of, you probably shouldn't be a programmer."
Employers want to see a proficiency in computer science, but they also want to see practical experience and a passion for the field. Even if you don't have an internship on your resume, there are other ways you can showcase your work. "These days, it's really easy to find places to write code and solve technical problems – things like Codecademy make it very easy to get started, and any computer (or even a tablet or phone) can have some kind of technical environment installed, even if it's something as basic at Python," Schillace writes. "Start with a small problem that you want to solve, or a simple course like intro to JavaScript, and go from there."
Learn more about this occupation online. Research it and put some mind to it. If anything you read sounds great to you, perhaps this is where your destiny lies.