Becoming A Software Developer

The demand for tech-savvy professionals is higher than it has ever been, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this need.

According to a recent McKinsey survey with global executives on the pressing business, economic, and management issues they face, companies have accelerated the digitization of their customer and supply-chain interactions, as well as their internal operations, by three to four years.

The sharing of digital or digitally enabled products in their portfolios has accelerated by a whopping seven years. (Seiler, 2021). Software developers, synonymously known as computer programmers, have been at the forefront of this transformation.

Made up of several related disciplines, their scope of work is primarily writing code for computers, and developing mobile and web applications for programs, apps, and machinery or devices which we use daily. Developers are responsible for designing, building, installing, testing, and maintaining the software systems that serve people and businesses.

If you’re starting out on this career path and your aim is to fully pursue software development, then joining an organization that provides diverse software solutions and consists of like-minded individuals who will help push you to the limit should be your goal.

But, how does one become a software developer?

Get A Qualification

Many software developers have a Computer Science Degree or engineering qualification in a related field. However, this is not always the case. Some have done relevant courses to meet this requirement.

What is important is that you have practical training in the role that you are applying for. At BET Software, we have a Dare To Dream bursary campaign that assists students studying towards a qualification in the ICT field.

Complete An Internship With A Software Company

This can be a challenge because of the scarcity of employment in our country. However, while doing your undergraduate qualification, the experience and connections gained through an internship can be valuable. The BET Software leadership program is an option. This program was developed to provide learners from partner tertiary institutions with the opportunity to gain workplace experience. BET’s learner-centric plan is created to focus on industry-specific knowledge, but also encourages and nurtures the learners to excel in their careers.

Have Certification

This often gets overlooked but being certified in a particular area demonstrates that, as a software developer, you can manage projects using a specific developer program. At BET Software, we empower individuals by creating sustainable support throughout their journey. Our company encourages our All-Star Team to improve their knowledge and expertise by offering opportunities to study short courses with certificates.

Build Your Portfolio

A portfolio emphasizes your achievements. Some possible projects to include in your portfolio could be games or app design, websites, and coding assignments that showcase different languages, such as HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript (along with the various frameworks such as NODE, React and Angular), and SQL. The aim is to include projects that relate to your target position, along with work that demonstrates multiple skills, such as full-stack development. If you do not have a professional portfolio, a section on personal projects on your résumé to showcase any extracurricular work will also do the trick.

Never Stop Learning

Being a software developer is a continuous learning process. Every new project will require a different “you”. Every task will require you to step out of your comfort zone. Companies want individuals who make it a priority to self-improve and train further. It is one thing to learn the technology and theory; implementing the learning through projects is a different story.

Being a software developer is a lifelong journey. As a lover of all things digital, joining a company that aligns with your vision and provides growth is a win when you’re a software developer. As experts who create software for the world to use, we at BET Software, believe our innovativeness has the potential to change the world.