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- Exciting, in-demand work building apps and other digital products
- Combine programming skills with problem-solving and design
- Work for an agency with multiple clients or as a freelancer
App developers design and build apps and other digital products and services using a combination of programming and design skills.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Develop new apps or create 'mobile-friendly' versions of websites
- Work with other developers, designers and copywriters
- Design prototypes to suit client needs
- Write or amend computer code
- Test software
- Find faults and fix problems
- Write accurate notes about the development process
- Keep up to date with new technology trends and tools
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll spend most of your time working on a computer and may need to learn to use specialist programmes for designing and developing applications.
You'll need
For this role you'll need maths knowledge, knowledge of a range of programming languages, of Agile project development methods, analytical thinking skills, to be thorough and pay attention to detail, and the ability to come up with new ways of doing things.
You may be able to apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an IT company if you have a degree. These are often open to non-IT graduates as well as those with a computing qualification, where you start as a junior developer and get training on the job.
To get started you could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in computer science, software engineering, computer applications development, financial technology, or mathematics.
Alternatively, you could complete a software developer higher apprenticeship, or a creative digital design professional degree apprenticeship.
You can build up required skills and knowledge using free online learning resources, resources for programming languages and apps development.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience you could move into systems analysis, or be promoted to a senior app developer or applications project manager.
You could also become self-employed, offering your services through contracting.