Ralph WiggumAdvisorySeptember 10th, 2015

SOFTWARE DEVELOPERCareer Exploration Project

JOB DESCRIPTION

• A software developer (SD)• creates (and improves)

applications for computers or other devices, such as cell phones and tablets

• works closely with clients, systems engineers, and other software developers

EDUCATION

• May require a bachelor's degree in a related major, e.g. computer science, software engineering, information technology, etc.• About 77% of software developers have

a bachelors degree, so while you do not need a bachelor’s degree it gives you a greater opportunity to find a job in this field.

SKILLS• Software developers must • know “various computer

languages, such as C++, Python, Java, PHP, XML, HTML/JavaScript/CSS, and Apple’s Swift.”

• Know “various operating systems, such as Linux, Solaris, HPUX, BSD, Mac OS X, and Windows.”

To be continued…

Source: “Software Developer Salary”

SKILLS• Software developers must • have strong written and oral

communication skills.• be able to focus on details.

You?

KNOWLEDGE NEEDEDSoftware Developers need knowledge in the

following:

• Computer and electronics – they must know how circuit boards work, processors, chips and how to work application and how to do programming

• Engineering & Technology: Practical Knowledge of applying engineering principals, techniques, procedures and to design different products and goods

• Mathematics: (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus and statistics)

• Telecommunications: knowledge of about the practical uses of telecommunications

• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in creating blueprints, drawing and models

WORK ACTIVITIES

• Develop objectives and strategies

• Interacting with Computers

• Analyzing Data and Information

• Making decisions and solving problems

• Documenting/Recording

WORKING STYLE

- Must pay attention to every detail and be very attentive when completing tasks

- Must be able to analyze information to solve problems that might come up

- You need to be dependable, reliable and responsible

- Must be a person that is willing to take initiative, in other words not wait for people to tell you what to do

- Job requires a person that is flexible and able to adapt quickly to changes

3. EXAMPLE OF THE WORK

Apple’s Swift coding language, used solely for iPhone and iPad applications

4. SALARY

a. Median starting salary: $71,262 (Payscale)

b. In 2012, the median salary for software developers was $93,350 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor

7. LONG-TERM OUTLOOK

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of software developers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2012 to 2022.”

• So as long as the world stays technology-dependent (and it will), software developers will always be needed.

TURNOVER RATE

• 2008: 21.7% (1 out of 5 software developers)

• Primary Reason:• There are a lot of job opportunities

for good software developers.

Source: “2008 Turnover Rates by Industry”

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The work can be stressful.• More than 25% of SD “worked more

than 40 hours per week in 2012” (Bureau of Labor Stats.)

• You have to keep up with technological changes. Thus, you must continually learn new coding languages or revisions to coding languages (e.g. HTML5 and CSS).

10. GENDER DEMOGRAPHICS

• Men: 86%• Women: 14%

Source: Kar

11. PERSONAL INSIGHT

I would be a software programmer. Why?• The money is great.• I can find a job with relative ease, and

not everyone can say this. Teachers can’t.

• As a teacher, I am also detail oriented and am used to working long hours.

• This job is perfectly suited to me.