The Top Benefits of Being a Software Development Degree HolderThe Top Benefits of Being a Software Development Degree HolderThe Top Benefits of Being a Software Development Degree Holder

We live in a technology-driven world. The ability to access information from almost anywhere, combined with software development, has led to innovative ways of working and living.

For example, the market is growing for self-driving cars. Thermostats can learn our habits and adjust themselves accordingly. Movies and music can be accessed, viewed, and streamed instantaneously through the internet. Search engines allow people to gather information on any subject in seconds. Plus, there’s an app for just about everything. These innovations point to a bright future for software developers.

To learn more about software development benefits, check out the infographic below, created by Maryville University’s online Master of Science in Software Development program.

Software development is the branch of computer science devoted to the creation, development, implementation, and troubleshooting of software. The concept can apply to systems, programming, and applications.

Software development is a thriving industry, with employment opportunities slated to grow at a “much faster than average” rate of 22% between 2020 and 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This fast growth can mean more career prospects, which can lead to attractive salaries and unique opportunities.

If you are considering a career change or would like to grow in the technical field, a Master of Science in Software Development can help you build the expertise to advance your career and achieve your goals.

The future of software development is bright. For those looking to pursue a career in the field, the potential benefits that may await them are numerous.

Studies indicate that 81% of software developers are employed full time. Moreover, the BLS reports the number of software developer jobs is projected to reach 2.2 million by 2030.

Because the use of software-driven technology is so widespread, software developers can pursue careers in various industries. Some of these industries include retail, healthcare, and government. Software developers can also explore freelance opportunities.

The numerous jobs under the software development umbrella offer exceptional salary opportunities, according to sources such as PayScale and BLS. The median annual salaries for software development roles include $76,000 for UX designers, $80,000 for software consultants, $97,000 for data scientists, $98,000 for DevOps engineers, $99,000 for database administrators, and $100,000 for software product managers.

There is seemingly no shortage of avenues for software development professionals to grow their careers. In the current market, 60% of developers learned to code using online resources, and 80% of professional developers completed some sort of higher education program. In popular online learning platforms, some of the best-selling courses include machine learning, web development, app development, and ethical hacking.

Software developers can look forward to a number of roles within an organization. They can analyze and test user experiences and use the results to modify user needs. They can also create models that direct programmers on how to code a product.

Additionally, they can maintain and test software regularly, as well as upgrade existing systems and software. Software developers can communicate and collaborate constantly between IT and software development functions via DevOps. They can also manage software development and IT departments efficiently by understanding the unique intricacies of both.

Other responsibilities might include managing user interface and software design, as well as designing and creating software from end to end. In addition, software developers can manage databases of all sizes. Finally, they can collaborate and create new software with other innovative thinkers and developers.

Graduates can reap many benefits from a software development degree. For instance, most well-established tech companies weed out applicants without a degree, a tactic that partially explains why 65% of developers hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Employers also often require a degree or equivalent experience for the highest-paid positions, such as lead Java developer. Additionally, degree holders can learn the intricacies of DevOps — the collaboration between software development and IT — yielding a highly prized knowledge base.

Some of the key DevOps tools that software developers should be proficient in using include Puppet, Chef, Docker, Git, and Ansible. Graduates with relevant DevOps skills and knowledge tend to stand out. Statistics show that employees with an MS in Software Development are extremely satisfied with their jobs. They tend to be in well-paying roles, too: For instance, senior software engineers earn a median annual salary of $121,000.

Keeping up to date on top development skills is key to your success as a software developer. In a master’s degree program, you can learn the most in-demand skills.

For instance, you can learn SQL, a standard language for storing, using, and retrieving data in coding databases. You can also learn JavaScript, a helpful programming language for coding beginners and the foundation of many libraries and frameworks.

Additionally, you can gain proficiency in HTML, aka “the building block of the web.” Python, a programming language for integrating systems, is another skill you can cultivate. You can also learn PHP, a language used to script language for servers and make interactive webpages. In addition, you can learn Ruby, a dynamic programming language that uses open-source web frameworks for building custom web applications.

You can also gain skills with C, a high-level, structured language that is easy to learn and can be compiled on computer platforms. Finally, you can learn Objective-C, a programming language used to write software for OS X and iOS, a superset of C.

The stability of software development and the high wages associated with this career make it an in-demand choice for many. A master’s degree can open the door to high-level positions in the software development industry; prepare you to be a better coder, leader, and project manager; and increase your salary prospects.

Sources

Apple, About Objective-C

Business Insider, “27 Popular Udemy Online Courses Are on Sale Right Now — Starting at $10”

Codecademy, Catalog Menu

IndustryWired, “6 Leading Industries That Are Employing Software Engineers”

IT Career Finder, Web Developer Salary Range

LinkedIn, “Best 5 DevOps Tools for 2022”

MDN Web Docs, HTML: HyperText Markup Language

PayScale, Average Data Scientist Salary

PayScale, Average Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer Salary

PayScale, Average Product Manager, Software Salary

PayScale, Average Senior Java Developer Salary

PayScale, Average Senior Software Engineer Salary

PayScale, Average Software Consultant Salary

PayScale, Average Software Developer Salary

PayScale, Average UX Designer Salary

PayScale, Master of Science (MS) Degree

Pluralsight, Ruby 2 Fundamentals

Python, Home

Stack Overflow, 2021 Developer Survey

TechRepublic, “Do Programmers Still Need a Computer Science Degree to Land a Great Job?”

TutorialsPoint, C Programming Tutorial

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Database Administrators and Architects

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Should I Get a Master’s Degree?”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers

W3 Schools, PHP Tutorial

W3 Schools, SQL Tutorial