Want to Become A Software Developer? Here’s Our Career Change Guide

Last Updated on 2025-01-27

How does one become a software developer? Here are some tips on kickstarting a career specializing in software development. 

We’re living in a time that offers a wealth of new job opportunities. The tech industry, in particular, is one of the major catalysts for introducing new job titles. There’s an exceptionally high demand for roles such as software developer. It comes as no surprise that there’s a career change trend aiming for this very position. 

Switching to a software developer career is not an easy task. It’s even more challenging when you’re coming from a non-technical background. However, with the right resources and network, there’s still a great chance you can make a successful career out of it. 

Basic Requirements to Become A Software Developer 

The first step into your career change is to learn the skills and knowledge needed for the role. What are the basic requirements to become a software developer?

Educational Background

To become a software developer, you are not required to have a specific degree. However, most companies would expect a bachelor’s degree related to tech. An associate’s degree might also be a great boost for career prospects. It’s best to research the industries or businesses you’re targeting if they have unique academic requirements before enrolling in any course. 

These are the common degrees related to the software developer role: 

• Computer science
• Computer engineering
• Information technology
• Data science
• Mathematics

You can also opt to take up certifications for specific technologies. There are several continuing education resources for developers available online.  

Work Experience

Find companies that work with the tech products and services you want to specialize in. They can vouch for your skills and experience handling those technologies. Tech companies offering free training will help you create an impressive portfolio. If you don’t have prior experience with tech, you can opt to do on-the-job training with a well-known organization. This way, you can gain more professional experience. 

Career Change Tips 

Now that we’ve tackled the basic requirements of becoming a software developer, let’s discuss the steps of stepping into this career path. Here are some tips on how to start a career in software development. 

1. Make a Plan

To become a software developer, you need to be intentional with all the work you’re doing. You must have a detailed plan to ensure you’re heading in the right direction. Plan out your goals, timeline, milestones, and all necessary items to prepare for this journey. 

Start collecting resources, building networks, and practicing the required technical skills. Also, research the technologies you want to specialize in. Software developers can work as frontend, backend, or full-stack developers. As such, you need to choose the tech stack you want to work on carefully. 

2. Learn to Troubleshoot

The software developer role deals with a lot of problem-solving. You’ll spend a lot of time troubleshooting, developing new software, or identifying application and program bottlenecks.

It’s a great career choice for individuals who like to break down problems piece by piece until they find the root cause. Being a developer is akin to being a computer detective, searching until you figure out what’s wrong with the program so you can fix it. But, of course, that can still be challenging when working on a tight deadline. Hence, it’s better to practice your problem-solving skills regularly. 

3. Explore and tinker

The world of tech is a fascinating field. And if you want to become a software developer, it’s your job to explore it. Companies are always looking for the next big thing to enhance their operations. They’ll want their development team to be on top of the latest trends and innovations. 

Try out new things on your personal computer. Depending on your desired career path, you may want to build your website, experiment with open-source software, or build a database. A good portion of what you need to know for IT jobs can be learned through trial and error using the technology you already have at home.

4. Find and fill skills gaps

Learning your strengths and weaknesses is crucial when you want to change careers. This is especially true if the role is highly technical. You have to prepare by mastering the basic skills beforehand.

Examine the technical and soft skills you have developed and contrast them with those required by job listings. Find more educational materials to help you fill in any gaps if you still feel you need to improve in any areas. Finally, use career tests to see which IT occupations suit your current skill set.

5. Network

Never underestimate the power of a great network. Knowing the right people in the industry will help you find your dream job. Your network can introduce you to hiring managers who can match your target job roles. 

Cast a wide net and introduce yourself to as many IT professionals as you can. Find IT mentors through professional association events, networking gatherings, and conferences. You can also look at social media platforms like LinkedIn for digital networking. Set up a professional LinkedIn profile that is up-to-date with your latest work experience. 

Overall, to become a software developer, it requires a lot of patience, perseverance, and hard work. There is stiff competition in a very lucrative industry. However, once you’ve set and aligned your career goals, you’re bound to see success in your profession. 

Work with Full Scale

Do you want to become a software developer? Looking to build up your tech career? Work with Full Scale! We’re hiring tech experts of all experience levels from all over the Philippines. Whether you’re a seasoned software developer or a fresh graduate entering the workforce, you’re more than welcome to apply. We’ve made our hiring process smooth and easy so that candidates can focus on showing off their skills.

At Full Scale, we believe each team member plays a valuable role in the success of a project. We make our team the top priority. We provide only the best, cutting-edge tools, training, and support to ensure each member’s professional growth. Furthermore, we also provide each employee with above-market pay, premium benefits, and the latest equipment.

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