Continuing with our feature to profile different careers to help children and young make important decisions about their future career, this week we are featuring some of the various roles in app, software and web development.
Coding and development are increasingly becoming an important part of our lives with computer technology being found in everything from our ovens to home heating systems and mobile phones to wearable fitness tech.
We’ve highlighted some of the careers you could get into if you’re interested in development below. You can find out even more via the National Careers Service www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Web developer
Web developers use code to create and maintain websites. Usually you will work part of a development, but you could also work on your own or start up your own business.
Web developers will use programming languages and code to build a website that meets the need of the client. There are various different roles a web developer might have in the process, including front end developer, back end developer and full stack.
You can get this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
Depending on which route you go down, you might need one or some of the following qualifications:
University
1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
Apprenticeship
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Find out more about this career here.
Software developer
Software developers design, build and test computer programmes. On a day to day basis, you would take part in technical design meetings, meet with clients, write and emend computer code, test software and maintain systems.
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
Depending on the route you go down, you might need one or more of the following qualifications:
University
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and computing
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma
Apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Find out more about this career here
UX Designer
UX designers use research to understand their users and create websites, applications and software to meet their needs.
Day to day, you will complete research to understand service and business needs, write briefs for developers and designers, analyse issues and recommend solutions.
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
Depending on the route you go down, you might need one or more of the following qualifications:
University:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
College
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and computing
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
Apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Find out more about this career here.
Test lead
A test lead checks a new app, website or software when it is being upgrade or created. Day to day, test leads will create and carry out tests for each stage of a products development, identify and record faults and report back to developers and project managers.
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
Depending on the route you go down, you might need one or more of the following qualifications:
University
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could join a company as a software tester, for example through a graduate training scheme.
Once you have built up enough experience, you could apply for jobs as a test lead.
You can find out more about this career here