How to Become a Software Developer? Best Career Paths to Follow

If creation is your forte rather than consumption, then being a Software Developer is a great career option. According to Evans Data Corporation, India is going to replace North America as the biggest software developer population center.

This industry has a huge scope, as the demand for software developers is anticipated to increase by 28% in the United States from 2022 to 2032.

The primary role of the software developer is to build software systems. But that’s not the only role they have to play. With the Ideation, Development, Testing, and Maintenance of the software systems, developers have to wear multiple hats whenever needed.

The lucrative career benefits have intrigued many students and even professionals into becoming software engineers or developers. How to become a Software Developer? Let’s discover.

What are the Types of Software Developers?

Software Developer or Programmer is an umbrella term. You must choose the role that fits your preferences. Here are a few common types of software development that you need to know.

#1 – Front-end Developer

Becoming a front-end developer makes good sense if you love aesthetics, layouts, and visual representation. Whether developing websites, web apps, or regular software programs, front-end developers must work on the project’s visual aspect.

To become a Front-end Developer, you must learn languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and other related frameworks.

#2 – Back-end Developer

Every musical show needs an orchestrator, and every back-end developer is the same. Back-end developers work on the background architecture software or web apps. This includes server management, database management, server-side logic and many other things.

To become a Back-end Developer, you need to have a basic understanding of the front-end-specific languages. Also, you must have a core understanding of databases, Security, and back-end languages like .NET, Ruby, Java, C++, Python and many others.

#3 – Full-Stack Developer

If you can simultaneously wear the hats of Front-End and back-end developers, you will be called a Full-Stack developer. You can build software, websites, and apps while taking care of the server-side and database management tasks to ensure the smooth running of the projects.

To become a full-stack developer, you need to have a core understanding of the front-end and back-end languages and tools.

#4 – Mobile App Developer

Android vs. iOS war will not stop for a foreseeable future. Till this war is going on, you can become a Mobile App Developer. You can develop apps for the Android and iOS ecosystems.

To become a Mobile App Developer, you need to understand ecosystem-specific coding languages like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android. Also, core knowledge of C#, C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, and React Native are necessary.

#5 – Game Developer

After playing enough games, now is the time to build some. A creative eye and a strong grasp of coding languages are what you need to become a good game developer.

Java, Python, C#, C++, JavaScript, and many other languages are used in Game Development. The set of languages may differ for various platforms, such as Desktop, Android, and iOS.

Common Software Development Paths to Follow

Unlike other educational streams, the Software industry is very relaxed in its approach. There is no hard and fast way to become a software engineer or developer. So, you can choose any educational path to learn coding skills.

#1 – Traditional Formal Education

This is the first and most common path to entering the field of Software Development and Engineering. It includes Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are a few core fields that can help people easily enter the Software and IT industry.

In the Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, all of the basic concepts of Computer hardware and Software are covered. Additionally, the experienced faculty in the colleges can give you the upper edge in learning the intricacies of programming languages.

It’s a great way to safely enter the world of computer science. But a four-year bachelor’s degree costs nearly 7,00,000 INR, which is high compared to other routes.

#2 – Associate Degrees

The Associate Degrees focus on the core fundamentals of computer science. These degrees are often provided by non-engineering educational institutions. It’s another great way to join the software development force.

Just like an engineering degree, the associate degree comes with a Bachelor’s degree but without the engineering background. Students who have not cleared the engineering entrance exams can join this route.

The downside of this software development path is that the institutions do not provide the level of depth. This means the students might have to study on their own to understand the intricacies of the programming languages.

The best thing about an associate degree in computer science is that it costs way less than an engineering degree. Also, the entrance exams are comparatively easy to crack, and you can get into a good college to obtain the degree.

#3 – Coding Bootcamps

You might have seen advertisements on YouTube about a ton of coding bootcamps. This is a sureshot way of entering into the field of computer science. The coding bootcamps allow students to grasp the core concepts in a fast-track method.

Bootcamps are made for everyone, from a complete newbie to some experienced software programmers. The boot camps take a lot less time, usually less than a year, to complete.

Unlike the traditional knowledge path, the coding bootcamps focus on specific coding languages or the roles. For example, you can find the bootcamps made for languages like Python, JavaScript or roles like UX/UI designer, Full Stack web developer, Software developer and many others.

The best thing about coding boot camps is that they include practical projects that can help you get good jobs in the Industry. The average employment rate of such camps is 83.5%, as per the report from CourseReport.com.

#4 – Certifications

If you prefer the self-taught method, then the courses and certifications are best. We’ve seen a lot of people upskilling with courses and certifications in software development and landing jobs.

The certifications are much affordable than all other knowledge paths. Before choosing the certifications, it’s important to understand the requirements. Choosing the right certification improves your skills.

The best thing about coding courses and certifications is that you can manage your pace. Be it upskilling at your workplace or learning a new skill, the certifications are useful.

Essential Tips to Become a Good Software Programmer

Now you know the actual paths available to become a developer or programmer in the Software and IT industry. But do you know how to ace in every part of your learning phase? Let’s learn about the same.

#1 – Improve Communication Skills

Being a developer in the corporate world is not a job of a single person. You need to be part of the teams that work together on the projects. Hence, having good communication skills is essential.

You might have to interact with your team members, superiors, or even clients about your work. In such cases, communication will be a key. Clear and concise communication will help you complete projects smoothly and grow in the long term.

#2 – Problem Solving Attitude

Willingness and ability to solve any problem are core requirements for a good developer. You don’t know what problem you are going to face on the job. It can be issues with clients, software, the testing phase, or anything else on the job. You need to be prepared to face.

Having such skills is very beneficial to face the challenges and solve them. With quick problem solving, the projects will complete smoothly and help you in your career.

#3 – Patience

Developing Software takes a lot of time, and there can be several issues and several good things. All you need is patience to stride through the project timeline. It’s not of any sense to hurry up through the project completion and delivery. You need to focus on details and work with perfection as a software engineer.

Conclusion

India exports IT services, and that’s why the need for the Software Developer workforce is increasing. With the projected employment of nearly 5.4 million people, Indians are looking for huge opportunities to enter the industry. That’s why we tried to explain how to become a software developer.

Starting your career as a Software Developer has never been easier, with numerous educational paths available. Whether you start with a traditional degree, attend a boot camp, or join a self-taught programming path, you will surely become a good developer.