Alternative Career Paths To Becoming A Successful Web Developer
It’s common knowledge that the need for skilled programmers and engineers is over the roof right now. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a healthy 22% increase in developer positions between 2019 and 2029, far more than the average national employment growth projection of 4%. And there’s been a lot spoken about the impending lack of computer programmers.
This bodes well for the developer’s employment market. Companies in all industries that are interested in digitizing their operations will require experts to create their new software systems and apps. In spite of the fact that businesses prefer developers with a wide range of expertise, the vast majority of programmers choose to focus on a subset of the industry, such as enrolling in full stack developer courses, online or mobile apps, video games, or (more recently) cloud engineering.
What if, though, you don’t see yourself spending your whole working life in the coding industry? And what if you’re seeking a test of your mettle? Is there any other kind of programming job or technical position that you think would be a good match for your background and experience? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the developer’s other job options to see if any of them spark an interest.
Data Scientist Or Engineer
Some developers must be interested in what could be the most popular job of the 21st century. The need for businesses to make better choices using data analysis from the vast amounts of data we now create has propelled data science to the forefront of the technology industry. It’s a common choice for folks who have studied computer science, as are numerous others on our list.
The demand for data scientists is high, and so are the salaries; nonetheless, a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, and software engineering is required to get into the field. Possessing a foundational understanding of Python is helpful, but understanding machine learning and AI will set you apart from the competition. Your ability to effectively convey the results of your data analysis to the people who need to see them in order to make decisions depends on your communication abilities.
System Administrator/DevOps
All organizations must ensure that their software, servers, and security systems are well-maintained and routinely updated. As a result of the complexity involved, this position seldom exposes its holders to the more public aspects of software creation. DevOps, the merging of software development and IT operations to improve speed and reliability, is quickly becoming the new name for this position.
Project Supervisor
Job duties include overseeing the project’s goals, timeline, tasks, and available resources. Managing a project means seeing it through from start to finish and making sure it meets all requirements and is completed on schedule. Developers who have worked on many projects may provide valuable “ground-level” perspectives and experience in this position. Keep in mind that managing a project needs you to take a backseat to code and instead rely on your superior organizational, communicative, and people skills.
UX/UI Design
In these roles, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that users have a positive time when interacting with a website or mobile app. However, someone with actual coding knowledge may bring fresh eyes to the position. To put it another way, knowing what’s doable for the developers who’ll have to execute any new design concepts. In other words, your proficiency in hard coding will serve as a tether for whatever idealistic notions you may have in the realm of visual design, keeping you grounded in the realm of the technically viable while you seek the best solution possible within the constraints of your budget.
Tech Writer/Teacher
If you’re interested in working with the public, you may put your skills as a software developer to good use by teaching people what you’ve learned. If you’re good at writing, having experience as a developer will offer you an edge when tackling complex code challenges.
Numerous opportunities exist to impart your knowledge directly to others via coding boot camps, universities, and other digital mediums. The ability to convey information, even difficult concepts, and issues, in a manner that others can understand and be motivated by is essential in both contexts.
Developmental Research & Experimental Testing
For innovative ideas and initiatives, several digital companies have R&D departments staffed with skilled programmers, engineers, data scientists, and business analysts. Those with inquisitive and imaginative minds may find this field interesting, although it is competitive. Smaller businesses are less likely to provide such positions due to the significant risks and costs involved. As a result, you should be at ease with the prospect of joining a huge company.
Final Words
You can never predict the future, but with several predicted shortages looming on the horizon, there could be plenty of job opportunities waiting for you. Take a look at these six alternative careers for web developers that are sure to pique your interest.
