Should I become a software developer?How many times today have you used some form of computer program, from an app on your smartphone to the browser you’re using to read this article now? All of these programs were developed by a software developer somewhere, and if you are someone who loves to work with computers, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. With the right understanding of your interests combined with the possibilities and demands of the field, you may find becoming a software developer is the perfect fit for you.

Is Software Development for Me?

What kind of work do you enjoy? Do you enjoy taking a complicated problem apart and working on it until you have the solution? Questions like this are integral if you choose to pursue a career as a software developer. Much of your day as a software developer is going to revolve around identifying individual problems with the design or maintenance of a program as well as the design and implementation of systems that fulfill a need. Much of this work will require analyzing reports from other members of your design team and integrating that into your solutions. Once you have developed these solutions, you will be needed to maintain the program over time, keeping it in step with other needs from your clients.

Software Developer Pay & Growth

Software developer salaryAre you prepared for a career with incredible possibility for growth and earnings? According to Bureau of Labor statistics, software developers are already in extremely high demand and the field is projected to grow at a rate of 22% through 2022, much faster than the average across all professions. Beyond the availability of jobs in this field, the pay for software developers is substantial. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual salary of application software developers at $90,060 as of 2012, with higher earning potential for advanced positions such as systems software developers. Software developers can make good money, and the industry as a whole is seeing high growth.

The Future of Software Development Careers

As computers become more integrated into our daily lives, the need for skilled software developers is only going to rise, especially in areas related to web application development and cyber security. Spend some time and think about what possibilities for software excite you. Is your passion developing the next major app for a phone, or possibly maintaining an anti-virus software as new threats emerge? Of course, software development is not limited to these more publicly visible pursuits. There are vast systems supporting our modern economy which rely on skilled people to maintain them. Payroll and billing systems, programs to direct and keep track of shipments, or even a program with so seemingly simple a purpose as maintaining inventory can be crucial to a company’s success.

Software Development Trends . . . and the Internet of Possibilities

One of the major trends sure to challenge software developers in the years to come is the Internet of Things. As data connectivity becomes more omnipresent, small devices will proliferate through our lives, taking advantage of the ability to perform most of their computing functions over a network, rather than inside of a device. These devices will represent a complete shift from the current paradigm of a computer as a standalone processing, display, and input system. Instead, a small device which can collect the needed data and transmit it, may leave all processing to an off-site computer. Steady network connections will grow in importance and well-trained software developers will be essential to maintaining that connection and operation.

A good example of the Internet of Things is a smart shirt, designed for exercise, which automatically senses changes in the user’s heart rate, body temperature, and position, then provides this information to the user’s smartphone, giving a detailed understanding of their workout. Developing the software to make these devices work is going to require a new generation of software developers, trained on the cutting edge of the technology and systems.

How to Become a Software Developer

If you are interested in becoming a software developer, get in touch with ECPI University today to discover how you could earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Software Development, which could prepare you for a career in software development as little as 2.5 years. Discover why so many students choose ECPI University—it could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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