In the modern world, technology reigns supreme. We are reliant on it for nearly every aspect of our daily lives, including our finances, our health, our social lives, and our entertainment. Although it is deeply entrenched in our lives, we are often unaware of the work that goes into creating these digital structures, or even who to acknowledge for their hard work. Software developers are the uncelebrated genuines behind all of these systems we benefit from. They are responsible for creating, designing, deploying, and refining the software that provides the digital architecture behind most of these offerings.
They are involved in every aspect of the software development process, and therefore are needed in some form by most companies across almost every industry. Some of the most in demand industries for software developers are auto, finance, medicine, architecture, and biomechanics. This demand has been reflected in specific states across the US, including Texas, New York, Virginia, Illinois, and Florida. In New York alone, growth has soared by about 20% on an annual basis. Not only is the demand growth enticing for job seekers, but these jobs also pay a very comfortable salary to those who can secure a role.
Software development sounds very complicated and technical, and in some ways it is. However, it is possible to obtain a job in this field without a computer science degree from a prestigious university. A Bachelor’s or an MS in software development can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000. It is also very time intensive – most programs usually take 4 years on average, meaning the opportunity cost for this lengthy education is very high. Shorter programs mean less time spent getting credentialed and more time spent actually working and earning with their skills.
Thankfully, the path to becoming a software developer has become more accessible than ever before. There are new credentialing programs that can train someone to have the technical expertise of someone that has already been in the field for two to three years in as little as 10 months. These programs do not require prior educational experience and are even able to provide financial assistance to those in need. These programs have multiple learning environments available, including online, in-person, and hybrid options. The choice is up to the student for whatever works best with their learning style.
These programs are designed to focus on real world applications with the teachings they provide, rather than focusing on a solely academic style. This means that the courses favor individualized mentorship and project-based applications, instead of relying on textbooks, lectures, and homework. In fact, by the end of the program, students will have to complete a project portfolio that is able to showcase their skills to prospective employers. They are also required to meet a 50 hour per week work commitment, which is designed to reflect a real work week for a developer. The hours are even the same, typically falling between 8:30AM – 6 PM, Monday through Friday. Clearly, these programs are hard work, but students are guaranteed to learn a lot.
These programs index heavily on a mentorship model, where both professors and peers are supposed to help guide the student’s learning. There is even open lab time with dedicated mentors for each student to receive maximum support, which accounts for about 40% of the program’s total time. Students are encouraged to grow their research and problem solving skills around them, so they are equipped to tackle hard problems on the job. There are two curriculum tracks where they can build these skills: real time software development and full stack development. All of these teachings are built into an accelerated time frame, fitting 3 semesters and 36 credits worth of material into 10 months.
By the end of the program, students are more than ready to crush the recruiting process. By being able to offer a project portfolio and relevant technical skills on their resume, many graduates of these programs go on to lead successful careers at leading tech firms. For example, alumni have been hired at Samsung, Meta, Amazon, and Citibank in their respective software developer roles. All of these roles offer a strong career trajectory and competitive salaries. Clearly, a Bachelor’s degree is not the only way to break into a competitive field like software development. A credentialing program can provide a cheaper and faster method of getting the same job placement results, while offering even more hands-on training than what can be found in traditional university programs.
