Software Developers
Also called Developer, Software Architect, Software Developer, or Software Engineer
What Software Developers do
Software Developers research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Who tends to enjoy it
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
What you'd actually do
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
- Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
- Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
- Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Systems Analysis
What you'll need to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Computer Science 1,091 colleges
- Information Technology 783 colleges
- Information Science / Studies 467 colleges
- Computer Engineering 340 colleges
- Computer Programming / Programmer 489 colleges
- Data Science 320 colleges
- Computer Software Engineering 175 colleges
- Informatics 85 colleges
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 15-1252.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.