How to Become a Software Developer

Software Developers are the backbone of the technology industry, doing the main work in creating the software that makes computers an incredible force behind modernizing nearly every industry. Valued by many companies and in-demand, software developer jobs command an average annual salary of $93,948. Their work may seem mysterious at first – with many wondering what software developers even do – but in truth, it's easier than ever to learn the trade. Read on if you'd like to learn about the first steps regarding how to become a software developer.

Consider your goals

One of the best ways to begin to chart a path is to ask yourself what kind of projects you might like to work on.  Would you like to develop games? Create apps for mobile? Build websites? Work in a specific industry such as finance, robotics, or medicine? Different sectors of the industry tend to use different languages, software, and techniques. Having an idea of where you might like to end up will help you get pointed in the right direction at the start.

Try searching online to see how to get started as a developer with a specific responsibility. One great technique is to search job listings for a position and/or industry you think you might like to work in and see what kinds of qualifications they ask for, and then learn about those terms as well.

You don't need to understand the whole path right away, but having an idea of a general direction and some beginning questions will help you in the next steps as you learn how to become a software developer. 

Get an Education

Once you have a general idea of the direction you'd like to pursue, it's time to explore an education. There are three main choices available for those who'd like to learn.

1. Traditional degrees 

A college degree in Computer Science or a similar field is one of the most popular and best ways to learn to be a software developer. Information is curated, so you spend less time wondering if you're learning the right material. Experts are on hand to teach the material and give you feedback on your work. You can ask questions even if you don't know how to word them or what to search for online. You can also gain invaluable networking, meeting staff, and other students who will help you find work in the future. Lastly, the degree itself serves as a powerful professional endorsement of your mastery of the subject.

While a major in Computer Science certainly is a great way to learn and is helpful to have on a software developer resume, not all development jobs require a software developer degree. According to Stack Overflow's 2019 Developer Survey, over 75% of professional developers held at least a bachelor's or master's degree.  However, only 63% of that same group specifically had undergraduate degrees in computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering. Many others became developers later after studying other disciplines or did not complete a degree at all.

The drawback of this approach is the expense and time commitment. However, this may be more accessible than you think. Many community and local colleges are surprisingly affordable through local subsidies and often offer classes on flexible schedules. Many colleges also offer online programs, offering many of the benefits of a college program. For example, MIT (arguably the best tech college on the planet) recently made the material for many of their college courses available for free. Checking them out is a great way to learn and sample the college experience for little to no investment.

2. Coding boot camps.

As the name implies, coding boot camps are short, focused programs designed to get prospective software developers up and running quickly. Often running between three and six months and offer, these programs can be a great option for those who don't want to invest the time or money in a full four-year program, but still want the curation and expertise offered by professional teachers.

Approaches vary widely and camps may be held online or through schools, businesses, or community programs such as libraries or adult education services. As there are many types of coding boot camps available, it's a good idea to contact them beforehand and discuss your goals to be sure their focus is a good fit for your needs.

3.  Self-directed education.

Learning on your own is a completely viable way to become a software developer, and whether or not you have another type of education, almost all professional developers have learned this way. The same survey from Stack Overflow indicated that over 86% of professional software developers had taught themselves a new programming language, tool, or framework without the aid of a formal course, and over 60% had learned programming or software development from an online course.

Software developers make software themselves, making it the perfect industry to benefit from automated training resources. A wealth of quality learning materials for learning coding can be found online. Read about ten great options here.

With a career direction in mind and with a little education, you'll soon be well on your way to securing work as a software developer!

Interested in browsing software developer jobs? See who's hiring at CyberCoders.com.