Top 3 Skills to Learn to Be a Software Developer
If you’re considering a career in software development, figuring out the best skills to build into your portfolio is hard. There is a traditional education to choose from or an accelerated boot camp. There are certifications and internships. Then there is the issue of the language you might choose to learn. There are more than a dozen and some types of software products have their own languages to choose from—Swift for IoS development, .NET for cloud software, Python for databases—or Xamarin, Java, and C+—or something else. Software developers end up with a variety of skills that are both hard (technical) and soft (non-technical). Here are three that you absolutely need to pursue a career in software engineering.
What Are The Top 3 Skills to Learn to be a Software Developer?
Skill 1: Coding Languages
We could write this entire article about the different types of coding languages you can pursue. There are so many to choose from and some are better than others for specific types of engineered products. There is even debate about which language is best for what product because there is more than one for everything you’ll try to build. Choosing the right languages can make or break your job opportunities, so choose carefully.
For example, some languages are better for gaming while others work best on mobile app development. Some of the common languages include JavaScript, which is often used for cloud-based websites. Python works great for blockchain applications or if you want to build data warehouses. If you want to work in healthcare, you may run cross C++ as a language for medical applications.
Skill 2: Backend or Frontend
While many developers say they are “full-stack,” the reality is you have to start somewhere and build your skills. Many new developers feel more of an affinity for front-end work, where they work on making software more user-friendly and accessible. Or, you may decide that you love working with databases, tables, and records on the back end of the stack. The front end has a more creative flair while the back end of the stack lets you organize structures and architectures. Eventually, you will be skilled in all of these areas but at first, it’s good to segment your knowledge beyond the general full stack and focus on one area to build up your skills.
Skill 3: Communication
We’re going to throw in a soft skill here that we think is just as important as learning the right languages for the types of applications you want to work on. Modern software development requires communication and collaboration. Nothing in an Agile process (or Waterfall) is built in a vacuum. Your ability to communicate extends beyond developers in many situations and can include discussions with non-technical teams about the product you’re building. You may interact with testers or project managers or even end-users and, no matter your audience, you must be able to knowledgeably share information in a way that they can understand.
Ready to Be a Software Developer?
The Custom Group of Companies works with software developers at all stages of their careers. If you are an entry, mid, or senior-level professional, we have jobs to fit all stacks and experience levels. Call on our team or check out our job board for great opportunities to consider.
