There are several important steps to become a software developer without a degree. Notably, nearly every company relies on computer programs, applications, or software systems. With such a high demand, software development employment is projected to increase by over 20% through 2028.
This is over three times the national average employment growth rate. As a tech enthusiast, you need to know how to become a software developer without a computer science degree. This way, you can take advantage of employment opportunities and secure a long-lasting job. Read on to learn about how to become a software developer without a degree.
Learn A Programming Language
First, you should learn a programming language to become a software developer. There’s plenty of great languages for app development in 2022. For example, many development companies use Java to develop server-side applications. Notably, it works on a number of different platforms such as internet and Android smartphone applications.
On the other hand, you can also learn Python. Across the software development field, this is considered one of the easiest languages to learn. Thus, it's a great place to start if you're new to programming. In addition, this object-oriented language is highly versatile for scripting, development, and data analysis.
Use An Advanced Container Registry
Next, you should use an advanced container registry to become a software developer without a degree. For example, you can use a kubernetes registry for seamless k8s cluster provisioning. With this tool, you can access fine-grained access control to share packages and images across your organization securely. In addition, Artifactory uses remote repositories to proxy public Docker resources. Then, it can cache downloaded Docker images so they are available on the local network. Notably, your virtual Docker registries can also aggregate your local and remote repositories. This way, you can access and manage your Docker images from a single URL.
Take An Online Course
In addition, you can take online courses to become a software developer without a degree. Notably, many platforms offer small one-off tutorials to teach you the basics of a skill or programming language. With these, you can troubleshoot an app you're working on or learn to implement a new tool. On the other hand, some platforms also offer curated collections of software courses.
Here, you can learn more in-depth skills such as AI, machine learning, or AR/VR. As you select your courses, consider if you work better with a self-paced or time-bound course model. Importantly, a self-paced model allows you to complete the courses during your free time. A time-bound course can offer more accountability and push you to stay on top of deadlines.
Attend A Coding Bootcamp
Moreover, you can also attend a coding bootcamp to become a software developer without a computer science degree. At a bootcamp, you can gain job-ready programming skills through an accelerated curriculum. Typically, these programs last about three to six months depending if you opt for a part-time or full-time schedule. Often, these are cheaper than multi-year degree programs. Plus, they are highly flexible. Indeed, you can attend virtual, in-person, and weekend bootcamps that meet your scheduling needs. Importantly, bootcamps usually focus on web-based coding rather than software engineering. Thus, this is a great option if you want to become a full stack web developer.
Create Resume & Apply
Furthermore, you should create your resume and apply for jobs to secure a software development job. On your resume, list your programming languages, software proficiencies, and platforms. In addition, you should list any certifications you earn from your bootcamps and online courses. If you have any work experience in an internship or entry-level job, you should list this. Ideally, you should include a link to your online portfolio of work as well. This way, your prospective employers can see your skills and assess how you fit with their company. Of course, you should look at the qualifications on job postings and tweak your resume accordingly. By aligning your resume to each position, you can stand out in the job applicant pool.
There are several steps to become a software developer without a degree. First, you should learn a programming language that matches the types of projects you want to build. Next, use an advanced container registry to manage your Docker images. In addition, take an online course to learn key skills. Moreover, you can also attend a bootcamp to access more structured in-depth learning. Furthermore, create a resume and apply for jobs in your field. If you’ve never done so, you should know how to create the best tech resume. Follow these steps to become a software developer without a degree.
This article was written in cooperation with JFrog