Software development has landed at the top of every career list for several years in a row, emerging as the hottest career in the US and worldwide. Is it all hype or is it really such a mind-blowingly awesome field? In short, the answer is “yes!” software development is really pretty damn awesome. Why? What makes it so great that you should consider a career switch? Check out the top 5 reasons below:
1. Engaging Work
Software development is highly creative and engaging work. While most jobs eventually become (or even start out and remain) highly repetitive and monotonous, the tech field is always changing and always requiring you to adapt and grow. A software developer has to be constantly learning and updating his or her skills and learning new technologies to stay relevant. Furthermore, writing software requires creative problem solving. There is the ever-present challenge to write better, cleaner code, to create more efficient programs, and to learn the newest technologies. Software development is anything but dull. It forces you to keep your mind active and sharp.
2. Money
According to US News, software developers earned an average of $101,790 in 2017, making it one of the highest paid jobs in the US. This statistic reflects the national average; if you live in one of the highest paying states like Washington, California, New York, or Maryland, or if you specialize in a high-demand subfield, or if you have a lot of experience, your earning potential is quite a bit more. It goes without saying that higher salaries can improve your quality of life and that of your family and provide flexibility and security.
3. Demand
The demand for good software developers is through the roof. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for 2016-2026 is expected to be a growth of 24%, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations. You may have heard that the field is becoming saturated as universities and bootcamps pump out more and more newbie developers, dreaming of earning the big bucks and having a sexy career. The idea that the market is over-saturated is misguided, however. While it is true that there are way too many applicants at the bottom, competing for entry level/junior dev positions, there is a shortage of competent mid to senior level professionals. Furthermore, many of the applicants applying for entry level positions are not really qualified and companies are inundated with applications. They often have no great way to identify high-quality applicants in the sea of mediocre candidates. If you are new to the field, you will have a hard time landing that first job. It will take hard work, persistence, thinking outside of the box, and even some luck to land your first position. However, once you have proven yourself, you will find that you are very much in demand and you can start being picky about which company you are willing to work for and what salary and benefits you are willing to accept.
4. Ability to Work Remotely
Out of all the fields out there, software development is uniquely suited to telecommuting. Although newbie developers may have trouble securing positions that allow them to work remotely, experienced programmers can often negotiate remote work options. Even the option to work from home several days a week provides a degree of flexibility that would be impossible in another field. Just think of all the time you can save by reducing your commute to zero. A friend of mine, working for large financial corporation, recently gave his notice with the goal of finding work closer to his home. Rather than lose a valuable, trusted employee, who would be tough to replace, the company responded by giving him the option of working from home (attending biweekly meetings in New York City) as well as offering a raise. For the entrepreneurial types, if you are a freelancer (as opposed the employee of a company), you can work from any place in the world as long as you have a good internet connection.
5. Suitability for Career Switchers
We are forced to make career decisions when we are quite young. We don’t always get it right the first time. Sometimes our needs and interests change as we mature and/or our family situation changes. Most of the top careers (like many in the medical field) require advanced degrees and taking on student debt, which make them unfriendly options for career changers. You can become a software developer with nothing more than a laptop, an internet connection, and hard work. There are countless videos, tutorials, articles, university lectures, etc. online that are 100% free. High quality courses, with full instructor support and vibrant online communities, can be purchased on platforms like Udemy for less than $15. You can get career advice, direction, and mentorship online. You can even create an online portfolio to showcase your skills and use it as a substitute for career experience.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that if you want a high-paying, engaging, creative, in-demand, flexible career that is accessible to career switchers, you will be hard-pressed to find a better match than software development.
Does it sound too good to be true? What’s the catch?
The catch, of course, is that software development is difficult and not everyone can do it. Most people quit. Don’t be like most people. Expect to work hard, struggle with difficult content and frustrating problems, and to constantly work to keep your skills updated. Stick with it. Believe me, it will be worth it!