Software Development could be the perfect job for you – Find out why?

Software Development could be the perfect job for you!

Have you ever thought that Software Development could be the perfect job for you? Software developers design, build and test computer systems that help organisations and equipment to work more effectively. Examples of work of software development include information databases, programs that control robotic systems, and cloud and mobile applications.

If you are keen on computing, can pay close attention to detail and enjoy solving problems, software development could be the ideal job for you.

Employers look for other personal attributes and skills, beyond academic credentials, when assessing candidates’ suitability, for instance creativity, a collaborative approach and an entrepreneurial spirit are as important as aptitude and experience.

So to help present the skills needed for software development in a different light, here are 10 signs coding could be right for you; signs that aren’t always accounted for in academic tests.

1. You’re a problem-solving pro

Lots of people will simply tolerate problems without looking for a proactive way to solve them, particularly if tolerating the problem is easier. If you don’t take this approach, but actually enjoy the challenge of solving problems of all kinds, then that’s a great sign that you could be suited to software development. If, in your desire to solve problems, you also take into account realistic constraints – such as timeframes and budgets – then this could be a real asset in your search for a career.

2. You have a passion for strategy games

Yes, it can be true that gaming is good for you, particularly where strategy games are concerned. These help hone your ability to make decisions based on a number of relevant factors, taking into account both short and long-term consequences. As well as computer games, those who enjoy offline games like chess, bridge or risk, could also have an underlying aptitude for programming.

3. You have a musical mind

While the evidence for the correlation between music and maths is still in debate, it seems commonplace for those with musical talent to have mathematical abilities too. You often find some IT buffs and coders have additional interests such as composing music, singing, or playing an instrument.

4. You have a talent for winning arguments

No, we’re not talking about full-blown shouting matches. But if your logical approach to arguing your points in a structured way means that you frequently win over your opponents, this could be a sign that you have the systematic thinking needed for software development.

5. You love making things

You can get the same sense of satisfaction from making something in the virtual world as you can in the physical world. Indeed, in the digital world, you aren’t constrained by practicalities like materials and space, so imagination is your only limit. Having a natural curiosity for how things work, and how to make them work better, is a good indication of a nascent software developer.

6. You’re a people person

Contrary to the stereotype of the IT team hidden away from the rest of the company, working as a developer can actually involve a great deal of interaction with others across the business. This means that an enjoyment of communicating and an ability to explain things in a way that is easily understood by others are both really important.

7. You’d like to know more about the theory of computer science

While you may not have digested the full history of computer science, an interest in the theory behind software engineering is an important aspect of a coder’s skillset. You don’t want to spend your time re-inventing the wheel, so being interested in what others have discovered, and being prepared to build on those foundations, will fast-track your potential achievements.

8. You’re a team player

Coding itself is a very collaborative process; continuously reviewing and redefining code with others helps you to shake out bugs, makes your work more likely to meet users’ needs and is one of the best ways to learn. Developers therefore need to enjoy working together and should be prepared to study, critique and improve one another’s work.

9. You are intrinsically motivated

Putting some amateur psychology to use, it seems to be true that the best developers are intrinsically motivated. This means they take their reward and motivation from the process of finding a solution to a problem, or creating something innovative in itself. In other words, developers often do what they do for the love of doing it, rather than just being paid to do it.

10. You love technology

This is fairly obvious, but it is worth re-iterating that if you want to work in software engineering, you need to have an appreciation for the amazing possibilities that technology brings to the world. Being interested in how you can harness the potential of technology, for whichever company you want to work in, will definitely stand you in good stead, and is a sure sign you are on the right career track for success in coding.

Job opportunities for software engineers are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of computer software developers is expected to increase by 30% percent from 2016 to 2020. The demand for software engineers is increasing because of the Internet’s expansion and the growing complexity of data-processing systems used in business, telecommunications, healthcare, and government.

So what do you do now?

Check out your local Colleges, Universities or online courses to find out how to get started in software development. Further information can be found below.

e-skills UK 
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
www.e-skills.com

British Computer Society 
1 Sanford Street
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN1 1HJ
www.bcs.org.uk

Institute for the Management of Information Systems
5 Kingfisher House
New Mill Road
Orpington
Kent
BR5 3QG
Tel: 0700 002 3456
www.imis.org.uk

Institution of Analysts and Programmers
Charles House
36 Culmington Road
London
W13 9NH
Tel: 020 8567 2118
www.iap.org.uk

Skills Framework for the Information Age 
www.sfia.org.uk

Microsoft UK
www.microsoft.com/uk

Sun Microsystems
www.uk.sun.com

Oracle 
www.oracle.com

Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW)
www.ciwcertified.com

Developer.com 
www.developer.com

Or you can contact us to have a chat about your options and jobs available in your area, get it touch now we would love to here from you: Contact Us