As one of the top fields with high income, Developers (also known as “Dev”) are always the dream destination of students majoring in Information Technology. So what is a developer? What skills are needed to become a good developer and what makes this position attractive?
I/ What is a Developer? Will studying Information Technology lead to becoming a Developer?
Simply, a Developer (dev) is the common name for a programmer who uses code to create the foundation for programs, software, applications on smart devices (smartphones, tablets, computers), data management systems, artificial intelligence… In addition to Developer, a programmer also has other names such as Coder or Programmer.
Studying Information Technology will lead to many different specializations and branches. However, except for hardware-related jobs, setting systems, most positions in Information Technology are related to programming. Moreover, with high income and great potential, students majoring in Information Technology prioritize becoming programmers as a career path.
II/ Common Job Positions of Developers – Information Technology
Like Information Technology, Developer is a general term and is divided into many different positions in the company. Here are 4 popular branches of Developer including:
- Front-end Developer
- Back-end Developer
- Full Stack Developer
- Mobile Developer
Front-end Developers create interfaces and functions for applications and software using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Back-end Developers perform tasks related to data system management, server, and other back-end processes to ensure application performance. Full-Stack Developers can perform both Front-end and Back-end Developer tasks, ensuring the tight integration of both sides. Mobile Developers focus on developing applications for mobile devices. Developers in this area will build applications that are suitable for the unique characteristics of the two most popular platforms: iOS and Android. The “hotness” of Mobile Developers is further affirmed by a study from Statista, showing that in 2021, there were up to 230 billion app downloads on mobile devices, which is truly incredible, isn’t it?
Besides being a developer, graduates of information technology can also take on a variety of job positions. For further reference, besides being a developer, IT graduates can also consider other job positions such as Data Engineer, Business Analyst, AI Engineer, IoT Engineer, and Solution Consultant.
III/ Essential skills of a Developer in Information Technology
Professional skills
Given the nature of using programming languages to “communicate” with computers and establish the foundation for programs and software applications, Developers, in particular, or IT engineers in general, need to master a variety of professional skills. Specifically:
Programming Languages (Code): JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, C++, Java, etc. Currently, there are many types of programming languages with different applications. The more familiar and proficient developers are with these codes, the greater the advantage.
Data structure and algorithm: Data structure is the method of organizing data storage, while algorithm is the necessary process to complete a task. Developers need to flexibly combine these two elements to optimize the code segments in programs and applications.
Knowledge of databases: Databases are electronic systems for organizing and storing information for businesses. Developers need to be able to search for, create, and update data systems. In addition, data also needs to be secured and backed up to avoid unfortunate incidents.
Debugging knowledge: Since the number of lines of code in each program is very large, encountering errors (bugs) is almost unavoidable. To debug, developers need to use specialized software, combined with experience to observe, identify the faulty code segments and provide solutions to overcome them.
Source Control: System control management (SCM) is a system that helps developers track updates and changes to code segments in programs. The system allows Devs to separate, work on multiple separate code segments, and then merge them into a complete version or back up and store code segments when needed.
Operating system: For computers, we have Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux, and for mobile devices, we have iOS and Android. These are popular operating systems today, and each has its characteristics, compatible with one or more programming languages. Therefore, besides knowing many programming languages, developers also need to master the operating systems they work on.
……
Soft Skills
In addition to technical skills, developers also need a lot of soft skills to complete their assigned tasks well and on time. Some skills that IT graduates need to equip themselves with include problem-solving skills, teamwork skills, analytical and evaluative skills, perseverance, and attention to detail.
Soft skills and foreign languages will also be very helpful for developers in completing their work, negotiating salaries, and advancing their careers. In addition, personnel in this industry also need English proficiency because most programming languages and specialized documents are written in English. Thus, possessing language skills, especially reading and writing, will be a significant advantage. Moreover, when using English fluently, you can receive a higher salary of 20-50% as well as good benefits or broaden job opportunities with foreign partners and projects.
IV/ How much is a developer’s salary?
The salary of IT personnel, whether they are coders, programmers, developers, or engineers, depends on the above-mentioned skills, knowledge, and years of experience. However, below are some general salary ranges for your reference:
- Fresher/Junior (less than 2 years of experience): 300 USD – 550 USD
- Mid-Senior (2-4 years of experience): 550 USD – 1200 USD
- Senior (5 years of experience or more): 600 USD – 1350 USD
- Management Level (5-10 years of experience): 1500 USD – 2300 USD
- Director Level (more than 10 years of experience): 2200 USD – 2600 USD
In summary, the field of Development is a highly promising career path with a very high income potential. However, in exchange, you will need a lot of knowledge ranging from expertise, skills, to languages. Along with that, “Dev people” also often face immense pressure. That’s why you need to determine your interests, career goals, and strengths before choosing this job. If, after reading this article, you feel that Development is the field for you, then check out the NTT Institute of International Education’s (NIIE) international standard Bachelor of Information Technology program. This will undoubtedly be a solid stepping stone for you to pursue your passion for being a programmer.
For more information on academic evaluation and policies for the 2023 academic year, please visit http://xettuyen.niie.edu.vn/.
