Benefits of Being a Software Developer

So, what are the benefits of being a software developer? As of right now, there is a massive digital skills gap all around the world. It is estimated that between now and 2022, there will be between 1.2 and 1.5 million unfilled ICT roles – as highlighted in our white paper, “Digital Skills Crisis – Time to Act”. On account of this, software developers are on the beneficial end of supply and demand. There are not enough digitally skilled workers to fulfil industry needs. For example, in Sweden alone, there is expected to be up to 70,000 unfilled ICT roles by 2022. Other examples of this shortfall can be seen all around Europe, including in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, and Ireland.

However, apart from excellent salaries, a career change to software development is a shift to one of the most exciting industries in the world.

Software Developer Salaries

It’s no secret that professional software developers can make a small fortune. Their skills are highly sought after, making them precious commodities to companies. There is also a huge opportunity for coders to freelance remotely, making considerable revenue for little commitment. Depending on your role, and skills learnt, these salaries will vary. Below is an average salary earned by a software developer across three key markets.

Learn Python

Python was first released as a coding language in 1991 by a Dutch programmer called Guido van Rossum. As you might have guessed from the name of the language, he was a fan of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Van Rossum aimed to offer a language that could “combine remarkable power with very clear syntax”.

Python plays a large part in many current and future technologies, and it is an integral part of Google, Wikipedia, and NASA. As a language, it is used widely for many emerging technologies in Fintech, HealthTech, AgriTech, and much more besides. Python is widely regarded as the best language for increasingly-popular automation technologies, and many developers consider it as the top programming language for Artificial Intelligence (AI).

It is an extremely powerful language, but we chose it because it is what industry demands right now. An added benefit to learning to master Python is that it is considered to be one of the most accessible programming languages with which to learn to code.

What is Full Stack Development?

Full Stack development takes into account both the front and the back end of an application.  Everything that runs in a user’s browser is the front end. The back end runs on a server.

The front end is the public-facing side of any application. It’s what the user sees in their browser and is generally the most attractive part of any web page. It’s what keeps your users interacting with your site. This can be as stylish or interactive as you need it to be, but it must be enticing to your target audience.

Back end development is everything that runs on the server that makes your front end appear so excellent and powerful. It’s where most of the data manipulation goes that allows your site or application to operate so efficiently. Things like business logic, calculations, database interactions, and performance are included in the back end.

Full Stack development refers to a developer who knows the operation of both the front end and the back end. All Code Institute students graduate, on successful completion of the program, as Full Stack developers.

What is ICT?

ICT stands for Information and Communication Technologies. The booming ICT industry combines information technology with all forms of telecommunications which include smartphones/mobile phones, wireless networks, the internet, and more.

ICT skills cover a broad remit. To a certain degree, sending an email, for example, would indicate extremely basic ICT skills, as would sending out a tweet or posting on Facebook. However, for many roles in the future, a lot more skills will be needed to operate day to day work. Fundamental ICT skills include knowledge of HTML, CSS, and more complicated Javascript. At the very least, many professions require a basic understanding of code and how it works.

In many jobs, basic ICT skills are now becoming part of the key competencies needed to secure the role. Also considered to be an ICT skill is an understanding of social media beyond sending a simple tweet or post out on a network. Similarly, being able to attain, analyse and understand analytics from online actions are proving to be of immense importance. The stronger your ICT skills are, the more valuable you are to all industries that utilise information and communication technologies.