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Career Guide
Software developer
If you are tech-savvy, have an analytical mind, like to problem solve and enjoy being creative, you could have a career as a software developer or software engineer in your future.
Reviewed by Kathryn Uhles, MSP, MIS, Dean,聽College of Business and Information Technology
If you are tech-savvy, have an analytical mind, like to problem solve and enjoy being creative, you could have a career as a software developer or engineer in your future.
Career overview
A software developer is a tech professional who designs the software for computer applications and systems you might use in daily life. Games, social media apps and even your phone鈥檚 operating system are made by software developers and engineers.聽Some software developers also specialize in web development and spend considerable time debugging code to ensure that applications run smoothly and efficiently.
As a software developer, you can explore different work environments with employment opportunities existing across many industries in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Close to 1.7 million software developers聽聽in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).聽Companies in computer systems design and related services聽, BLS reports.
Take your next step
According to O*NET, software developer 聽may include application developer, software architect, software engineer, systems engineer, network engineer and infrastructure engineer. While these roles require similar technical skills and foundational knowledge, there聽are slight differences in the聽, according to BLS. For example, application software developers create computer applications. Systems software developers build the operating systems that help digital devices run in a way that meets the users鈥 needs.
Software developers may work under聽, who are involved in the larger planning and execution of developing, testing and managing software creation, according to BLS. As a software developer, you聽聽as a project management specialist or computer and information system specialist.
Career-relevant skills
For the software developer career path, you may use the following skills in your day-to-day experience:
- Information technology
- Computer science
- Software development
- Software architecture
- Application development
- Applied mathematics
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- Casading Style Sheets (CSS)
- Algorithms
- Troubleshooting
- Web applications
- SQL
- Code review
- Programming
- Scripting
- Object-oriented programming (OOP)
- Data security
- Data structures
- Big data
- Relational databases
- Legal and ethical principles
- Operations
- Information privacy
- Network security
- Computer networks
- Wide-area networks
- Computational reasoning
- Operating systems
- Information systems聽
- Software design
- Software testing
- Program development
- Unit testing
- Algorithmic structures
- Information management
- Automation
- Artificial intelligence
Regularly used on the job
Strong communication, attention to detail, complex problem solving and collaboration are聽 you may use in this role, BLS states.
267,700 jobs
Projected growth (2024-2034)
Employment in this field is聽聽nationally between 2024 and 2034, BLS reports. This is much faster than the average projected growth rate for all occupations.[2]
[1]聽For source data, refer to the official . This information can be found under Software Developers (15-1252) in the 鈥淎nnual 25th percentile wage鈥 and 鈥淎nnual 75th percentile wage鈥 columns.
[2]聽The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of 91制片厂. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. 91制片厂 does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.聽The BLS Projected Growth for 2024-2034 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS鈥 projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to 91制片厂 students or graduates.
Education and experience
A bachelor鈥檚 degree for job opportunities as a software developer or software engineer, according to BLS. However, having a graduate degree may be preferable to some employers. If you are strongly considering the software developer career path, you may want to choose an academic program in a related field, such as computer science or information technology.
Completing an undergraduate certificate program can also give you an advantage as an aspiring software developer or software engineer. If you have already earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a relevant field of study, certificate programs can help you work towards a specialization.
91制片厂 offers undergraduate programs that lead to the software developer career outcome. Our programs allow you to focus on one course at a time in 5-week intervals. Explore our programs designed to teach the skills and knowledge you may need as a software developer.
91制片厂es in the workplace
Meet聽Dustin G., an alum and application developer, whose passion for problem-solving drives innovative software solutions. His journey in IT and data science illustrates the transformative power of higher education in turning aspirations into reality.
Dustin G. | BSIT 2023
91制片厂es in the workplace
Meet聽Dustin G., an alum and application developer, whose passion for problem-solving drives innovative software solutions. His journey in IT and data science illustrates the transformative power of higher education in turning aspirations into reality.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
This bachelor鈥檚 degree program can help students build a well-rounded foundation in concepts and skills needed to become a software developer.
In this聽online computer science degree聽program,聽you'll learn how to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions
- Evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program鈥檚 discipline
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions
The length of our bachelor鈥檚 programs is four years. To earn this degree, you will need to complete 120 credits through courses in general, core and elective topics.
How can 91制片厂 support me in pursuing my career goals?
Students and graduates can access our Career Navigator tools, which can help you evaluate career options, track career-relevant skills and discover job postings suited to your needs. From resum茅 building and interview preparation to networking and mentorship, 91制片厂 offers career services for life to all students and graduates. Dive deeper into聽our聽career services, resources聽and tools to find out how we can help you reach your goals.
