Did you know that software developers make an average of over $100,000 per year? Needless to say, the pay is great, and for those with a passion for technology, this is just one of the many benefits of a career in software development.
Learning how to be a software developer takes time and dedication, but you’ll find that software developers are in demand all over the world. You’ll never have trouble finding work!
For a detailed guide including everything you need to know about how to become a software developer, just keep reading.
Types of Software Engineering
Before you can begin your education and learn how to use the various software development tools needed for success, you have to choose your career path. There are many different types of software developers, but the most common include:
- Software engineer
- Embedded systems engineer
- Security engineer
- Quality assurance engineer
Consider your strengths and interest when choosing a path to pursue. For example, a quality assurance engineer is responsible for ensuring a consistent quality of code in software development.
Meanwhile, an embedded systems engineer focuses on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining embedded systems. These are combinations of hardware and software designed for specific tasks.
Regardless of which path you choose, you can expect a typical day to include updating programs, creating new programs, analyzing software, and tracking software development.
How to Be a Software Developer
There isn’t just one road to becoming a software developer. The path you choose will depend on the time you want to spend on your study, as well as your career goals.
Becoming a software engineer can take anywhere from six months to four years. If you attend a coding boot camp geared toward software engineering, it will take between six months and a year to complete.
On the other hand, pursuing a formal education in computer science at a university will take four years, as you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree.
The third and final option is to learn software engineering on your own and teach yourself PLC programming. Keep in mind, however, that it can be difficult to prove your credentials if you take this route, making it tougher to get a job.
Once you have your education under your belt, you can begin refining your technical skills and building your portfolio. This portfolio will help you in your job search, as you’ll have example works to show potential employers.
Start a New Chapter of Your Life With a New Career
There’s no better time than now to start working toward the career you’ve always wanted. Knowing how to be a software developer is just the first step – now it’s time to put your knowledge into action!
Joining the ranks of successful software developers will take time and hard work, but the rewards that come with living the life of your dreams will be well worth the effort.
Looking for more career advice and ideas? Be sure to check out our blog!