Software developers have an interesting career that requires them to create high-quality software programs for their clients.
They may work in a front-end, back-end, or full-scale position, meaning that their roles may vary depending on the job they take.
As one of the most in-demand jobs on the market today, software development might be an excellent job for you.
Here are some pros and cons to consider if you’re interested in this fascinating career option.
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Pros of Being a Software Developer
Software development is one of those career fields that has many positives for the right person.
True, it’s not going to be perfect for everybody, but no job is without some issues.
Thankfully, software developer jobs are far more advantageous than disadvantageous, meaning that they may work very well for most people.
Here are a few advantages for you to consider.
1. Heavy Demand
The tech world is constantly changing and innovating, meaning that software developers are almost always in heavy demand.
For example, this market is projected to grow by 25% in the next 10 years, which is much faster than the 6% growth average in the rest of the market.
As a result, there should be many potential careers in this field that might appeal to you from a broad range of employers.
In this way, it shouldn’t be hard to start a job ASAP.
2. High Earning Potential
A skilled software developer can make very good money, often well over $100,000 a year.
In fact, even entry-level positions make good money due to the unique demands and requirements of this job.
If you’re someone who loves programming or who innately understands the unique difficulties of this skill set, you’re likely to start making good money almost immediately.
Many software developers even retire early if that interests you: who wouldn’t be interested in that?
3. Diverse Job Opportunities
Are you someone who loves working with small start-up firms?
Many software developers find jobs in this field.
Or are you more engaged with a larger and more established company with bigger resources?
Software development jobs are available from these experts.
Even better, you can start a business yourself and make a lot of money as a developer.
That diverse array of potential career options makes this a great field for ambitious people.
4. Remote Work Options
Did you feel jealous of people working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Well, many software developers work far from their employers and stay in touch using the Internet.
Some even work at home, even if their office is just a few miles away.
With a good enough computer (typically provided for you by your employer), you can develop software anywhere!
Even better, you could program on the road if you want to travel and work during vacation.
5. Potential for Other Job Opportunities
Software development is a career that includes many potential higher job opportunities.
For example, you might easily move up to a manager position or even become the president or head of a firm if you show enough skill.
Ambition is important in software development, and if you’re ready to perform the necessary skills for this career, you could potentially expand your role in many ways and become a more in-demand and highly-paid professional in no time.
6. Freelance Work May Be Available
The freelance market has become huge in recent years for content creation, web design, and other markets.
For example, freelance programmers can take on temporary projects to build their portfolio or even as a full-time career.
Often, freelance work is a great way to break into this field, as you can take on smaller jobs and build your skills effectively.
You could even take on programming gigs on the side of your full-time job to expand your earning potential.
7. You Can Teach Yourself to Program
Yes, you can get a college degree in programming to get help mastering this skill with more hands-on exercises.
However, many of the best software developers are completely self-taught and learn at home through trial and error.
For example, in the early days of computer programming in England, many teenage developers made and sold games to software firms.
While the market has changed a lot since then, you can still learn to program at home.
Cons of Being a Software Developer
If there are so many pros of becoming a software developer, why isn’t everybody doing it?
Well, there are also several cons or disadvantages that you must consider before trying this career.
Just like with any high-skill career path, working as a software developer can be more challenging than you might think, and requires a little understanding before you dive right into it.
1. It Can Be Hard to Master
Yes, you can learn programming on your own without college courses.
However, it can be tricky to master its complex facets and advance if you aren’t persistent.
Training bootcamps may make this process easier, but can be expensive and time-consuming.
Furthermore, some people may struggle to handle these more difficult steps.
Programming isn’t for everyone, and if you find it too hard to learn basic steps, it might be best to pass on this field.
2. There’s High Competition in This Field
Remember when we said that the demand for this field is constantly increasing?
That’s a well-known fact that has led to a high number of people looking into this field.
As a result, it might be harder than you think to get a job because you’ll have a lot of competitors looking out for this career.
Typically, people with college degrees or more advanced training will stand out, meaning you might still have to go to a university to get a degree, even if you already know the basics of programming.
3. Potentially Long Work Hours
Software developers typically work very long hours during “crunch time,” a period that may require them to work 12-16 hours a day at the end of a project to finish it on time.
This extra work may be exciting to some people, but it is typically exhausting to most.
It’s a common issue that affects just about every facet of software development.
If you’re not someone who likes to work extra hours (especially while on salary and not earning overtime pay), skip out on this job and try one a little less demanding.
4. A Lot of Sitting
Do you like staying on your feet and working physically at a job?
Stay away from software development as much as possible.
You’ll typically be sitting for hours at this job and may have minimal chances to stand up.
Without installing a standing desk or working out, you could experience health issues related to this job, such as weight gain and even heart issues.
It’s especially not great for people who struggle to exercise regularly.
Even worse, already heavy people may gain more weight in this career.
5. Fast-Paced Environment
Programmers typically have to work very quickly to finish their tasks on time, often in an environment that has little downtime.
If you love working in this way, software development is a great option for you.
However, most people enjoy having some downtime to think and might find this career a little demanding.
For example, it’s not uncommon for programmers to work on multiple projects at the same time, which might not only be fast-paced but confusing.
If you want a slower-paced job, look elsewhere.
6. Requires a Lot of Learning
While it’s true that you don’t strictly need a college degree to become a software developer, you’ll need to pay attention to advanced learning modules to stay ahead in this field.
For example, you’ll likely have to learn new programming languages and software design concepts almost every year to ensure you stay working.
Some people love this chance to learn more about programming, while others will find it exasperating and difficult to handle.
If you want a static job with little change, don’t try this field.
7. Strict Work Deadlines
Software developers typically have to work on very strict deadlines that may be challenging for some people to meet.
If you’re good at working in a time crunch or even enjoy deadlines, you might not mind this fact.
However, it’s something that may be stressful for many people, so make sure that you know what your employer wants before starting.
In this way, you can minimize the risk of working in a career field that might be a little too demanding for your needs.
Consider these facts before learning to program.
14 Pros and Cons of Being a Software Developer – Summary Table
| Pros of Being a Software Developer | Cons of Being a Software Developer |
|---|---|
| 1. Heavy Demand | 1. It Can Be Hard to Master |
| 2. High Earning Potential | 2. There’s High Competition in This Field |
| 3. Diverse Job Opportunities | 3. Potentially Long Work Hours |
| 4. Remote Work Options | 4. A Lot of Sitting |
| 5. Potential for Other Job Opportunities | 5. Fast-Paced Environment |
| 6. Freelance Work May Be Available | 6. Requires a Lot of Learning |
| 7. You Can Teach Yourself to Program | 7. Strict Work Deadlines |
Should You Become a Software Developer?
If you love working with computers, feel like you understand programming, want to make good money, and don’t mind hard work, consider becoming a software developer.
You’ll make great money doing something you love and may transition easily into other jobs as well.
That said, this job is often very demanding and can be mentally exhausting for the wrong person.
