In the digital age, things move quickly. Every successful app, website, and online system is constantly improving to meet the needs of businesses, researchers and consumers.
These changes typically referred to as ‘software development’. It’s a multi-faceted field, often driving innovation and shaping the future of tech. Just like a chef uses different ingredients and techniques to create a perfect dish, developers use various tools and methods to build efficient and reliable software.
As you can imagine, software developers are highly sought after in this technological era. But they often require a particular set of technical and interpersonal skills.
To find out more, we spoke to City Lit software development tutor Kathryn Coldham. She shared her expert advice on what it takes to become a successful software developer.
How did you get into software development?
I got into software development because of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, near Geneva, Switzerland. It’s the world’s largest particle accelerator, speeding up particles to almost the speed of light before colliding them. Physicists study the collision data to learn about known particles or discover new ones.
Software development is crucial in particle physics, so I took a C++ programming course during my physics studies at Queen Mary University of London. It was my first time programming and it helped me develop the right mindset for tackling programming challenges. Later, I worked on various projects, including an AI algorithm for a CERN detector.
What personal attributes should a good software developer have?
The ability to break down and solve problems is a must. Patience and perseverance are important because finding solutions can take time and requires careful attention to detail.
What technical skills are involved in software development?
Data analysis, computer programming languages and project management. These are just some of the technical skills that software developers use on a daily basis.
Software development often involves analysing huge amounts of data. Computer programming languages are a must to be able to handle it. Python is one example of a popular programming language, which is used in a wide variety of applications. But once you learn one programming language, you can learn others much faster.
Good project management skills are also needed since projects can be large and complex. It is important to be flexible. Factors like the size of a team and the career levels of its members should be taken into account. This allows you to delegate suitable workloads and set realistic deadlines for projects.
What interpersonal skills do you need for software development?
Good communication and people skills are essential. People work on software development projects in teams, so you need to be able to work well with other people and be able to adjust your communication style accordingly. Like with any workplace, you can work with a variety of different people, so it’s important to get to know and understand them well.
Is software development a fulfilling career?
Working in a software development role can lead to a range of opportunities all over the world. Using it in a research setting can lead to travel opportunities. This includes working in different countries and attending conferences.
Software development projects can also be a fun challenge. There are new advancements made all the time, so the work never gets boring.
Is software development important for the future?
Definitely! Recent advancements in AI have made it even more important to have training in software development. More and more workplaces are becoming increasingly reliant on using AI algorithms, so software development skills are very in demand. Having them can lead to a very wide range of job opportunities.
What's your advice for starting software development, if you didn't study it university?
It is never too late. It’s possible to get your foot in the door and up to speed by doing internships and short courses. Once such course is the Level 3 Certificate in Software Development, Gateway Qualification course offered by City Lit. It's considerably cheaper than typical university courses offering software development.
Some full-time software development jobs also don't require a degree specifically in computer science or software development. So, you can learn on the job.
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