If you’re reading this article, your life probably runs on apps. You track your steps or your food calories. You’ve got an app to store pictures and passwords, and heck, you even have an app to tune your ukulele. You know you have a ukulele. Maybe even a ukulele app.
And if you use apps for all that, you probably have a dozen great ideas for apps, but just don’t have the know-how to develop your idea.
Believe it or not, there is a degree for App building in this modern digital age! Look for the following majors in order to pick up all the skills you will need to break into this emerging career:
- Software Development
- Computer Science
- Game Development
- Mobile App Development
Education
You’ll want to start out with at least a bachelor’s degree; sure, a master’s may be helpful for advancement, but it’s really not necessary for entry-level positions. In computer programming, you’ll get farther on ingenuity and skill than education. So say you get into a Software Developing program; you’re then going to learn how to design and maintain applications or systems that people use for pure enjoyment and applications for really important work related causes. As a Software Developer you’ll need to learn a variety of computer languages to create these useful applications.
Developing programs are not strict computer programing; it will be a lot broader and you’ll have the opportunity to concentrate on your interests as well as the following common coursework:
- Website creation
- Open source software
- Game design
- Database developing
- Application design and programming
- Computer security
- Business principals
- Job Expectations
Of course expect to spend a lot of time online, in front of your computer. A good Developer also has patience, determination and is up-to-date on current computer trends. Of course, You will need to know the lingo. For example if you know that C++ and Java is not just a letter grade with an extra plus and another name for coffee, well then, I’d say you’re on the right track.
Application Developers may work for a firm, a software publishing house or freelance.
Outlook
If the culture of Apps ever gets stale and fizzles into obscurity keep in mind the following overlapping careers for those who have this particular Software Development background:
- Webmaster
- Database Administrator
- Database Architect
- Business Application Developer
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for a Software Developer in 2012 was $90,060.
The BLS also states that this field is projected to grow 22% from 2012 to 2022, which is a lot faster than other occupations. This is a prime time to enter Software Developing, so jump on it it while it is hot!