Emerging technology, new languages and changing skill requirements means software developers are increasingly exploring new ways to future-proof their careers.
While change in the technology industry has always been swift and expected, the age of artificial intelligence (AI) is a cause for concern for many developers who fear their current skills are not enough to stay relevant.
Thankfully, as technology evolves, so too do the needs of businesses, and developers are already well-placed to build upon their skills and stay ahead of the game. Here is just some of the action that developers can take to help future-proof their careers.
Every developer knows that staying up-to-date with the latest developments in languages, frameworks, and technologies is a must. However, it’s also crucial to be open to learning about emerging technologies to ensure you’re not faced with limited career options in the future.
The longer you ignore new technologies, the harder it will be to learn them further down the line. While there’s a time commitment involved, it’s not difficult to keep abreast of what’s coming and develop any necessary new skills. Tech news websites, like Wired or The Register, are an excellent source of general technology news and a good way to hear about up and coming tech or coding languages.
Developers in open source have instant access to thriving and invaluable online communities, while other languages have their own dedicated websites and magazines with news, easy-to-follow tutorials, advice and access to support.
The fear of automation is a very real one for developers. Now’s a good time to look at the types of tasks you undertake on a day-to-day basis to see whether your job may eventually be at risk of being replaced by AI. For example, tasks such as writing boilerplate code or developing basic layout web pages are becoming increasingly easy to automate.
If this applies to you, it’s time to start expanding your skills into areas that are less at risk. Turning your hand to more complex tasks, whether that’s helping to design and build large-scale distributed applications or getting involved in Internet of Things (IoT) development (both of which are incredibly difficult to automate), will go a long way in ensuring your skills remain indispensable.
GitLab’s 2021 Global DevSecOps Survey revealed that after understanding AI/ML, soft skills, like communication and collaboration, were considered the most important for future careers. With digital collaboration and remote working becoming more commonplace, developers must demonstrate they are effective communicators, skilled negotiators and team players.
Such skills can be demonstrated by:
- Having empathy for coworkers and clients, especially in the face of mistakes or challenges
- Being open to receiving feedback
- Taking the lead on projects
- Delegating tasks to other team members, where appropriate
- Offering solutions to problems
- Volunteering to help other teams who need an extra pair of hands.
The ability to collaborate with your team to get things done will instantly help you stand out from the crowd and remain highly employable.
The technology ecosystem is always growing, so the demand for software developers will likely remain. Of course, automation is a threat to the development community, but by shifting focus and embracing responsibilities that are, so far, outside of AI’s remit, honing those invaluable soft skills and continuing to develop your skills and knowledge, you’ll enjoy a full and rewarding career.
Are you looking for your next software development role?
Get in touch with the experts at Remit Resources and let us help you find your next exciting and rewarding opportunity.