Technology
How to become a Software Developer
Writes and maintains the code that applications run on, from websites to internal business tools. From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 1–3 years
- Typical pay
- $85k–$130k
- Starting from
- No experience
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
Commonly asked for
- Bachelor's degree in computer science commonly asked for, though bootcamp graduates and self-taught developers are hired routinely
- A portfolio of real, deployed projects matters more than the credential
- No prior professional experience required to start
The route
Learn one language properly
JavaScript or Python. Breadth across five is worth less than depth in one.
Course that covers thisA Gentle Introduction To JavaScript For Absolute BeginnersUdemy · around $19.99Build real projects
Three things that work and are deployed. This is your actual resume.
Course that covers thisThe Complete HTML & CSS Course and ProjectsUdemy · around $19.99Learn Git and how teams work
Branches, pull requests, code review. Missing this shows immediately.
Get through the interview loop
Data structures and algorithms practice — separate from building, and necessary.
- Browse jobs now
Destination
Software Developer
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