Get your code on….
Yay, it’s National Coding Week! Any excuse to celebrate tech excellence of some sort, is good with us. We thought we’d do our bit by shedding some light on what it’s really like to work inside the wonderful world of software development, in the hope of encouraging newcomers into the field.
No question about it, coding is a fascinating and rewarding career choice. As a software coder, you’ll be responsible for developing and maintaining the code that makes our digital world work. This can be anything from creating and managing websites, to developing mobile apps,and desktop software – or even working with artificial intelligence.
The benefits of coding are numerous. Firstly, it’s an in-demand skill; companies are always on the lookout for talented coders. Secondly, it’s a great way to make a living. Coders can earn a good salary, and the demand for those skills is only going to increase in the future.
Coding is also an enjoyable and stimulating activity. It’s mentally challenging, and it’s always satisfying to see what you’ve written come to life and do what you intended it to do. Plus, it’s a global activity; you can use it to create things that will be enjoyed by people all over the world.
So if you’re looking for an interesting and challenging career, coding might just be the thing for you. Here’s what some of the Oval team have got to say about working in software (web) development.
Simone (Project Manager)
From an early age, I was always intrigued by technology – I think it was mainly down to the challenges it presented and the endless possibilities. As one of the fastest-growing sectors, it offers multiple well-paid career paths and is one of the few industries where you will be provided with support and learning opportunities, even if you don’t have a degree. As a Project Manager, I am able to look after multiple clients who have numerous projects on the go, and there is never one day the same as the next, which fuels my excitement and sense of purpose about my role.
The industry is so diverse, in the sense that you don’t need to be a Software Developer to become successful; You can be anything from a Project Manager to a Business Analyst, a Technical Coordinator to a Solution Tester. Whether you’re happy to sit behind your computer alone and get the job done, or be more client-facing and involved in networking, there is always something for everyone in the world of IT.
Alex (Cloud Architect and Testing Analyst)
I’ve always had a personal interest in computers and technology, and wanted a change in career to something more stable and flexible. It’s a highly progressive industry that continuously evolves – there is always something new to learn! I think if you enjoy solving problems, and rising to new challenges, then it’s definitely an industry in which you can succeed.
Doug (Senior Developer)
If I think about my first dive into the software development pond, I was 12 yrs old (1977) and computers were like magical voodoo to most people at that time. I was fascinated by them, and spent a lot of time writing games and 3D simulations, plus later playing with machine code to build what must have been a very early drum machine. It grew from there, culminating in a degree, and became a viable career at a time when finding a job was not an easy task.
After 35 years, it appears we see fads come and go, platforms and frameworks develop then become passé. There’s always something new to learn, which makes it tricky sometimes, but usually interesting – partly in what the new ideas are, and which age-old issues they’re trying to solve. Examples: Agile PM vs. waterfall and source control vs. resource check in/out.
If you get joy out of building things, then software development is a fair choice. What you ‘build’ might not involve physical nuts and bolts, but it’ll likely have to hold together like a well constructed machine.
Vibrant employment market
The joy of getting things working and seeing results
The industry relies on good relationships with clients, and everyone wants it to work (a fact sometimes easily forgotten, but still it remains)
Friends and family who discover that you write code will probably ask you to fix their printer 😁
Craig (Senior Developer)
There are many things I enjoy about being a coder. It’s really satisfying when you finish a project, and the client is happy with the solution. Also, I like solving problems, and that’s often what being a coder is all about.
Another cool thing about working in software development, is that you feel like you’re part of a club. If you master it, you end up feeling like you can do something that a lot of people can’t. Of course anyone has the potential to learn it, but it’s like learning any new language. Anyone can, but few do.
The job isn’t without its challenges. Clients keep you on your toes, and have been known to change their minds about what they want as a project progresses – and if they’re not clear on that, it’s harder for us to know how to help them. It all makes for a stimulating job overall though!
Adrian (Director)
Even though I don’t write code on a daily basis, my appreciation for the joys of application development never diminished. I particularly enjoy watching a team of smart people work together to deliver value to our clients. Typically every project we do will have the aim of saving our clients some time, saving (or making) money, or achieving some sort of compliance. So there’s always a satisfying payoff once we go live. I also enjoy the fact that coding is such a great leveller. Anyone can do it, from pretty much anywhere (although we do enjoy seeing each other IRL). It just takes a blend of appetite, aptitude and commitment to get going.
