By Eleven Fifty Academy
As technology evolves and the demand for coding professionals hits an all-time high, there are now more than enough reasons to turn to tech-career fields. Anyone learning to code would be interested in knowing more about the available career options. Similarly, those wishing to pursue any tech-related career would need the right career advice to choose those professions they would enjoy and find some sense of purpose and fulfillment.
That said, everyone has their taste and preferences as far as career choices are concerned. Even then, having access to the right information can help you make informed decisions that will benefit you, not only now but also in the future. For anyone who loves to code or has an inclined preference for tech, here are the best programming careers you can pursue.
Career options for programming professionals
Computer programming jobs have been growing tremendously over the last few years. And as the field expands, so do the career options and job specifications required of these professionals. Today, there are more than ten unique and well-paying career options for coding professionals. Most of these professionals demand an annual average median salary of $70,000, with those in senior leadership and management positions earning more than $100,000 a year. That said, here are the six best programming careers for code lovers.
Backend development
Backend developers write code that runs on the server-side of the software or application. Their code integrates the server, application, and database and is responsible for what is displayed when browsing the internet. Some of the programming languages a backend developer needs to know include Python, Java, C#, C++, PHP, Ruby, and Perl. If you are more into handling large data sets and making work more efficient, this career option could be your perfect pick.
Frontend development
Unlike a backend developer who works on the-behind-the scenes of web pages and software applications, frontend developers write code that determines the interactive elements of a web page. They oversee every creative and design aspect, from how the page looks to how users interact with the site elements. Programming languages to learn as a frontend developer include JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Full-stack development
Full-stack developers combine both frontend and backend software development skills. Often, these developers have mastered programming languages for both frontend and backend development and have gained experience working in both fields. Programming languages needed to become a full-stack developer include JavaScript, Python, HMTL, and CSS. Most full-stack developers with more than five years of experience can easily find themselves in project management or leadership roles.
Data science
With the wide adoption of the internet of things (IoT) and the cloud, several organizations now collect more data than ever before. And in the information world, we are in, those who can effectively leverage the data can gain a competitive advantage. That said, data scientists are the professionals with the programming skills needed to analyze and draw critical conclusions from large data sources. In every tech industry, data scientists are at the forefront of Machine Learning and AI systems. They are often responsible for helping their companies catch up with the latest data science trends. Some of the programming languages you can learn to become a data scientist are Python, R, C++, SQL, and JavaScript.
UI/UX design
UI/UX designers are some of the most in-demand professionals tasked with maximizing the customer experience. Whether designing a product or a service, UI/UX designers must first interact with the system or the product to gauge the level of customer satisfaction. Traditional roles in this field didn’t require any coding or programming skills. However, most businesses have gone online, meaning UI/UX designers need to customize websites and apps to suit varied customers.
Common programming languages among UI/UX designers include Ruby, Python, and JavaScript. Some coding programs offer free introductory courses in UI/UX design, which helps students jumpstart their UI/UX design and development careers.
Cybersecurity engineer
Nowadays, cybersecurity is becoming a cause for concern for small and large businesses across different industries. The need to keep digital systems secure is pushing the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. According to Gartner, security incidents in operational technology and other cyber-physical systems will cost global businesses over $50 billion by 2023. Similarly, The New York Times had estimated that there would be more than 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally in 2021. This was before the pandemic, meaning the demand for cybersecurity personnel might be way higher than the projected figures. To become a cyber security engineer, you need at least a college engineering degree in a relevant field plus knowledge in programming languages such as C, C++, Python, PHP, and SQL.
Choosing your coding career
The above list of coding careers isn’t by any means exhaustive. Several other career options include game development, mobile app development, product/system management, etc. Choosing the right path depends on your competencies, personal preferences, and most importantly, the tech field and workplace environment that will enhance not only your productivity and professional goals but also your personal life and wellbeing.
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